Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of improving interest in a game.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a variable member that changes easiness of ball entry into a ball entry port when an open lottery based on entry of a game ball into an operation region results in a predetermined result, a special game determination unit that performs a lottery related to execution of a special game, a special game control unit that executes the special game when the lottery results in execution of the special game, and an easy-ball-entry-state control unit that controls an easy-ball-entry state in which the variable member is more likely to cause the game ball to enter the ball entry port more easily than in a normal game state. The ball entry facilitation state control means shifts the game state to a first ball entry facilitation state after the execution of a special game, shifts the game state to a second ball entry facilitation state corresponding to a specific result when the specific result is determined a predetermined number of times in the first ball entry facilitation state, and shifts the game state to a normal game state on the basis of the fact that processing based on opening drawing is performed a specific number of times in the second ball entry facilitation state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A known gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine, which includes a gaming area in which gaming balls (gaming value) move and a launching device that launches gaming balls into the gaming area. The pachinko gaming machine includes a starting port provided in the gaming area, and when a gaming ball is detected entering the starting port, a special symbol lottery is held. If the result of the special symbol lottery is a win, the gaming state transitions to a special gaming state, and multiple special games are played in the special gaming state. In each special game, a large prize opening provided in the gaming area opens, and gaming balls are paid out based on the entry of the gaming ball into the large prize opening.

[0003] A known gaming machine of this type is one that reaches the final time-saving fluctuation in a state where the probability of winning falls from a high probability state, and when the C time-saving state is won in the final fluctuation, it transitions to the C time-saving state (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-004259 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, there is a demand for gaming machines to enhance the enjoyment of the game.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a gaming machine that can increase the enjoyment of gaming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine of the present invention comprises: A main control means (main control board 200) that controls the progress of the game; Starting holes (first starting hole 46, second starting hole 49) through which game balls can enter; An entrance through which game balls can enter (general entrance 47, second starting entrance 49), An operating area (passing gate 48, operating winning hole) into which the game ball can enter; A variable member (normal accessory 54) that changes the ease of ball entry into the ball entry port when the opening lottery based on the ball entry into the operating area is a predetermined result; A special game determination means (special symbol lottery means 230) for performing a lottery for executing a special game advantageous to a player; a special game control means (special game execution means 260) for executing the special game when the result of the lottery results in the execution of the special game; and a ball entry easy state control means (game state control means 250) for controlling a ball entry easy state in which the variable member is more likely to enter the ball entry hole easily than in a normal game state, The easy-to-score state includes a first easy-to-score state and a second easy-to-score state, In the second easy-to-enter state, the variable member is less likely to enter a state in which it is easy for the game ball to enter the ball entry hole than in the first easy-to-enter state, The easy-to-score state control means can transition to the easy-to-score state after the special game is executed or after a specific result that is a result of not executing the special game is determined by the lottery, The ball scoring easy state control means After the special game is executed, the state is transitioned to the first easy-to-score state; When the specific result is determined a predetermined number of times in the first easy-to-score state, transition to the second easy-to-score state corresponding to the specific result; The game state is transitioned to the normal game state based on the processing based on the opening lottery being performed a specific number of times in the second easy-to-score state.

[0008] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a gaming machine with a large expected value of balls to be paid out when a winning combination is achieved under a specific condition, thereby providing a new gaming experience that has never been seen before, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the enjoyment of the game. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an amusement machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating its external configuration. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the external configuration of the gaming machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the external configuration of the game board. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the external configuration of the status display unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the gaming machine. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the big prize slot, in which (a) shows the state of passing through a specific area, and (b) shows the state of passing through a non-specific area. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the winning lottery table. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a symbol lottery table. [Figure 9] This is a diagram explaining the display of the performance patterns and reserved patterns. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram of the game state. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams explaining the game states to which the player transitions when each symbol is won in each game state. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a normal symbol lottery table of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram of the game state. [Figure 14]10A and 10B are diagrams explaining the game states to which the player transitions when each symbol is won in each game state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, "front and rear" basically means that when a player is in front of a gaming machine, the player side is "front" and the gaming machine side is "rear," "up and down" means that the top side of the gaming machine is "up" and the bottom side is "down," and "left and right" means that the left-hand side of a player playing on the gaming machine is "left" and the right-hand side is "right."

[0012] Unlike conventional pachinko gaming machines, the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment allows a player to play without touching the gaming balls. The gaming machine 1 is an enclosed circulation type in which a certain number of gaming balls (gaming media) circulate inside the gaming machine. The gaming machine 1 is also a gaming machine in which gaming value is used as electronic information, and the gaming value is consumed and paid out through play. In the gaming machine 1, paying out gaming value means electronically paying out (granting) the gaming value. Note that the invention according to this embodiment is not limited to the gaming machine 1 and can also be applied to conventional pachinko gaming machines, i.e., pachinko gaming machines in which a player can physically touch gaming balls and gaming balls are paid out to a tray when the gaming balls enter a predetermined winning slot.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior configuration of a gaming machine according to this embodiment. The gaming machine of this embodiment includes an outer frame 2 that forms the exterior surface of the gaming machine, a gaming board 6 that is provided inside the gaming machine and forms a gaming area 4 in which gaming balls move, an inner frame 7 that holds the gaming board 6, a glass unit 8 that makes the gaming board 6 visible but inaccessible to players, and a front frame 10 to which the glass unit 8 is attached. The inner frame 7 is attached to the outer frame 2 via a hinge mechanism so as to be able to open and close. The front frame 10 is also attached to the inner frame 7 via a hinge mechanism so as to be able to open and close. The inner frame 7 (and the front frame 10) can be opened and closed between a closed position (closed state) that closes the opening of the outer frame 2 and an open position (open state) that opens the opening of the outer frame 2.

[0014] The portion of the front frame 10 surrounding the glass unit 8 is made of a translucent material that transmits light, and inside the portion made of the translucent material are provided a plurality of lamps 12 (lighting means) that output light effects to enhance the game. In addition, speakers 14 (sound output means) that output sounds to enhance the game are provided on the left and right sides of the lower part of the front frame 10.

[0015] A grip unit 20 (handle) is provided on the lower right side of the front frame 10, and when a player rotates the grip unit 20 clockwise toward the gaming machine, a launcher (not shown) provided inside the gaming machine is activated, launching gaming balls into the gaming area 4. The launcher of this embodiment can launch 99 gaming balls per minute (1.65 balls per second).

[0016] The front frame 10 is provided with a performance button 26 (performance operation means), and when the player operates the performance button 26, the performance performed in the gaming machine changes.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, a dedicated unit 400 (game value lending device, specified device) that lends game value is provided on the side (left side) of the gaming machine 1 and is connected to the gaming machine 1. The front of the dedicated unit 400 is provided with a bill insertion slot 406 into which bills can be inserted, a card insertion / ejection slot 402 into which a card (game value management medium) can be inserted / ejected, a lending button (lending operation means) 403, a replay button (lending operation means) 404, and a card return button 405. The card is used to manage the number of game values ​​owned by the player. In other words, the number of game values ​​owned by the player can be ascertained by the card. The card may also be capable of storing a prepaid balance. In addition, the management of the number of play values ​​by card may be performed by storing the number of play values ​​on the card itself, or by storing the number of play values ​​in a designated management device installed in an amusement facility, etc., and linking the number of play values ​​stored in the management device, etc. with identification information stored on the card (such as the player's ID or an identification number unique to each card).

[0018] In the dedicated unit 400, an operation (pressing operation) on the lending button 403 is accepted as a lending operation (game value transfer operation) for transferring game value to the gaming machine 1. When the lending button 403 is pressed, a predetermined number (for example, 125) of game value is credited to the gaming machine 1 by consuming a stored value stored as a prepaid balance on a bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 406 or a card. In addition, in the dedicated unit 400, an operation (pressing operation) on the replay button 404 is accepted as a lending operation (game value transfer operation) for transferring game value to the gaming machine 1. When the replay button 404 is pressed, a predetermined number (for example, 125) of game value is credited to the gaming machine 1 by consuming game value owned by the player and managed by the card (game value linked to the card). In other words, in this embodiment, an operation on the lending button 403 or the replay button 404 as a lending operation means is accepted as a lending operation (a game value transfer operation), and based on the lending operation, a predetermined amount of game value is transferred (lent) from the dedicated unit 400 to the gaming machine 1.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, a game value number display device (game ball number display device) 211 and a counting button (counting operation means) 212 are provided on the left side of the front frame 10 (the dedicated unit 400 side). Based on the lending operation in the dedicated unit 400, in the gaming machine 1, a value equivalent to a predetermined number of game values ​​is stored in a game value number memory area of ​​the frame control board 201 described below. Hereinafter, the value (stored value) indicated in the game value number memory area will be referred to as the "number of balls in possession" (number of balls in possession). The number of balls in possession can be said to be the number of game values ​​that can be used for playing. The number of balls in possession is displayed on the game value number display device 211. The game value number display device 211 has a 6-digit 7-segment display, and the number of balls in possession is displayed by the 7-segment display.

[0020] The gaming machine 1 is equipped with a frame control board 201 (see FIG. 5), which controls the value (number of held balls) stored in the game value number storage area. The frame control board 201 decreases the number of held balls when a game ball is detected to be launched. The frame control board 201 also increases the number of held balls when a prize ball is paid out. The frame control board 201 also increases the number of held balls when a foul ball is detected. When game value is transferred from the dedicated unit 400 to the gaming machine 1, the frame control board 201 also increases the number of held balls by the amount of game value to be transferred. When game value is transferred from the gaming machine 1 to the dedicated unit 400, the frame control board 201 also decreases the number of held balls by the amount of game value to be transferred. The frame control board 201 also controls the display of the number of held balls on the game value number display device 211, and changes the display content of the game value number display device 211 according to the increase or decrease in the number of held balls.

[0021] The counting button 212 is a button that is operated when transmitting (returning, transferring) all or part of the number of balls held (the game value stored in the game value number storage area) to the dedicated unit 400. The counting button 212 has a pressing portion (operation portion) that is formed so that it can be pressed. When the player wants to end a game, for example, the player operates (presses) the counting button 212 as a counting operation (return operation). When the counting button 212 is operated, a predetermined number of game values ​​are transferred from the gaming machine 1 to the dedicated unit 400. After the game value has been transferred to the dedicated unit 400, when an operation (presses) is performed on the card return button 405 of the dedicated unit 400, a card that enables the number of game values ​​owned by the player to be determined is ejected from the dedicated unit 400 (card insertion / ejection port 402).

[0022] 3 is a front view showing the external configuration of the gaming board 6. A circular outer rail 28 is provided on the gaming board 6, and the area surrounded by the outer rail 28 is the gaming area 4 in which gaming balls move. An arc-shaped inner rail 30 is provided on the left end of the gaming area 4 so as to follow the outer rail 28, and the outer rail 28 and inner rail 30 guide gaming balls launched from a launcher (not shown) provided below the gaming board 6 into the gaming area 4.

[0023] At the center of the game board 6, there is provided a liquid crystal display 32 (effect display device, display means) that displays effect images and the like to liven up the game, and an effect unit 36 ​​that includes a display frame 34 formed to surround the liquid crystal display 32. At the center above the liquid crystal display 32, there is provided a lamp 38 (illumination means) that constitutes the effect unit 36 ​​and outputs effect light and the like to liven up the game.

[0024] In this embodiment, the game balls cannot pass in front of the liquid crystal display 32, and the game balls launched from the launching device fall into the game area 4a on the left side or the game area 4b on the right side of the liquid crystal display 32. In addition, in the game area 4, many game nails (not shown) are nailed so as to intersect with the surface of the game board 6, and the moving direction of the game balls moving in the game area 4 changes randomly.

[0025] An opening 40 is formed on the left side of the display frame 34, through which game balls falling in the game area 4a on the left side of the liquid crystal display 32 can pass, and game balls that pass through this opening 40 pass through a passage 42 provided in the display frame 34 and fall onto a stage 44 provided below the liquid crystal display 32. The top surface of this stage 44 is smoothly curved, and a gap is formed between the stage 44 and the glass unit 8, allowing game balls to fall downward from the stage 44, so that game balls that fall onto the stage 44 from the passage 42 move back and forth on the stage 44 before falling downward from near the center of the stage 44.

[0026] A first start opening 46 (first area) is provided below the center of the stage 44, through which game balls (including game balls that have fallen downward from near the center of the stage 44) can enter. A first start opening switch 100 (see FIG. 5) that detects game balls that have entered the first start opening 46 is disposed within the first start opening 46. When the first start opening switch 100 detects a game ball (entry of a game ball into the first start opening 46), it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 200. Based on the detection signal input from the first start opening switch 100, the main control board 200 executes a first special symbol lottery (first lottery) as a special symbol lottery. Based on the detection signal input from the first start opening switch 100, the main control board 200 executes the payout of a prize ball (for example, one ball). The game ball that entered the first start opening 46 is collected inside the gaming machine.

[0027] To the left of the first starting opening 46 in the gaming area 4, multiple (three) general winning openings 47 (upper left general winning opening 47a, middle left general winning opening 47b, and lower left general winning opening 47c) are provided. The gaming board 6 is also provided with a general winning opening switch 101 (see FIG. 5) that detects a gaming ball that has entered the upper left general winning opening 47a, middle left general winning opening 47b, or lower left general winning opening 47c. When the general winning opening switch 101 detects a gaming ball (entry of a gaming ball into the upper left general winning opening 47a, middle left general winning opening 47b, or lower left general winning opening 47c), it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 200. The main control board 200 then pays out prize balls (for example, three balls) based on the detection signal input from the general winning opening switch 101. One general prize opening switch 101 may be provided for each of the upper left general prize opening 47a, the center left general prize opening 47b, and the lower left general prize opening 47c, or only one may be provided for multiple (for example, three) general prize openings 47. Furthermore, in addition to the upper left general prize opening 47a, the center left general prize opening 47b, and the lower left general prize opening 47c, general prize opening switches corresponding to these general prize openings may also be provided.

[0028] A passage gate 48 through which gaming balls pass without being collected inside the gaming machine is provided in the gaming area 4b on the right side of the liquid crystal display 32. A gate switch 102 (see FIG. 5) that detects the passage of a gaming ball is also provided inside the passage gate 48. When the gate switch 102 detects a gaming ball (passage of the gaming ball through the passage gate 48), it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 200. Based on the input of the detection signal from the gate switch 102, the main control board 200 executes a normal symbol lottery that determines whether a normal win has been won.

[0029] In the gaming area 4b to the right of the liquid crystal display 32, a second start opening 49 (second area, predetermined area) is provided below the passage gate 48. A second start opening switch 103 (see FIG. 5) is provided within the second start opening 49 to detect a gaming ball that has entered the second start opening 49. When the second start opening switch 103 detects a gaming ball (entry of a gaming ball into the second start opening 49), it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 200. Based on the input of the detection signal from the second start opening switch 103, the main control board 200 executes a second special symbol lottery (second lottery) as a special symbol lottery. Based on the input of the detection signal from the second start opening switch 103, the main control board 200 executes the payout of a prize ball (for example, one ball). The gaming ball that has entered the second start opening 49 is collected inside the gaming machine.

[0030] The second starting opening 49 is provided with a normal device 54 (first movable object, movable member) that can move between a reduced state (closed state, first state, state in which it is difficult for a game ball to enter the second starting opening 49) in which it is difficult for a game ball to enter the second starting opening 49, and an expanded state (open state, second state, state in which it is easy for a game ball to enter the second starting opening 49) in which it is easy for a game ball to enter. The normal device 54 has a built-in drive device such as a solenoid, and is controlled to enter the expanded state under predetermined conditions when a normal win is won in the normal symbol lottery. The normal device 54 can change the ease with which a game ball can enter the second starting opening 49.

[0031] A special prize opening 50 (third area, predetermined area) is provided in the game area 4b on the right side of the liquid crystal display 32. A count switch 104 (see FIG. 5) that detects game balls that enter the special prize opening 50 is provided within the special prize opening 50. When the count switch 104 detects a game ball (entry of a game ball into the special prize opening 50), it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 200. The main control board 200 pays out prize balls (for example, 15 balls) based on the detection signal input from the count switch 104. The main control board 200 counts the number of game balls that enter the special prize opening 50 based on the detection signal input from the count switch 104. The game balls that enter the special prize opening 50 are collected inside the gaming machine.

[0032] The large prize opening 50 is provided with a special device 56 (second movable object, specific movable member) that can move between a closed state (non-entry state) in which game balls cannot enter the large prize opening 50 and an open state (entry state) in which game balls can enter. The special device 56 has a built-in drive device such as a solenoid, and is controlled to be in an open state under predetermined conditions in a special game state that starts when a large prize is won in the special pattern lottery (first special pattern lottery or second special pattern lottery). The special device 56 is also controlled to be in an open state under predetermined conditions in a small prize game state that starts when a small prize is won in the special pattern lottery.

[0033] As shown in Figure 6, within the large prize opening 50, there are provided a specific area 51, a discharge area 52, and a distribution means 53 (blade member) that distributes game balls that enter the large prize opening 50 to either the specific area 51 or the discharge area 52.

[0034] A specific area switch 107 is disposed in the specific area 51. The specific area switch 107 (specific area sensor) outputs a detection signal to the main control board 200 based on the detection of a gaming ball passing through the specific area 51 (passage of the gaming ball through the specific area 51). A discharge area switch 108 is disposed in the discharge area 52. The discharge area switch 108 (discharge area sensor) outputs a detection signal to the main control board 200 based on the detection of a gaming ball passing through the discharge area 52 (passage of a gaming ball through the discharge area 52). The sorting means 53 can be switched between a specific area passing state (FIG. 6(a)) in which gaming balls that have entered the large prize opening 50 are sorted to a specific area 51, and a non-specific area passing state (FIG. 6(b)) in which gaming balls that have entered the large prize opening 50 are sorted to a discharge area 52. In other words, when the sorting means 53 is switched to the specific area passing state, gaming balls that have entered the large prize opening 50 are sorted to the specific area 51. This makes it impossible for gaming balls that have entered the large prize opening 50 to pass through the discharge area 52.

[0035] On the other hand, when the sorting means 53 is displaced to the non-specific area passing state, a gaming ball that enters the large prize opening 50 is sorted to the discharge area 52. This prevents a gaming ball that enters the large prize opening 50 from passing through the specific area 51. The sorting means 53 is displaced by a specific area solenoid. A gaming ball that enters the large prize opening 50 is first detected by the count switch 104, and then sorted by the sorting means 53 to either the specific area 51 or the discharge area 52. After passing through that area, the gaming ball is discharged to the discharge path. At this time, a gaming ball sorted to the specific area 51 is detected by the specific area switch 107, and a gaming ball sorted to the discharge area 52 is detected by the discharge area switch 108.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3 , an outlet 62 is provided at the bottom of the game area 4 to collect game balls that fall through the game area 4 without entering any of the winning openings 46, 47, 49, and 50 into the game machine. A discharge path (not shown) is provided inside the game machine through which game balls collected (discharged) from the game area 4 pass. This game machine is configured so that all game balls shot into the game area 4 (all game balls collected from the game area 4) pass through the discharge path. That is, game balls shot into the game area 4 are collected from the game area 4 and flow into the discharge path by entering any of the winning openings 46, 47, 49, and 50 or passing through the outlet 62. Specifically, game balls that enter each winning opening 46, 47, 49, and 50 are detected by switches 100, 101, 103, and 104 disposed in the winning openings and then guided to the discharge path. Furthermore, the gaming balls collected from the outlet 62 are guided to the discharge path. An out switch 106 (see FIG. 5) is disposed in the discharge path. When the out switch 106 detects a gaming ball passing through the discharge path (discharge of a gaming ball from the gaming area 4), it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 200. Furthermore, the main control board 200 counts the number of gaming balls discharged from the gaming area 4 based on the input of the detection signal from the out switch 106.

[0037] The game ball launching device is configured so that the launch output of the game ball can be changed by adjusting the amount of rotation of the grip unit 20 (handle) shown in Figure 1; when the amount of rotation of the grip unit 20 is small, the game ball is launched so that it falls in the game area 4a (first game area 4a, left-hitting area) on the left side of the LCD display 32; when the amount of rotation of the grip unit 20 is large, the game ball is launched so that it falls in the game area 4b (second game area 4b, right-hitting area) on the right side of the LCD display 32.

[0038] The player adjusts the amount of rotation of the grip unit 20 depending on the game situation, and launches the game ball so that it falls through the left-side game area 4a or passes through the opening 40, passage 42, and stage 44 to win in the first starting hole 46 (left hit), or launches the game ball so that it falls through the right-side game area 4b and passes through the passing gate 48 or wins in the second starting hole 49 or wins in the big winning hole 50 (right hit). Note that left hits may also be called the first game method, and right hits may also be called the second game method.

[0039] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a gaming ball falls through the left-side gaming area 4a, the gaming ball does not pass through the passing gate 48, and the gaming ball does not enter (win) the second start opening 49 or the large prize opening 50. In addition, when a gaming ball falls through the right-side gaming area 4b, the gaming ball does not enter the first start opening 46 or the general prize opening 47.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, a status display unit 70 is provided at the lower right of the gaming board 6, outside the gaming area 4, for indicating various states of the gaming machine by turning on and off lamps or the like.

[0041] 4 is a front view showing the external configuration of the status display unit 70. The status display unit 70 is provided with a normal symbol display unit 72, a normal hold display unit 74, a first special symbol display unit 76, a first special hold display unit 78, a second special symbol display unit 81, and a game status display unit 84.

[0042] The normal symbol display unit 72 is composed of two lamps, and when a normal symbol lottery is held, the normal symbol is displayed in a variable manner by flashing the two lamps, and the normal symbol is displayed in a static manner by turning on or off the two lamps, thereby displaying the result of the normal symbol lottery.

[0043] The normal hold display unit 74 is composed of two lamps, and displays the normal hold number corresponding to the number of the reserved random number values ​​for the normal pattern lottery when the random number values ​​for the normal pattern lottery are reserved because the normal pattern lottery cannot be held even if the random number values ​​for the normal pattern lottery are obtained, such as when the normal pattern is already being displayed in a changing or stopped state when the game ball passes through the passing gate 48, and displays the normal hold number from 0 to 4 by combining turning on, turning off, or flashing the two lamps.

[0044] The first special pattern display unit 76 is composed of a 7-segment display, and when a first special pattern lottery is held by a gaming ball entering the first starting hole 46, the 7-segment display is made to flash to display the first special pattern in a variable manner, and the 7-segment display is made to light up in one of a plurality of modes to display the first special pattern in a static manner, thereby displaying the result of the first special pattern lottery.

[0045] The first special reserve display unit 78 is composed of two lamps, and displays a first special reserve number corresponding to the number of reserved first special random number values ​​when the first special pattern or second special pattern is already being displayed in a variable or stopped state at the time the game ball enters the first starting hole 46, and the random number value for the special pattern lottery is reserved as the first special random number value because a special pattern lottery cannot be held even if the random number value for the special pattern lottery (lottery information) is obtained, and displays 0 to 4 first special reserve numbers by combining turning on, turning off, or flashing the two lamps.

[0046] The second special pattern display unit 81 is composed of a 7-segment display, and when a second special pattern lottery is held by a gaming ball entering the second starting hole 49, the 7-segment display is made to flash to display the second special pattern in a variable manner, and the 7-segment display is made to light up in one of a plurality of modes to display the second special pattern in a static manner, thereby displaying the result of the second special pattern lottery.

[0047] The game status display unit 84 is composed of six lamps, and displays the type of game status currently set by combining the lighting, extinguishing, or flashing of the six lamps. Details will be described later, but in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, multiple game statuses can be set, including a normal status and a time-saving status. In the time-saving status, the time for the first special symbol or the second special symbol to fluctuate is shortened compared to the normal status, and the opportunity to execute the special symbol lottery occurs more frequently.

[0048] 5 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment. The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a control board including a main control board 200 (main control means), a sub-control board 202 (sub-control means), and a frame control board 201. The functions of the main control board 200, the sub-control board 202, and the frame control board 201 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), or RAM, or by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in ROM, etc.

[0049] The main control board 200 receives input signals from input means such as the gate switch 102, the first start port switch 100, the second start port switch 103, the general winning port switch 101, the count switch 104, the out switch 106, and the specific area switch 107, performs various calculations to execute the game, and controls the operation of output means such as the normal device 54 and the special device 56 based on the calculation results.

[0050] The sub-control board 202 receives signals sent from the main control board 200 and input signals from the effect button switch 150, which detects operation of the effect button 26, and performs various calculations to execute effects that match the progress of the game, and based on the results of the calculations, controls the operation of effect devices such as lamps 12, 38, speaker 14, and LCD display 32.

[0051] The frame control board 201 receives signals sent from the main control board 200 and input signals from the counting button 212, controls the number of balls held (number of game balls), and controls the game value number display device 211, etc. The frame control board 201 is capable of bidirectional communication with the main control board 200.

[0052] The main control board 200 is configured to include a random number generating means 210, a normal pattern lottery means 220, a normal display control means 222, a normal gimmick control means 224, a special pattern lottery means 230 (lottery means), a special display control means 240, a game status control means 250 (status control means), a special game execution means 260, a payout control means 270, a communication control means 280, and a main memory 290.

[0053] The random number generating means 210 is a means for generating random numbers for the lottery, and is realized by a random number generator that generates hardware random numbers, or a program that generates software random numbers. Software random numbers can be generated, for example, based on the count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numbers so as to circulate within a predetermined count range). Note that in this embodiment, the term "random number value" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that are generated regularly but can actually function as random numbers because the timing of their acquisition is irregular.

[0054] The normal symbol lottery means 220 acquires a normal symbol lottery random number value from the random number generating means 210 based on the input of a detection signal from the gate switch 102 which detects each gaming ball passing through the passage gate 48, stores the random number value for the normal symbol lottery in the normal random number storage means 2912 of the main memory 290, and performs a normal symbol lottery to determine whether or not a normal win has occurred based on the normal symbol lottery random number value read from the normal random number storage means 2912. In this embodiment, the normal symbol lottery is performed based on the gaming ball entering the passage gate 48, but instead of or in addition to the passage gate 48, an operational winning slot may be provided which pays out a predetermined number of prize balls based on the gaming ball entering and performs a normal symbol lottery, and the normal symbol lottery means 220 may perform a normal symbol lottery based on the ball entering the operational winning slot.

[0055] In detail, the normal random number memory means 2912 has four normal reserve memory areas, normal reserve memory area 1 to normal reserve memory area 4, which are memory areas for storing the acquired random number values ​​for the normal pattern lottery, and one normal reserve memory area is provided as a memory area for storing the random number values ​​for the normal pattern lottery that are read from normal reserve memory area 1 and used to draw the normal pattern until the changing and stopping display of the normal pattern ends. Then, when normal pattern lottery means 220 acquires the random number value for normal pattern lottery from random number generating means 210, if the random number value for normal pattern lottery is not stored in any of normal reserve memory areas 1 to 4, it first stores the acquired random number value for normal pattern lottery in normal reserve memory area 1. Then, at the time the random number value for normal pattern lottery is stored in normal reserve memory area 1, if the normal pattern is not being displayed variably or stationarily, that is, if the random number value for normal pattern lottery is not stored in the normal reserve memory area and control to open normal role device 54 is not being executed, it immediately reads out the random number value for normal pattern lottery from normal reserve memory area 1 and performs a normal pattern lottery, and stores the random number value for normal pattern lottery used in the normal pattern lottery in the normal reserve memory area. On the other hand, when the normal symbol is being displayed in a variable or stationary manner, that is, when the random number value for the normal symbol lottery is stored in the normal reserve memory area or when control to open the normal device 54 is being executed, the random number value for the normal symbol lottery is reserved in the normal reserve memory area 1.

[0056] Then, when a random number value for the normal pattern lottery is reserved in the normal reserve memory area 1 and a detection signal is input from the gate switch 102 to obtain a random number value for the normal pattern lottery, the normal pattern lottery means 220 stores the random number value for the normal pattern lottery in the normal reserve memory area with the smallest ordinal number among the normal reserve memory areas 1 to 4 in which a random number value for the normal pattern lottery is not reserved, on the condition that the number of random number values ​​for the normal pattern lottery reserved in the normal reserve memory areas 1 to 4 is less than four, i.e., the normal reserve number is less than four.

[0057] Then, when the variable display and stationary display of the normal symbols are finished, the normal symbol lottery means 220 erases the random number values ​​for normal symbol lottery stored in the normal reserve memory area, and if a random number value for normal symbol lottery is reserved in the normal reserve memory area 1, it reads the random number value for normal symbol lottery from the normal reserve memory area 1, performs a normal symbol lottery, and stores the random number value for normal symbol lottery obtained by the normal symbol lottery in the normal reserve memory area, provided that control to open the normal accessory 54 is not being executed. Here, if a random number value for normal symbol lottery remains in the normal reserve memory area 2 or later, it moves the remaining random number value for normal symbol lottery from the original normal reserve memory area to the normal reserve memory area with the smaller ordinal number by one. For example, if a random number value for normal symbol lottery remains in the normal reserve memory area 2 to the normal reserve memory area 3, it moves it to the normal reserve memory area 1 to the normal reserve memory area 2.

[0058] In this way, in the normal random number memory means 2912, the random number value for the normal pattern lottery for which a normal pattern lottery has been held is held in the normal hold memory area up to a maximum of one, and the random number value for the normal pattern lottery for which a normal pattern lottery has not been held is held in the normal hold memory area 1 to normal hold memory area 4 up to a maximum of four.

[0059] The normal symbol lottery means 220 performs normal winning determination processing as a normal symbol lottery.

[0060] The normal win determination process is a process for determining whether a "normal win" has been won. In the normal win determination process, the normal symbol lottery means 220 selects, according to the game state, which normal symbol lottery table to refer to for random number determination processing among a plurality of types of normal symbol lottery tables stored in the lottery table storage means 2910 of the main memory 290. Here, each normal symbol lottery table associates "normal win" or "lose" with each of 100 normal symbol lottery random number values ​​from 0 to 99. Then, the normal symbol lottery means 220 determines whether a "normal win" has been won by referring to the selected normal symbol lottery table and determining whether one normal symbol lottery random number value read from the normal random number storage means 2912 is associated with a normal win.

[0061] The normal symbol lottery table selected when the game state is in the time-shortened state is set to have a higher probability of winning a "normal win" compared to the normal symbol lottery table selected when the game state is not in the time-shortened state. In other words, the normal symbol lottery held when the game state is in the time-shortened state has a higher probability of winning a "normal win" compared to the normal symbol lottery held when the game state is not in the time-shortened state.

[0062] The normal display control means 222 is a means for controlling the display of the status display unit 70 based on the result of the normal symbol lottery, and performs normal symbol display control processing and normal hold display control processing.

[0063] In the normal symbol display control process, the normal symbol display control means 222 displays the normal symbol in a variable manner by flashing the two lamps of the normal symbol display unit 72 until a predetermined variable time has elapsed, and displays the result of the normal symbol lottery on the normal symbol display unit 72 by turning on or off the two lamps of the normal symbol display unit 72 to stop the normal symbol display depending on whether a "normal symbol win" has been won in the normal symbol win determination process.

[0064] In this embodiment, the normal symbol variation time is determined according to the game state at the time the normal symbol lottery is performed. Specifically, when the game state is in a time-saving state, the normal symbol variation time is set shorter than when the game state is not in a time-saving state. For example, when the game state at the time the normal symbol lottery is performed is not in a time-saving state, the normal symbol variation time is set to a first time (e.g., 20 seconds), and when the game state at the time the normal symbol lottery is performed is in a time-saving state, the normal symbol variation time is set to a second time (e.g., 1 second) that is shorter than the first time. Therefore, when the game state is in a time-saving state, the opportunity to perform the normal symbol lottery occurs more frequently.

[0065] In the normal hold display control process, the normal display control means 222 displays 0 to 4 normal hold numbers by combining turning on, turning off, or flashing the two lamps of the normal hold display unit 74, depending on the number of random number values ​​for normal pattern lottery stored in the normal random number memory means 2912.

[0066] The normal device control means 224 (movable member control means) is a means for controlling the normal device 54 based on the result of the normal symbol lottery. When the gaming state is not in the time-saving state, the normal device control means 224 controls the normal device 54 to operate so that the normal device 54 becomes enlarged (second state) and then returns to the reduced state (first state) until time A (e.g., 0.1 seconds) has elapsed, triggered by the normal symbol being stopped and displayed in a manner indicating a "normal win." Also, when the gaming state is in the time-saving state, the normal device control means 224 controls the normal device 54 to operate so that the normal device 54 becomes enlarged and then returns to the reduced state until time B (e.g., 6 seconds) longer than time A has elapsed, triggered by the normal symbol being stopped and displayed in a manner indicating a "normal win."

[0067] Therefore, when a "normal win" is obtained in the normal symbol lottery, if the gaming state is not in the time-saving state, the normal device 54 operates so as to hardly increase the ease with which the gaming ball enters the second starting hole 49, but if the gaming state is in the time-saving state, the normal device 54 operates so as to increase the ease with which the gaming ball enters the second starting hole 49. In this embodiment, in the time-saving state, the operation of the normal device 54 is controlled so that the gaming ball enters the second starting hole 49 more easily than in the normal state. Therefore, the time-saving state is a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state.

[0068] The special symbol lottery means 230 (special lottery means) acquires a random number value for special symbol lottery from the random number generation means 210 based on input of a detection signal from the first start port switch 100 that detects gaming balls entering the first start port 46 one by one, and stores the value as a first special random number value in the special random number storage means 2914 of the main memory 290. Also, the special symbol lottery means 230 acquires a random number value for special symbol lottery from the random number generation means 210 based on input of a detection signal from the second start port switch 103 that detects gaming balls entering the second start port 49 one by one, and stores the value as a second special random number value in the special random number storage means 2914. The special symbol lottery means 230 uses the first special random number value or the second special random number value read from the special random number storage means 2914 to perform a special symbol lottery that determines whether or not a jackpot will be won.

[0069] The special random number memory means 2914 has four first special reserve memory areas, first special reserve memory area 1 to first special reserve memory area 4, which are memory areas for storing the acquired first special random number values, and one first special reserve memory area is provided as a memory area for storing the first special random number value read from first special reserve memory area 1 and used in the special pattern lottery until the varying and stopping display of the first special pattern ends.

[0070] When the special symbol lottery means 230 acquires the random number value for the special symbol lottery based on the detection signal being input from the first start port switch 100, in a state where the first special random number value is not stored in any of the first special reserve memory areas 1 to 4, the special symbol lottery means 230 first stores the acquired random number value for the special symbol lottery as the first special random number value in the first special reserve memory area 1. Then, at the time when the first special random number value is stored in the first special reserve memory area 1, if the first special symbol is not being displayed variably or stopped, that is, if the first special random number value is not stored in the first special reserve memory area, the game state is not a special game state, and a small win game is not being executed, the special symbol lottery means 230 immediately reads out the first special random number value from the first special reserve memory area 1, performs a special symbol lottery, and stores the first special random number value used in the special symbol lottery in the first special reserve memory area. On the other hand, when the first special symbol is being displayed in a variable or stopped state, i.e., when the first special random number value is stored in the first special reserve memory area, or when the game state is a special game state, or when a small win game is being played, the first special random number value is reserved in the first special reserve memory area 1.

[0071] Then, when a first special random number value is reserved in the first special reserve memory area 1 and a detection signal is input from the first start port switch 100 to obtain a random number value for the special pattern lottery, the special pattern lottery means 230 stores the first special random number value in the first special reserve memory area 1 to the first special reserve memory area 4 that has the smallest ordinal number and in which the first special random number value is not reserved, on the condition that the number of first special random number values ​​reserved in the first special reserve memory area 1 to the first special reserve memory area 4 is less than four, i.e., the first special reserve number is less than four.

[0072] The special random number storage means 2914 is provided with a second special random number storage area as a storage area for storing the acquired second special random number value.

[0073] When the special pattern lottery means 230 acquires a random number value for special pattern lottery based on the input of a detection signal from the second start port switch 103, if the second special pattern is not being displayed in a variable or stationary manner, i.e., if the second special random number value is not stored in the second special random number memory area, the game state is not a special game state, and a small win game is not being executed, it immediately performs a lottery for a special pattern and stores the second special random number value in the second special random number memory area.

[0074] When the variable display and static display of the first special symbol are completed, the special symbol lottery means 230 erases the first special random number value stored in the first special reserve memory area. If the first special random number value is stored in the first special reserve memory area 1, the special symbol lottery means 230 reads the first special random number value from the first special reserve memory area 1, performs a special symbol lottery, and stores the first special random number value used in the special symbol lottery in the first special reserve memory area, provided that the game state is not a special game state and a small win game is not being executed. Furthermore, when the variable display and static display of the second special symbol are completed, the special symbol lottery means 230 erases the second special random number value stored in the second special random number memory area. In this embodiment, the second special random number value is consumed with priority over the first special random number value. In this embodiment, the system does not include a second special reserve memory area for storing the second special random number value (the second special random number value is not reserved). Therefore, the display of the second special symbol based on the second special random number value can be performed only when the display of the first special random number value and the display of the second special random number value are not being performed. Therefore, the second special random number value takes priority in processing, but there is no actual priority relationship. As a modified example, the display of the second special symbol may be started while the display of the first special symbol is being performed, or while the display of the first special symbol is being performed while the display of the second special symbol is being performed. Furthermore, regardless of whether the special random number value is the first special random number value or the second special random number value, the special symbol lottery may be performed by reading the first special random number value or the second special random number value in the order stored in the special random number memory means 2914. In other words, the first special random number value or the second special random number value may be consumed in the order in which the gaming ball entered the first start slot 46 or the second start slot 49.

[0075] When the first special random number value is read from the first special reservation memory area 1, if there are any first special random number values ​​remaining in the first special reservation memory area 2 or later, the remaining first special random number value is moved from the original special reservation memory area to a special reservation memory area with an ordinal number one smaller. For example, when the first special random number value is read from the first special reservation memory area 1, if there are any first special random number values ​​remaining in each of the first special reservation memory area 2 to the first special reservation memory area 4, the first special random number values ​​stored in each of the first special reservation memory area 2 to the first special reservation memory area 4 are moved to each of the first special reservation memory area 1 to the first special reservation memory area 3.

[0076] In the special random number storage means 2914, first special random number values ​​for which no special symbol lottery has been performed are reserved in the first special reservation storage areas 1 to 4, with a maximum of four.

[0077] Furthermore, when the first special symbol and the second special symbol are being displayed variably or stopped, or when the game state is a special game state or a small win game is being executed, a new second special random number value is not stored in the special random number storage means 2914. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a random number value (second special random number value) based on the game ball entering the second start hole 49 (in other words, the detection signal being input from the second start hole switch 103) is not reserved.

[0078] Next, the details of the special symbol lottery will be explained. The special symbol lottery means 230 acquires multiple types of random number values, such as a winning determination random number value and a pattern determination random number value, as random number values ​​for the special symbol lottery based on the detection signal input from the first start port switch 100 or the second start port switch 103, and stores these multiple types of random number values ​​as first special random number values ​​or second special random number values ​​in the special random number storage means 2914. Then, the special symbol lottery means 230 performs a winning determination process, a pattern determination process, etc. as the special symbol lottery.

[0079] The winning determination process is a process of reading out one winning determination random number value included in the first special random number value or the second special random number value stored in the special random number storage means 2914, and determining whether or not there has been a small winning (or a big winning) etc. Here, one winning determination random number value is obtained from 65,536 winning determination random numbers from 0 to 65,535 based on the input of a detection signal from the first start port switch 100 or the second start port switch 103, and is stored in the special random number storage means 2914 as the first special random number value or the second special random number value.

[0080] In the winning determination process, the special symbol lottery means 230 selects which of the multiple types of winning lottery tables stored in the lottery table storage means 2910 of the main memory 290 to refer to in performing the random number determination process, depending on whether the one winning determination random number value read out was stored as the first special random number value or the second special random number value.

[0081] In this embodiment, the lottery table storage means 2910 stores a winning lottery table A shown in Fig. 7(a) and a winning lottery table B shown in Fig. 7(b). In each winning lottery table, a small win (or a big win) is associated with each of 65536 winning determination random number values ​​from 0 to 65535.

[0082] The winning lottery table A is selected when performing a winning determination process for the first special random number value, and a correspondence relationship between each determination result and the winning determination random number value is set so that a "winning (small winning)" is won with a predetermined probability (X / 65536) and a "losing" is won with a predetermined probability ((65536-X) / 65536). The special symbol lottery means 230 determines whether a "winning" or a "losing" has been won by referring to the winning lottery table A and determining whether the winning determination random number value read from the first reserved memory area 1 is associated with a "winning" or a "losing". In this embodiment, the probability of winning a "winning" or a "losing" in the first special symbol lottery does not change depending on the game state.

[0083] The winning lottery table B is selected when performing the winning determination process for the second special random number value, and a correspondence relationship between each determination result and the winning determination random number value is set so that the "small winning" is won with a predetermined probability (Y / 65536) and the "C time reduction" is won with a predetermined probability ((65536-Y) / 65536). The special symbol lottery means 230 determines whether the "small winning" or the "C time reduction" has been won by referring to the winning lottery table B and determining whether the second special random number value is associated with the "small winning" or the "C time reduction". In this embodiment, the probability of winning the "small winning" or the "C time reduction" in the second special symbol lottery does not change depending on the game state. In the second special symbol lottery, there are cases where a "win (big win or small win)" is won and cases where a "win" is not won. In the configuration exemplified here, cases where a "win" is not won include cases where a "win" is not won and a C time reduction is won, and cases where a "win" is not won and a C time reduction is not won (a complete miss) are not included, but cases where a "win" is not won and a C time reduction is not won (a complete miss) may also be included.

[0084] The symbol determination process is a process that is carried out when a "hit (big hit or small hit)" or "C time reduction" is won in the hit determination process. The symbol determination process reads out one symbol determination random number value included in the first special random number value or the second special random number value stored in the special random number storage means 2914, and when a "small hit" is won, it determines which of a plurality of small hit symbols the small hit symbol (type of small hit) will be, when a "C time reduction" is won, it determines which of a plurality of time reduction symbols the time reduction symbol (type of C time reduction) will be, and when a "big hit" is won, it determines which of a plurality of jackpot symbols the jackpot symbol (type of jackpot) will be. Here, one pattern determination random number value is obtained from 200 pattern determination random number values ​​from 0 to 199 based on the detection signal input from the first start port switch 100 and the second start port switch 103, and is stored in the special random number memory means 2914 as a first special random number value or a second special random number value.

[0085] In the pattern determination process, the special pattern lottery means 230 selects which of the multiple types of pattern lottery tables stored in the lottery table storage means 2910 to refer to when performing the random number determination process, depending on whether the one read-out pattern determination random number value was stored as the first special random number value or the second special random number value.

[0086] In this embodiment, the lottery table storage means 2910 stores a symbol lottery table A shown in Fig. 8(a), a symbol lottery table B shown in Fig. 8(b), and a symbol lottery table C shown in Fig. 8(c). In each symbol lottery table, a predetermined symbol is associated with each symbol determination random number value.

[0087] 8(a) is selected when a "win" is won and one read-out symbol determination random number value is stored as the first special random number value, and a correspondence relationship between each symbol and the symbol determination random number value is set so that "win symbol 1" wins with a predetermined probability, "win symbol 2" wins with a predetermined probability, and "win symbol 3" wins with a predetermined probability. The special symbol lottery means 230 refers to the symbol lottery table A and determines which of the plurality of types of winning symbols the read-out symbol determination random number value corresponds to, thereby determining which of the plurality of types of winning symbols has won.

[0088] 8(b) is selected when a "small win" is won and one read-out pattern determination random number value is stored as the second special random number value, and the correspondence between each pattern and the pattern determination random number value is set so that "small win pattern 1" is won with a predetermined probability, "small win pattern 2" is won with a predetermined probability, and "big win pattern 3" is won with a predetermined probability. The special pattern lottery means 230 refers to the pattern lottery table B and determines which of the plurality of types of small win pattern the one read-out pattern determination random number value is associated with, thereby determining which of the plurality of types of small win pattern has been won.

[0089] The symbol lottery table C shown in Fig. 8(c) is selected when "C time-saving" is won and one read symbol determination random number value is stored as the second special random number value, and the correspondence between each symbol and the symbol determination random number value is set so that "C time-saving symbol 1" is won with a predetermined probability and "C time-saving symbol 2" is won with a predetermined probability. The special symbol lottery means 230 refers to the symbol lottery table C and determines which of the multiple types of time-saving symbol the read symbol determination random number value is associated with, thereby determining which of the multiple types of time-saving symbol is won.

[0090] The special game execution means 260 (special game control means) is a means for executing a special game (big win game) based on the result of the special symbol lottery, and performs execution processing of the special game, etc. The special game execution means 260 is a means for executing a small win game based on winning a "small win" in the special symbol lottery, and performs execution processing of the small win game, etc.

[0091] The small win game state begins when a "small win" is won in the special symbol lottery (first special symbol lottery or second special symbol lottery), and ends when a predetermined number of small win games have been played (one in this embodiment). During the small win game, the special device 56 opens, allowing game balls to enter the large prize opening 50, and the distribution means 53 shifts from a non-specific area passing state to a specific area passing state. The small win game ends when a predetermined opening time (e.g., 1.8 seconds) has elapsed since the special device 56 was opened, or when the number of game balls entering the large prize opening 50 during the small win game has reached a predetermined upper limit (e.g., 10 balls).

[0092] In a small win game, the allocating means 53 is shifted from a non-specific area passing state to a specific area passing state so that a gaming ball that enters the large winning port 50 during the execution of the small win game can easily (possibly) pass through the specific area 51. At this time, if "winning symbol 1," "winning symbol 2," "winning symbol 3," "small win symbol 1," or "small win symbol 2" is won, the allocating means 53 is shifted from a non-specific area passing state to a specific area passing state in a manner that makes it easy (possible) for a gaming ball that enters the large winning port 50 during the execution of the small win game to pass through the specific area 51. As a result, if "winning symbol 1," "winning symbol 2," "winning symbol 3," "small win symbol 1," or "small win symbol 2" is won, it becomes easy (possible) for a gaming ball to pass through the specific area 51 in the small win game state. On the other hand, when "small win symbol 3" (fall small win) is won, the allocating means 53 is shifted from the non-specific area passing state to the specific area passing state in a manner that makes it difficult (impossible) for the gaming ball that entered the large prize opening 50 during the execution of the small win game to pass through the specific area 51. As a result, when "small win symbol 3" is won, it becomes difficult for the gaming ball to pass through the specific area 51 in the small win game state.

[0093] If the passage of a gaming ball through the specific area 51 is detected during the small win gaming state (if the passage of a gaming ball that entered the large prize opening 50 through the specific area 51 is detected during the execution of a small win gaming), a special gaming state is initiated based on the end of the small win gaming state. On the other hand, if the passage of a gaming ball through the specific area 51 is not detected during the small win gaming state (if the passage of a gaming ball that entered the large prize opening 50 through the specific area 51 is not detected during the execution of a small win gaming), the special gaming state is not initiated.

[0094] If "Winning Symbol 1," "Winning Symbol 2," or "Winning Symbol 3" is selected in the first special symbol lottery, or if "Small Winning Symbol 1" or "Small Winning Symbol 2" is selected in the second special symbol lottery, and a game ball is detected passing through the specific area 51 during the small win game state, the number of special games (round games) is set to nine. This results in 10 rounds being played, with the small win game being the first round game. The nine rounds of play, excluding the small win game, are terminated when a predetermined opening time (e.g., 29 seconds) has elapsed since the special feature 56 was opened, or when the number of game balls entering the large prize slot 50 during the round game reaches a predetermined upper limit (e.g., 10 balls). The special game state then ends when 10 rounds of special games have been played. Furthermore, at the end of the special game state, a predetermined number of time-saving modes corresponding to the small win symbol are set, and the time-saving mode begins. In addition, if the passage of the game ball through the specific area 51 is not detected during the small win game state (if the passage of the game ball that entered the large prize opening 50 through the specific area 51 during the execution of the small win game is not detected), the special game state is not initiated and the normal state is initiated.

[0095] Furthermore, if a "jackpot" can be won in the special symbol lottery (first special symbol lottery or second special symbol lottery), the special game state begins based on the fact that a "jackpot" has been won in the special symbol lottery, and ends when a predetermined number of rounds (number of executions) of special games (jackpot games) have been played according to the type (category) of jackpot symbols. If a "jackpot" is won in the special symbol lottery, a predetermined number of time-saving rounds according to the jackpot symbol is set at the end of the special game state, and the time-saving state begins.

[0096] In this embodiment, the term "special game" may be a general term for a big win game and a small win game. In addition, the term "special game" is not limited to referring to one round of game, but may also refer to the entire round of game (for example, 10 rounds of special game: special game state).

[0097] The special feature 56 enters an open state upon the start of a special game (including a small win game) in each round (based on the establishment of an opening condition). The special feature 56 enters a closed state upon the establishment of one of a plurality of closing conditions. One of the closing conditions is that the opening timer in the main memory 290 counts a predetermined time (1.8 to 29 seconds) (reaches the predetermined time). Another closing condition is that the value of the large prize counter 2920 in the main memory 290, which is incremented by a value equivalent to one game ball (e.g., 1) when the count switch 104 detects the entry of one game ball, reaches a predetermined value (e.g., 10). When the closing condition is established (when the special game termination condition is established), the drive control of the special feature drive device is performed so that the special feature 56 enters a closed state. In addition, the small win game is configured to end when the opening time reaches 1.8 seconds, but in reality it is not opened continuously for 1.8 seconds, but is configured to measure a total opening time of 1.8 seconds by repeating a short opening of 0.15 seconds and a short closing of 0.8 seconds, for a total of 12 short openings.

[0098] That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the upper limit of the number of game balls that can enter the large prize slot 50 in one round is 10, and the number of prize balls for one ball that enters is 15, so the player can win 150 prize balls in one round. Therefore, if the "winning symbol 1," "winning symbol 2," "winning symbol 3," "small winning symbol 1," or "small winning symbol 2" is won, the player can win 1,500 prize balls.

[0099] On the other hand, when "small win symbol 3" (tumble small win) is won, the special device 56 is configured to be in an open state in a manner in which it is opened only once for 0.3 seconds so that it is difficult to pass through the specific area 51 in the small win game. As mentioned above, in the case of "small win symbol 3" (tumble small win), the allocating means 53 is shifted from a non-specific area passing state to a specific area passing state in a manner in which it is difficult (impossible) to pass through the specific area 51, but if the specific area 51 is passed through, it is configured to newly set a predetermined number of rounds of play (for example, 1 or 9 times).

[0100] In this embodiment, "winning symbol 1," "winning symbol 2," and "winning symbol 3" are symbols corresponding to a small win, but they may also be symbols corresponding to a big win. In other words, a random number value associated with a "jackpot" may be set in the winning lottery table A. In this case, when a special game state is initiated based on winning "winning symbol 1," "winning symbol 2," or "winning symbol 3" in the special symbol lottery, the special game state may end on the condition that 10 rounds of special games from the first round to the tenth round have been played. In addition, in the winning lottery table A, a random number value associated with a "jackpot" may be set, and "winning symbol 4" may be set as a symbol corresponding to a big win. In this case, "winning symbol 1," "winning symbol 2," and "winning symbol 3" may be symbols corresponding to a small win or may also be symbols corresponding to a big win. In this case, the "winning symbol 4" may be a symbol that, if won, results in the execution of three or four rounds of special games. Such a "winning symbol 4" may also be provided as a symbol corresponding to a small win. When a random number value associated with a "jackpot" is set for the winning lottery table A, it is preferable that a random number value associated with a "jackpot" is also set for the winning lottery table B. Specifically, it is preferable that the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery are set so that the probability of winning a "jackpot" is the same.

[0101] In other words, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, it is possible to win a "small win" in the first special pattern lottery and the second special pattern lottery, but it is not possible to win a "big win", but it may be set up so that it is possible to win a "big win" in the first special pattern lottery and the second special pattern lottery.

[0102] The special display control means 240 performs a first special symbol display control process, a second special symbol display control process, and a first special pending display control process based on the result of the special symbol lottery.

[0103] The first special pattern display control process is a process that is performed when a special pattern lottery is conducted based on the first special random number value, and the special display control means 240 causes the first special pattern to be displayed in a variable manner by flashing the 7-segment display of the first special pattern display unit 76 until the variable time has elapsed, and then causes the first special pattern to be displayed in a static manner by lighting up the 7-segment display of the first special pattern display unit 76 in a predetermined manner. The special pattern lottery means 230 performs a variation pattern determination process for the special pattern lottery, and the special display control means 240 causes the first special pattern to be displayed in a variable manner by flashing the 7-segment display of the first special pattern display unit 76 until the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern determined in the variation pattern determination process has elapsed, and then causes the first special pattern to be displayed in a static manner by lighting up the 7-segment display of the first special pattern display unit 76 in a predetermined manner.

[0104] In this embodiment, the display mode of the 7-segment display is determined in advance in correspondence with each winning symbol and time-saving symbol. The special display control means 240 causes the first special pattern to be displayed in a static state by lighting up the 7-segment display of the first special pattern display unit 76 in a manner corresponding to whether or not a "win" has been won in the win determination process, and in a manner corresponding to the winning pattern determined in the pattern determination process if a "win" has been won in the win determination process, and causes the first special pattern display unit 76 to display the result of the special pattern lottery.

[0105] The second special pattern display control process is a process that is performed when a special pattern lottery is conducted based on a second special random number value, and the special display control means 240 causes the second special pattern to be displayed in a variable manner by flashing the 7-segment display of the second special pattern display unit 81 until the variable time has elapsed, and then causes the second special pattern to be displayed in a static manner by lighting up the 7-segment display of the second special pattern display unit 81 in a predetermined manner. The special pattern lottery means 230 performs a variation pattern determination process for the special pattern lottery, and the special display control means 240 causes the second special pattern to be displayed in a variable manner by flashing the 7-segment display of the second special pattern display unit 81 until the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern determined in the variation pattern determination process has elapsed, and then causes the second special pattern to be displayed in a static manner by lighting up the 7-segment display of the second special pattern display unit 81 in a predetermined manner.

[0106] The special display control means 240 stops and displays the second special pattern by lighting up the 7-segment display of the second special pattern display unit 81 in a manner according to whether or not a ``big hit,'' ``small hit,'' or ``C time reduction'' has been won in the hit determination process, and in a manner according to the big hit pattern determined in the pattern determination process if a ``big hit'' has been won in the hit determination process, and in a manner according to the small hit pattern determined in the pattern determination process if a ``small hit'' has been won in the hit determination process, and in a manner according to the time reduction pattern determined in the pattern determination process if ``C time reduction'' has been won in the hit determination process, and displays the result of the special pattern lottery on the second special pattern display unit 81.

[0107] In the first special hold display control process, the special display control means 240 displays 0 to 4 first special hold numbers by combining turning on, turning off, or flashing the two lamps of the first special hold display unit 78 depending on the number of first special random number values ​​stored in the special random number memory means 2914.

[0108] In this embodiment, if a "win" is won in the special pattern lottery (first special pattern lottery or second special pattern lottery), a special game state is initiated in which it is possible (easy) for a game ball to enter the large prize opening 50. For example, if a "small win" is won in the special pattern lottery, a small win game state is initiated in which it is possible (easy) for a game ball to enter the large prize opening 50, and if the passage of the game ball that has entered the large prize opening 50 through the specific area 51 is detected in the small win game state, a special game state is initiated in which it is possible (easy) for a game ball to enter the large prize opening 50. By getting game balls to enter the large prize opening 50, the player can win many prize balls.

[0109] In this embodiment, the probability of transitioning to the special game state is higher when an opportunity for the second special symbol drawing is obtained than when an opportunity for the first special symbol drawing is obtained. For example, the probability of winning a "win" in the first special symbol drawing and winning any of "win symbol 1," "win symbol 2," and "win symbol 3" (in other words, the probability of winning a "win" (a "jackpot" or "small win") that can earn a predetermined number ("1500" in this embodiment) of prize balls) may be set to 164 / 65536. In this case, the probability of winning a "win" in the first special symbol drawing and winning any of "win symbol 1," "win symbol 2," "win symbol 3," and "win symbol 4" (in other words, the probability of winning a "win" (a "jackpot" or "small win"))) may be set to 328 / 65536. In addition, the probability of winning a "small win" in the second special symbol lottery and winning either "small win symbol 1" or "small win symbol 2" (in other words, the probability of winning a "win" ("big win" or "small win") that can earn a predetermined number of prize balls ("1500" in this embodiment)) may be set to 4320 / 65536. As mentioned above, in order to have a chance to win the second special symbol lottery, it is necessary to win a "normal win" in the normal symbol lottery and to have a game ball enter (win) the second starting hole 49 when the normal device 54 (normal electric device) is in the open state (open state). The ease with which a game ball can enter (enter) the second starting hole 49 varies depending on the game state.

[0110] Returning to Figure 5, the payout control means 270 performs control to (electronically) pay out a number of game balls equivalent to a predetermined number of prize balls for each detection signal based on the detection signal input from the first start port switch 100, the detection signal from the second start port switch 103, the detection signal from the general winning port switch 101, and the detection signal from the count switch 104.

[0111] The communication control means 280 controls the transmission of various commands generated in response to various calculation results in the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 202 and the frame control board 201. In this embodiment, the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 are connected in a communication manner such that only one-way communication from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 202 is possible, and information cannot be transmitted from the sub-control board 202 to the main control board 200.

[0112] The sub-control board 202 is configured to include a performance control means 300 and a sub-memory 302.

[0113] The performance control means 300 controls the performance device based on various commands sent from the main control board 200, input signals from the performance button switch 150, and performance data stored in the performance data storage means 303 of the sub-memory 302, and controls the performance device to perform effects to liven up or assist the game, such as lighting or flashing the lamps 12, 38, displaying performance images on the LCD display 32, controlling the sound device to output performance sounds from the speaker 14, and driving the performance object drive device to operate the performance objects.

[0114] The performance data storage means 303 stores a large number of performance image data for displaying images on the liquid crystal display 32, and the performance control means 300 draws an image in the frame buffer of the sub-memory 302 for each frame (1 / 30 seconds) based on this performance image data, and displays the drawn image on the liquid crystal display 32, thereby playing and displaying a moving image on the liquid crystal display 32.

[0115] The performance control means 300 executes a performance in which a performance pattern (demo pattern) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 32 in accordance with (corresponding to) the varying and stationary display of the first special pattern in the first special pattern display section 76, or in accordance with (corresponding to) the varying and stationary display of the second special pattern in the second special pattern display section 81, and is capable of announcing the result of the first special pattern lottery or the second special pattern lottery. In the normal state, the performance control means 300 may cause the liquid crystal display 32 to display a performance pattern corresponding to the varying and stationary display of the first special pattern, and in the time-saving state, may cause the liquid crystal display 32 to display a performance pattern corresponding to the varying and stationary display of the second special pattern.

[0116] The display of the effect symbols in the normal state will be explained. Figure 9(a) shows the state before the first special symbol starts to change display. The left effect symbol 350, the middle effect symbol 352, and the right effect symbol 354 are displayed in the display area 32a of the liquid crystal display 32 as effect symbols. The left effect symbol 350 is displayed on the left side of the display area 32a of the liquid crystal display 32, the middle effect symbol 352 is displayed in the center of the display area 32a of the liquid crystal display 32, and the right effect symbol 354 is displayed on the right side of the display area 32a of the liquid crystal display 32. The left effect symbol 350, the middle effect symbol 352, and the right effect symbol 354 each form nine different effect symbol sequences representing the numbers "1" to "9." Note that each effect symbol representing the numbers "1" to "9" may be configured to include decorative elements such as characters in addition to the numbers.

[0117] As shown in Figure 9(b), the display of the first special symbol begins, and the display of the effect symbol (the effect of the effect symbol) begins. The downward arrow in the figure indicates that the effect symbol is being displayed vertically at high speed (scrolling).

[0118] As shown in Figure 9(c), the effect pattern is displayed in a stopped state based on the stopped display of the first special pattern. The effect pattern is displayed in a stopped state in a manner corresponding to the result of the first special pattern lottery. For example, if a "win" is won in the first special pattern lottery, the effect pattern is displayed in a stopped state in a manner corresponding to the winning pattern determined in the pattern determination process. Although not shown, even in the time-saving state, the effect pattern is displayed in a changing or stopped state in accordance with the changing and stopped display of the second special pattern, just as in the normal state (as shown in Figures 9(a), 9(b), and 9(c)).

[0119] The performance control means 300 executes a performance (hold performance) in which an image indicating the first special hold number is displayed on the liquid crystal display 32 based on the first special hold number (first special random number value stored (held) in the special random number storage means 2914) in the main control board 200. As shown in FIG. 9(a), etc., four hold display areas (display areas) of the first hold display area 411 to the fourth hold display area 414 are provided below the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display 32, corresponding to the first special hold memory area 1 to the first special hold memory area 4 of the special random number storage means 2914.

[0120] Figure 9(a) shows a hold effect executed in normal conditions, in which a first special random number value is stored in the first special hold memory area 1 to the first special hold memory area 3, and a first hold image 420 (three first hold images 420) is displayed in the first hold display area 411 to the third hold display area 413.

[0121] In addition, in the hold effect, one hold display area 430 is displayed in the area to the left of the first hold display area 411 at the bottom of the display area 32a of the liquid crystal display 32, corresponding to the special hold memory area of ​​the special random number memory means 2914. When the first special random number value is read out from the first special hold memory area 1 and stored in the special hold memory area, the first hold image 420 is displayed in the hold display area 430 (Fig. 9(b)).

[0122] (Game state transition) As shown in Fig. 10, the game state control means 250 performs a game state transition control process that transitions the game state between multiple game states based on the establishment of a predetermined condition (transition condition). The multiple game states include a normal state, a time-saving state, and a special game state. The time-saving state also includes a first half state, a second half state, and a next-game determination state.

[0123] The normal state (normal game state, non-time-saving state, low-probability state) is a game state that corresponds to the initial state among multiple game states. As described above, in the normal state, the probability of winning a "normal win" in the normal symbol lottery is lower than in the time-saving state. Furthermore, even if a "normal win" is won in the normal symbol lottery, the normal device 54 operates so that the likelihood of the game ball entering the second starting hole 49 is hardly increased. Therefore, in the normal state, it is difficult (impossible) to get the game ball into the second starting hole 49. In other words, it is difficult (impossible) to get an opportunity to draw the second special symbol. In the normal state, it is more advantageous for the player to hit the ball left-handed to get the game ball into the first starting hole 46 in order to get an opportunity to draw the first special symbol than to hit the ball right-handed. In other words, the normal state is a game state in which left-handed hitting is recommended.

[0124] In the time-saving state, the probability of winning a "normal win" in the normal symbol lottery is higher than in the normal state. Furthermore, if a "normal win" is won in the normal symbol lottery, the normal device 54 operates to increase the ease with which the game ball can enter the second starting hole 49. Therefore, in the time-saving state, it is easier to get the game ball to enter (win) the second starting hole 49 than in the normal state. In other words, it is easier to get an opportunity to enter the second special symbol lottery. The time-saving state can be described as a ball-entry-friendly state in which the normal device 54 is likely to be in the open state (a state in which it is easy for the ball to enter the second starting hole 49 as a ball entry hole). On the other hand, the normal state can be described as a state in which the normal device 54 is unlikely to be in the open state.

[0125] In the time-saving state, it is more advantageous for the player to hit the ball to the right so that the game ball passes through the passage gate 48 in order to have a chance to draw the second special symbol than to hit the ball to the left. In other words, the time-saving state is a game state in which a right-handed hit is recommended. In this embodiment, the second special symbol lottery based on the game ball entering the second starting hole 49 is more likely to determine a transition to the special game state than the first special symbol lottery. In other words, the time-saving state has a higher probability of determining a transition to the special game state than the normal state. In this embodiment, the time-saving state in which it is easier for the ball to enter the second starting hole 49 than the normal state may be referred to as a high base state, and the normal state may be referred to as a low base state.

[0126] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, a plurality of termination conditions are set as termination conditions for the time-shortened state, including a first termination condition, a second termination condition, a third termination condition, a fourth termination condition, and a fifth termination condition. The gaming state control means 250 terminates the time-shortened state and transitions the gaming state to the normal state based on the establishment of a termination condition for the time-shortened state (for example, one of the plurality of termination conditions).

[0127] The first termination condition is based on the number of times the second special symbol is displayed. In this embodiment, the first termination condition is met when the number of times the second special symbol is displayed during the time-saving state (the number of special symbol 2 changes) reaches the "first time-saving number" set at the end of the special game state (the start of each time-saving state). The main memory 290 of the main control board 200 is provided with a time-saving counter 2931 (first time-saving counter) that counts the number of times the special symbol 2 changes. At the end of the special game state, the game state control means 250 sets a value corresponding to the winning symbol (type) in the time-saving counter 2931 as the first time-saving number. In addition, the game state control means 250 subtracts "1" from the value of the time-saving counter 2931 each time the second special symbol is displayed during the time-saving state (start). Then, when the value of the time-saving counter 2931 reaches "0" as the second special pattern is displayed, the game state control means 250 determines that the first termination condition has been met, terminates the time-saving state, and transitions to the normal state.

[0128] The second termination condition is based on the winning of a specific small win symbol (hereinafter referred to as a "fall small win") among "small win symbol 1" to "small win symbol 3" in the special symbol lottery (second special symbol lottery). In this embodiment, the second termination condition is established when the number of times "small win symbol 3" has been won as a fall small win in the time-saving state (the number of times of fall small wins) reaches the "second time-saving number" set at the end of the special game state (the start of each time-saving state). The main memory 290 of the main control board 200 is provided with a fall small win counter 2932 (second time-saving counter) for counting the number of times of fall small wins. At the end of the special game state, the game state control means 250 sets a value corresponding to the winning symbol (type) in the fall small win counter 2932 as the second time-saving number. Furthermore, the gaming state control means 250 subtracts "1" from the value of the fall small win counter 2932 each time a fall small win is won through the special pattern lottery. Then, when the value of the fall small win counter 2932 reaches "0" based on the win of a fall small win, the gaming state control means 250 determines that the second termination condition has been met, ends the time-saving state, and transitions to the normal state. Note that, hereinafter, small win patterns other than the fall small win are referred to as "non-fall small wins." Non-fall small wins include "small win pattern 1" and "small win pattern 2."

[0129] The third termination condition is based on the winning of a predetermined small win symbol among "small win symbol 1" to "small win symbol 3" in the special symbol lottery (second special symbol lottery). In this embodiment, the third termination condition is met when the number of times a non-falling small win is won in the time-saving state (number of non-falling small wins) reaches the "third time-saving number" set at the end of the special game state (start of each time-saving state). That is, in this embodiment, the third termination condition is met when the total number of times a "small win symbol 1" is won and the number of times a "small win symbol 2" is won in the time-saving state reaches the "third time-saving number." The main memory 290 of the main control board 200 is provided with a small win counter 2933 (third time-saving counter) for counting the number of times a non-falling small win is won. At the end of the special game state, the game state control means 250 sets a value according to the winning symbol (type) as the third time-shortening number of times in the small win counter 2933. In addition, the game state control means 250 subtracts "1" from the value of the small win counter 2933 every time a non-falling small win is won by the special symbol lottery. Then, when the value of the small win counter 2933 reaches "0" based on the winning of a non-falling small win, the game state control means 250 determines that the third termination condition is met, terminates the time-shortening state, and transitions to the normal state.

[0130] The fourth termination condition is based on the winning of the first time-saving symbol among "C time-saving symbol 1" to "C time-saving symbol 2" in the special symbol lottery (second special symbol lottery). In this embodiment, the first time-saving symbol includes "C time-saving symbol 1." The fourth termination condition is met when the number of times the first time-saving symbol ("C time-saving symbol 1") is won in the time-saving state (the number of C time-saving symbol wins) reaches the "fourth time-saving symbol win count" set at the end of the special game state (the start of each time-saving symbol). The main memory 290 of the main control board 200 is provided with a C time-saving symbol 1 counter 2934 (fourth time-saving symbol) for counting the number of C time-saving symbol wins. At the end of the special game state, the game state control means 250 sets a value corresponding to the winning symbol (or symbol type) in the C time-saving symbol 1 counter 2934 as the number of C time-saving symbol wins. Furthermore, every time the first time-shortening symbol is won in the special symbol lottery, the gaming state control means 250 subtracts "1" from the value of the C time-shortening 1 counter 2934. Then, when the value of the C time-shortening 1 counter 2934 reaches "0" based on the winning of the first time-shortening symbol, the gaming state control means 250 determines that the fourth termination condition is met, terminates the time-shortening state, and transitions to the normal state.

[0131] The fifth termination condition is based on the winning of the second time-saving symbol among "C time-saving symbol 1" to "C time-saving symbol 2" in the special symbol lottery (second special symbol lottery). In this embodiment, the second time-saving symbol includes "C time-saving symbol 2." The fifth termination condition is met when the number of times the second time-saving symbol ("C time-saving symbol 2") is won in the time-saving state (the number of C time-saving symbol wins) reaches the "fifth time-saving symbol win count" set at the end of the special game state (the start of each time-saving symbol). The main memory 290 of the main control board 200 is provided with a C time-saving symbol 2 counter 2935 (fifth time-saving symbol) for counting the number of C time-saving symbol wins. At the end of the special game state, the game state control means 250 sets a value corresponding to the winning symbol (or symbol type) in the C time-saving symbol 2 counter 2935 as the number of C time-saving symbol wins. Furthermore, every time the second time-saving symbol is won in the special symbol lottery, the gaming state control means 250 subtracts "1" from the value of the C time-saving 2 counter 2935. Then, when the value of the C time-saving 2 counter 2935 reaches "0" based on the winning of the second time-saving symbol, the gaming state control means 250 determines that the fifth termination condition is met, terminates the time-saving state, and transitions to the normal state.

[0132] As mentioned above, the time-saving state includes the first half state, the second half state, and the next confirmed state.

[0133] The first half state is a time-saving state that ends when a specific result, which is a result of not executing a special game, is obtained a predetermined number of times in the special symbol lottery. In this embodiment, the first half state is a time-saving state that ends when the first time-saving symbol ("C time-saving symbol 1") is won seven times in the special symbol lottery. In other words, the first half state is a time-saving state that starts when the value of the C time-saving 1 counter 2934 is set to "7." Furthermore, when the specific result is obtained a predetermined number of times in the special symbol lottery in the first half state, the game state control means 250 transitions the game state to the second half state as a game state corresponding to the specific result before the next special symbol lottery is executed.

[0134] Furthermore, the latter half state is a time-saving state that ends when a predetermined result is obtained a predetermined number of times in the special symbol lottery. In this embodiment, the latter half state is a time-saving state that ends when the "small win symbol 3" is won once as a fall small win in the special symbol lottery. In other words, the latter half state is a time-saving state that starts when the value of the fall small win counter 2932 is set to "1." In the latter half state, when the predetermined result is obtained a predetermined number of times in the special symbol lottery, the game state control means 250 transitions the game state to the normal state.

[0135] The next-game-determined state is a time-saving state that is essentially guaranteed to continue until a non-falling small jackpot is won. In other words, the next-game-determined state is a time-saving state with a lower probability of ending before a transition to the special game state is determined compared to the first and second states. When transitioning to the next-game-determined state, a player can reliably win 1,500 prize balls by playing as instructed by the presentation. In other words, the next-game-determined state is a game state in which 1,500 prize balls are reliably awarded, but this only applies if the player plays according to the prescribed method (specifically, by hitting the ball to the right and having the game ball pass through the specific area 51 when a "small jackpot" is won). Playing without following the prescribed method may result in the 1,500 prize balls not being awarded. The next-game-determined state is also a time-saving state that is transitioned to after a special game is executed if a predetermined result for executing a special game is obtained in the special symbol lottery. In other words, when the predetermined result is obtained, the player will obtain both the profit from the special game executed before the transition to the next fixed state and the profit from the special game executed after the transition to the next fixed state. Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, if the "win symbol 1" is won in the normal state, if the "small win symbol 1" or the "small win symbol 2" is won in the first half state, or if the "small win symbol 1" is won in the second half state, the transition to the next fixed state will occur. Then, when the transition to the next fixed state occurs, the player will obtain 3000 prize balls, which is the sum of the 1500 prize balls paid out in the special game executed before the transition to the next fixed state and the 1500 prize balls paid out in the special game executed after the transition to the next fixed state. In other words, in this embodiment, due to the existence of the next determined state, the winning of "winning symbol 1" in the normal state, the winning of "small winning symbol 1" and "small winning symbol 2" in the first half state, and the winning of "small winning symbol 1" in the second half state function as winnings that can obtain 3,000 prize balls. On the other hand, the winning of "winning symbol 2" and "winning symbol 3" in the normal state, and the winning of "small winning symbol 2" in the second half state function as winnings that can obtain 1,500 prize balls.

[0136] That is, in this embodiment, the expected value of the profit awarded to the player when a "small win" is won is higher in the first half state than in the second half state. Specifically, in the first half state, if a non-falling small win is won, 3000 prize balls will always be won, whereas in the second half state, even if a non-falling small win is won, 3000 prize balls may not be won. Note that, when a non-falling small win is won in the second half state, the probability of winning a non-falling small win ("small win pattern 1") that can win 3000 prize balls may be set to about 20% (in other words, 50% or less), and the remaining number may be won as a non-falling small win ("small win pattern 2") that can win 1500 prize balls. In other words, the first half state has a higher probability of transitioning to the next confirmed state when a non-falling small win is won than the second half state. Note that "high probability (or low probability)" includes cases where the higher probability is 100% and cases where the lower probability is 0%, etc. In other words, the first half state does not necessarily have to be configured so that 3000 prize balls can be acquired when a non-falling small win is won (in other words, a non-falling small win symbol that causes the game state after the special game state ends to return to the first half state or the normal state when a win is made in the first half state may be prepared). Also, in the second half state, a win that allows 3000 prize balls to be acquired does not have to be prepared (in other words, a non-falling small win symbol that causes a transition to the next confirmed state when a win is made in the second half state may not be prepared).

[0137] The transition of the game state will be explained in detail below. Note that, hereinafter, the time-shortening state to which the game transitions after the special game state ends is also referred to as the A time-shortening state. Also, the time-shortening state to which the game transitions based on winning "C time-shortening" in the special symbol lottery (in other words, obtaining a specific result in which a special game is not executed) is also referred to as the C time-shortening state. Note that, as will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, the first half state includes the first half of the A time-shortening state and the first half of the C time-shortening state.

[0138] 10, the gaming state control means 250 shifts the gaming state to the special gaming state based on the fact that a "win" has been won in the special symbol lottery (first special symbol lottery) in the normal state. In addition, in the case where a "win" has been won, the gaming state control means 250 shifts the gaming state to the A time-shortening state after the special gaming state ends in accordance with the winning symbol.

[0139] As shown in Figure 11, if the first special pattern lottery results in a "win" and also results in a "win pattern 1," the game state control means 250, at the end of the special game state, sets the first number of time reductions (the value stored in the time reduction counter 2931) to "10000," the second number of time reductions (the value stored in the small fall hit counter 2932) to "10000," the third number of time reductions (the value stored in the small hit counter 2933) to "1," the fourth number of time reductions (the value stored in the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) to "10000," and the fifth number of time reductions (the value stored in the C time reduction 2 counter 2935) to "10000," and transitions the game state to the A time reduction state. In the A time-shortening state, the possibility of any of the first to fifth termination conditions being met other than the third termination condition (i.e., the termination condition met by winning a non-falling small win) is extremely low, and the time-shortening state corresponds to the next-game determination state. In other words, when "winning symbol 1" is won by the special symbol lottery, the game state control means 250 transitions the game state to the next-game determination state after the special game is executed.

[0140] Furthermore, if the first special symbol lottery results in a "win" and the "win symbol 2," the game state control means 250, at the end of the special game state, sets the first time-shortening count (the value stored in the time-shortening counter 2931) to "10000," the second time-shortening count (the value stored in the small drop hit counter 2932) to "10000," the third time-shortening count (the value stored in the small hit counter 2933) to "10000," the fourth time-shortening count (the value stored in the C time-shortening 1 counter 2934) to "7," and the fifth time-shortening count (the value stored in the C time-shortening 2 counter 2935) to "10000," and transitions the game state to the A time-shortening state. The A time-shortening state is a time-shortening state that ends when the "C time-shortening symbol 1" is won seven times, and is a time-shortening state equivalent to the first half state. That is, when the "winning symbol 2" is won in the special symbol lottery, the game state control means 250 shifts the game state to the first half state after the special game is executed.

[0141] In addition, if the first special pattern lottery results in a "win" and also results in a "win pattern 3," the game state control means 250, at the end of the special game state, sets the first number of time reductions (the value stored in the time reduction counter 2931) to "0," the second number of time reductions (the value stored in the small fall hit counter 2932) to "0," the third number of time reductions (the value stored in the small hit counter 2933) to "0," the fourth number of time reductions (the value stored in the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) to "0," and the fifth number of time reductions (the value stored in the C time reduction 2 counter 2935) to "0," and transitions the game state to the normal state.

[0142] In addition, the game state control means 250 transitions the game state to a special game state based on winning a "small win" in the second special pattern lottery, but the game state to transition to after the special game state ends (in other words, what to set the stored values ​​of the time-saving counter 2931, the fall small win counter 2932, the small win counter 2933, the C time-saving 1 counter 2934, and the C time-saving 2 counter 2935 to) varies depending on the game state being referenced and the small win pattern that has been won. Specifically, the game state control means 250 determines, by referring to the game state, which game state to transition to after the special game state based on the winning of a "small win" has ended. However, in the case where a "small win" has been won in the special symbol lottery, before determining, by referring to the game state, which game state to transition to after the special game state based on the winning of the "small win" has ended (in other words, to what value to set the stored values ​​of the time-saving counters 2931 to C time-saving 2 counters 2935), the game state control means 250 determines whether or not the termination condition of the time-saving state has been established, and if the termination condition has been established, executes a process to terminate the time-saving state and transition to the normal state. As a result, in the case where a "small win" has been won in the time-saving state, if the termination condition of the time-saving state is satisfied by the winning of the "small win," the referenced game state becomes the normal state, and if the termination condition of the time-saving state is not satisfied by the winning of the "small win," the referenced game state becomes the time-saving state. Specifically, the game state control means 250 determines the game state (stored values ​​of each counter) after the end of the special game state based on the winning of a "win" by referring to the game state at the time of the winning stored in a predetermined area of ​​the main memory 290, but if the end condition of the time-shortened state is established, the reference is made after the normal state is stored in the predetermined area as the game state at the time of the winning (in other words, the game state after being updated due to the establishment of the end condition of the time-shortened state is referenced as the game state at the time of the winning), so the referenced game state becomes the normal state. Note that the timing for determining (setting) the game state (stored values ​​of each counter) after the end of the special game state by referring to the game state can be any timing from after the winning of a "small win" (after the special symbol related to the win starts to fluctuate) until the end of the special game state.In addition, in this embodiment, the time-saving counter 2931, the fall small hit counter 2932, the small hit counter 2933, the C time-saving 1 counter 2934, and the C time-saving 2 counter 2935 are updated at the timing when the second special pattern stops changing, and the game state is transitioned based on the establishment of the conditions for ending the time-saving state, but the timing for updating each counter and the timing for transitioning the game state may also be when the second special pattern starts to change, etc.

[0143] In the first half state, the third time-shortening count (the value stored in the small win counter 2933) is set to "10000," and the third termination condition is not met even if a non-falling small win is won. Therefore, the game state control means 250 does not perform processing to temporarily transition the game state from the time-shortening state (the A time-shortening state or the C time-shortening state) to the normal state even if a non-falling small win is won. As a result, the referenced game state becomes the time-shortening state (the A time-shortening state or the C time-shortening state). On the other hand, in the next determination state, the third time-shortening count (the value stored in the small win counter 2933) is set to "1," and the third termination condition is met when a non-falling small win is won. Therefore, the game state control means 250 temporarily transitions the game state from the time-shortening state (the A time-shortening state) to the normal state based on the fact that a non-falling small win has been won. As a result, the referenced game state becomes the normal state. In addition, in the latter half state, the third time-shortening count (the value stored in the small win counter 2933) is set to "1", and when a non-falling small win is won, the third termination condition is met, so the game state control means 250 temporarily shifts the game state from the time-shortening state (C time-shortening state) to the normal state based on the fact that a non-falling small win has been won. As a result, the game state referred to becomes the normal state.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 11, in the first half state, when the "small win" is won in the second special symbol lottery and the "small win symbol 1" is won, the game state control means 250 sets the first time reduction count (the stored value of the time reduction counter 2931) to "10000" at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", based on the fact that the game state referred to is the time reduction state (the A time reduction state or the C time reduction state), The second number of time reductions (stored value of the fall small hit counter 2932) is set to "10000", the third number of time reductions (stored value of the small hit counter 2933) is set to "1", the fourth number of time reductions (stored value of the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) is set to "10000", the fifth number of time reductions (stored value of the C time reduction 2 counter 2935) is set to "10000", and the game state is transitioned to the next confirmed state (A time reduction state).

[0145] Furthermore, in the first half state, if a "small win" is won in the second special pattern lottery and the "small win pattern 2" is won, the game state control means 250, based on the fact that the game state referred to is a time-shortened state (A time-shortened state or C time-shortened state), sets the first number of time-shortened times (the stored value of the time-shortened counter 2931) to "10000", the second number of time-shortened times (the stored value of the fall small win counter 2932) to "10000", the third number of time-shortened times (the stored value of the small win counter 2933) to "1", the fourth number of time-shortened times (the stored value of the C time-shortened 1 counter 2934) to "10000", and the fifth number of time-shortened times (the stored value of the C time-shortened 2 counter 2935) to "10000", at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", and transitions the game state to the next determination state (A time-shortened state).

[0146] Furthermore, in the next determination state, if a "small win" is won in the second special pattern lottery and the "small win pattern 1" is won, the game state control means 250, based on the fact that the referenced game state is the normal state, sets the first number of time reductions (the stored value of the time reduction counter 2931) to "10000", the second number of time reductions (the stored value of the fall small win counter 2932) to "10000", the third number of time reductions (the stored value of the small win counter 2933) to "1", the fourth number of time reductions (the stored value of the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) to "10000", and the fifth number of time reductions (the stored value of the C time reduction 2 counter 2935) to "10000", at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", and transitions the game state to the next determination state (A time reduction state).

[0147] Furthermore, in the next determination state, if a "small win" is won in the second special pattern lottery and the "small win pattern 2" is won, the game state control means 250, based on the fact that the game state referred to is the normal state, sets the first number of time reductions (the stored value of the time reduction counter 2931) to "10000", the second number of time reductions (the stored value of the fall small win counter 2932) to "10000", the third number of time reductions (the stored value of the small win counter 2933) to "10000", the fourth number of time reductions (the stored value of the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) to "7", and the fifth number of time reductions (the stored value of the C time reduction 2 counter 2935) to "10000", at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", and transitions the game state to the first half state (A time reduction state).

[0148] Also, in the latter state, if a "small win" is won in the second special pattern lottery and the "small win pattern 1" is won, the game state control means 250, based on the fact that the game state referred to is the normal state, sets the first number of time reductions (the stored value of the time reduction counter 2931) to "10000", the second number of time reductions (the stored value of the fall small win counter 2932) to "10000", the third number of time reductions (the stored value of the small win counter 2933) to "1", the fourth number of time reductions (the stored value of the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) to "10000", and the fifth number of time reductions (the stored value of the C time reduction 2 counter 2935) to "10000", at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", and transitions the game state to the next determination state (A time reduction state).

[0149] Furthermore, in the latter half state, if a "small win" is won in the second special pattern lottery and the "small win pattern 2" is won, the game state control means 250, based on the fact that the game state referred to is the normal state, sets the first number of time reductions (the stored value of the time reduction counter 2931) to "10000", the second number of time reductions (the stored value of the fall small win counter 2932) to "10000", the third number of time reductions (the stored value of the small win counter 2933) to "10000", the fourth number of time reductions (the stored value of the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) to "7", and the fifth number of time reductions (the stored value of the C time reduction 2 counter 2935) to "10000", at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", and transitions the game state to the first half state (A time reduction state).

[0150] Here, we will explain what happens when a "small win" is won in the second special symbol lottery and the "small win symbol 3" (fall small win) is won in each game state. If the "small win symbol 3" is won, it becomes difficult for the game ball to pass through the specific area 51 in the small win game, so the special game state does not start. Also, in the first half state and the next fixed state, the second time-saving count (the stored value of the fall small win counter 2932) is set to "10000." Even if the "small win symbol 3" is won, the second termination condition is not established. Therefore, even if the "small win symbol 3" is won, the game state control means 250 does not perform processing to transition the game state from the time-saving state to the normal state. Therefore, in the first half state and the next fixed state, even if the "small win symbol 3" is won, the game state control means 250 maintains the first half state or the next fixed state and does not transition the game state. On the other hand, in the latter half state, the second time-saving count (the stored value of the fall small win counter 2932) is set to "1," so when the "small win symbol 3" is won, the second ending condition is met. Therefore, in the latter half state, when the "small win symbol 3" is won, the game state control means 250 ends the latter half state (time-saving state) and transitions the game state to the normal state. In other words, the "small win symbol 3" functions as a fall symbol that ends a series of time-saving states (advantageous states) that loop the first half state, the second half state, and the next determined state, and transitions to the normal state.

[0151] In addition, if a "small win" is won in the second special pattern lottery and the "small win pattern 3" is won, and if the passage of the game ball through the specific area 51 is detected during the small win game, the game state control means 250, when the referenced game state is the normal state or the time-saving state, sets the first time-saving number of times (the stored value of the time-saving counter 2931) to "0", the second time-saving number of times (the stored value of the fall small win counter 2932) to "0", the third time-saving number of times (the stored value of the small win counter 2933) to "0", the fourth time-saving number of times (the stored value of the C time-saving 1 counter 2934) to "0", and the fifth time-saving number of times (the stored value of the C time-saving 2 counter 2935) to "0", at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", and transitions the game state to the normal state.

[0152] Furthermore, the gaming state control means 250 may transition the gaming state to the C time-shortening state based on the winning of "C time-shortening" in the second special symbol lottery during the time-shortening state. Here, the gaming state control means 250 determines whether to transition the gaming state to the C time-shortening state based on the winning of "C time-shortening," by referring to the gaming state. However, before referring to the gaming state, it determines whether the termination condition of the time-shortening state has been met, and if the termination condition has been met, executes processing to terminate the time-shortening state and transition to the normal state. Then, when the "C time-shortening" is won and the referenced gaming state is the normal state, the gaming state control means 250 transitions the gaming state to the C time-shortening state corresponding to the won C time-shortening symbol based on the winning of "C time-shortening." Furthermore, when the "C time reduction" is won and the referenced game state is the A time reduction state or the C time reduction state, the game state control means 250 does not transition to the C time reduction state based on the winning of the "C time reduction", but keeps the game state as the current game state (i.e., the A time reduction state or the C time reduction state).

[0153] That is, when the "C time reduction" is selected during the time reduction state, the gaming state control means 250 determines whether to transition the gaming state to the C time reduction state by referring to the gaming state. If the termination condition of the time reduction state is met based on the selection of the "C time reduction," the referenced gaming state becomes the normal state. If the termination condition of the time reduction state is not met based on the selection of the "C time reduction," the referenced gaming state becomes the time reduction state. In this embodiment, the "C time reduction symbol 1" and the "C time reduction symbol 2" are set to be "enabled" in the normal state, i.e., to transition to the C time reduction state corresponding to the stopped C time reduction symbol. Therefore, when the termination condition of the time reduction state is met based on the selection of the "C time reduction," a transition to the C time reduction state occurs when the referenced gaming state becomes the normal state.

[0154] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11, in the first half state, the fourth time-saving number of times (the value stored in the C time-saving 1 counter 2934) is set to the predetermined number of times "7", and if the "C time-saving symbol 1" is won seven times after transitioning to the first half state, the fourth termination condition is met, so the game state control means 250 temporarily transitions the game state from the time-saving state (A time-saving state or C time-saving state) to the normal state based on the seventh win of the "C time-saving symbol 1". As a result, the game state referred to becomes the normal state.

[0155] In addition, in the latter half state, the fifth time-saving number of times (the stored value of the C time-saving 2 counter 2935) is set to the predetermined number of times "1", and since the fifth termination condition is met when the "C time-saving symbol 2" is won once after transitioning to the latter half state, the game state control means 250 temporarily transitions the game state from the time-saving state (A time-saving state or C time-saving state) to the normal state based on the winning of the "C time-saving symbol 2". As a result, the game state referred to becomes the normal state.

[0156] Furthermore, if the "C time-saving symbol 2" is won in the first half state, if the "C time-saving symbol 1" or "C time-saving symbol 2" is won in the next fixed state, or if the "C time-saving symbol 1" is won in the second half state, the stored value of the corresponding counter (C time-saving symbol 1 counter 2934 or C time-saving symbol 2 counter 2935) is set to "10000," and therefore the condition for terminating the time-saving symbol state is not actually met upon winning, so even if the winning is made, the process of temporarily transitioning the game state from the time-saving symbol state to the normal state is not performed. As a result, the game state referred to becomes the time-saving symbol state. In other words, in these cases, the winning of each C time-saving symbol is essentially invalid. That is, for example, in the next confirmed state or the latter half state, the fourth time-saving count (the value stored in the C time-saving 1 counter 2934) is set to "10000", and even if the "C time-saving symbol 1" is won seven times after transitioning to the latter half state, the fourth termination condition is not established, so the game state control means 250 does not perform the process of temporarily transitioning the game state from the time-saving state (C time-saving state) to the normal state even if the "C time-saving symbol 1" is won seven times. As a result, the game state referred to becomes the time-saving state.

[0157] In addition, when the game state control means 250 transitions the game state to the C time-shortening state based on the winning of "C time-shortening", it transitions the game state to a game state corresponding to the C time-shortening symbol that has been won. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, when the game state control means 250 transitions the game state to the C time-saving state based on the winning of "C time-saving," if the "C time-saving pattern 1" is won, it sets the first number of time-saving times (the value stored in the time-saving counter 2931) to "10000," the second number of time-saving times (the value stored in the small fall hit counter 2932) to "1," the third number of time-saving times (the value stored in the small hit counter 2933) to "1," the fourth number of time-saving times (the value stored in the C time-saving 1 counter 2934) to "10000," and the fifth number of time-saving times (the value stored in the C time-saving 2 counter 2935) to "1," and transitions the game state to the latter half state. Furthermore, when the game state control means 250 transitions the game state to the C time-saving state based on the winning of "C time-saving," if the "C time-saving pattern 2" is won, it sets the first number of time-saving times (the value stored in the time-saving counter 2931) to "10000," the second number of time-saving times (the value stored in the small fall hit counter 2932) to "10000," the third number of time-saving times (the value stored in the small hit counter 2933) to "10000," the fourth number of time-saving times (the value stored in the C time-saving 1 counter 2934) to "7," and the fifth number of time-saving times (the value stored in the C time-saving 2 counter 2935) to "10000," and transitions the game state to the first half state.

[0158] Specifically, after transitioning to the first half state, if the "C time-saving pattern 1" is won seven times in the second special pattern lottery, the gaming state control means 250 transitions the gaming state to the C time-saving state based on the fact that the referenced gaming state is the normal state. At this time, the gaming state control means 250 sets the first time-saving number of times (the value stored in the time-saving counter 2931) to "10000", the second time-saving number of times (the value stored in the fall small hit counter 2932) to "1", the third time-saving number of times (the value stored in the small hit counter 2933) to "1", the fourth time-saving number of times (the value stored in the C time-saving 1 counter 2934) to "10000", and the fifth time-saving number of times (the value stored in the C time-saving 2 counter 2935) to "1", and transitions the gaming state to the second half state.

[0159] Furthermore, after transitioning to the latter half state, if the "C time-saving pattern 2" is won once in the second special pattern lottery, the gaming state control means 250 transitions the gaming state to the C time-saving state based on the fact that the referenced gaming state is the normal state. At this time, the gaming state control means 250 sets the first time-saving number of times (the value stored in the time-saving counter 2931) to "10000", the second time-saving number of times (the value stored in the fall small hit counter 2932) to "10000", the third time-saving number of times (the value stored in the small hit counter 2933) to "10000", the fourth time-saving number of times (the value stored in the C time-saving 1 counter 2934) to "7", the fifth time-saving number of times (the value stored in the C time-saving 2 counter 2935) to "10000", and transitions the gaming state to the former half state (the C time-saving state).

[0160] Note that the counter values ​​described in this embodiment are merely examples, and other values ​​can be used. For example, the value "10000" can be rephrased as a value greater than "1" or "7," and a value greater than the value to be compared, such as "1" or "7," can be appropriately used. For example, the third time-saving count (the value stored in the small win counter 2933) can be set in each situation using the values ​​"1" and "10000" in reverse to achieve a configuration similar to that described in this embodiment. In other words, the first half state can be configured as a game state in which the normal state is referenced when a non-falling small win is won, and the second half state or the next-time determination state can be configured as a game state in which the time-saving state is referenced when a non-falling small win is won.

[0161] The gaming machine of this embodiment is A main control means (main control board 200) that controls the progress of the game; Starting holes (first starting hole 46, second starting hole 49) through which game balls can enter; An entrance through which game balls can enter (general entrance 47, second starting entrance 49), A variable member (normal accessory 54) that changes the ease of entering the ball into the ball entrance; A special game determination means (special symbol lottery means 230) for performing a lottery for executing a special game advantageous to a player; a special game control means (special game execution means 260) for executing the special game when the result of the lottery results in the execution of the special game; and a ball entry easy state control means (game state control means 250) for controlling a ball entry easy state in which the variable member is more likely to enter the game ball into the ball entry hole than in a normal game state, The easy-to-score state includes a first easy-to-score state and a second easy-to-score state, The easy-to-score state control means can transition to the easy-to-score state after the special game is executed or after a specific result that is a result of not executing the special game is determined by the lottery, The ball scoring ease state control means After the special game is executed, the state is transitioned to the first easy-to-score state; When the specific result is determined a predetermined number of times (multiple times) in the first easy-to-score state, it is possible to transition to the second easy-to-score state corresponding to the specific result by the next lottery by the special game determination means, The first easy-to-score state and the second easy-to-score state have different expected values ​​of the profit to be given to the player when the result of the lottery in which the special game is executed is obtained.

[0162] According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, it is possible to provide a new gaming experience that has never been seen before in a gaming machine in which the expected value of the payout balls increases when a win occurs under a specific condition, thereby increasing the interest in the game.

[0163] (Variation 1) In this embodiment, the first half state has a higher expected value of the profit to be awarded to the player when the result of executing a special game (winning a "small win") is obtained by the special symbol lottery (second special symbol lottery) compared to the second half state. However, the first half state may have a lower expected value of the profit to be awarded to the player when the result of executing a special game is obtained by the special symbol lottery compared to the second half state. In other words, it is only necessary that the first half state and the second half state have different expected values ​​of the profit to be awarded to the player when the result of executing a special game is obtained by the special symbol lottery.

[0164] Specifically, the control when a non-rollover small win is won in the first half state and the control when a non-rollover small win is won in the second half state may be reversed. Specifically, the second half state may be configured to transition to the next determined state after the special game state ends, regardless of whether "small win symbol 1" or "small win symbol 2" is won. Also, the first half state may be configured so that transition to the next determined state does not occur after the special game state ends based on the win of at least one of "small win symbol 1" and "small win symbol 2" (for example, transition to the first half state). In other words, either the first half state or the second half state may be a game state in which 3,000 prize balls can be definitely acquired by winning a "win." Note that in such a configuration, it is preferable to configure so that transition from the second half state to the first half state based on the win of "C time reduction" does not occur (for example, "C time reduction symbol 2" is not provided), but such transition may also be performed.

[0165] (Variation 2) The first half state may be configured to fall (transition) to the normal state. Specifically, when the first half state is transitioned to after the special game state ends, such as when the "win symbol 2" is won in the normal state or when the "small win symbol 2" is won in the next determined state or the second half state, the second time reduction number (the stored value of the fall small win counter 2932) may be set to "1."

[0166] In this case, the probability of falling back to the normal state may be different between the first half state and the second half state. For example, in addition to the "small win symbol 3," a "small win symbol 4" may be provided as a falling small win that is won in the second special symbol lottery. Furthermore, the falling small win counter 2932 may include a first counter for counting the number of times the "small win symbol 3" has been won, and a second counter for counting the number of times the "small win symbol 4" has been won. When transitioning the game state to the first half state, the game state control means 250 may set the stored value of the first counter to "1" and the stored value of the second counter to "10000." When transitioning the game state to the second half state, the game state control means 250 may set the stored value of the first counter to "1" and the stored value of the second counter to "1." That is, the first half state may be a game state in which a fall to the normal state occurs when the "small win symbol 3" is won, but a fall to the normal state does not occur when the "small win symbol 4" is won (the probability of this occurring is lower than in the second half state). Also, the second half state may be a game state in which a fall to the normal state occurs when the "small win symbol 3" is won, and a fall to the normal state occurs when the "small win symbol 4" is won. Specifically, the probability of winning the "small win symbol 3" in the second special symbol lottery may be 1 / 100, and the probability of winning either the "small win symbol 3" or the "small win symbol 4" in the second special symbol lottery may be 1 / 40, and the second half state may be a game state in which the probability of falling to the normal state is higher than in the first half state (falling at 1 / 40).

[0167] (Variation 3) In the above-mentioned configuration, the latter half state was configured to end when a small drop win was won, but it may also be configured to end based on the number of times the special symbol 2 changes. For example, when the game state transitions to the latter half state, by setting the time-saving counter 2931 to "100", it is possible to configure the latter half state to end when the number of times the special symbol 2 changes reaches 100 without winning a "small drop". In this case, it is not necessary to provide a drop due to a small drop win (in other words, a "small drop symbol 3"). In this configuration, when the second special symbol lottery is executed, it is preferable that the process for determining whether the time-saving termination condition based on the number of times the special symbol 2 has changed has been met (the process for determining whether the first termination condition has been met and transitioning to the normal state if the condition is met) be executed after the process for determining whether the time-saving termination condition based on the winning of the "C time-saving" symbol has been met (the process for determining whether the fourth and fifth termination conditions have been met and transitioning to the normal state if the conditions are met) and the process for determining whether to initiate the C time-saving state based on the winning of the "C time-saving" symbol in the second special symbol lottery (the process for determining whether to initiate the C time-saving state if the referenced game state is the normal state and determining not to initiate the C time-saving state if the referenced game state is the time-saving state). If this process were executed first, when the number of times the special symbol 2 has changed has reached the specified number of 100 and a transition to the normal state has been made based on the satisfaction of the first termination condition, the C time-saving state would be initiated again immediately after the winning of the "C time-saving" symbol in the special symbol lottery, and the time-saving state would continue.

[0168] In addition, in this embodiment, the game state set after the special game is determined based on information on the type of winning symbol and small winning symbol and information on whether the time-saving state or the normal state is set. However, for example, if the first half state (time-saving A state) is the first time-saving state, the second half state (time-saving C state) is the second time-saving state, the next determined state (time-saving A state) is the third time-saving state, and the first half state (time-saving C state) is the fourth time-saving state, the game state after the special game may be determined based on information on the type of time-saving state and the type of winning symbol (small winning symbol). In this way, when the game state after the special game can be determined based on information on the type of time-saving state and the type of winning symbol, it is possible to configure the time-saving state when the winning symbol is won as reference state information without providing a small winning counter, which is the third termination condition of this embodiment, and without dropping the time-saving state in either time-saving state.

[0169] Furthermore, if the game state after the special game can be determined based on the type of time-saving state and the type of winning symbol, as described above, in this embodiment, the state after the special game when small win symbol 1 and small win symbol 2 are won is the same in the next-time fixed state and the second-half state. However, by changing these settings, the game state set after the special game can be changed depending on whether it is the next-time fixed state or the second-half state. For example, the time-saving end condition can be set so that even if small win symbol 1 is in the second-half state, the first-half state is set, and in the second-half state, the game does not transition to the next-time fixed state and 3,000 prize balls cannot be won. Furthermore, by similarly configuring the next-time fixed state to transition to the first-half state after the special game when small win symbol 1 is won, it is possible to set it so that the game can be played in such a way that 3,000 prize balls can be won only during the period maintained in the first-half state.

[0170] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The gaming machine of this embodiment basically has the same configuration as the gaming machine of the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0171] The gaming machine of this embodiment, like the gaming machine of the first embodiment, has a normal state, a first half state, a second half state, and a next determined state as gaming states (see FIG. 13). The transition of gaming states will be described later. Like the gaming machine of the first embodiment, the gaming machine of this embodiment can transition to the first half state (A time-shortened state) after the special gaming state based on winning the first special symbol lottery ends.

[0172] The normal symbol lottery in this embodiment will be described in detail below. The normal symbol lottery means 220 performs normal winning determination processing, normal symbol determination processing, and the like as the normal symbol lottery.

[0173] The normal win determination process is a process for determining whether or not a "normal win" has occurred. In the normal win determination process, the normal symbol lottery means 220 performs a random number determination process by referring to the normal win lottery table stored in the lottery table storage means 2910 of the main memory 290.

[0174] In this embodiment, in the normal win lottery table, a "normal win" is associated with each of 100 normal symbol lottery random number values ​​from 0 to 99, and the probability of winning a "normal win" in the normal symbol lottery is 1 / 1 (100 / 100). In other words, in the normal win lottery table, a correspondence relationship between a "normal win" and a random number value is set so that a "normal win" is won with a probability of 1 / 1. The normal symbol lottery means 220 determines whether or not a "normal win" has been won by referring to the normal win lottery table and determining whether or not one normal symbol lottery random number value read from the normal reserve memory area 1 of the normal random number memory means 2912 is associated with a "normal win."

[0175] In this embodiment, the normal symbol lottery means 220 selects the normal winning lottery table regardless of the game state. In other words, in this embodiment, the probability of winning a normal winning in the normal symbol lottery does not change depending on the game state.

[0176] The normal symbol determination process is performed when a "normal hit" is won in the normal hit determination process, and is a process for determining which of a plurality of normal hit symbols the normal hit symbol (type of normal hit) will be. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, "normal symbol 1", "normal symbol 2", and "normal symbol 3" are set as the type.

[0177] In this embodiment, if a "normal win" is won in the normal symbol lottery, the normal device 54 is opened (opened / closed) in an opening pattern (opening mode / opening / closing mode) corresponding to the type of normal win determined. In this embodiment, a short opening pattern (first opening pattern) and a long opening pattern (second opening pattern) are set as the opening pattern types of the normal device 54. The short opening pattern is an opening pattern that makes it difficult for a game ball to enter the second starting hole 49. In the short opening pattern, the time during which the normal device 54 is in an open state (expanded state) is set shorter than in the long opening pattern. In the short opening pattern, for example, the number of openings of the normal device 54 is set to one, and the opening time of the normal device 54 is set to approximately 0.05 seconds. In the long opening pattern, the opening pattern makes it easy for a game ball to enter the second starting hole 49. In the long opening pattern, the time during which the normal device 54 is in an open state (expanded state) is set longer than in the short opening pattern. In the long opening pattern, for example, the number of times that the normal device 54 is opened is set to 1 time (or 4 times), and the opening time of the normal device 54 is set to about 6 seconds (or the total opening time of the normal device 54 for each time is set to about 5.5 seconds). Therefore, when the long opening pattern is selected as the opening pattern of the normal device 54, if the game is played by hitting to the right, it is almost certain that the game ball will enter the second starting hole 49.

[0178] In the normal symbol determination process, the normal symbol lottery means 220 selects which of the multiple types of normal symbol lottery tables stored in the lottery table storage means 2910 to refer to in performing the random number determination process, depending on the game status at the time the normal symbol lottery is performed.

[0179] When the game state is normal, the normal symbol lottery table A shown in Figure 12 (a) is selected. In this case, even if any of "normal symbol 1" to "normal symbol 3" is determined in the normal symbol determination process, the short opening pattern is set. As a result, when a normal hit is won in the normal symbol lottery in the normal state, the short opening pattern is set with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0180] When the game state is the first half state or the next determined state, the normal symbol lottery table B shown in Figure 12 (b) is selected. In this case, even if any of "normal symbol 1" to "normal symbol 3" is determined in the normal symbol determination process, the long opening pattern is set. As a result, if a normal win is won in the normal symbol lottery in the first half state or the next determined state, the long opening pattern is set with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0181] When the game state is in the latter half state, the normal symbol lottery table C shown in Figure 12 (c) is selected. In this case, if "Normal symbol 1" is determined in the normal symbol determination process, a short opening pattern is selected, if "Normal symbol 2" is determined, a long opening pattern is selected, and if "Normal symbol 3" is determined, a long opening pattern is selected. As a result, if a normal hit is won in the normal symbol lottery in the latter half state, a long opening pattern is set with a probability of 1 / 7, and a short opening pattern is set with a probability of 6 / 7.

[0182] The probability of the long opening pattern being selected when a normal winning occurs in the normal symbol lottery is different between the first half state and the next fixed state and the second half state. Also, the probability is higher in the first half state and the next fixed state than in the second half state, making it an advantageous state for the player. Also, in the time-saving state (first half state, next fixed state, and second half state), the normal device 54 is operated so that the game ball can enter the second starting hole 49 more easily than in the normal state, making it an advantageous state for the player than in the normal state.

[0183] The normal symbol lottery means 220 determines the normal symbol variation pattern (variation time) according to the game state at the time the normal symbol lottery is performed (normal variation pattern determination process). In this embodiment, when the game state is a time-saving state (first half state, next determined state, or second half state), the normal symbol variation time is set shorter than when the game state is a normal state. Note that the normal symbol variation time may be different for the first half state, next determined state, and second half state.

[0184] The normal display control means 222 performs normal symbol display control processing and normal hold display control processing based on the result of the normal symbol lottery.

[0185] In the normal symbol display control process, the normal symbol display control means 222 displays the normal symbol in a variable manner by flashing the two lamps of the normal symbol display unit 72 until the variable time corresponding to the normal symbol variable pattern determined in the normal variable pattern determination process has elapsed, and displays the normal symbol in a static manner by turning on or off the two lamps of the normal symbol display unit 72 depending on whether or not a "normal symbol win" has been won in the normal win determination process, thereby displaying the result of the normal symbol lottery on the normal symbol display unit 72.

[0186] In the normal hold display control process, the normal display control means 222 displays 0 to 4 normal hold numbers by combining turning on, turning off, or flashing the two lamps of the normal hold display unit 74, depending on the number of random number values ​​for normal pattern lottery stored in the normal random number memory means 2912.

[0187] The normal role control means 224 (movable member control means) controls the normal role 54 based on the result of the normal symbol lottery. When the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating a "normal win", the normal role control means 224 controls the operation of the normal role 54 so that the normal role 54 opens (opens and closes) in a determined opening pattern (opening mode, opening and closing mode).

[0188] In addition, in the normal symbol lottery, the decision to open the normal device 54 may be made based on the game state or the establishment of other conditions, and the lottery process may not be executed. In such a configuration, for example, the decision to open the normal device 54 may be made uniformly only when the gate switch 102 detects the passage of the gaming ball through the passage gate 48 in the time-saving state.

[0189] In the winning lottery table B (see FIG. 7(b)) of this embodiment, the correspondence between each judgment result and the winning determination random number value is set so that the "small win" is won with a predetermined probability (approximately 1 / 7) and the "C time reduction" is won with a predetermined probability (approximately 6 / 7). The special symbol lottery means 230 determines whether the "small win" or the "C time reduction" has been won by referring to the winning lottery table B and determining whether the second special random number value is associated with the "small win" or the "C time reduction". In this embodiment, the probability of winning the "small win" or the "C time reduction" in the second special symbol lottery does not change depending on the game state.

[0190] Furthermore, the symbol lottery table B (see FIG. 8(b)) in this embodiment is selected when a "small win" is won and one read symbol determination random number value is stored as the second special random number value, and the correspondence between each symbol and the symbol determination random number value is set so that "small win symbol 1" is won with a predetermined probability and "small win symbol 2" is won with a predetermined probability. The special symbol lottery means 230 refers to the symbol lottery table B and determines which of the plurality of types of small win symbol the one read symbol determination random number value is associated with, thereby determining which of the plurality of types of small win symbol is won.

[0191] Furthermore, the symbol lottery table C (see FIG. 8(c)) in this embodiment is selected when the "C time-saving" is won and one read symbol determination random number value is stored as the second special random number value, and the correspondence between the symbol and the symbol determination random number value is set so that the "C time-saving symbol 1" is always won. In other words, in this embodiment, there is one type of time-saving symbol, but multiple types may be provided.

[0192] As shown in Fig. 13, the game state control means 250 performs a game state transition control process that transitions the game state between multiple game states based on the establishment of a predetermined condition (transition condition). The multiple game states include a normal state, a time-saving state, and a special game state. The time-saving state also includes a first half state, a second half state, and a next-game determination state.

[0193] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, a plurality of termination conditions including a first termination condition, a second termination condition, and a third termination condition are set as termination conditions for the time-shortened state. The gaming state control means 250 terminates the time-shortened state and transitions the gaming state to the normal state based on the establishment of the termination condition for the time-shortened state (for example, one of the plurality of termination conditions).

[0194] The first termination condition is based on the number of times the variable display of the normal symbol (normal symbol variable number). In this embodiment, the first termination condition is met when the number of times the variable display of the normal symbol executed in the time-saving state reaches the "first time-saving number" set at the end of the special game state (at the start of each time-saving state). The main memory 290 of the main control board 200 is provided with a time-saving counter 2931 (first time-saving counter) that counts the number of times the normal symbol changes. At the end of the special game state, the game state control means 250 sets a value corresponding to the winning symbol (type) in the time-saving counter 2931 as the first time-saving number. In addition, the game state control means 250 subtracts "1" from the value of the time-saving counter 2931 each time the variable display of the normal symbol is executed. Then, when the value of the time-saving counter 2931 reaches "0" as the variable display of the normal symbol is executed, the game state control means 250 determines that the first termination condition is met, terminates the time-saving state, and transitions to the normal state. Note that in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first termination condition is the number of times the variable display of the normal symbol occurs, but since the gaming machine of this embodiment is configured so that the normal symbol wins with a 1 / 1 chance and the normal device 54 (normal electric device) operates, as a modified example, the first termination condition may be configured so that the number of times the variable display of the normal symbol occurs is replaced with the number of times the normal electric device operates.

[0195] The second termination condition is based on winning a "small win" through a special symbol lottery (second special symbol lottery). In this embodiment, the second termination condition is met when the total number of times "small win symbol 1" has been won and the number of times "small win symbol 2" has been won in the time-saving state reaches the "second time-saving number of times" set at the end of the special game state (at the start of each time-saving state). The main memory 290 of the main control board 200 is provided with a small win counter 2933 (second time-saving counter) for counting the number of small wins. At the end of the special game state, the game state control means 250 sets a value corresponding to the winning symbol (type) in the small win counter 2933 as the second time-saving number of times. Furthermore, the gaming state control means 250 subtracts "1" from the value of the small win counter 2933 every time a "small win" ("small win pattern 1" or "small win pattern 2") is won through the special pattern lottery. Then, when the value of the small win counter 2933 reaches "0" based on the winning of a "small win", the gaming state control means 250 determines that the second termination condition is met, terminates the time-shortening state, and transitions to the normal state.

[0196] The third termination condition is based on winning the "C time reduction" through the special symbol lottery (second special symbol lottery). In this embodiment, the third termination condition is met when the number of times the "C time reduction symbol 1" is won during the time reduction state (the number of C time reduction symbol wins) reaches the "third time reduction number" set at the end of the special game state. The main memory 290 of the main control board 200 is provided with a C time reduction symbol 1 counter 2934 (third time reduction counter) for counting the number of C time reduction symbol wins. At the end of the special game state, the game state control means 250 sets a value corresponding to the winning symbol (type) in the C time reduction symbol 1 counter 2934 as the number of C time reduction symbol wins. In addition, the game state control means 250 subtracts "1" from the value of the C time reduction symbol 1 counter 2934 every time the "C time reduction symbol 1" ("C time reduction symbol 1") is won through the special symbol lottery. Then, when the value of the C time reduction 1 counter 2934 reaches "0" based on winning "C time reduction," the game state control means 250 determines that the third termination condition has been met, terminates the time reduction state, and transitions to the normal state.

[0197] As mentioned above, the time-saving state includes the first half state, the second half state, and the next confirmed state.

[0198] The first half state is a time-saving state that ends when a specific result, which is a result of not executing a special game, is obtained a predetermined number of times in the special symbol lottery. In this embodiment, the first half state is a time-saving state that ends when the "C time-saving" ("C time-saving symbol 1") is won seven times in the special symbol lottery. In other words, the first half state is a time-saving state that starts when the value of the C time-saving 1 counter 2934 is set to "7." Furthermore, when the specific result is obtained a predetermined number of times in the special symbol lottery in the first half state, the game state control means 250 transitions the game state to the second half state as a game state corresponding to the specific result before the next special symbol lottery is executed.

[0199] Furthermore, the latter half state is a time-saving state that ends when the number of variable displays of normal symbols reaches a predetermined number, "10." In other words, the latter half state is a time-saving state that starts when the value of the time-saving counter 2931 is set to "10." When the number of variable displays of normal symbols reaches a predetermined number in the latter half state, the game state control means 250 transitions the game state to the normal state. Note that the first half state and the next fixed state do not end even if the number of variable displays of normal symbols reaches the predetermined number.

[0200] The next-time determined state is a time-saving state that is essentially guaranteed to continue until a "small win" ("small win symbol 1" or "small win symbol 2") is won. In other words, the next-time determined state is a time-saving state that is less likely to end before a transition to the special game state is determined compared to the first and second states. When a transition to the next-time determined state occurs, the player can be sure to win 1,500 prize balls by playing as instructed by the presentation. Furthermore, the next-time determined state is a time-saving state that is transitioned to after the execution of a special game if a predetermined result for executing a special game is obtained in the special symbol lottery. In other words, when the predetermined result is obtained, the player will gain both the profit from the special game executed before the transition to the next-time determined state and the profit from the special game executed after the transition to the next-time determined state. Specifically, in this embodiment, if the "winning symbol 1" is won in the normal state, if the "small winning symbol 1" or the "small winning symbol 2" is won in the first half state, or if the "small winning symbol 1" is won in the second half state, the game transitions to the next fixed state. When the game transitions to the next fixed state, the player receives 3,000 prize balls, which is the sum of the 1,500 prize balls paid out in the special game executed before the transition to the next fixed state and the 1,500 prize balls paid out in the special game executed after the transition to the next fixed state. In other words, in this embodiment, due to the existence of the next fixed state, the winning of the "winning symbol 1" in the normal state, the winning of the "small winning symbol 1" or the "small winning symbol 2" in the first half state, and the winning of the "small winning symbol 1" in the second half state function as winnings that can earn 3,000 prize balls. On the other hand, winning "Winning symbol 2" and "Winning symbol 3" in the normal state, and winning "Small winning symbol 2" in the latter state, function as a win that can earn 1,500 prize balls.

[0201] The transition of the game state will be explained in detail below.

[0202] The gaming state control means 250 shifts the gaming state to a special gaming state based on winning a "win" in the special symbol lottery (first special symbol lottery) in the normal state. In addition, when winning a "win", the gaming state control means 250 shifts the gaming state to an A time-shortening state after the special gaming state ends in accordance with the winning symbol.

[0203] As shown in Fig. 14, when a "win" is won in the first special symbol lottery and the "win symbol 1" is won, the gaming state control means 250 sets the first time-shortening count (the value stored in the time-shortening counter 2931) to "10000", the second time-shortening count (the value stored in the small win counter 2933) to "1", the third time-shortening count (the value stored in the C time-shortening 1 counter 2934) to "10000" at the end of the special gaming state, and transitions the gaming state to the A time-shortening state. In the A time-shortening state, it is extremely unlikely that any of the first to third end conditions other than the second end condition (i.e., the end condition established by winning a "small win") will be established, and the time-shortening state corresponds to the next determination state. That is, when the "winning symbol 1" is selected in the special symbol lottery, the game state control means 250 shifts the game state to the next determination state after the special game is executed.

[0204] Furthermore, if a "win" is won in the first special symbol lottery and the "win symbol 2" is also won, the gaming state control means 250 sets the first time-saving count (the value stored in the time-saving counter 2931) to "10000" at the end of the special game state, sets the second time-saving count (the value stored in the small win counter 2933) to "10000", sets the third time-saving count (the value stored in the C time-saving 1 counter 2934) to "7", and transitions the gaming state to the A time-saving state. The A time-saving state is a time-saving state that ends when the "C time-saving symbol 1" is won seven times, and is a time-saving state equivalent to the first half state. In other words, if the "win symbol 2" is won in the special symbol lottery, the gaming state control means 250 transitions the gaming state to the first half state after the special game is executed.

[0205] Furthermore, if the first special symbol lottery results in a "win" and also results in a "win symbol 3," the game state control means 250 sets the first number of time-saving times (the value stored in the time-saving counter 2931) to "0," the second number of time-saving times (the value stored in the small win counter 2933) to "0," and the third number of time-saving times (the value stored in the C time-saving 1 counter 2934) to "0" at the end of the special game state, and transitions the game state to the normal state.

[0206] In addition, the game state control means 250 transitions the game state to a special game state based on winning a "small win" in the second special pattern lottery, but determines which game state to transition to after the special game state ends (in other words, what to set the stored values ​​of the time-saving counter 2931, small win counter 2933, and C time-saving 1 counter 2934 to) depending on the game state being referenced and the small win pattern that has been won.

[0207] In the first half state, the second time-shortening count (the value stored in the small win counter 2933) is set to "10000," and even if a "small win" ("small win symbol 1" or "small win symbol 2") is won, the second termination condition is not established. Therefore, even if a "small win" is won, the game state control means 250 does not perform processing to temporarily transition the game state from the time-shortening state (the A time-shortening state) to the normal state. As a result, the referenced game state becomes the time-shortening state. On the other hand, in the next determination state, the second time-shortening count (the value stored in the small win counter 2933) is set to "1," and even if a "small win" ("small win symbol 1" or "small win symbol 2") is won, the second termination condition is established. Therefore, the game state control means 250 temporarily transitions the game state from the time-shortening state (the A time-shortening state) to the normal state based on the fact that a "small win" has been won. As a result, the referenced game state becomes the normal state. In addition, in the latter half state, the second time-saving count is set to "1", and when a "small win" ("small win symbol 1" or "small win symbol 2") is won, the second termination condition is met, so the game state control means 250 temporarily transitions the game state from the time-saving state (C time-saving state) to the normal state based on the fact that a "small win" has been won. As a result, the game state referred to becomes the normal state.

[0208] In the first half state, if a "small win" is won in the second special pattern lottery and the "small win pattern 1" is also won, the game state control means 250, based on the fact that the game state referred to is the time-shortened state (A time-shortened state), sets the first number of time-shortened times (stored value of the time-shortened counter 2931) to "10000", the second number of time-shortened times (stored value of the small win counter 2933) to "1", and the third number of time-shortened times (stored value of the C time-shortened 1 counter 2934) to "10000" at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", and transitions the game state to the next confirmed state (A time-shortened state).

[0209] Also, in the first half state, if a "small win" is won in the second special pattern lottery and the "small win pattern 2" is won, the game state control means 250, based on the fact that the game state referred to is the time-shortened state (A time-shortened state), sets the first number of time-shortened times (stored value of the time-shortened counter 2931) to "10000", the second number of time-shortened times (stored value of the small win counter 2933) to "1", and the third number of time-shortened times (stored value of the C time-shortened 1 counter 2934) to "10000" at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", and transitions the game state to the next confirmation state (A time-shortened state).

[0210] Furthermore, in the next determination state, if a "small win" is won in the second special pattern lottery and the "small win pattern 1" is also won, the game state control means 250, based on the fact that the referenced game state is the normal state, sets the first number of time reductions (the stored value of the time reduction counter 2931) to "10000", the second number of time reductions (the stored value of the small win counter 2933) to "1", and the third number of time reductions (the stored value of the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) to "10000" at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", and transitions the game state to the next determination state (A time reduction state).

[0211] Furthermore, in the next confirmation state, if a "small win" is won in the second special pattern lottery and the "small win pattern 2" is won, the game state control means 250, based on the fact that the referenced game state is the normal state, sets the first number of time reductions (the stored value of the time reduction counter 2931) to "10000", the second number of time reductions (the stored value of the small win counter 2933) to "10000", and the third number of time reductions (the stored value of the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) to "7" at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", and transitions the game state to the first half state (A time reduction state).

[0212] Also, in the latter state, if a "small win" is won in the second special pattern lottery and the "small win pattern 1" is also won, the game state control means 250, based on the fact that the referenced game state is the normal state, sets the first number of time reductions (the stored value of the time reduction counter 2931) to "10000", the second number of time reductions (the stored value of the small win counter 2933) to "1", the third number of time reductions (the stored value of the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) to "10000" at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", and transitions the game state to the next confirmed state (A time reduction state).

[0213] Furthermore, in the latter half state, if a "small win" is won in the second special pattern lottery and the "small win pattern 2" is also won, the game state control means 250, based on the fact that the referenced game state is the normal state, sets the first number of time-saving times (the stored value of the time-saving counter 2931) to "10000", the second number of time-saving times (the stored value of the small win counter 2933) to "10000", and the third number of time-saving times (the stored value of the C time-saving 1 counter 2934) to "7" at the end of the special game state based on the winning of the "small win", and transitions the game state to the first half state (A time-saving state).

[0214] Furthermore, the gaming state control means 250 may transition the gaming state to the C time-shortening state based on the winning of "C time-shortening" in the second special symbol lottery during the time-shortening state. Here, the gaming state control means 250 determines whether to transition the gaming state to the C time-shortening state based on the winning of "C time-shortening," by referring to the gaming state. However, before referring to the gaming state, it determines whether the termination condition of the time-shortening state has been met, and if the termination condition has been met, executes processing to terminate the time-shortening state and transition to the normal state. Then, when the "C time-shortening" is won and the referenced gaming state is the normal state, the gaming state control means 250 transitions the gaming state to the C time-shortening state corresponding to the won C time-shortening symbol based on the winning of "C time-shortening." Furthermore, when the "C time reduction" is won and the referenced game state is the A time reduction state, the game state control means 250 does not transition to the C time reduction state based on the winning of the "C time reduction" and maintains the game state as the current game state (i.e., the A time reduction state). Note that in this embodiment, when the "C time reduction" is won and the referenced game state is the C time reduction state, the game state control means 250 transitions to the C time reduction state based on the winning of the "C time reduction" (in other words, resets the C time reduction state and restarts the C time reduction state from the beginning), but can also be configured not to transition to the C time reduction state based on the winning of the "C time reduction" (in other words, does not reset the C time reduction state and does not perform the process of restarting the C time reduction state from the beginning).

[0215] That is, when the "C time reduction" is won during the time-shortening state, the gaming state control means 250 determines whether to transition the gaming state to the C time reduction state by referring to the gaming state. If the termination condition of the time-shortening state is met based on the winning of the "C time reduction" win, the referenced gaming state becomes the normal state. If the termination condition of the time-shortening state is not met based on the winning of the "C time reduction" win, the referenced gaming state becomes the time-shortening state. Specifically, in the first half state, the third time-shortening count (the value stored in the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) is set to the predetermined number "7." If the "C time reduction" ("C time reduction symbol 1") is won seven times after transitioning to the first half state, the third termination condition is met. Therefore, the gaming state control means 250 transitions the gaming state from the time-shortening state (A time reduction state) to the normal state based on the winning of the "C time reduction" seven times. As a result, the referenced gaming state becomes the normal state. On the other hand, in the latter half state and the next fixed state, the third time-saving count (the value stored in the C time-saving 1 counter 2934) is set to "10000", and since the condition for terminating the time-saving state is not actually met by winning "C time-saving", even if a win is made, the process of temporarily transitioning the game state from the time-saving state to the normal state is not performed. As a result, the game state referred to becomes the time-saving state (A time-saving state or C time-saving state).

[0216] After transitioning to the first half state, if the "C time reduction" ("C time reduction pattern 1") is won seven times in the second special pattern lottery, the game state control means 250 transitions the game state to the C time reduction state based on the fact that the game state referred to is the normal state. At this time, the game state control means 250 sets the first time reduction count (the value stored in the time reduction counter 2931) to "10", the second time reduction count (the value stored in the small win counter 2933) to "1", the third time reduction count (the value stored in the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) to "10000", and transitions the game state to the second half state.

[0217] Furthermore, if "C time reduction" ("C time reduction symbol 1") is won in the second special symbol lottery in the latter half state, the gaming state control means 250 transitions the gaming state to the C time reduction state based on the fact that the referenced gaming state is the C time reduction state. At this time, the gaming state control means 250 sets the first time reduction count (the value stored in the time reduction counter 2931) to "10," the second time reduction count (the value stored in the small win counter 2933) to "1," the third time reduction count (the value stored in the C time reduction 1 counter 2934) to "10000," and transitions the gaming state to the latter half state. In other words, if "C time reduction" ("C time reduction symbol 1") is won in the second special symbol lottery in the latter half state, the gaming state control means 250 resets the first time reduction count to "10," and resets the latter half state to the initial state.

[0218] Furthermore, when the normal pattern change display that becomes the first time-saving number of times (time-saving counter "10"), which is the first ending condition of the latter half state, i.e., the final change of the latter half state, is performed, and the normal pattern change display wins a long opening, the normal state will already have been entered due to the first ending condition at the time when "small winning pattern 1", "small winning pattern 2", or "C time-saving" is won in the second special pattern lottery, but there is no difference in the setting of the game state when "small winning pattern 1", "small winning pattern 2", or "C time-saving" is won in the second special pattern lottery between the normal state and the latter half state, and even if a long opening is won in the final change of the latter half state, the game operation will essentially be the same as when a long opening is won in the latter half state.

[0219] The gaming machine of this embodiment achieves the following gameplay. That is, the player first aims to win a "win" in the first special symbol lottery and transition the game state to the first half state. In the first half state, 3,000 prize balls can be reliably acquired in the event of a "small win" (when the execution of a special game is determined). Therefore, the player aims to loop through the first half state and acquire a large number of game balls. If the "C time reduction" is won a predetermined number of times (7 times) before winning a "small win" in the first half state, the first half state ends, and the game transitions to the second half state, where the expected value of ball payout is lower than in the first half state. The second half state ends when the number of normal symbol changes reaches a predetermined number (10 times). Therefore, in the second half state, the player aims to win a "small win" before the number of normal symbol changes reaches the predetermined number, thereby continuing the time reduction state (in other words, returning to the first half state). Specifically, in the latter half of the game, the player aims to hit the long opening pattern, which is selected with a probability of 1 / 7, before the number of normal pattern changes reaches 10, resulting in a "small hit" (or a reset due to a "C time reduction" win).

[0220] The gaming machine of this embodiment is A main control means (main control board 200) that controls the progress of the game; Starting holes (first starting hole 46, second starting hole 49) through which game balls can enter; An entrance through which game balls can enter (general entrance 47, second starting entrance 49), An operating area (passing gate 48, operating winning hole) into which the game ball can enter; A variable member (normal accessory 54) that changes the ease of ball entry into the ball entry port when the opening lottery based on the ball entry into the operating area is a predetermined result; A special game determination means (special symbol lottery means 230) for performing a lottery for executing a special game advantageous to a player; a special game control means (special game execution means 260) for executing the special game when the result of the lottery results in the execution of the special game; and a ball entry easy state control means (game state control means 250) for controlling a ball entry easy state in which the variable member is more likely to enter the ball entry hole easily than in a normal game state, The easy-to-score state includes a first easy-to-score state and a second easy-to-score state, In the second easy-to-enter state, the variable member is less likely to enter a state in which it is easy for the game ball to enter the ball entry hole than in the first easy-to-enter state, The easy-to-score state control means can transition to the easy-to-score state after the special game is executed or after a specific result that is a result of not executing the special game is determined by the lottery, The ball scoring easy state control means After the special game is executed, the state is transitioned to the first easy-to-score state; When the specific result is determined a predetermined number of times (plurality of times) in the first easy-to-score state, transition to the second easy-to-score state corresponding to the specific result by the next lottery by the special game determination means; The game state is transitioned to the normal game state based on the processing based on the opening lottery being performed a specific number of times in the second easy-to-score state.

[0221] According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, it is possible to provide a new gaming experience that has never been seen before in a gaming machine in which the expected value of the payout balls increases when a win occurs under a specific condition, thereby increasing the interest in the game.

[0222] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and any component may be modified or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention. In other words, the configuration of the gaming machine is not limited to that of the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention allows for free combination of the components of the embodiments within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0223] 4 Gaming area 46 First starting gate (starting gate) 48 Passage gate (operation area) 49 2nd starting port (ball entrance) 54 Ordinary accessories (movable parts) 200 Main control board (main control means) 230 Special symbol lottery means (special game determination means) 250 Game state control means (ball entry ease state control means) 260 Special game execution means (special game control means)

Claims

[Claim 1] A main control means for controlling the progress of a game; A starting hole through which the game ball can be inserted; An entrance through which game balls can be inserted; An operating area into which the game ball can enter; A variable member that changes the ease of ball entry into the ball entry opening when an opening lottery based on a ball entering the operating area results in a predetermined outcome; a special game determination means for conducting a lottery regarding the execution of a special game advantageous to a player; a special game control means for executing the special game when the result of the lottery is that the special game is executed; and a ball entry easy state control means for controlling a ball entry easy state in which the variable member is more likely to enter the ball entry hole easily than in a normal game state, The easy-to-score state includes a first easy-to-score state and a second easy-to-score state, In the second easy-to-enter state, the variable member is less likely to be in a state in which it is easy for the game ball to enter the ball entry hole than in the first easy-to-enter state, The easy-to-score state control means can transition to the easy-to-score state after the special game is executed or after a specific result that is a result of not executing the special game is determined by the lottery, The ball scoring easy state control means After the special game is executed, the state is transitioned to the first easy-to-score state. When the specific result is determined a predetermined number of times in the first easy-to-score state, transitioning to the second easy-to-score state corresponding to the specific result; and transitioning to the normal game state based on the fact that the process based on the opening lottery is performed a specific number of times in the second ball-scoring easy state. Gaming machine.

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