Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine for reducing the operation burdens of a player.SOLUTION: There are a hitting order bell a group and a hitting order bell c group in which the hitting order 2 is the correct operation order, and a hitting order bell b group and a hitting order bell d group in which any one of the hitting order 3 to the hitting order 6 is the correct operation order, and even when any hitting order bell is obtained, a failure small winning combination is always won in the hitting order 1. While the winning rate of the failure small winning combination in the failure operation order of the hitting order 3 to the hitting order 6 when the hitting order bell a group and the hitting order bell c group are obtained is 1 / 8, the winning rate of the failure small winning combination in the failure operation order of the hitting order 2 when the hitting order bell b group and the hitting order bell d group are obtained is 1 / 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

[0003] In recent years, gaming machines with instruction functions that change the probability of winning a small prize by providing operation instruction information that assists in winning a correct small prize, which pays out game value greater than the number of inputs upon winning, and make it easier to win game value such as medals in an AT state where operation instruction information can be provided, have been gaining popularity.

[0004] With regard to gaming machines having the above-mentioned instruction function, a method is known in which the correct operation sequence that enables the correct minor winning combination to be won is set to be biased toward an operation sequence that stops reels other than a specific reel first, and in games that are not in the AT state, the specification is set to recommend playing with an operation sequence that stops a specific reel first, thereby creating a large difference in the ability to acquire gaming value between games that are not in the AT state (games during non-AT) and games that are in the AT state (games during AT) (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-92370 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the conventional method of biasing the correct operation sequence to an operation sequence that stops reels other than a specific reel first, the range of options for stopping operations to win the correct small role is narrow, which further reduces the ability to acquire game value in non-AT games or limits the ability to increase the ability to acquire game value in AT games. For this reason, in order to win the correct small role, there are specifications that require not only the correct operation sequence but also the operation timing. There is a concern that specifications that require both the operation sequence and operation timing to win such a correct small role will place a heavy operational burden on the player.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a gaming machine that reduces the operational burden on the player. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is a gaming machine that includes a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery, an internal lottery means that performs an internal lottery to determine whether a plurality of types including a small win are won, and a reel control means that rotates the plurality of reels for each game and controls the reels to stop during rotation in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is initiated, and in which game value is paid out in accordance with the winning of the small win, and the winning manner of the small win includes a correct small win in which game value exceeding the number of game values ​​inserted is paid out, and a number of game values ​​inserted. When the specific winning mode is obtained by an internal lottery, if a stop operation is performed in accordance with a correct operation sequence, the reel control means controls so that the correct minor role can be won and the failed minor role can be won, if a stop operation is performed in accordance with a failed operation sequence, and the multiple reels include a first reel, a second reel, and a third reel, and the multiple types of specific winning modes are obtained. The above relates to a gaming machine in which a first operation sequence in which the first reel is stopped first and the second reel is stopped second is the failed operation sequence, and when a stop operation is performed according to the first operation sequence, the failed minor role will always win a prize, and when a stop operation is performed according to a failed operation sequence different from the first operation sequence, there are cases in which the failed minor role wins a prize and cases in which neither role wins a prize, and the multiple types of specific winning patterns can be classified into a first specific winning pattern in which a second operation sequence in which the first reel is stopped first and the third reel is stopped second is the correct operation sequence, and a second specific winning pattern in which an operation sequence different from the first operation sequence and the second operation sequence is the correct operation sequence, and the winning rate of the failed minor role when a stop operation is performed according to the failed operation sequence different from the first operation sequence in the first specific winning pattern is lower than the winning rate of the failed minor role when a stop operation is performed according to the second operation sequence in the second specific winning pattern.

[0009] The present invention makes it possible to design game specifications that suitably adjust the performance of acquiring game value by expanding the range of options for stopping operations that allow the correct small winning combination to be won, while reducing the operational burden on the player. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a reel unit of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a gaming machine and a dedicated unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal lottery table in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of small prizes in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating winning modes of a replay in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the operation sequence of the stop switch and the winning combination in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 3 is a transition diagram of the gaming state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a transition diagram of the presentation state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 1 is a transition diagram of a gaming zone in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of effect images relating to specific effects in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method employed in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiments are necessarily essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0012] 1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a so-called smart pachislot, which is a reel-type gaming machine of the type in which games are played using electronic medals as game value.

[0014] The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment has a box-shaped housing made up of a storage box 11 and a front door 12, and houses a first reel 13a, a second reel 13b, and a third reel 13c therein.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a reel unit 30 for a gaming machine according to this embodiment.

[0016] In the reel unit 30 of this embodiment, the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c are each fixed to a metal (or resin) base unit 31 formed in an approximately U-shape via a metal (or resin) support unit 32 that supports a stepping motor 33 for driving each reel.

[0017] Each of the first reel 13a, second reel 13b, and third reel 13c housed in the base unit 31 is configured by winding a reel tape 35 made of a strip-shaped resin film around the outer periphery of a circularly molded resin reel body 34 (reel drum). The reel tape 35 is wound around the reel body 34 so that its front surface forms the outer periphery of each reel and its back surface forms the inner periphery of each reel, and the ends are fixed together with an adhesive or the like.

[0018] Each of the first reel 13a, second reel 13b, and third reel 13c is fixed to the drive shaft of the stepping motor 33 by bolts or the like at a position corresponding to the center of rotation of the reel body 34. The stepping motor 33 for each reel is also fixed to the support unit 32 by bolts or the like.

[0019] The reel tape 35 for each reel is divided into pattern arrangement areas of 20 frames at regular intervals, and one of a plurality of types of patterns is arranged on the surface of the reel tape 35 at each position corresponding to each frame.

[0020] The reel unit 30 of this embodiment is equipped with a backlight unit 36 ​​(illumination means) that illuminates the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c from the back side of the reel tape 35 of each reel (the inner peripheral side of each reel). Each reel backlight unit 36 ​​is provided with a light source such as an incandescent bulb or an LED bulb so as to illuminate each of the three display positions (upper, middle, and lower) that can be observed through the display window 14 of the gaming machine, and in this embodiment, three light sources are provided corresponding to the display positions of each reel: an upper backlight 37a that illuminates the upper display position, a middle backlight 37b that illuminates the middle display position, and a lower backlight 37c that illuminates the lower display position.

[0021] A power supply unit and a setting change unit are built into the housing of the gaming machine 10, and various switches are provided, such as a power switch for starting up the gaming machine 10, a start-up mode change switch for performing operations related to setting changes, and a setting change switch. The setting change unit may be integrated with a main control board, which will be described later.

[0022] The housing of the gaming machine 10 also contains a main control board, a sub-control board, and a medal count control board, each of which is equipped with a CPU as a computing means, ROM and RAM as storage means, and is capable of controlling the operation of the gaming machine. The main control board and the sub-control board are connected in a manner that allows only one-way communication from the main control board to the sub-control board, and the sub-control board cannot send information to the main control board. Bidirectional communication is also possible between the main control board and the medal count control board, allowing information to be sent from the main control board to the medal count control board, and information to be sent from the medal count control board to the main control board.

[0023] As described above, the outer periphery of each of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c is divided into 20 regions (each region is called a "frame") at regular intervals, and one of a plurality of types of symbols is arranged on each frame. Each of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c is driven to rotate around the axis of the stepping motor 33, and is provided so as to be able to stop in frame units (units of a predetermined rotation angle, units of a predetermined rotation amount) by controlling the number of pulses, pulse width, etc. of the drive pulses of the stepping motor 33. That is, in the gaming machine 10, the stepping motor 33 drives the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c to rotate in response to a drive pulse supplied from the control board, and when a drive pulse for full phase excitation is supplied from the control board, the rotation of the stepping motor 33 stops, causing the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c to stop.

[0024] The front door 12 can be opened and closed freely, and is provided with a display window 14 that allows the rotation and stopped states of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c to be observed. When the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower symbols) that are arranged consecutively on the outer periphery of each of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c can be observed through the display window 14 from the front of the gaming machine.

[0025] In addition, in the gaming machine 10, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing the symbols through the display window 14, and an active line is set by the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine 10, the number of electronic medals required for one game, the so-called specified insertion number, is set to three or two, and when electronic medals equivalent to the specified insertion number are inserted, an active line 15 consisting of the middle of the first reel 13a, the middle of the second reel 13b, and the middle of the third reel 13c is activated.

[0026] The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the valid line 15 in the display window 14, and if the symbol combination on the valid line 15 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is deemed to have been won and electronic medals are paid out by the medal control board.

[0027] The front door 12 is also provided with a main display 16, a sub-display 18, and a game medal count display 27. The main display 16, the sub-display 18, and the game medal count display 27 are 7-segment displays, with the main display 16 displaying the number of electronic medals paid out for each game, operation instruction information, and main error information, the sub-display 18 displaying the number of electronic medals acquired in a specified game section and sub-error information, and the game medal count display 27 displaying the number of electronic medals in possession.

[0028] The front door 12 is also provided with peripheral lamps 19 and a liquid crystal display 20 for game effects. The peripheral lamps 19 illuminate the front door 12 and, depending on their lighting modes, serve to enhance the game, provide information to assist the game, and notify the status of the gaming machine. The exterior of the peripheral lamps 19 is made of translucent resin or glass, allowing light from the built-in LED unit to pass through. The liquid crystal display 20 displays various videos (or images) to assist the game, enhance the game, and notify the status of the gaming machine. The gaming machine of this embodiment is also provided with a speaker 40 on the front door 12 for game effects. The speaker 40 outputs various sounds and background music to assist the game, enhance the game, and notify the status of the gaming machine.

[0029] The front door 12 is also provided with various operating means. These operating means include a bet switch 21 (insertion operating means) for inserting electronic medals, a start switch 22 (game start operating means) for rotating the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c to start a game, stop switches 23a-23c (stop operating means) for stopping each of the first reel 13a-3 reel 13c driven by the stepping motor 33, a counting switch 26 for transferring electronic medals to an external device, and a settlement switch 28 for canceling the inserted state of electronic medals. In particular, in this embodiment, the bet switch 21 and the stop switches 23a-23c have exteriors made of translucent resin that are transparent to light from built-in LED units. The illumination of the LED units indicates that the insertion of electronic medals has been activated, and that the stopping of the spinning reels has been activated.

[0030] The front door 12 is also provided with a door key cylinder 24, and the front door 12 can be unlocked by inserting a door key into the door key cylinder 24. The front door 12 can also be unlocked by rotating the door key inserted into the door key cylinder 24 clockwise by 90 degrees from its initial position.

[0031] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a player inserts an electronic medal by operating the bet switch 21, the machine is set to a ready state in which it is possible to start controlling the rotation of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c. Then, when the player operates the start switch 22, the control board starts rotating the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c by driving the stepping motor 33, and an internal lottery is performed using a random number value. On the condition that the rotation speed of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c has increased to a predetermined speed, the stop operation of the stop switches 23a to 23c is validated.

[0032] Thereafter, when the player operates the stop switches 23a to 23c at any timing, the operation is detected by a sensor (stop signal output means: for example, a photosensor, a conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.) built into each of the stop switches 23a to 23c, and the reel stop signal input to the main control board changes from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0033] Furthermore, when the player releases the pressed stop switches 23a to 23c at any timing, the sensors corresponding to the stop switches 23a to 23c detect the end of the operation and change the reel stop signal input to the main control board from ON to OFF.

[0034] The main control board then stops the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c at a stop position according to the result of the internal lottery based on the change from an OFF state to an ON state of the reel stop signal, whose signal state changes depending on the timing of pressing and releasing the stop switches 23a to 23c.

[0035] In addition, when electronic medals are paid out according to the results of the game, the electronic medals corresponding to the number paid out are counted up to a predetermined upper limit, and the display value of the game medal number display 27 is changed in accordance with the change in the number of electronic medals owned.

[0036] In this embodiment, the management of electronic medals is performed by the gaming machine 10 and a dedicated unit 800 (an example of a specific unit) that is communicatively connected to the gaming machine 10. Fig. 3 is a diagram that schematically shows the mechanical configuration of the gaming machine 10 and the dedicated unit 800. The dedicated unit 800 has a built-in CPU that serves as a calculation means that functions as a lending control unit 801 that exchanges information with the gaming machine 10, controls inputs from various switches provided on the dedicated unit 800, and controls various displays provided on the dedicated unit 800.

[0037] When a player uses the gaming machine 10, he or she inserts cash into the cash insertion section 802 of the dedicated unit 800. When cash is inserted into the cash insertion section 802, the number of points corresponding to the inserted cash (for example, "10" for an inserted 1,000 yen) is displayed on the point display 807 of the dedicated unit 800. When the lending switch 804 is operated while points remain in the dedicated unit 800, electronic medals corresponding to the number of points held in the dedicated unit 800 (for example, "50") are transferred to the gaming machine 10 at once. In the gaming machine 10 to which electronic medals have been transferred from the dedicated unit 800, the displayed value of the gaming machine medal count display 27 changes by an increment corresponding to the number of electronic medals transferred.

[0038] When the bet switch 21 of the gaming machine 10 is operated and electronic medals are inserted, the displayed value of the gaming medal count display 27 changes by a decrement equivalent to the number of electronic medals inserted. Also, when electronic medals are paid out as a result of playing, the displayed value of the gaming medal count display 27 changes by an increment equivalent to the number of electronic medals paid out.

[0039] Furthermore, if the settlement switch 28 is operated after the bet switch 21 has been operated and electronic medals have been inserted, but before the start switch 21 is operated, the state in which electronic medals have been inserted is released, and the display value of the game medal display 27 changes by an amount equivalent to the number of medals inserted.

[0040] Furthermore, when a player finishes using the gaming machine 10, the counting switch 26 is operated, and the digitized medals managed in the gaming machine 10 are transferred to the dedicated unit 800. When the digitized medals are transferred to the dedicated unit 800, the displayed value of the acquired medal count indicator 808 of the dedicated unit 800 increases by an amount corresponding to the amount of the transferred digitized medals, and the displayed value of the gaming medal count indicator 27 of the gaming machine 10 decreases by an amount corresponding to the amount of the transferred digitized medals. When the player operates the return switch 805 of the dedicated unit 800, the digitized medals managed in the dedicated unit 800 are transferred to a card medium stored in the dedicated unit 800, and the card medium is removed from the dedicated unit 800 through the card insertion portion 803. In this manner, in this embodiment, digitized medals acquired while using the gaming machine 10 can be stored on a card medium.

[0041] In this embodiment, the use of the gaming machine 10 can be resumed using the card medium on which digitized medals have been accumulated. Specifically, when a player uses the gaming machine 10, he or she can play a game by inserting the card medium on which digitized medals have been accumulated into the card insertion portion 803 instead of cash and having the dedicated unit 800 read the digitized medals accumulated on the card medium. In this case, the digitized medals accumulated on the card medium are transferred to the dedicated unit 800, and the total number of digitized medals accumulated on the card medium is displayed on the acquired medal count display 808. The player can transfer the digitized medals managed by the dedicated unit 800 to the gaming machine 10 by operating the game switch 806 of the dedicated unit 800 instead of the lending switch 804 of the dedicated unit 800.

[0042] As described above, the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment does not require actual medals, thereby preventing fraudulent acts such as inserting fake medals or using illegally brought medals. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for inserting and paying out gaming media such as medals within the gaming machine 10, design and manufacturing costs can be reduced. Furthermore, by centrally managing the lending of gaming media to players and the counting of acquired gaming media, fraud can be prevented. Furthermore, by centrally managing information on electronic medals in the gaming machine 10, gambling behavior can be suppressed, thereby strengthening measures against addiction.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0044] The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a main control unit 100 (main control board), a sub-control unit 200 (sub-control board), and a medal count control unit 600 (medal count control board). The main control unit 100, the sub-control unit 200, and the medal count control unit 600 are started by power supplied from a power supply unit when a power switch is operated. In this embodiment, the sub-control unit 200 starts up earlier than the main control unit 100 due to the relationship between the startup voltages of the main control unit 100 and the sub-control unit 200. In other words, when the gaming machine 10 is powered on, the sub-control unit 200 starts up before the main control unit 100 and waits to receive a command from the main control unit 100. Furthermore, the startup of the main control unit 100 is not completed until a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, so that the game can be played after the startup of the liquid crystal display 20, which is managed by the sub-control unit 200, has been completed. In addition, the medal count control unit 600 receives a start command from the main control unit 100 to start itself and establish a communication connection with the dedicated unit 800.

[0045] The main control unit 100 receives input signals from the start mode change switch 301, setting change switch 302, door open / close switch 303, bet switch 21, start switch 22, stop switches 23a-23c, settlement switch 28, etc., and performs various calculations to set up the gaming machine, manage main errors, or progress the game, and controls the operation of the reel unit 30, etc. based on the calculation results. Also, in response to commands from the main control unit 100, the sub-control unit 200 controls the operation of the display unit 501, speaker 40, lamp unit 503, etc., and manages sub-errors. Also, in response to input signals from the counting switch 26 and commands from the main control unit 100, the medal count control unit 600 manages digitized medals and medal errors, and transfers information about digitized medals to and from the dedicated unit 800. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the functions of the main control unit 100, sub-control unit 200, and medal count control unit 600 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM, or RAM, or by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in ROM, etc.

[0046] The main control unit 100 includes a setting change means 101 , a game control means 102 , a random number generation means 103 , and a main memory means 105 .

[0047] The setting change means 101 controls changing of the setting values ​​stored in the main storage means 105. In this embodiment, the gaming machine 10 switches between starting in game mode and starting in setting change mode depending on the state of the start-up mode change switch 301 when the power is turned on. When the start-up mode change switch 301 sets the start-up mode to setting change mode and the power is turned on to the gaming machine 10, the setting change means 101 starts the gaming machine in setting change mode. In this embodiment, a setting value can be selected from six setting values, from Setting 1 to Setting 6. The expected value of the payout rate increases from Setting 1 to Setting 6, and the degree of advantage in acquiring electronic medals, such as the probability of winning the internal lottery and the probability of winning the automatic timer lottery, changes accordingly. In this embodiment, the setting values ​​are expressed in the order of Setting 1 < Setting 2 < Setting 3 < Setting 4 < Setting 5 < Setting 6.

[0048] Furthermore, when the setting change switch 302 is actuated in the setting change mode, the setting change means 101 changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 →... setting 6 → setting 1 →... each time it receives an input signal from the setting change switch 302, and when the start switch 22 is actuated, it confirms the setting value and performs control to store the confirmed setting value in the main storage means 105. In this embodiment, the main display 16 displays the selected setting value in the setting change mode.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the power is turned on to the gaming machine 10 with the start-up mode change switch 301 setting the start-up mode to the game mode, the gaming machine 10 is started up in the game mode. In this embodiment, in the game mode, a game can be played but the setting values ​​cannot be changed, and in the setting change mode, the setting values ​​can be changed but the game cannot be played.

[0050] Furthermore, in the setting change mode, the setting change means 101 performs an initialization process to initialize the information stored in the read / write memory (RWM), which is a readable and writable storage area in the main storage means 105. Note that in the initialization process, not all of the information stored in the read / write memory is initialized, but some of the information is retained without being initialized. In the initialization process in the setting change mode, for example, the game state is initialized to the normal state, and control information related to the advantageous zone is initialized and set to the normal zone, but control information related to the electronic medals is not initialized.

[0051] The game control means 102 is a means for controlling the progress of the game, and when an electronic medal is inserted and a game starts, it determines whether or not a winning combination will be achieved by an internal lottery, spins the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c, and when a stop operation is performed on the stop switches 23a to 23c, it stops the spinning reels according to the result of the internal lottery, determines whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line, and performs a main loop process to progress the game by processing according to the determination result. Details of this process will be explained below.

[0052] First, the game control means 102 accepts an operation (insertion operation) of the bet switch 21 related to the insertion of electronic medals for each game, and performs processing to validate a game start operation for the start switch 22 (game start operation means) based on the insertion of electronic medals equivalent to the specified insertion number (three or two). That is, the game control means 102 functions as an insertion acceptance means that accepts the insertion of electronic medals to be used for a game up to the specified insertion number based on the insertion operation. Note that in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first operation of the start switch 22 that is enabled based on the insertion of electronic medals equivalent to the specified insertion number is accepted as a game start operation, and serves as a trigger to start the rotation of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c and to execute an internal lottery.

[0053] The electronic medal insertion function is realized by cooperation between the main control unit 100 and the medal count control unit 600. When the bet switch 21 is activated, the main control unit 100 transmits an insertion command to the medal count control unit 600 specifying the specified number of electronic medals to be inserted. Upon receiving the insertion command, the medal count control unit 600 returns a reply command to the main control unit 100 if the number of electronic medals stored in the medal information storage unit 603 is equal to or greater than the specified number specified in the insertion command. The counting control unit 601 of the medal count control unit 600 also subtracts the specified number of electronic medals from the number of gaming medals stored in the medal information storage unit 603. If the reply command indicates that an amount of electronic medals equivalent to the specified insertion number can be inserted, the game control unit 102 in the main control unit 100 sets the electronic medals equivalent to the specified insertion number to the inserted state. In this embodiment, the specified insertion number is set to three medals when the game state is normal or bonus status, and to two medals when the game state is bonus status.

[0054] Furthermore, the game control means 102 performs an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on a game start operation on the start switch 22 (the first operation on the activated start switch 22), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc. In other words, the game control means 102 functions as an internal lottery means that determines whether a winning combination will be achieved based on a game start operation.

[0055] In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which internal lottery table to use to perform the internal lottery among the multiple types of internal lottery tables stored in the main storage means 105. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, in each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replays, small combinations, and bonuses, as well as misses (non-wins), are associated with each of multiple random number values ​​(for example, 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535). In this embodiment, for six levels of setting values, an internal lottery table corresponding to the game state is prepared for each setting value, and the probability of obtaining some winning modes in the internal lottery differs depending on the setting value, and the correspondence between the combination and the random number value is set so that the higher the setting value, the higher the expected value of the payout rate.

[0056] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the game state can be set to normal state, bonus establishment state, and bonus state, and in the lottery table selection process, one of multiple types of internal lottery tables is selected as the internal lottery table to be used in the internal lottery depending on the game state.

[0057] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing examples of three types of internal lottery tables associated with a normal state, a bonus establishment state, and a bonus state. Regarding internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Fig. 5, internal lottery table 1 is referenced in the normal state, internal lottery table 2 is referenced in the bonus establishment state, and internal lottery table 3 is referenced in the bonus state.

[0058] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, small prizes 1 to 52 are provided as small prizes, and the winning patterns of the small prizes are set as shown in Figure 6, including batting order bell group a (batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a8), batting order bell group b (batting order bell b1 to batting order bell b8), batting order bell group c (batting order bell c1 to batting order bell c8), batting order bell d group (batting order bell d1 to batting order bell d8), spill prize, batting order 3-piece prize group (irregular 3-piece prize a to batting order 3-piece prize d), batting order 1-piece prize group (batting order 1-piece prize a to batting order 1-piece prize h), JAC1, and JAC2.

[0059] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, replays are provided as Replay 1 to Replay 9, and the winning modes of replays are set as shown in Figure 7, including normal replay a, normal replay b, slip replay, chance replay a group (chance replay a1 to chance replay a13), and chance replay b group (chance replay b1 to chance replay b3).

[0060] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the winning probability of a small role is the same on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, the winning probability of a replay is higher on internal lottery table 2 than on internal lottery table 1, replays are not subject to lottery on internal lottery table 3, and the lottery mode of a small role on internal lottery table 3 is different from that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, and the winning probability of a small role is higher than that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2. Particularly in this embodiment, the winning mode of a small role is always obtained on internal lottery table 3, and in a bonus state in which internal lottery table 3 is referenced, either JAC1 or JAC2 is always won. Furthermore, on internal lottery table 3, the winning probability is higher than on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2 for each of the small roles that are subject to lottery on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0061] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a big bonus (BB) is prepared as a bonus (an example of a special role), and the big bonus (BB) is an object of lottery in the internal lottery table 1 that is referred to in the normal state.

[0062] In this embodiment, the winning probability for bonus and replay winning patterns does not change depending on the setting value, but for small wins, the winning probability for some winning patterns changes depending on the setting value, and the higher the setting value, the higher the winning probability of JAC1, and the higher the setting value, the lower the winning probability of JAC2.

[0063] In the random number determination process, a random number value (random number for lottery) is obtained from the random number generating means 103 for each game based on the operation of the start switch 22, and the obtained random number value is used to determine whether or not it has resulted in a winning combination by referring to the internal lottery table stored in the main memory means 105.

[0064] The random number generating means 103 mentioned above is a means for generating random number values ​​for lottery. The random number values ​​can be generated by, for example, a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535 without duplication within one cycle. 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 whose acquisition timing is irregular and therefore can essentially function as random numbers.

[0065] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-winning state (first flag state, OFF state) to a winning state (second flag state, ON state). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are won in a overlapping manner, the lottery flags corresponding to the two or more types of combinations that are won in a overlapping manner are set to a winning state. The setting information of the lottery flags is stored in the main storage means 105.

[0066] In addition, the gaming machine of this embodiment is provided with a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over a winning state to subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to a non-winning state without carrying over a winning state to subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. The former carry-over flag is associated with a bonus, while the latter non-carry-over flag is associated with a small win and a replay. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, for example, when a bonus is won in an internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the winning state of the bonus lottery flag until the bonus is won. At this time, the game control means 102 performs an internal lottery to determine whether a small win or a replay will be won, even in a game in which the winning state of the bonus lottery flag is carried over. In this way, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small winning combination or a replay is won in a game in which the winning state of the bonus lottery flag is carried over, lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of combinations consisting of the lottery flag of the bonus already won and the lottery flag of the small winning combination or replay won by the internal lottery are set to the winning state.

[0067] Furthermore, the game control means 102 starts the rotation of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c by the stepping motor based on a game start operation on the start switch 22, and controls to validate a stop operation by pressing the stop button 23a to 23c (stop operation means) corresponding to the reel that is steadily rotating at a predetermined speed (approximately 80 rpm: a rotation speed of approximately 80 rotations per minute) of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c, and controls to stop the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c that are rotationally driven by the stepping motor in a manner corresponding to the setting state of the lottery flag (the result of the internal lottery). In other words, the game control means 102 functions as a reel control means that spins a plurality of reels based on a game start operation, and stops the rotating reel in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is initiated.

[0068] When the player operates the stop switches 23a to 23c while the stop operation for the stop switches 23a to 23c is enabled, the game control means 102 controls the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c to stop by stopping the supply of drive pulses (motor drive signals) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 30 based on the signal from the operated stop switch.

[0069] That is, each time one of the stop switches 23a to 23c is operated, the game control means 102 determines the stop position of the reel among the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c corresponding to the operated stop switch, and controls the reel to stop at the determined stop position. Note that in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, operating the stop switch 23a corresponds to an operation for stopping the first reel 13a, operating the stop switch 23b corresponds to an operation for stopping the second reel 13b, and operating the stop switch 23c corresponds to an operation for stopping the third reel 13c. That is, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, when the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c changes, the stop order of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c changes. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the first reel to stop among the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c may be referred to as the first stop reel, the second reel to stop as the second stop reel, and the last reel to stop as the third stop reel. Also, in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the first reel to stop among the stop switches 23a to 23c may be referred to as the first stop operation, the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the second reel to stop as the second stop operation, and the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the last reel to stop as the third stop operation. In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c in which the first reel 13a is stopped first, the second reel 13b is stopped second, and the third reel 13c is stopped last may be referred to as the recommended batting order, and the operation order in which the first reel 13a is stopped first, the third reel 13c is stopped second, and the second reel 13b is stopped last, as well as the operation order in which the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c is stopped first may be referred to as the irregular batting order. In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c in which the first reel 13a is stopped first may be referred to as the specific batting order, and the operation order in which the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c is stopped first may be referred to as the non-specific batting order.

[0070] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c are stopped within 190 ms of the operation of the stop switch 23a to 23c. When the reels are stopped within 190 ms of the operation of the stop switch, the stop position of each reel is determined based on the number of frames required from the operation of the stop switch to the stop of the reel, within a range of 0 to 4 frames (a predetermined pull-in range). The game control means 102 controls the reel to stop so that, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the internal lottery is located within a range of 0 to 4 frames from the display position on the pay line at the time the stop switch is operated, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to a winning state is displayed at the display position on the pay line on the outer periphery of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch 23a to 23c.

[0071] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the reel unit 30 is provided with a reel index 405 consisting of a photosensor, and the game control means 102 is able to monitor the current rotation state of the reel by determining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotary shaft of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the frame detected by the reel index 405) based on the signal detected by the reel index 405 each time the reel makes one rotation. In other words, the game control means 102 can obtain the position of the reel at the time the stop switch is activated by determining the rotation angle of the reel from the reference position.

[0072] In this embodiment, multiple types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c that make up the reel unit 30, and when symbols located within four frames from the operation detection position are drawn onto an active line, the symbols arranged at intervals of four frames or less on the outer periphery of each reel can be displayed on the active line regardless of the operation detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time the stop switch is activated (the time the operation of the stop switch is detected). In this embodiment, the operation detection position is the display position of the upper row of each reel.

[0073] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a symbol arrangement for the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, a red 7 symbol "RED 7", a white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", a watermelon symbol a "WMa", a watermelon symbol b "WMb", a watermelon symbol c "WMc", a bell symbol "BL", a replay symbol "RP", a special symbol a "SPa", a special symbol b "SPb", and a special symbol c "SPc" are arranged on the outer periphery of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c.

[0074] The game control means 102 also determines the stop position of the spinning reel by referring to a stop control table stored in the main storage means 105. In the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the operation detection position and the number of sliding symbols indicating the amount of rotation from the operation detection position to the actual stop position is set according to the setting state of the lottery flag. Note that in the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the operation detection position and the actual stop position may also be set according to the setting state of the lottery flag.

[0075] In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the priority order for small wins, replays, and bonuses is set as "replay > bonus" and then "small win > bonus," and the stop control table is set so that a stop position including a symbol that constitutes the winning form of a high-priority win is selected according to the priority order associated with each win.

[0076] In addition, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, in the stop control table that is referenced when the lottery flags for multiple types of minor roles are set to a winning state in the internal lottery, there are cases where the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line (number priority control), and cases where the stop position is set according to the number of electronic medals to be paid out based on the payout that is predetermined for the minor role (payout number priority control).When the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that priority is given to stop positions with a greater number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, and when the stop position is set according to the number of electronic medals to be paid out, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that priority is given to stop positions with a greater number of electronic medals to be paid out based on the payout of the minor role corresponding to the pattern displayed at the display position on the valid line (stop positions that can win a minor role with a greater payout). However, when the stop positions are set according to the number of electronic medals paid out, for multiple stop positions where the number of electronic medals paid out is the same, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the operation detection position is set, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the operation detection position is set, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line is the same.

[0077] In this embodiment, the stop positions of the reels relative to the operation detection positions are set in each stop control table so that so-called pull-in control and kick-off control can be realized. Pull-in control is control that determines the stop positions of the reels so that a combination whose lottery flag is set to a winning state can win as many prizes as possible. On the other hand, kick-off control is control that determines the stop positions of the reels so that a combination whose lottery flag is set to a non-winning state cannot win a prize. In this way, the game control means 102 determines the stop positions of the reels so that symbols of a combination whose lottery flag is set to a winning state can stop in a winning form, while symbols of a combination whose lottery flag is set to a non-winning state cannot stop in a winning form.

[0078] In this embodiment, as the winning modes of small prizes in the normal state and the bonus formation state, there are a plurality of types of batting order winning modes in which a correct small prize and a failed small prize overlap and are won, and a correct operation mode is set for each batting order winning mode, which makes it possible to win the correct small prize. Depending on the type of batting order winning mode, the correct small prize may be a small prize in which the number of electronic medals paid out in connection with the prize is greater than the number of electronic medals inserted, a small prize in which the number of electronic medals paid out in connection with the prize is the same as the number of electronic medals inserted, or a small prize in which the number of electronic medals paid out in connection with the prize is less than the number of electronic medals inserted. The failed small prize is a small prize in which the number of electronic medals paid out in connection with the prize is less than the number of electronic medals inserted, in any of the batting order winning modes. In a game in which a batting order winning mode has been achieved in a bonus formation state, the stop positions of the spinning reels are determined so that if a stop operation is performed in accordance with a correct operation mode, priority is given to winning a correct minor role, and if a stop operation is performed in accordance with a failed operation mode, which is an operation mode that is not a correct operation mode, priority is given to winning a failed minor role while avoiding winning a correct minor role.On the other hand, in a game in which a batting order winning mode has been achieved in a normal state, all operation modes become failed operation modes for some batting order winning modes, and the stop positions of the spinning reels are determined so that priority is given to winning a failed minor role while avoiding winning a correct minor role, no matter what mode the stop operation is performed in.

[0079] In this embodiment, the batting order winning modes are batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a8, batting order bell b1 to batting order bell b8, batting order bell c1 to batting order bell c8, batting order bell d1 to batting order bell d8, batting order 3-coin role a to batting order 3-coin role d, and batting order 1-coin role a to batting order 1-coin role h. Hereinafter, batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a8, batting order bell b1 to batting order bell b8, batting order bell c1 to batting order bell c8, and batting order bell d1 to batting order bell d8 are collectively referred to as batting order bells, batting order 3-coin role a to batting order 3-coin role d are collectively referred to as batting order 3-coin role, and batting order 1-coin role a to batting order 1-coin role h are collectively referred to as batting order 1-coin role. Each batting order bell is a winning mode in which a 15-coin small role and a 1-coin small role overlap and are won, with the 15-coin small role corresponding to the correct small role and the 1-coin small role corresponding to the failed small role. Each batting order 3-piece role is a winning pattern in which a 3-piece minor role and a 1-piece minor role overlap and are won, and the 3-piece minor role corresponds to the correct minor role, and the 1-piece minor role corresponds to the failed minor role. Each batting order 1-piece role is a winning pattern in which a 1-piece role that becomes a correct minor role and a 1-piece role that becomes a failed minor role overlap and are won.

[0080] In the stop control table that is referenced when the batting order bell is won in the internal lottery, the correct batting order that results in the correct operation mode is set for each batting order bell, as shown in FIG.

[0081] In the stop control table that is referenced when any of the batting order bells is won, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the correct batting order, a 15-coin small win is won, and when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in an operation order different from the correct batting order, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that there are cases where a 1-coin small win is won and cases where no win is won (a miss of a win). "1-coin small win (1 / 2)" in FIG. 9 means that in that operation order, there is a 1 / 2 probability that a 1-coin small win is won, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that a miss of a win occurs. Also, "1-coin small win (1 / 4)" in FIG. 9 means that in that operation order, there is a 1 / 4 probability that a 1-coin small win is won, and there is a 3 / 4 probability that a miss of a win occurs. 9 means that the probability of winning one small coin is 1 / 8 in that operation sequence, and the probability of losing the winning combination is 7 / 8. In this embodiment, the recommended batting order for any batting order bell is a failed operation mode, and when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the recommended batting order, the one small coin will always be won.

[0082] In addition, when each batting order bell is won, in the correct batting order, the stop position for the operation detection position is set in each stop control table so that in the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of the 15-coin small win are preferentially displayed on the active line by the payout number priority control, and in an operation order different from the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of the 1-coin small win are preferentially displayed on the active line by the number priority control. In this embodiment, by using the payout number priority control and the number priority control according to the operation order, in the correct batting order, it is possible to win a 15-coin small win while avoiding the winning of a 1-coin small win, and in an operation order different from the correct batting order, it is possible to win a 1-coin small win while avoiding the winning of a 15-coin small win.

[0083] In this embodiment, for the batting order bell group a and the batting order bell group b, the correct batting order is valid only when the bonus is established. In the normal state, if a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell group a or the batting order bell group b is selected, even if the stop operation is performed according to the correct batting order, there is a 1 / 2 probability that a 1-coin small win will be won, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that the win will be missed. In other words, in the normal state, for the batting order bell group a and the batting order bell group b, even if the stop operation is performed in a manner that allows a 15-coin small win in the bonus state, the stop position is determined by the number priority control to avoid the win of the 15-coin small win. On the other hand, for the batting order bell group c and the batting order bell group d, the correct batting order is valid in both the normal state and the bonus state, and in either game state, the stop position is determined by the payout number priority control to prioritize the win of the 15-coin small win in the correct batting order.

[0084] In the stop control table that is referred to when a batting order three-piece role is won in the internal lottery, as shown in FIG. 9, the correct batting order that becomes the correct operation mode for each batting order three-piece role is set.

[0085] In the stop control table that is referenced when any of the batting order 3-coin roles is won, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the correct batting order, a 3-coin small role will be won, and when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in an operation order different from the correct batting order, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that there are cases where a 1-coin small role will be won and cases where no role will be won (a role will be missed). Also, in this embodiment, the recommended batting order is the correct operation mode for any of the batting order 3-coin roles, and when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the recommended batting order, a 3-coin small role will always be won.

[0086] In addition, when a three-coin combination is won in each batting order, stop positions are set in each stop control table relative to the operation detection position so that in the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of the three-coin minor combination are preferentially displayed on the active line by payout number priority control, and in an operation order different from the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of the one-coin minor combination are preferentially displayed on the active line by number priority control. In this embodiment, by using payout number priority control and number priority control according to the operation order, in the correct batting order, it is possible to win a three-coin minor combination while avoiding the winning of a one-coin minor combination, and in an operation order different from the correct batting order, it is possible to win a one-coin minor combination while avoiding the winning of a three-coin minor combination.

[0087] In the stop control table that is referred to when a batting order one-piece role is won in the internal lottery, as shown in FIG. 9, the correct batting order that becomes the correct operation mode for each batting order one-piece role is set.

[0088] In the stop control table that is referenced when any one of the batting order one-piece roles is won, when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the correct batting order, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that the small role 7 of the one-piece small roles will win, and when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in an operation order different from the correct batting order, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that there are cases where a one-piece small role other than the small role 7 will win, and cases where no role will win (missed role). Also, in this embodiment, the recommended batting order is the correct operation mode for any one-piece role in any batting order, and when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the recommended batting order, the small role 7, which is the one-piece small role that becomes the correct small role, will always win.

[0089] In addition, in the stop control table that is referred to when a spill role is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that there are cases where a 3-coin small role is won and cases where no role is won, depending on the operation mode of the stop switches 23a to 23c. In this embodiment, no matter in which operation order the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated, there is a 3 / 4 probability that a 3-coin small role is won and there is a 1 / 4 probability that a role is missed.

[0090] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when normal replay a, normal replay b, slip replay, chance replay a group (chance replay a1 to chance replay a13), or chance replay b group (chance replay b1 to chance replay b3) is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that any of the replays included in the winning mode of each replay will win, regardless of the mode of stop operation on stop switches 23a to 23c.

[0091] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when JAC1 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that one of small prizes 1 to 3 will definitely win, and in the stop control table that is referenced when JAC2 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that one of small prizes 4 to 6 will definitely win.

[0092] In addition, the Big Bonus (BB) can only be won if the Big Bonus (BB) is won alone in the normal state, and there are no misses when the bonus is formed, and since there are always overlapping wins of small winning combinations or replays with higher priority than the Big Bonus (BB), the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set in the stop control table so that the Big Bonus (BB) is not won.

[0093] The game control means 102 also performs a win determination process to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c. That is, the game control means 102 functions as a win determination means for determining whether or not a winning combination has been achieved. Specifically, the game control means 102 refers to a win determination table stored in the main storage means 105 to determine whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when all of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c have stopped is in the form of a winning combination of a predetermined winning combination. In this embodiment, a win determination table is provided so that the presence or absence of a winning combination of a big bonus (BB), replay 1 to replay 9, and small bonus 1 to small bonus 52 can be determined based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when each reel has stopped, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 15.

[0094] In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the game control means 102 executes a winning process when a winning combination is achieved based on the result of the winning determination process. As the winning process, for example, a payout process of electronic medals is performed when a small combination is achieved, a replay process is performed when a replay is achieved, and a game state transition process for transitioning the game state is performed when a bonus is achieved.

[0095] First, the game control means 102 performs a payout process for paying out electronic medals in accordance with the game results. In this embodiment, the function of paying out electronic medals is realized through cooperation between the main control unit 100 and the medal count control unit 600. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the game control means 102 of the main control unit 100 determines the number of electronic medals to be paid out in the game based on the payout amount predetermined for each combination, and transmits a payout command specifying the number of electronic medals to be paid out to the medal count control unit 600. In the medal count control unit 600 that receives the payout command, the counting control means 601 increases the number of game medals stored in the medal information storage means 603 by the payout number specified in the payout command. Note that in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, when electronic medals are paid out in each game, the number of electronic medals to be paid out is displayed on the main display 16. That is, when electronic medals are paid out as a result of a win of a small winning combination, the game control means 102 controls the main display 16 to display the number of electronic medals to be paid out in response to the win of the small winning combination. In this way, the game control means 102 functions as a payout control means for paying out a number of electronic medals corresponding to the payout of the winning small winning combination when a small winning combination is won. In addition, in this embodiment, the payout for each small winning combination is set in association with the specified insertion number, and for some small winning combinations, the payout when the specified insertion number is three coins is different from the payout when the specified insertion number is two coins. As shown in FIG. 11 , the payouts for small winning combinations 1 to 6 are different when the specified insertion number is three coins and when the specified insertion number is two coins. For small winning combinations 1 to 3, the payout is 15 coins when the specified insertion number is three coins, but the payout is one coin when the specified insertion number is two coins. For small winning combinations 4 to 6, the payout is three coins when the specified insertion number is three coins, but the payout is one coin when the specified insertion number is two coins. For small wins 7 to 52, the payout is the same when the specified number of coins is 3 and when the specified number of coins is 2, and the payout is 1 coin for either specified number of coins.In this embodiment, the specified insertion number is set to three in the normal state and the bonus state, and to two in the bonus state. Therefore, in the normal state and the bonus state, if a small win is won, more than the specified insertion number of electronic medals may be paid out. However, in the bonus state, regardless of the small win, the number of electronic medals paid out is controlled to be less than the specified insertion number. Note that a payout limit for electronic medals may be set according to the specified insertion number, and when electronic medals are paid out in response to a small win, the payout limit may be controlled so that more electronic medals than the payout limit are not paid out in a single game. Specifically, if the specified insertion number is three, the payout limit may be set to 15, and if the specified insertion number is two, the payout limit may be set to one. For example, if the specified insertion number is two, even if a 15-coin or 3-coin small win is won, the payout limit is set to one, so the number of electronic medals paid out in response to a 15-coin or 3-coin small win is one.

[0096] Furthermore, when a replay wins, the game control means 102 performs a replay process (replay process) that sets the next game to the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert any electronic medals owned by the player. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed that automatically inserts the same number of electronic medals as in the previous game without using any electronic medals owned by the player, and the machine waits for the next game start operation on the start switch 22 with the same pay lines set as in the previous game. In this way, the game control means 102 functions as a replay processing means that provides the next game free of charge when a replay wins.

[0097] The game control means 102 also performs a game state transition process, as shown in FIG. 16, that transitions the game state between the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state. That is, the game control means 102 functions as a game state control means that can set the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state. In this embodiment, information indicating the current game state is stored in the main memory means 105. The game state transition condition may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are set, the game state can be transitioned to another game state when one of the multiple predetermined conditions is met, or when all of the multiple predetermined conditions are met.

[0098] The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among multiple game states, and transition from the normal state to the bonus establishment state or the bonus state is possible. Specifically, if a bonus is won in the normal state and the bonus is not awarded, the game state transitions to the bonus establishment state, and if the bonus is awarded, the game state transitions to the bonus state. In the normal state, an internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table among multiple internal lottery tables stored in the main storage means 105, in which small combinations, replays, and bonuses are set as the lottery targets. In this embodiment, in the normal state, the specified number of coins to be inserted is set to three, and an internal lottery is performed by referring to internal lottery table 1 among internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, in the normal state, the payout rate, which corresponds to the expected value of winning electronic medals, is less than 50%.

[0099] The bonus formation state is a gaming state to which the game transitions when a bonus is won in an internal lottery but the bonus is not awarded. In the bonus formation state, among the multiple types of internal lottery tables stored in the main storage means 105, the win or loss of a minor combination is determined with the same probability as in the normal state, and an internal lottery is performed with reference to an internal lottery table in which bonuses are excluded from the lottery. Note that replays are also set as a lottery target in the bonus formation state, but the winning probability and winning mode of replays may be different or the same as in the normal state. In this embodiment, in the bonus formation state, the specified number of coins is set to three, and an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 2 of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 5. In addition, in this embodiment, in the bonus formation state, the payout rate when the presentation state is not in the AT state (when not in the AT state) is at least 50% higher, and when the presentation state is in the AT state (when in the AT state) the payout rate is approximately 320%. In addition, when not in AT, the payout rate for the recommended batting order is below 50%, at approximately 44%.

[0100] In addition, in the bonus established state, the lottery flag corresponding to the bonus is maintained in the winning state until the bonus is won, and the win or loss of the minor winning combination and replay is determined, and when the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the bonus is displayed on the active line, the game control means 102 transitions the game state from the bonus established state to the bonus state based on the winning of the bonus.

[0101] The bonus state is a gaming state to which the game enters when a symbol combination indicating a bonus winning mode is displayed on an active pay line. In the bonus state, among the multiple types of internal lottery tables stored in the main storage means 105, the winning probability of a small combination is set higher than in the normal state and the bonus state, and an internal lottery is performed with reference to an internal lottery table in which replays are excluded from the lottery. In other words, the bonus state is a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state and the bonus state in that small combinations are more frequently won than in the normal state and the bonus state. In this embodiment, in the bonus state, the specified number of coins is set to two, and an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 3 of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 5. In addition, in this embodiment, the payout rate in the bonus state is 50%.

[0102] In the bonus state, the game control means 102 determines whether or not the termination condition is met based on the total number of electronic medals paid out in the bonus game in the bonus state, and when the number of electronic medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number to be paid out for termination (for example, 100 medals), the game control means 102 terminates the bonus state and returns the game state to the normal state. In this embodiment, count information on the number of payouts in the bonus state is accumulated and stored in the main storage means 105.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 17, the game control means 102 changes the presentation state among multiple presentation states, including an initial presentation state, a normal presentation state, an AT state, a standby state, and a retraction state. The game control means 102 sets the presentation state to the AT state under predetermined conditions and terminates the AT state when the AT state termination condition is met. In this embodiment, information indicating the current presentation state is stored in the main storage means 105. In this embodiment, when the AT state is active, the game control means 102 notifies the player of a correct operation by displaying information (operation instruction information) corresponding to the correct operation mode on the main display 16, which is a 7-segment display, when a predetermined batting order winning pattern is selected. This notifies the player of a correct operation to assist in winning a correct minor combination. This allows the player to play an assist time game, which allows the player to win medals more easily than in a game in the initial presentation state or the normal presentation state. In this embodiment, the function of executing an assist time game in a favorable zone is the instruction function, and the processing that affects the execution of the assist time game is the processing related to the instruction function.

[0104] 18, the game control means 102 is capable of setting a normal zone (non-advantageous zone) and an advantageous zone, and in the normal zone, the presentation state is fixed to the initial presentation state, which is the initial state, and a lottery for transition to an advantageous zone is held, and by winning the lottery for transition to an advantageous zone, the advantageous zone is started, and the presentation state can be set to the AT state on the condition that it is an advantageous zone. In other words, the game control means 102 functions as a zone control means that is capable of setting a normal zone and an advantageous zone, and is capable of providing operation instruction information in the advantageous zone.

[0105] The game control means 102 performs a lottery for shifting to an advantageous zone in each game in the normal zone to determine whether or not the player has won the advantageous zone according to the result of the internal lottery. In this embodiment, the game control means 102 determines whether or not the player has won the advantageous zone by linking it to the winning pattern obtained in the normal state or the bonus formation state, and the player wins the advantageous zone except when a very small number of winning patterns are obtained.

[0106] When the advantageous zone is won in the normal zone, the game control means 102 performs advantageous zone transition processing based on the fact that the advantageous zone has been won, starts the advantageous zone from the next game of the game in which the advantageous zone has been won, and sets the presentation state to the normal presentation state.

[0107] The game control means 102 performs an AT lottery (an example of processing related to an instruction function) to award AT stocks that constitute the right to transition to the AT state in the normal presentation state of the advantageous zone. In this embodiment, an AT lottery is performed regardless of which winning mode is obtained in the internal lottery, and the AT lottery is performed so that an AT winning result is obtained with a probability corresponding to the winning mode. Then, based on the result of the AT lottery being an AT win, the game control means 102 performs processing to increase the number of AT stocks stored in the main memory means 105 and award AT stocks. The number of AT stocks awarded upon an AT win may or may not be constant. For example, the number of AT stocks may increase by one for each AT win, or there may be cases where the number of AT stocks increases by one or two for each AT win.

[0108] The game control means 102 executes an AT lottery by referring to the value of a specific lottery counter in a normal presentation state. The specific lottery counter is a counter that can take on a value of 0 or 1 and is provided in the main storage means 105. In this embodiment, a low probability table and a high probability table are stored in the main storage means 105 so as to correspond to each winning mode obtained in the internal lottery, and when executing an AT lottery, the game control means 102 determines which table to use by referring to the value of the specific lottery counter, the low probability table or the high probability table corresponding to the winning mode obtained in the internal lottery.

[0109] When the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the recommended batting order in the normal presentation state, the game control means 102 sets the value of the specific lottery counter to 1. On the other hand, when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the irregular batting order in the normal presentation state, the game control means 102 resets the value of the specific lottery counter to 0. The specific lottery counter is updated after the AT lottery is performed based on the game start operation and after the third stop operation. Therefore, when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the irregular batting order in the normal presentation state, the value of the specific lottery counter referenced at the time the game start operation is performed in the next game will be 0. In this embodiment, when the game control means 102 performs the AT lottery, if the value of the specific lottery counter is 0, it references the low probability table, and if the value of the specific lottery counter is 1, it references the high probability table, which has a higher probability of winning than the low probability table. Therefore, if the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in an irregular batting order in the normal presentation state, the player will be at a disadvantage in the AT lottery for the next game. In this manner, in this embodiment, if the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the recommended batting order in the normal presentation state, the player will be at a disadvantage in the AT lottery compared to when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in an irregular batting order.

[0110] The game control means 102 performs control to transition the presentation state from the normal presentation state to a standby state or an AT state when the AT stock number stored in the main storage means 105 is 1 or more in the normal presentation state (when the AT stock number > 0). When the AT lottery is won in the normal presentation state and the AT stock number stored in the main storage means 105 is 1 or more, the game control means 102 waits for the winning of a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell group b or the batting order bell group d (hereinafter referred to as a specific batting order bell), and sets the transition destination of the presentation state to a standby state based on the winning of the specific batting order bell. When the specific batting order bell is won in a game in which the AT stock number is 1 or more in the normal presentation state, the game control means 102 determines whether or not the rewrite condition is established based on the operation sequence of the stop switches 23a to 23c. In this embodiment, if the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c is a non-specific batting order, it is determined that the rewrite condition is met, and if the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c is a specific batting order, it is determined that the rewrite condition is not met. If the game control means 102 determines that the rewrite condition is met as a result of determining whether the rewrite condition is met, it performs control to rewrite the destination of the transition state to the AT state and transition to the AT state, and if it determines that the rewrite condition is not met, it performs control to maintain the destination of the transition state to the standby state and transition to the standby state. When the game control means 102 transitions the transition state to the AT state, it performs a process to subtract a fixed value (for example, 1) from the AT stock number stored in the main memory means 105.

[0111] When the presentation state is a standby state, the game control means 102 sets the transition destination of the presentation state to the standby state each time a specific batting order bell is won, determines whether a rewrite condition is met, maintains the standby state if the rewrite condition is not met, and performs control to rewrite the transition destination of the presentation state to the AT state and transition to the AT state if the rewrite condition is met.

[0112] When the rewrite condition is met, the game control means 102 sets the value of the navigation management counter provided in the main storage means 105 to a predetermined value (e.g., 100), and when the presentation state is the AT state, performs processing to update the value of the navigation management counter stored in the main storage means 105 by a fixed value (e.g., 1) each time a game is played. The value of the navigation management counter stored in the main storage means 105 can be updated at the end of a game, for example, when the third stop operation is released. However, the value of the navigation management counter may be updated not in association with the third stop operation, but in association with the insertion operation of a digital medal, the game start operation, the first stop operation, the second stop operation, etc. When the value of the navigation management counter reaches an initial value (e.g., 0) in the AT state, the game control means 102 sets the transition destination of the presentation state to a standby state when a specific batting order bell is won, and determines whether the rewrite condition is met. That is, in this embodiment, when the rewrite condition is satisfied in the AT state, the transition destination of the presentation state is rewritten from the standby state to the AT state, thereby continuing the AT state. If the rewrite condition is not satisfied in the AT state, the AT state is interrupted and transitions to the standby state. When the AT state is interrupted and transitions to the standby state, the value of the navigation management counter is set to its initial value, so the transition destination of the presentation state is set to the standby state each time a specific batting order bell is won, and the success or failure of the rewrite condition is determined. When the rewrite condition is satisfied in the standby state to which the AT state is interrupted and transitions, the game control means 102 rewrites the transition destination of the presentation state to the AT state and controls the return of the presentation state to the AT state. It is preferable that the return from the standby state to the AT state does not require the consumption of AT stocks. Furthermore, in the standby state, it is preferable that information about the interrupted AT state (e.g., count information on the number of AT games) be retained from the time the AT state is interrupted until the AT state is restored.

[0113] The game control means 102 executes an assist time game based on the fact that the presentation state is the AT state, and updates the count information of the number of AT games by an update amount equivalent to one game each time an assist time game is executed. In this embodiment, the count information of the number of AT games is stored in the main storage means 105. Note that if the AT state is interrupted and transitions to a standby state, the count information of the number of AT games may be continuously updated even in the standby state. In this embodiment, when one of the predetermined batting order winning patterns (batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d) is selected in the AT state, the game control means 102 executes a correct operation notification that notifies the player of the correct operation corresponding to the selected batting order winning pattern. In this embodiment, when the game control means 102 executes a correct operation notification regarding the batting order winning pattern, the main display 16 displays an operation instruction number (one of "1" to "5") corresponding to the correct batting order corresponding to the selected batting order winning pattern. For example, if the correct batting order is batting order 2, "1" is displayed on the main display 16, if the correct batting order is batting order 3, "2" is displayed on the main display 16, if the correct batting order is batting order 4, "3" is displayed on the main display 16, if the correct batting order is batting order 5, "4" is displayed on the main display 16, and if the correct batting order is batting order 6, "5" is displayed on the main display 16. The information on the operation instruction number is notified to the sub-controller 200, and on the sub-controller 200 side, the performance control means 201 displays an effect image corresponding to the operation instruction number notified from the main controller 100 on the liquid crystal display 20 and outputs a sound corresponding to the operation instruction number from the speaker 40, thereby executing a winning assistance effect that assists in the winning of the correct minor winning combination. In this embodiment, the winning patterns of the batting order include a batting order 3-coin role and a batting order 1-coin role, but when the batting order 3-coin role and the batting order 1-coin role are won, the main display 16 does not notify of the correct operation. In the AT state, the expected value of the payout rate of electronic medals is about 300%, and it is a play zone in which the player can increase the number of electronic medals he owns.

[0114] In the standby state, a correct operation notification is not made when the batting order bell is won, making it at least a less favorable game zone for winning electronic medals than the AT state. However, if the AT state is more favorable for winning electronic medals than the standby state, a correct operation notification may be made in the standby state. For example, in the standby state, a navigation lottery is held when the batting order bell group a or batting order bell group c is won, and a correct operation notification is made if the navigation lottery is won. Also, for example, in the standby state, a correct operation notification is not made when the batting order bell group a is won, but a correct operation notification is made when the batting order bell group c is won. In other words, by lowering the winning rate of the 15-coin small combination in the standby state compared to the AT state, a superiority or inferiority can be established between the AT state and the standby state in terms of winning electronic medals, making the AT state a more favorable game zone than the standby state (the standby state a less favorable game zone than the AT state).

[0115] In a situation where the game control means 102 determines whether the rewrite condition is met, it executes a non-specific operation notification in which an operation instruction number ("6") corresponding to a non-specific batting order is displayed on the main display 16 when the specific batting order bell is won. Information on the operation instruction number corresponding to the non-specific batting order is notified to the sub-controller 200, and the sub-controller 200 executes a specific effect in which an effect image that discourages the specific batting order is displayed on the liquid crystal display 20. In the AT state, if the value of the navigation management counter stored in the main memory means 105 is not an initial value (for example, 0), a correct operation notification is executed when the specific batting order bell is won, and if the value of the navigation management counter stored in the main memory means 105 is an initial value, a non-specific operation notification is executed and a specific effect is executed when the specific batting order bell is won.

[0116] The game control means 102 executes an add-on lottery (an example of processing related to the instruction function) to determine whether or not to add to the AT stock number in a game in which the chance replay group a or the chance replay group b is won in the AT state. The add-on lottery is executed when the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in a specific batting order (an operation order in which the first reel 13a is stopped first), and the add-on lottery is not executed when the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in a non-specific batting order (an operation order in which the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c is stopped first). The game control means 102 executes processing to increase the AT stock number stored in the main memory means 105 when the add-on lottery is won. Thus, in this embodiment, when the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in a specific batting order in the AT state, the player has an advantage in the add-on lottery compared to when the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in a non-specific batting order.

[0117] The game control means 102 updates the value of a first counter provided in the main storage means 105 every time a game is played in the normal presentation state. The first counter is updated so that it is incremented by a fixed value (for example, 1) corresponding to one game when a game start operation is performed in a game in the normal presentation state. Furthermore, the first counter is initialized to an initial value (for example, 0) when transitioning from the normal presentation state to the AT state. In this embodiment, the value of the first counter is used to determine whether or not to initialize the value of a second counter, which will be described later.

[0118] The game control means 102 updates the value of a second counter provided in the main storage means 105 in association with the number of inserted and paid-out electronic medals, at least in the AT state. The second counter is updated by subtracting a value corresponding to the number of inserted electronic medals (for example, 3 if the number inserted is 3), and by adding a value corresponding to the number of paid-out electronic medals (for example, 15 if the number paid-out is 15). Note that in the case of a replay win, the second counter may be updated as if three electronic medals had been paid out, and in the case of automatic insertion of electronic medals due to replay processing, the second counter may be updated as if three electronic medals had been inserted. Also, in the case of a replay win, the second counter may be configured to be configured as if no electronic medals had been paid out, so that no increment or decrement is made to the value of the second counter, and in the case of automatic insertion of electronic medals due to replay processing, the second counter may be configured to be configured as if no electronic medals had been inserted, so that no increment or decrement is made to the value of the second counter. That is, the replay for updating the second counter may be treated as three coins paid out and three coins inserted, or as zero coins paid out and zero coins inserted.

[0119] In this embodiment, updating of the second counter begins with the start of the first AT state after the advantageous zone begins, and thereafter, updating continues even during the rewind state and normal presentation state until the end of the advantageous zone. The game control means 102 sets the AT level, which is the degree of advantageousness of the AT state, according to the value of the second counter. The AT level can be set to three levels, from level 1 to level 3, with the degree of advantageousness increasing in the order of level 1 < level 2 < level 3. The difference in the degree of advantageousness depending on the AT level can be, for example, the probability of winning the additional lottery; when the AT level is level 2, the probability of winning the additional lottery is higher than when the AT level is level 1, and when the AT level is level 3, the probability of winning the additional lottery is higher than when the AT level is level 2.

[0120] In this embodiment, when the value of the second counter satisfies the first condition (for example, when it is 800 or less), the AT level is set to level 2, when the value of the second counter satisfies the second condition (for example, when it is 801 to 1400), the AT level is set to level 1, and when the value of the second counter satisfies the third condition (for example, when it is 1401 or more), the AT level is set to level 3. For this reason, when transitioning from the normal presentation state to the AT state, the game control means 102 sets the AT level to level 2 at the time of the first transition to the AT state in the advantageous zone, since the value of the second counter belongs to the first condition, and starts updating the second counter with the start of the AT state. The value of the second counter is not initialized by the end of the AT state, and thereafter, updating continues even in the pullback state and normal presentation state until the end of the advantageous zone. When the AT lottery is won in the normal presentation state, if the value of the first counter is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 230), the game control means 102 maintains the initialization flag stored in the main storage means 105 in the OFF state and does not initialize the value of the second counter, and if the value of the first counter is greater than the predetermined value, sets the initialization flag stored in the main storage means 105 to the ON state, initializes the value of the second counter upon transition to the AT state, and resets the initialization flag to the OFF state. Note that the timing for determining whether or not to initialize the value of the second counter by referring to the value of the first counter may be the time of transition to the AT state.

[0121] When the game control means 102 determines that the conditions for terminating the AT state are met based on the count information of the number of AT games stored in the main memory means 105, it controls the transition of the presentation state to a pullback state.

[0122] In the retracted state, the game control means 102 executes the AT lottery under more favorable conditions than in the normal presentation state. In the retracted state, the game control means 102 updates the value of the specific lottery counter according to the operation order of the stop switches 23a-23c, as in the normal presentation state, and executes the AT lottery by referring to the value of the specific lottery counter. That is, in this embodiment, if the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in the recommended batting order in the retracted state, the AT lottery is more favorable than if the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in an irregular batting order. However, in the AT lottery in the retracted state, if a winning pattern of the chance replay group a or chance replay group b is obtained, the AT winning result can always be obtained regardless of whether the high probability table or the low probability table is referenced. In the retracted state, the AT level information from the previous AT state may be carried over, and the AT lottery may be executed by referring to that AT level. For example, if the AT level is level 1 at the end of the AT state, the AT lottery is performed in the pull-back state by referencing the high-probability table or low-probability table corresponding to level 1, if the AT level is level 2 at the end of the AT state, the AT lottery is performed in the pull-back state by referencing the high-probability table or low-probability table corresponding to level 2, and if the AT level is level 3 at the end of the AT state, the AT lottery is performed in the pull-back state by referencing the high-probability table or low-probability table corresponding to level 3. Even when the AT lottery is performed by referencing the AT level in the pull-back state, the degree of advantage can be controlled so that the probability of winning increases in the order of level 1 < level 2 < level 3.

[0123] The game control means 102 controls the presentation state to return from the pullback state to the AT state when the AT stock number stored in the main storage means 105 in the pullback state is 1 or more (when the AT stock number > 0). The game control means 102 stops updating while maintaining the value of the navigation management counter in the pullback state, and when the AT stock number is 1 or more in the pullback state, returns to the AT state regardless of whether the rewrite condition is met, and resumes updating the navigation management counter upon returning to the AT state. When the presentation state returns to the AT state, the game control means 102 performs a process to subtract a fixed value (for example, 1) from the AT stock number stored in the main storage means 105. In this embodiment, there are mainly two cases in which the presentation state returns to the AT state from the pullback state. One is when the AT stock number is 0 at the end of the AT state and the AT lottery is won in a situation where the AT stock number is 0 in the pullback state. The other is when the AT stock number is 1 or more remaining at the end of the AT state and the remaining AT stock number in the pullback state is consumed.

[0124] The pull-back state ends when a fall condition is met, and the game control means 102 controls the presentation state to return to the normal presentation state when the fall condition is met in the pull-back state. The game control means 102 can determine that the fall condition is met when a predetermined number of plays have been played. The game control means 102 also performs a fall lottery in the pull-back state, and can determine that the fall condition is met when the fall lottery is won. The game control means 102 also resets the value of the navigation management counter to an initial value (e.g., 0) when the presentation state transitions to the normal presentation state due to the meeting of the fall condition.

[0125] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the game control means 102 updates the count information of the difference in number of coins in the advantageous zone based on the number of electronic medals inserted and the number of electronic medals paid out, and when it determines that the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are met based on the count information of the difference in number of coins, it performs control to end the advantageous zone. The count information of the difference in number of coins is stored in the main storage means 105, and as long as the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are not met in the advantageous zone, the count information of the difference in number of coins is updated even if a transition in the game state or presentation state occurs.

[0126] In addition, the game control means 102 performs an initialization process to initialize predetermined information stored in the main storage means 105 based on the end of the advantageous zone. In particular, in this embodiment, among the various types of information stored in the main storage means 105, information regarding the presentation state, information regarding the number of AT stocks, information regarding the number of AT games played, the value of the specific lottery counter, the value of the navigation management counter, the value of the first counter, the value of the second counter, and information regarding the difference in number of coins in the advantageous zone are initialized by the initialization process based on the end of the advantageous zone. Therefore, when the initialization process based on the end of the advantageous zone is performed, unlike when the initialization process is performed upon a setting change, information regarding the lottery flag for the internal lottery and information regarding the game state are retained without being initialized by the initialization process based on the end of the advantageous zone. When the initialization process based on the end of the advantageous zone is performed, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the information regarding the number of AT stocks, the count information regarding the number of AT games played, the value of the specific lottery counter, the value of the navigation management counter, the value of the first counter, the value of the second counter, and information regarding the difference in number of coins in the advantageous zone are initialized to their initial values ​​(e.g., 0), and the normal zone is restored.

[0127] In this embodiment, an initialization process is executed at the end of the favorable period to return to the normal period, so if the termination condition based on the count information of the difference in the number of coins is met while remaining in the AT state, the initialization process at the end of the favorable period will forcibly terminate the AT state.

[0128] Next, a description will be given of the sub-control unit 200. The sub-control unit 200 includes a performance control means 201 and a sub-storage means 203.

[0129] The effect control means 201 controls the effects performed using the display unit 501 (for example, the liquid crystal display 20), the effects performed using the speaker 40, and the effects performed using the lamp unit 503 (for example, the outer perimeter lamp 19, etc.) based on the effect data stored in the sub-storage means 202. For example, by lighting or blinking lamps or LEDs in response to the operation of the bet switch 21, the operation of the start switch 22, the stop switches 23a to 23c, or the occurrence of game events such as changes in the game state, the effect control means 201 controls the execution of effects to liven up the game or to assist the game in accordance with the progress of the game.

[0130] Furthermore, when the presentation state is in the AT state, if the operation instruction number notified from the main control unit 100 is "1" to "5" when a predetermined batting order winning pattern (batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d) is won, the presentation control means 201 controls the liquid crystal display 20 and the speaker 40 to execute a winning assistance effect that notifies the correct operation pattern and assists in winning the correct small role. In this embodiment, as with the correct operation notification on the main control unit 100 side, the winning assistance effect is not executed when the batting order 3-piece role and the batting order 1-piece role are won.

[0131] Furthermore, when a specific batting order bell (batting order bell group b, batting order bell group d) is won and the operation instruction number notified from the main control unit 100 is "6," the effect control means 201 controls the execution of a specific effect in which an effect image indicating that the specific batting order is not recommended is displayed on the liquid crystal display 20. FIG. 19 is an example of an effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display 20 when the specific effect is executed. In the effect image for the specific effect, as shown in FIG. 19, a first display object 251 corresponding to the stop switch 23a or the first reel 13a, a second display object 252 corresponding to the stop switch 23b or the second reel 13b, and a third display object 253 corresponding to the stop switch 23c or the third reel 13c are displayed in a manner that notifies the player that the specific batting order in which the first reel 13a stops first is not recommended.

[0132] Furthermore, when a game is being played in the AT state, the effect control means 201 controls the execution of a remaining number display effect that displays the remaining number of games until the AT state ends on the liquid crystal display 20. In the remaining number display effect, when the count information of the number of AT games is updated by playing a game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of games also decreases to reflect the update of the count information.

[0133] In this embodiment, in the main loop processing of the main control unit 100, at least when the reels are rotating, the backlight unit 36 ​​illuminates the pattern display position of each reel to ensure the visibility of the patterns arranged on each reel, and the backlight unit 36 ​​is controlled to turn off or blink at predetermined times such as when the reels stop or when a winning combination is achieved.

[0134] The content of the effects executed in the game is determined in response to a command sent from the main control unit 100 in accordance with the game status, the effect status, the result of the internal lottery, etc., using an effect lottery table stored in the sub-storage means 203. In this embodiment, image data stored in the ROM area of ​​the sub-storage means 203 is read into an image buffer provided in the sub-storage means 203, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer is output to the liquid crystal display 20, and sound data stored in the ROM area of ​​the sub-storage means 203 is read into a sound buffer provided in the sub-storage means 203, and a sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer is output from the speaker 40.

[0135] The functional block configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to computer systems (including game systems). In these systems, the functions of the game control means 100 of this embodiment can be realized by downloading a program that causes a computer to function from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD or from a web server on the Internet via a network. In the computer system, the bet switch 21, start switch 22, stop switches 23a-23c, etc. can be realized by virtually assigning their functions to operating means such as a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse), a touch panel, or a controller. In the computer system, the main display 16, the medal count display 27, the reel unit 30, etc. are not essential components, and these units can virtually realize their functions by controlling the images displayed on the display.

[0136] 2. Method of this embodiment In this embodiment, there are provided batting order bells a and c, which have the correct operation mode of batting order 2, in which the first reel 13a stops first and the third reel 13c stops second, and batting order bells b and d, which have the correct operation mode of batting order 3 to 6, in which the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c stops first. The batting order bells a and c, and the batting order bells b and d, employ a method of differentiating the winning rate of the failed minor combination in the failed operation mode. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the batting order bells a and c will be referred to as the first batting order bell, and the batting order bells b and d will be referred to as the second batting order bell.

[0137] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the relationship between the winning probability of each winning mode in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment and the number of electronic medals paid out and the expected value of the payout rate in each operation sequence.

[0138] First, for all batting order bells, batting order 1, in which the first reel 13a stops first and the second reel 13b stops second, is a failure operation mode, and if the stopping operation is performed according to batting order 1 when the batting order bell is won, a failure minor role will always be won and one coin will be paid out.

[0139] For the first batting order bell (batting order bell group a and batting order bell group c), the correct operation mode is batting order 2, and if the stop operation is performed according to the failed operation modes of batting order 3 to batting order 6, there is a 1 / 8 probability that a failed small win will be achieved and one coin will be paid out.

[0140] The second batting order bell (batting order bell group b and batting order bell group d) has a correct operation mode of any of batting orders 3 to 6, and in the irregular batting order (batting order 2 to 6), if the first stop operation results in a failed operation mode, there is a 1 / 4 probability that a failed minor role will be won and one coin will be paid out, and if the second stop operation results in a failed operation mode, there is a 1 / 2 probability that a failed minor role will be won and one coin will be paid out.

[0141] In this embodiment, in the gaming machine 10, when the first batting order bell is won, the first stop operation results in a failure operation mode for batting orders 3 to 6. However, when the second batting order bell is won, there are cases where the first stop operation results in a failure operation mode and cases where the second stop operation results in a failure operation mode. When the second stop operation results in a failure operation mode for the second batting order bell, it is necessary to perform stop control that leaves the possibility of winning both the correct small combination and the unsuccessful small combination in the first stop operation. This results in a higher winning rate for the unsuccessful small combination compared to when the first stop operation results in a failure operation mode. Therefore, if the winning rate for the unsuccessful small combination is 1 / 4 for batting orders 3 to 6 when the first batting order bell is won, as with the second batting order bell, a difference of 1% or more will occur in the expected payout rate between batting order 2 and batting orders 3 to 6.

[0142] In addition, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, since the correct operation mode is set to be biased towards batting orders 2 to 6, if batting order 1 is set as the recommended batting order and a stop operation is performed along batting orders 2 to 6 during a game outside the AT, a penalty that is disadvantageous to the AT lottery will be incurred. In a specification in which a penalty is incurred according to such an operation order, it is preferable that there is no advantage or disadvantage in terms of acquiring electronic medals between operation orders related to the penalty.

[0143] Therefore, in this embodiment, the winning rate of a failed minor feature in the failed operation mode of batting orders 3 to 6 when the first batting order bell is won is set lower than the winning rate of a failed minor feature in the failed operation mode of batting order 2 when the second batting order bell is won, thereby smoothing out the difference in expected ball payout rate between batting order 2 and batting orders 3 to 6.

[0144] In addition, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, a difference is set in the winning rate of the failure small role between batting order 2 and batting order 3 to batting order 6 with respect to the failure operation mode for the batting order 3 role group and the batting order 1 role group. Specifically, for the batting order 3 role group, the winning rate of the failure small role in batting order 2 is 1 / 2, while the winning rate of the failure small role in batting order 3 to batting order 6 is 1 / 4. For the batting order 1 role group, the winning rate of the failure small role in batting order 2 is 1 / 4, while the winning rate of the failure small role in batting order 3 to batting order 6 is 1 / 8. There is a difference in the winning rate of the failure small role between the batting order 3 role group and the batting order 1 role group, but this is because the batting order 1 role group has a higher winning probability than the batting order 3 role group, and therefore lowering the winning rate of the failure small role in the batting order 1 role group is more effective in filling the difference in the expected value of the payout rate between batting order 2 and batting order 3 to batting order 6.

[0145] For gaming machines with an instruction function like the present embodiment, a known method is to set the correct operation mode that allows the correct small winning combination to be won by the operation sequence that stops the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c first, and if the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c stops first during non-AT play, a penalty is incurred and the AT lottery is invalidated.

[0146] However, in a specification that generates a penalty according to the operation order, if there is a difference in the ability to acquire electronic medals among the multiple operation orders that generate a penalty, there is an inherent strategy element that makes it advantageous to play with some operation orders. For this reason, as in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, if there is a correct operation mode that makes it possible to win a correct small combination in batting orders 2 to 6, it is preferable that there is no difference in the ability to acquire electronic medals among the operation orders of batting orders 2 to 6 as much as possible.

[0147] In this embodiment, in order to make it difficult to guess the result of the internal lottery based on the stopping pattern of the first reel 13a when playing in the recommended batting order, and to allow the player to detect the winning of the spill role based on the stopping pattern of the first reel 13a, when the first stop reel is the first reel 13a, the winning pattern of a small role other than the spill role is designed to display the replay symbol "RP" in the middle display position. Also, as mentioned above, when the batting order bell is won, for batting order 1, a failed small role is always won. For this reason, batting orders 1 and 2, which are the operation orders that stop the first reel 13a first, have more design constraints regarding the stopping position than batting orders 3 to 6, which are the operation orders that stop the second or third reel first.

[0148] Therefore, in this embodiment, by applying a method of differentiating the winning rate of failed small winning combinations between batting order 2 and batting orders 3 to 6, the difference in expected ball payout rate between batting order 2 and batting orders 3 to 6 can be kept to a small difference of approximately 0.01%, as shown in Figure 20.

[0149] In addition, in this embodiment, by setting the operation sequence that allows the correct small combination to be won to five types, from batting order 2 to batting order 6, it is possible to increase the difference in the performance of winning electronic medals between non-AT play and AT play compared to the conventional specification that sets the operation sequence that allows the correct small combination to be won to four types, from batting order 3 to batting order 6. Therefore, it is possible to realize a design that lowers the payout rate of non-AT play and increases the payout rate of AT play without requiring operation timing to win the correct small combination.

[0150] In this way, the method of this embodiment makes it possible to design game specifications that expand the range of options for stop operations that allow the correct small winning combination to be won, thereby suitably adjusting the performance of winning electronic medals, while at the same time reducing the operational burden on the player because in the correct operation mode, the winning of the correct small winning combination is controlled solely by the operation sequence, eliminating the need to require operation timing.

[0151] The present embodiment also includes a first reel 13a, a second reel 13b, and a third reel 13c having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer circumferential surface thereof, a main control unit 100 for controlling the progress of the game, and a sub-control unit 200 for controlling the execution of effects in accordance with the progress of the game, wherein the main control unit 100 performs an internal lottery for determining whether or not a plurality of types of winnings including minor winnings are won, and spins the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c for each game, and stops the spinning reels in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery in response to a stop operation. and a reel control that controls the payout of game value (electronic medals) in response to the winning of the small winning combination. In this gaming machine, there are a plurality of specific winning combinations (batting order bells) in which a correct small winning combination (15-coin small winning combination) in which a game value exceeding the number of game values ​​inserted is paid out and a failed small winning combination (1-coin small winning combination) in which a game value less than the number of game values ​​inserted is paid out are overlappingly won, and when the main control unit 100 obtains the specific winning combination by internal lottery, and when a stop operation is performed in accordance with the correct operation order (correct operation combination), the correct small winning combination is When a stop operation is performed according to a failed operation sequence (failed operation mode), the winning of the correct small role is avoided and the failed small role is allowed to win, and in all of the plurality of specific winning modes, the first operation sequence (batting order 1) in which the first reel 13a is stopped first and the second reel 13b is stopped second is the failed operation sequence, and when a stop operation is performed according to the first operation sequence, the failed small role is always allowed to win, and when a stop operation is performed according to the failed operation sequence different from the first operation sequence, There are cases where a failed minor role wins and cases where neither role wins, and the multiple types of specific winning patterns can be classified into a first specific winning pattern (first batting order bell: batting order bell a group and batting order bell c group) in which the second operation sequence (batting order 2) in which the first reel 13a stops first and the third reel 13c stops second is the correct operation sequence, and a second specific winning pattern (second batting order bell: batting order bell b group and batting order bell d group) in which the correct operation sequence is an operation sequence (batting order 3 to batting order 6) different from the first operation sequence and the second operation sequence,The gaming machine includes a gaming machine in which the winning rate of the failed minor combination when the stop operation is performed according to the failed operation sequence (batting order 3 to batting order 6) different from the first operation sequence in the first specific winning mode is lower than the winning rate of the failed minor combination when the stop operation is performed according to the second operation sequence in the second specific winning mode.

[0152] In the gaming machine, there is a first winning pattern (3-coin group of batting order roles) as a winning pattern of the small role that overlaps with a special role (big bonus (BB)) in a normal state, and when the main control unit 100 obtains the first winning pattern, if a stop operation is performed according to the first operation sequence, it is possible to win an equivalent small role (3-coin small role) that pays out the same amount of game value as the amount of game value inserted, and when a stop operation is performed according to an operation sequence different from the first operation sequence, it executes the reel control so that there are cases where the failed small role wins and cases where neither role wins, and for the first winning pattern, when a stop operation is performed according to an operation sequence different from either the first operation sequence or the second operation sequence (batting order 3 to batting order 6), the winning rate of the failed small role may be lower than the winning rate of the failed small role when a stop operation is performed according to the second operation sequence (batting order 2). The first winning mode may have a lower probability of winning than the second specific winning mode, and the winning rate of the failed minor winning combination when the stop operation is performed according to the second operation sequence in the first winning mode may be higher than the winning rate of the failed minor winning combination when the stop operation is performed according to the second operation sequence in the second specific winning mode.

[0153] In the gaming machine, there is a second winning pattern (batting order 1 coin group) as a winning pattern of the small role that overlaps with a special role (big bonus (BB)) in a normal state, and when the main control unit 100 obtains the second winning pattern, if a stop operation is performed according to the first operation sequence, it is possible to win a small role (1 coin small role) that pays out a game value less than the amount of game value inserted, and when a stop operation is performed according to an operation sequence different from the first operation sequence, it executes the reel control so that there are cases where the failed small role wins and cases where neither role wins, and for the second winning pattern, when a stop operation is performed according to an operation sequence different from either the first operation sequence or the second operation sequence (batting order 3 to batting order 6), the winning rate of the failed small role may be lower than the winning rate of the failed small role when a stop operation is performed according to the second operation sequence (batting order 2). The second winning mode may have a higher probability of winning than the first winning mode, and the winning rate of the failed minor winning combination when the stop operation is performed according to the second operation sequence in the second winning mode may be lower than the winning rate of the failed minor winning combination when the stop operation is performed according to the second operation sequence in the first specific winning mode.

[0154] In addition, in this embodiment, the degree of advantage of the AT state is adjusted according to the acquisition status of electronic medals in the advantageous zone.

[0155] In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the adjustment standard for the number of electronic medals acquired in the advantageous zone is set to 1,400, and the AT level can be set to three levels: Level 1 to Level 3. The value of the second counter stored in the main memory means 105 is information primarily used to manage the number of electronic medals acquired in the AT state. The value of the second counter is set to an initial value of 0 at the start of the advantageous zone, and is updated according to the number of electronic medals inserted and paid out from the first transition to the AT state. In the initial AT state in the advantageous zone, since the value of the second counter is the initial value, the first condition, that the value of the second counter is 800 or less, is met, and the AT level is set to Level 2. When the number of medals is close to the adjustment standard of 1,400, the value of the second counter falls within the range of 801 to 1,400, and the second condition is met. The AT level drops to Level 1, creating a situation in which it is difficult to acquire AT stocks. In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the AT stock can be acquired through an additional lottery in the AT state, thereby increasing the number of electronic medals in a short period of time, and when the AT level drops to level 1, the presentation state is more likely to fall into the normal presentation state, resulting in a suppression of the payout rate. On the other hand, when the value of the second counter reaches 1401 or more and the third condition is met, the AT level rises to the maximum level 3 as a bonus for exceeding the adjustment standard of 1400 medals, creating a situation in which the AT state is more likely to continue, and the acquisition of a large number of electronic medals can be expected.

[0156] In this way, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the AT level has a large effect on the acquisition status of electronic medals, and its setting is related to the value of the second counter. Therefore, in this embodiment, the value of the second counter, which is information on the number of electronic medals acquired, is initialized using the value of the first counter, which is information on the number of games played in the normal presentation state.

[0157] First, when the AT lottery is won in the normal presentation state, it is checked whether the value of the first counter is greater than a predetermined value. In this embodiment, the predetermined value is set to 230, which corresponds to 230 games, and if the value of the first counter is greater than the predetermined value, the initialization flag stored in the main storage means 105 is set to an ON state. On the other hand, if the value of the first counter is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the transition to the AT state is awaited.

[0158] When the transition to the AT state is subsequently made, the state of the initialization flag is checked, and if the initialization flag is in the ON state, the value of the second counter is initialized to the initial value. On the other hand, if the initialization flag is in the OFF state, the value of the second counter is carried over without being initialized.

[0159] In the method of this embodiment described above, whether or not to initialize the value of the second counter, which affects the setting of the AT level, which indicates the degree of advantage of the AT state, is determined based on the value of the first counter, which manages the number of plays consumed in the normal presentation state, thereby making it possible to appropriately adjust the performance of acquiring electronic medals while improving the enjoyment of the game.

[0160] Furthermore, if 1400 coins is used as the adjustment standard as in this embodiment, 230 games outside the AT are required out of 400 games. Therefore, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the acquisition status of electronic medals is managed by the value of the second counter, and in a situation where the number of coins is close to 1400 (a situation where the value of the second counter is 801 to 1400), the AT level is lowered to level 1 to make it relatively more difficult to acquire electronic medals than when the AT level is level 2, and the AT level in the next and subsequent AT states is managed depending on whether or not the transition to the next AT state occurs within a short period of time. In this embodiment, the AT level is lowered when the second condition, in which the value of the second counter is 801 to 1400, is met, thereby achieving the following effects.

[0161] First, since it is possible to suitably adjust the occurrence of winning more than 1,400 electronic medals, which is the adjustment standard, it is possible to make it more difficult for the winning of electronic medals that far exceed the number assumed at the time of design to occur.

[0162] In addition, it is now possible to manage the situation when the value of the second counter, which is related to the establishment of the second condition that lowers the AT level, approaches the adjustment standard of 801 to 1400, so that it is possible to design highly flexible acquisition performance for the AT state when the first condition, in which the value of the second counter is 800 or less, is established.

[0163] In addition, by initializing the value of the second counter when more than 230 plays in the normal presentation state are played, even if the game continuously transitions to the AT state at a relatively early stage, the value of the second counter is carried over, and it is possible to accurately capture the situation where the acquisition status of electronic medals is close to the adjustment standard of 1,400. In other words, according to the method of this embodiment, it is not necessary to implement control that prevents early winning of the AT lottery after falling into the normal presentation state, or control that delays the transition to the AT state even if the AT lottery is won early, so it is possible to prevent the player's motivation to play from decreasing.

[0164] Furthermore, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, although a situation in which the AT level drops to level 1 in the AT state is not desirable for the player, it is also a situation in which the player can play with the expectation that the AT level will rise to the maximum level 3, and therefore motivates the player to play actively.

[0165] The number of games (230 in this embodiment) that constitutes the initialization condition for the second counter can be set based on the relationship between the payout rate in the recommended batting order in the normal presentation state and the payout rate in the AT state. For example, with regard to the payout rate in the recommended batting order in the normal presentation state, the lower the payout rate in the recommended batting order in the normal presentation state, the faster the electronic medals are consumed, so the number of games that constitutes the initialization condition for the second counter can be set to be smaller. Also, for example, with regard to the payout rate in the AT state, the higher the payout rate in the AT state, the faster the electronic medals increase, so the number of games that constitutes the initialization condition for the second counter can be set to be larger.

[0166] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the value of the second counter is decremented by the number of electronic medals inserted, the value of the second counter is allowed to be updated to fall below its initial value of 0, but the value of the second counter may be updated so that it does not fall below 0, with a lower limit of 0. In this configuration, the value of the second counter can be updated at the end of a game to reflect the difference between the number of electronic medals inserted and the number of electronic medals paid out.

[0167] In this embodiment, the transition to the standby state is managed using a navigation management counter that is updated during the AT state. Specifically, in the AT state, a game is generated in which a specific effect is executed that discourages a specific batting order in which the first reel 13a stops first when a specific batting order bell is won, depending on the value of the navigation management counter. If a stop operation is performed in the specific batting order during a game in which the specific effect is executed, the game transitions to a standby state that is less favorable for acquiring electronic medals than the AT state. However, if a stop operation is performed in a non-specific batting order in which the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c stops first during a game in which the specific effect is executed, the AT state can be continued. Therefore, as long as the player performs the stop operation in accordance with the content of the specific effect, the transition to the standby state can be avoided, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game.

[0168] In this embodiment, the navigation management counter is stopped from being updated in the retracted state, and the navigation management counter is resumed from being updated when the AT state is returned to, but the navigation management counter may also be updated in the retracted state as if it were in the AT state.

[0169] Even in a game in which a process that refers to the value of the specific lottery counter stored in the main storage means 105 results in a disadvantageous process for the player in the next game after a game in which an irregular batting order has been played, the main control unit 100 can issue a non-specific operation notification, and the sub-control unit 200 can execute a specific effect when the specific batting order bell is won. For example, if the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in an irregular batting order in a game in which a correct operation notification in the AT state has not been issued (for example, a game in which a batting order 1-coin role or a batting order 3-coin role has been won), a specification is envisioned in which the value of the specific lottery counter is not set to 1 but remains 0, and a penalty process is performed in which a correct operation notification is not executed based on the value of the specific lottery counter being 0, even if the batting order bell is won in the next game. In such a specification, if the value of the navigation management counter is 0 and the specific batting order bell is won in a game in which penalty process is executed, a correct operation notification is not executed, but a non-specific operation notification is executed, thereby achieving the establishment of the rewrite condition.

[0170] In this embodiment, when the machine transitions to the standby state, the standby state is maintained until the rewrite condition is met, but the configuration may also be such that if a predetermined number of plays are played in the standby state, the machine can transition to the AT state regardless of the rewrite condition being met.

[0171] In this embodiment, the value of the navigation management counter stored in the main storage means 105 is reset to the initial value when the retraction state ends, but the value of the navigation management counter may also be reset to the initial value when the AT state ends. In this case, the establishment of the rewrite condition can be eliminated to transition from the retraction state to the AT state. In this way, if an AT stock is acquired in the retraction state, it is not necessary to wait for a specific batting order bell to be won, so the AT state can be started quickly.

[0172] Furthermore, the value set in the navigation management counter when a rewrite condition is met may not be fixed but may vary depending on the situation. For example, when a rewrite condition is met from the normal presentation state and a transition to the AT state occurs, the value of the navigation management counter may be set to "200." When a rewrite condition is met in the AT state and the AT state continues, the value of the navigation management counter may be set to "100." Furthermore, the number of times a rewrite condition is met in a series of advantageous zones may be managed by the main storage means 105, and the more frequently the rewrite condition is met, the smaller or larger the value set in the navigation management counter may be. Furthermore, the value set in the navigation management counter may be configured to alternate between two values; for example, a configuration may be adopted in which the navigation management counter is alternately set to "200" and "100."

[0173] In addition, the main memory means 105 may manage information counting the number of times the AT stock is consumed to transition from the pullback state to the AT state as the number of consecutive wins in the AT state, and when the number of consecutive wins has reached a predetermined number, the system may wait for a specific batting order bell to be won in the AT state to determine whether the rewrite condition is met or not.

[0174] In this embodiment, among the batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, and batting order bell group d, the batting order bell group b and the batting order bell group d are treated as specific batting order bells. However, all batting order bells may be treated as specific batting order bells. That is, some of the multiple types of batting order bells may be treated as specific batting order bells, or all of the multiple types of batting order bells may be treated as specific batting order bells. Furthermore, in this embodiment, all of the batting order bell group b and the batting order bell group d, where the correct batting order is included in the non-specific batting order, are specific batting order bells. However, some of the batting order bell group b and the batting order bell group d, where the correct batting order is included in the non-specific batting order, may be specific batting order bells. For example, one of the batting order bell group b and the batting order bell group d may be treated as a specific batting order bell, and the other may not be treated as a specific batting order bell.

[0175] Furthermore, this embodiment includes a plurality of reels (first reel 13a, second reel 13b, third reel 13c) with a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer periphery, a main control unit 100 for controlling the progress of the game, and a sub-control unit 200 for controlling the execution of presentations in accordance with the progress of the game, wherein the main control unit performs an internal lottery for determining whether a winning combination will be achieved, reel control for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and stopping the rotating reels in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery in response to a stop operation, and a first state (normal presentation state), a second state (AT state) that is more advantageous for acquiring game value (electronic medals) than the first state, and a third state (standby state) that is less advantageous for acquiring game value than the second state, and determines whether to transition to the second state in the first state, and and an interval control that can provide operation instruction information that assists in winning a winning combination in the second state, wherein the sub-control unit 200 executes effect control that enables a specific effect in the second state to be executed that discourages a specific operation sequence (specific batting order) in which a specific reel (first reel 13a) of the plurality of reels is stopped first, and the main control unit 100 controls a transition from the second state to the third state when a stop operation is performed in the specific operation sequence in a game in which the specific effect is executed in the second state, and controls a continuation of the second state when a stop operation is performed in a non-specific operation sequence (non-specific batting order) in which a reel (second reel 13b, third reel 13c) different from the specific reel is stopped first among the plurality of reels. The third state may be more advantageous in terms of acquiring game value than the first state. Furthermore, the main control unit 100 updates the value of a predetermined counter (navigation management counter) in the second state, and the sub-control unit 200 executes the specific effect when a specific lottery result (winning a specific batting order bell) is obtained in an internal lottery in a game in which the value of the predetermined counter is a specific value (initial value) in the second state, and the main control unit 100 can determine whether or not to transition to the third state in a game in which the specific effect is executed.Furthermore, in a game in which the specific effect is executed, the main control unit 100 sets the destination state to the third state, determines whether a specific condition (rewrite condition) is met based on the order of stop operations, and if the specific condition is met, rewrites the destination state to the second state and controls transition to the second state, and if the specific condition is not met, controls transition to the third state. Furthermore, the main control unit 100 can determine that the specific condition is met if the order of stop operations is the non-specific operation order, and can determine that the specific condition is not met if the order of stop operations is the specific operation order.

[0176] This embodiment also includes a plurality of reels (first reel 13a, second reel 13b, third reel 13c) with a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer periphery, a main control unit 100 that controls the progress of the game, and a sub-control unit 200 that controls the execution of effects as the game progresses. The main control unit 100 controls an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved, spins the plurality of reels for each game, and stops the spinning reels in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is initiated. The system is capable of setting a first section (AT state) and a second section (standby state) that is less favorable for acquiring game value (electronic medals) than the first section, and is capable of providing operation instruction information to assist in the winning combination in the first section. and the sub-control unit 200 executes effect control that enables a specific effect that discourages a specific operation sequence (specific batting order) that stops a specific reel (first reel 13a) of the plurality of reels first in the first interval, and the main control unit 100 controls a transition from the first interval to the second interval when a stop operation is performed in the specific operation sequence in a game in which the specific effect is executed in the first interval, and controls a continuation of the first interval when a stop operation is performed in a non-specific operation sequence (non-specific batting order) that stops a reel (second reel 13b, third reel 13c) of the plurality of reels different from the specific reel first.

[0177] Furthermore, this embodiment is provided with a main control unit 100 that controls the progress of the game, and a sub-control unit 200 that controls the execution of presentations in accordance with the progress of the game, and the main control unit 100 controls the intervals that can set a normal interval and a favorable interval, and can set a first game interval (normal presentation state) and a second game interval (AT state) in the favorable interval, and a main storage means 105 that stores information on the control executed by the main control unit 100 stores a first counter that manages the number of times of play consumed in the first game interval in the favorable interval, and a sub-control unit 200 that manages the number of times of play consumed in the first game interval when a predetermined condition is met in the favorable interval. and a second counter that manages the number of game values ​​acquired since the first game zone is established, and the second game zone is more advantageous in terms of acquiring game values ​​than the first game zone, wherein the main control unit 100 determines whether to transition to the second game zone in the first game zone, adjusts the degree of advantage (AT level) of the second game zone according to the value of the second counter, and, when transition to the second game zone in the first game zone is determined, determines whether to initialize the value of the second counter according to the value of the first counter. In this gaming machine, the main control unit 100 can perform control to lower the degree of advantage of the second game zone (control to set the AT level to level 1) when the value of the second counter changes from outside a predetermined range (up to 800) to within a predetermined range (801 to 1400), and can perform control to increase the degree of advantage of the second game zone (control to set the AT level to level 3) when the value of the second counter changes from within the predetermined range (801 to 1400) to outside the predetermined range (1401 or higher). In this gaming machine, when the main control unit 100 determines to transition to the second gaming area in the first gaming area, if the value of the first counter is less than or equal to a predetermined value (230), it does not initialize the value of the second counter, and if the value of the first counter exceeds the predetermined value (230), it can initialize the value of the second counter.

[0178] "A predetermined condition is met in an advantageous zone" may mean that the first electronic medal is inserted in the advantageous zone. In other words, the updating of the second counter may start from the first game in the advantageous zone. "A predetermined condition is met in an advantageous zone" may mean that the first electronic medal is paid out in the advantageous zone. "A predetermined condition is met in an advantageous zone" may mean that the first batting order bell is won in the AT state. In other words, the updating of the second counter may start from the game in which a correct operation notification is made in the AT state. "A predetermined condition is met in an advantageous zone" may mean that a rewrite condition is met in the AT state. In other words, the value of the second counter may not be updated from the beginning of the AT state, but the updating of the second counter may start midway through the AT state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0179] 10 gaming machines, 11 Storage box, 12 Front door, 13a first reel, 13b second reel, 13c third reel, 14 display window, 15 Effective line, 16 Main display, 18 Sub display, 19 Periphery lamp, 20 LCD display, 21 bet switch, 22 start switch, 23a, 23b, 23c Stop switch, 24 Door key cylinder, 26 counting switch, 27 game medal number display, 28 Settlement switch, 30 Reel unit, 31 Base unit, 32 support unit, 33 stepping motor, 34 reel body, 35 reel tape, 36 backlight unit, 37a Upper backlight, 37b Middle backlight, 37c Lower backlight, 40 speakers, 100 Main control unit, 101 setting change means, 102 game control means, 103 random number generation means, 105 Main memory means, 200 Sub-control section, 201 performance control means, 203 auxiliary storage means, 301 Startup mode change switch, 302 Setting change switch, 303 Door opening / closing switch, 405 Reel index, 501 Display unit, 503 Lamp unit, 600 medal count control unit, 601 counting control means, 603 medal information storage means, 700 Rental equipment connection terminal board, 800 dedicated units, 801 lending control unit, 802 cash insertion unit, 803 card insertion unit, 804 lending switch, 805 return switch, 806 game switch, 807 Frequency Indicator, 808 Medal Count Indicator

Claims

[Claim 1] a plurality of reels on the outer periphery of which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged; An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not a plurality of types of winnings including small winnings are won; a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and controlling the reels to stop during rotation in a manner corresponding to the result of an internal lottery when a stop operation is initiated; A gaming machine that pays out a game value in response to the winning of the small prize, As the winning mode of the small win, there are a plurality of specific winning modes in which a correct small win in which a game value exceeding the number of input game values ​​is paid out and a failed small win in which a game value less than the number of input game values ​​is paid out are overlappingly won, The reel control means When the specific winning mode is obtained in the internal lottery, if the stop operation is performed according to the correct operation sequence, the correct small role can be won, and if the stop operation is performed according to the unsuccessful operation sequence, the correct small role can be avoided from winning and the unsuccessful small role can be won. the plurality of reels includes a first reel, a second reel, and a third reel; In each of the plurality of types of specific winning patterns, the first operation sequence in which the first reel is stopped first and the second reel is stopped second is the failed operation sequence, and when a stop operation is performed according to the first operation sequence, the failed minor role always wins, and when a stop operation is performed according to a failed operation sequence different from the first operation sequence, there are cases in which the failed minor role wins and cases in which neither role wins; the plurality of types of specific winning modes can be classified into a first specific winning mode in which a second operation sequence in which the first reel is stopped first and the third reel is stopped second is the correct operation sequence, and a second specific winning mode in which an operation sequence different from the first operation sequence and the second operation sequence is the correct operation sequence, A gaming machine characterized in that the winning rate of the failed minor winning combination when the stop operation is performed according to the failed operation sequence different from the first operation sequence in the first specific winning mode is lower than the winning rate of the failed minor winning combination when the stop operation is performed according to the second operation sequence in the second specific winning mode.

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