gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine that can easily design winning combinations. [Solution] In the gaming machine, if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won and multiple stop buttons are operated in the correct batting order, small win 1 can be won. Small win 18, small win 29, and small win 30 included in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" will not be won when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won and multiple stop buttons are operated in any operation mode, but can be won when the winning area "Cherry" or the winning area "Chance Role" is won and multiple stop buttons are operated in the second operation mode.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

[0003] In the gaming machine described above, when a winning pattern occurs in which multiple types of small winning combinations are won at the same time, a technology is disclosed that uses a reel stop control algorithm according to the game state to change the small winning combinations that can be won for each game state (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-141491 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In gaming machines that use a reel stop control algorithm that allows any of multiple types of overlapping small roles to be awarded, such as the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, there is a tendency for the number of types of small roles required to change the small roles that can be awarded to increase. In gaming machines, it is required that winable small roles can be awarded at any timing, but if multiple types of small roles that are configured to be overlappingly winable in a specific winning pattern are made winable when the specific winning pattern is won, there is a risk that designing the reel stop control will become difficult.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can facilitate the design of winning combinations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a reel system including: Multiple stop buttons and an internal lottery means for conducting an internal lottery; In the internal lottery, the success or failure of multiple winning patterns is determined, The plurality of winning patterns include a first winning pattern (e.g., winning area “Batting Order Bell 1” to winning area “Batting Order Bell 4”, paragraph

[0076] , FIG. 3) and a second winning pattern (e.g., winning area “Cherry”, winning area “Chance Role”, paragraph

[0076] , FIG. 3), The first winning mode includes a first small win (for example, small win 1, paragraph

[0139] , Figure 9) and a second small win (for example, small win 18, small win 29, small win 30, paragraph

[0208] , Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 13), The second winning mode includes the second small winning mode, When the first winning mode is won and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the first operation mode, the first small winning combination can be won, When the first winning mode is won and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode different from the first operation mode, the first small winning combination is not won, When the second small win mode is won in the first winning mode, the second small win mode is not won regardless of the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons. The second minor winning combination is characterized in that it can be won when the second winning mode is won and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the second operation mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can easily design winning combinations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing winning areas that can be won by internal lottery in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and winning combinations included in each winning area. [Figure 4] 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 5] 10 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of small winning combinations 1 to 17 and payouts for small winning combinations 1 to 17 in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of small winning combinations 18 to 30 and payouts for small winning combinations 18 to 30 in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and (B) is a transition diagram relating to the normal area and advantageous area controlled by the AT control means, and the presentation state during the advantageous area. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the small winning combinations that will be won for each batting order and the winning probability of each small winning combination when a winning area including a small winning combination is won in a non-RT state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]This figure shows the small winning combinations that will be won for each batting order when a winning area including a small winning combination is won in the RBB internal state in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and the winning probability of each small winning combination. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the small winning combinations that will be won for each batting order when a winning area including a small winning combination is won in the RBB state in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and the winning probability of each small winning combination. [Figure 11] 10 is a table summarizing the small winning combinations that are awarded based on winnings for each game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] A flowchart showing the processing related to updating the AT high probability counter executed by the AT control means in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the small winning combinations that can be won and the small winning combinations that do not win when each winning area including a small winning combination is won in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] (A) is a diagram illustrating the symbols that are stopped and displayed in a specific area when the winning area "Transition Role 1" is won and the stop button is operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2 in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; (B) is a diagram illustrating the symbols that are stopped and displayed in a specific area when the winning area "Transition Role 2" is won and the stop button is operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2; (C) is a diagram illustrating the symbols that are stopped and displayed in a specific area when the winning area "Transition Role 3" is won and the stop button is operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2; and (D) is a diagram illustrating the symbols that are stopped and displayed in a specific area when the winning area "Transition Role 4" is won and the stop button is operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2. [Figure 15] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of a symbol suggestion effect executed in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a batting order suggestion effect. [Figure 16](A) is a diagram showing an example of a pattern that is displayed when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention and a game is played in accordance with the pattern suggestion effect; (B) is a diagram showing an example of a pattern that is displayed when the winning area "RBB & 1-piece role 1" is won and a game is played in accordance with the pattern suggestion effect and the batting order suggestion effect; (C) is a diagram showing an example of a pattern that is displayed when the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" are won and a game is played in accordance with the pattern suggestion effect and the batting order suggestion effect; and (D) is a diagram showing an example of a pattern that is displayed when the winning area "RBB & 1-piece role 2" is won and a game is played in accordance with the pattern suggestion effect and the batting order suggestion effect. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing the process of setting an upper limit on the number of payouts in a gaming machine according to a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiment are necessarily essential constituent elements of the present invention.

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

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

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

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

[0015] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper row, a middle row, and a lower row as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 410, and an activated line L1 is set for an activated line formed by a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called specified number (specified number), is set to three (first specified number) or two (second specified number), and when medals equivalent to the specified number are inserted, an activated line L1 formed by the upper row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the center reel R2, and the lower row of the right reel R3 is activated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0041] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping patterns of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, by referring to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage means 195 of the main storage means 190, it determines whether the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped corresponds to a winning form of a predetermined winning combination. The winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of a bonus, replay, or small winning combination can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "winning determination") based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 when each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combination that indicates the winning form of the winning combination (the symbol combination related to the winning combination) will also be referred to as the "winning symbol combination."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0063] The performance control means 200 superimposes the images drawn on a plurality of layers into a single image in the frame buffer 213 provided in the sub-storage means 210, and displays the superimposed image in the display area 410a of the display device 410. When drawing an image in the frame buffer 213, the performance control means 200 draws the images in the frame buffer 213 in order from the image drawn on the lower layer, so that the image drawn on the higher layer is displayed in the display area 410a in priority to the image drawn on the lower layer.

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

[0065] The medal count control means 300 mainly updates (adds or subtracts) the number of game medals stored (held) in the medal count counter 311 in response to commands received from the main control board 10, notifications received from the dedicated unit SU, or operation of the count button KB incorporating the count switch 126. The medal count control means 300 also displays the number of game medals updated in this way on the game medal number display device MD.

[0066] Specifically, when the counting button KB is operated while play is possible, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value corresponding to the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the number of medals corresponding to the transmitted value from the medal count counter 311. Here, "while play is possible" means a state in which the gaming machine and the dedicated unit SU are electrically connected, both the gaming machine and the dedicated unit SU are powered on, neither the gaming machine nor the dedicated unit SU is undergoing maintenance, and no errors that prevent play from occurring. Furthermore, when the slot machine 1 is not connected to the dedicated unit SU, the slot machine 1 controls the counting button KB so that the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is not decremented by operation of the counting button KB, thereby preventing a situation in which a signal is not sent to the dedicated unit SU even though the stored value of the medal count counter 311 has been decremented.

[0067] If the count button KB is pressed for less than 500 ms, the medal count control means 300 transmits the value "1" corresponding to 1 medal to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and decrements the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value "1." Also, if the count button KB is pressed for 500 ms or more, the medal count control means 300 transmits the value "50" corresponding to 50 medals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40 at the timing of counting after 500 ms has elapsed, and decrements the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value "50." Thereafter, every time 300 ms has elapsed while the count button KB is pressed, the medal count control means 300 transmits the value "50" corresponding to 50 medals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and decrements the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value "50." Furthermore, if the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is less than the value "50" when 500 ms or more has elapsed since the counting button KB was pressed, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value corresponding to the stored value of the medal count counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the value corresponding to the stored value from the stored value of the medal count counter 311, thereby setting the stored value of the medal count counter 311 to the value "0".

[0068] When the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes equal to or greater than the value "16369," the medal count control means 300 determines that a medal overflow has occurred, in which the number of game medals stored exceeds 16368, which is the limit set for storage in the slot machine 1. In the slot machine 1, a medal overflow error occurs based on the determination that a medal overflow has occurred, and when the count button KB is operated to count the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 and the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes equal to or less than the value "16368," the medal overflow error is canceled.

[0069] When the power is turned on with a medal count clear button CL provided inside the gaming machine pressed, the medal count control means 300 initializes the medal count counter 311 and clears (initializes) the medal count by setting the stored value of the medal count counter 311 to the value "0." This allows the slot machine 1 to initialize, when the power is turned on, the information on the number of medals remaining in the medal count counter 311 before the power was turned off.

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

[0071] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in this embodiment Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 16, details of each component included in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment will be described.

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

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

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

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

[0076] 3, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery include the winning area "bonus small / medium role 1," the winning area "bonus small / medium role 2," the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 4," the winning area "common bell," the winning area "missed role," the winning area "cherry," the winning area "chance role," the winning area "transition role 1" to the winning area "transition role 4," the winning area "replay 1," the winning area "replay 2," the winning area "RBB & 1-piece role 1," the winning area "RBB & 1-piece role 2," and the winning area "RBB," and the winning numbers 1 to 19 are associated with these winning areas, respectively. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with a non-winning (missing) result as a result of the internal lottery.

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

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

[0079] In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is a winner in order from the winning area associated with winning number 19 to the non-winning area associated with winning number 0.

[0080] The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has small winning combinations 1 to 30 as small winning combinations that can be won if the internal lottery is won, and has Replay 1 and Replay 2 as replays that can be won in the internal lottery. Each small winning combination and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combination shown in FIG. 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1, winning areas "RBB&1 coin winning combination 1" and "RBB&1 coin winning combination 2" are set as winning areas that include a bonus and a small winning combination, and a winning area "RBB" is set as a winning area that includes only a bonus.

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

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

[0083] <Internal lottery table> The slot machine 1 of this embodiment stores, as internal lottery tables that are lottery tables used in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, an internal lottery table used in the non-RT state (normal state) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A), an internal lottery table used in the RBB internal state (internal state) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the RBB state (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C) in the internal lottery table storage means 192. In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value number is associated with each winning area that is the subject of the lottery.

[0084] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the internal lottery table A corresponds 65,536 lottery values ​​to any of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", winning area "Common Bell", winning area "Missed Role", winning area "Cherry", winning area "Chance Role", winning area "Transition Role 1" to winning area "Transition Role 4", winning area "Replay 1", winning area "Replay 2", winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 1", winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 2", and winning area "RBB", and is configured to win any of the small role, replay, or bonus in the internal lottery.

[0085] In addition, the internal lottery table B is configured so that the 65,536 lottery values ​​correspond to any of the winning areas ``Batting Order Bell 1'' to ``Batting Order Bell 4,'' winning area ``Common Bell,'' winning area ``Missed Role,'' winning area ``Cherry,'' winning area ``Chance Role,'' winning area ``Transition Role 1'' to winning area ``Transition Role 4,'' winning area ``Replay 1,'' winning area ``Replay 2,'' winning area ``RBB & 1 Coin Role 1,'' and winning area ``RBB & 1 Coin Role 2,'' and is configured to win either a small role, replay, or bonus in the internal lottery.

[0086] In the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B, the number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB" in the internal lottery table A is associated with the winning area "Replay 2" in the internal lottery table B. The winning probability of each winning area other than the winning area "Replay 2" and the winning area "RBB" in the internal lottery table A is the same as the winning probability of each winning area other than the winning area "Replay 2" in the internal lottery table B. Specifically, for example, the winning probability of the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" in the internal lottery table A is the same as the winning probability of the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" in the internal lottery table B.

[0087] The internal lottery table C is configured so that 65,536 lottery value numbers correspond to either the winning area "bonus small / medium role 1" or the winning area "bonus small / medium role 2", and is configured to win a small role in the internal lottery. Also, in the internal lottery using the internal lottery table C, it is configured so that each of the small roles 1 to 30 is won with a higher probability than the winning probability of each of the small roles 1 to 30 in the internal lottery using the internal lottery table A or the internal lottery table B.

[0088] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that there will be no loss (miss) in the internal lottery in any of the gaming states, namely the non-RT state, the RBB internal state, and the RBB state.

[0089] <Random number determination process> In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 of this embodiment sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the lottery value numbers associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table obtained from the internal lottery table storage means 192, and when the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it determines that the winning area corresponding to the subtracted lottery value number has been won. Also, when the result of the subtraction is a positive value after completing the subtraction of all the lottery value numbers stored in the internal lottery table, it determines that no winning combination has been won, that is, that the player has not won.

[0090] <Bonus winning determination process> As described above, in the internal lottery table B of this embodiment, in the RBB internal state, lottery values ​​are set in the winning areas "RBB & 1 coin role 1" and "RBB & 1 coin role 2". In the internal lottery when the gaming state is in the RBB internal state, there is a possibility that an RBB will be won again when an RBB has already been set to a formed state. Therefore, the internal lottery means 120 is configured to execute a bonus win determination process to determine whether or not the winning area whose win or loss is determined by the random number determination process is a winning area including a bonus, in order not to set the newly won RBB to a formed state.

[0091] In the bonus win determination process, when the random number determination process determines that the winning area including the bonus is the target for determining whether it is a win or a loss, if the winning area including the bonus is won and the gaming state is the RBB internal state, the internal lottery means 120 executes a process to skip the process of setting the bonus to the established state. In this way, the slot machine 1 prevents a new RBB from being set to the established state when an RBB is already set to the established state.

[0092] <Arrangement of designs> 4 is a diagram showing the symbols arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, 20 symbols are arranged on each of the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 of this embodiment. Also, 10 types of symbols are arranged on the periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3: a red 7 symbol "RED 7", a white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", a yellow 7 symbol "YELLOW 7", a bell symbol "BL", a replay symbol "RP", a cherry symbol "CH", a watermelon symbol "WM", a star A symbol "STA", a star B symbol "STB", and a blank symbol "BK".

[0093] In this embodiment, although the star A pattern "STA" and the star B pattern "STB" are configured as different types of patterns, they are each composed of a design with a star motif, and therefore have common characteristics and are configured as patterns with approximately similar designs.

[0094] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in any game state, the priority order of the winning combinations to be stopped on the pay line L1 in the reel stop control is determined in the order of "replay > small combination > bonus." In other words, when a bonus and a small combination or a bonus and a replay are both won, the reel control means 130 executes stop control to give priority to the bonus and win the small combination or replay.

[0095] Furthermore, as described above, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to rotate the reels a maximum of four frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reels stop, and is therefore configured to be able to stop and display the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are arranged at intervals of four frames or less on the activated line L1 regardless of the timing of operation of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0096] Specifically, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to stop the replay symbol "RP" and the bell symbol "BL" on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the watermelon symbol "WM" on the left reel R1 and the right reel R3, and the cherry symbol "CH" on the center reel R2 on the activated line L1, regardless of the operation timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0097] Furthermore, the reel control means 130 is capable of stopping symbols that are not the same as each other as long as they are arranged at intervals of four frames or less. For example, if any of the star A symbol "STA" arranged at stop number 2 on the middle reel R2, the blank symbol "BK" arranged at stop number 7, the white 7 symbol "White 7" arranged at stop number 12, and the yellow 7 symbol "Yellow 7" arranged at stop number 17 can be stopped on the valid line L1, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to stop the star A symbol "STA", the blank symbol "BK", the white 7 symbol "White 7", or the yellow 7 symbol "Yellow 7" regardless of the timing of operation of the stop button B2.

[0098] <Details of small prizes> 5 and 6 are diagrams showing winning symbol combinations of small winning combinations 1 to 30 provided in the slot machine 1 and payouts of small winning combinations 1 to 30. FIG.

[0099] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the payout for each minor role is set when the first specified number of three medals is inserted and the game is started (3-coin bet), and when the first specified number of two medals is inserted and the game is started (2-coin bet).

[0100] Of the small winning combinations 1 to 30 shown in Figures 5 and 6, for example, small winning combinations such as small winning combination 1, which is composed of "WM-BL-RP", in which the patterns on the left reel R1 to right reel R3 that make up the winning combination are arranged at intervals of no more than four frames on each reel, are configured to be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 regardless of the timing of operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 when reel stop control is executed to enable the small winning combination to be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1.

[0101] On the other hand, among the minor winning combinations 1 to 30, for example, minor winning combination 2 is composed of "BL-red 7 (WM)-WM" and the timing of operating the stop button B2 is limited to stop the red 7 symbol "red 7" or the watermelon symbol "WM" on the middle reel R2 on the valid line L1. In the case of a minor winning combination composed of symbols arranged at intervals wider than four frames on at least one reel among the symbols on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that make up the winning symbol combination, if the stop button is operated at a timing different from the timing that allows the symbol to be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1, the winning symbol cannot be won.

[0102] As shown in Fig. 5, the payout for minor role 1 when a three-coin bet game is executed is set to 11, which is more than the first specified number. Also, the payout for minor role 2 and minor role 3 when a three-coin bet game is executed is set to 3, which is the same as the first specified number. Also, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the payout for minor role 4 to minor role 30 when a three-coin bet game is executed and when a two-coin bet game is executed are set to 1, which is less than the second specified number.

[0103] <Game state transition control means> FIG. 7(A) is a state transition diagram showing game states to which transition can be made from each game state in the control relating to transition of game states executed by the game state transition control means 160 of this embodiment.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 7(A), the non-RT state is a game state (initial game state, normal game state) corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of game states, and it is a non-bonus state in which no bonus is activated or established. In the non-RT state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using the internal lottery table A in which the winning probability of replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (about 1 / 7.3). In the slot machine 1, when the game state is the non-RT state, the game can be started by setting the first specified number (3 medals) to the inserted state.

[0105] The RBB internal middle state is a game state that transitions when winning in any of the winning areas "RBB & 1 medal combination 1", "RBB & 1 medal combination 2", and "RBB" in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the RBB is set to the established state. In the RBB internal middle state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using the internal lottery table B in which the winning probability of replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (about 1 / 7.3). In the slot machine 1, when the game state is the RBB internal middle state, the game can be started by setting the first specified number (3 medals) to the inserted state.

[0106] The RBB state is a game state that transitions when the RBB wins and the RBB is activated. In the RBB state, when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined predetermined payout number (for example, 12 medals), the game state transition control means 160 determines that the end condition of the RBB is satisfied, ends the operation of the RBB, and transitions the game state to the non-RT state. In the RBB state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C. In the slot machine 1, when the game state is the RBB state, the game can be started by setting the second specified number (2 medals) to the inserted state. Details of the game performance in the RBB state will be described later.

[0107] <AT control means> FIG. 7(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of the normal interval and advantageous interval controlled by the AT control means 170 of this embodiment, and the presentation state controlled during the advantageous interval.

[0108] As described above, the normal interval is a period during which no control is executed regarding the instruction function based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120. During play within the normal interval, the AT control means 170 executes an advantageous interval lottery, which is a lottery that determines whether to end the normal interval and start an advantageous interval, based on the winning area selected in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0109] In the advantageous zone lottery, the AT control means 170 first acquires an advantageous zone transition lottery table, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous zone" and "miss (non-winning)" are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers, from the AT control data storage means 196. Then, the AT control means 170 acquires a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the acquired random number with the advantageous zone transition lottery table, and determines whether or not to start an advantageous zone based on the comparison result.

[0110] The AT control means 170 executes the advantageous zone lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area selected in the internal lottery by the winning probability of the "start of the advantageous zone" in the advantageous zone lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0111] The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to execute a lottery for an advantageous zone when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4," the winning area "Common Bell," the winning area "Missed Role," the winning area "Cherry," the winning area "Chance Role," the winning area "Replay 1," the winning area "RBB & 1-piece Role 1," and the winning area "RBB & 1-piece Role 2" are won in an internal lottery in a non-RT state and an RBB internal state, and when the winning area "RBB" is won in an internal lottery in a non-RT state, but not when another winning area is won. The AT control means 170 also executes a lottery for an advantageous zone with a high probability of winning the "start of an advantageous zone," approximately 1 in 1.5.

[0112] In the advantageous zone, the AT control means 170 has a normal state, a CZ state, and an AT state as states (presentation states) related to the instruction function, and in the normal state and the CZ state, it is configured not to execute the winning assistance of the small win 1 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won, and in the AT state, it is configured to execute the winning assistance of the small win 1 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won. Also, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the ratio of staying in the advantageous zone during the entire game can be 70% or more.

[0113] The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to have processing related to an instruction function that is executed by referring to the AT high probability counter 196b (see Figure 2) of the AT control data storage means 196 in each presentation state during the advantageous zone. The AT high probability counter 196b is set to a value of "0" as its initial value. The AT control means 170 is configured to be able to execute processing that is more advantageous to the player in processing related to the instruction function that is executed by referring to the AT high probability counter 196b when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "1" than when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the initial value of "0". Details of the AT high probability counter 196b and the processing related to the instruction function that refers to the AT high probability counter 196b will be described later.

[0114] The normal state is a presentation state (normal presentation state) that corresponds to the normal state among multiple types of presentation states, and is set when there is no transition to another presentation state. When the presentation state transitions to the normal state, the AT control means 170 executes an incremental update to add a value "1" corresponding to one game to the stored value of a normal game number counter (not shown), which counts the number of games played in the normal state, each time a game is played. When the stored value of the normal game number counter reaches a value "700", the AT control means 170 determines that the transition condition to the AT state (AT transition condition) has been met, and transitions the presentation state from the normal state to the AT state.

[0115] When the winning area "Transition Role 1" to winning area "Transition Role 4" are won in the internal lottery in the normal state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2, and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "1", the AT control means 170 determines that the transition condition to the CZ state (CZ transition condition) has been met, and transitions the presentation state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0116] In addition, when the internal lottery results in a win in the "Cherry" winning area or the "Chance Role" winning area, the AT control means 170 executes a normal AT lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state, and when the "Transition to AT state" is won, it determines that the AT transition condition has been met and transitions from the normal state to the AT state.

[0117] The CZ state is configured to be able to transition to the AT state with a higher probability than the normal state when control related to the instruction function, which determines whether or not to transition the presentation state to the AT state, is executed, and is a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. At the start of the CZ state, the AT control means 170 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (for example, 10 games) to the CZ game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196, and executes a decrement update each time a game is executed, subtracting the value stored in the CZ game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game.

[0118] When the internal lottery in the CZ state results in the winning area "Cherry", the winning area "Chance role", the winning area "Transition role 1" to the winning area "Transition role 4", the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role 1", or the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role 2", the AT control means 170 executes an AT lottery during the CZ to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state, and when "transition to AT state" is won, it determines that the AT transition condition has been met, and after 10 games have been played since the start of the CZ state, the presentation state transitions from the CZ state to the AT state.

[0119] In this embodiment, when the internal lottery in the CZ state results in a winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", winning area "Cherry", winning area "Chance Role", winning area "Transition Role 1" to winning area "Transition Role 4", winning area "RBB & 1 Piece Role 1", or winning area "RBB & 1 Piece Role 2", the effect control means 200 displays an image having a star design common to the star A pattern "STA" and the star B pattern "STB" on the display device 410, and executes a pattern suggestion effect suggesting that the winning pattern combination has won a small role having the star A pattern "STA" or the star B pattern "STB" (for example, small role 18 composed of the winning pattern combination "BL-STB-CH").

[0120] In addition, when the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4", the winning area "RBB & 1-piece Role 1", or the winning area "RBB & 1-piece Role 2" are won in the internal lottery in the CZ state, the effect control means 200 executes a batting order suggestion effect that suggests operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 5 or batting order 6. Details of the gameplay using the effects in the CZ state will be described later.

[0121] The AT control means 170 executes a CZ set number addition lottery to determine whether or not to add (add) the number of times one set of AT state is executed for the AT state to which the player is transitioned from the CZ state during play until the CZ state ends after winning the "transition to AT state" in the CZ AT lottery.

[0122] The AT control means 170 executes the lotteries related to the instruction functions executed in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, set number addition lottery during CZ) so that the probability of an outcome advantageous to the player varies depending on the result of the internal lottery. Specifically, the AT control means 170 sets the probability of an outcome advantageous to the player in the lottery related to the instruction functions executed in the CZ state to a first probability when the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role 1" and the winning area "chance role" are won, a second probability higher than the first probability when the winning area "cherry" and the winning area "transition role 1" to the winning area "transition role 4" are won, and a third probability higher than the second probability when the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role 2" is won.

[0123] On the other hand, if 10 games are played in the CZ state without winning the "transition to AT state" in the AT lottery during the CZ, the AT control means 170 ends the CZ state and transitions the presentation state to the normal state.

[0124] The AT state is a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state, as a prize-winning assistance for minor prize 1 is executed when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won. The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to be able to execute a prize-winning assistance (correct batting order notification) that notifies the player of the correct batting order that makes it possible to win minor prize 1 when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery in the AT state.

[0125] At the start of the AT state, the AT control means 170 sets an initial value (50 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games in the AT game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played, subtracting the stored value of the AT game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game.

[0126] In addition, when the winning area "Cherry", the winning area "Chance Role", or the winning area "Transition Role 1" to the winning area "Transition Role 4" is won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, the AT control means 170 executes an addition lottery to determine whether to add (add) the period for which the AT state continues by determining whether to add a value determined by lottery to the stored value of the AT game number counter, and if the value determined by the addition lottery is 1 or greater, executes an addition process to add the determined value to the AT game number counter.

[0127] When the stored value of the AT game number counter becomes "0" due to the decrement update performed each time a game is played in the AT state, the AT control means 170 determines that the termination condition of the AT state (AT termination condition) has been met, terminates the AT state, and determines that the normal termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous zone has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process of initializing information related to the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process which terminates the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0128] In addition, if the stored value of the advantageous zone counter 196a exceeds the value "2400" in the AT state, the AT control means 170 determines that the AT termination condition has been met, terminates the AT state, and determines that a specific termination condition among the termination conditions for the advantageous zone has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process for initializing information related to the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0129] As shown in Figure 7 (B), the AT control means 170 is configured to set the presentation state at the start of the advantageous zone to the CZ state when the "start of advantageous zone" is won in the advantageous zone lottery in the normal zone and the advantageous zone starts. Also, as described above, the AT control means 170 is configured to end the advantageous zone and start the normal zone when the AT state ends.

[0130] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the CZ state begins when the AT state ends and the normal zone transitions to the advantageous zone, so that the probability of transitioning back to the AT state is higher than when the normal state is set at the start of the normal zone. As a result, once the AT state begins, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can start the AT state again via the normal zone and CZ state, so that electronic medals can be acquired through multiple AT states, increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0131] 3. Playability in each game state Next, the gameplay in each game state of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0132] <Game results in each game state> Figure 8 is a diagram showing the small winning combinations that will be won for each batting order when a winning area including a small winning combination is won in a non-RT state, and the winning probability of each small winning combination; Figure 9 is a diagram showing the small winning combinations that will be won for each batting order when a winning area including a small winning combination is won in an RBB internal state, and the winning probability of each small winning combination; and Figure 10 is a diagram showing the small winning combinations that will be won for each batting order when a winning area including a small winning combination is won in an RBB state, and the winning probability of each small winning combination.

[0133] As shown in Figure 8, in the slot machine 1, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the non-RT state, regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3, the small winning combination with the payout set to 1 coin in a 3-coin bet game can be won with the probability (winning probability) shown in Figure 8.

[0134] A specific explanation will be given using the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1." In the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" is won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the stop button B1 is operated to stop for the first time, if the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed on the activated line L1, the winning symbol combination "BL-CH-RP" of the small win 5 shown in FIG. 5, the winning symbol combination "BL-STB-CH" of the small win 18, the winning symbol combination "BL-WM-RP" and "BL-WM-STB" of the small win 29, and the winning symbol combination "BL-CH-ST" of the small win 30 will be displayed. Five symbol combinations including "STA" and "B" can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1, which is more than when other symbols are stopped and displayed (for example, when the star A symbol "STA" is stopped and displayed on the valid line L1, two symbol combinations of the winning symbol combinations of minor prize 6 shown in FIG. 5, "STA-BL-STA" and "STA-BL-white 7", can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1), so the reel stop control based on number priority control causes the bell symbol "BL" to be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1.

[0135] As a result, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" is won by the internal lottery and small prize 1, small prize 5, small prize 6, small prize 9, small prize 13, small prize 18, small prize 29, and small prize 30 are overlappingly won, the small prizes that can be won in the game are limited to small prize 5, small prize 18, small prize 29, and small prize 30.

[0136] 4 and 5, the cherry symbol "CH" on the center reel R2 and the replay symbol "RP" on the right reel R3, which constitute the winning symbol combination "BL-CH-RP" for minor win 5, can be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1 regardless of the timing of operation of the stop button B2 or stop button B3. In the slot machine 1, when there is no difference in the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1 under the number-priority control, the reel stop control is executed using the stop control table, and when the winning area "Battalion Bell 1" is won in the internal lottery and the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop, the reel stop control is executed using the stop control table, and minor win 5 is won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0137] In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when in a non-RT state, if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won, reel stop control using number priority control and reel stop control using a stop control table are executed, so that even if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", which are winning areas including small win 1 with a payout set to 11 coins in a 3-coin bet game, are won, small win 1 cannot be won.

[0138] Also, as shown in Figure 8, in the slot machine 1, when a player wins in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 3" among the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", which is overlappingly won with small prize 1, small prize 4, small prize 5, small prize 11, small prize 15, small prize 16, small prize 18, small prize 29, and small prize 30, and the stop button B1 is operated to perform the first stop operation, the reel stop control using the number priority control and the reel stop control using the stop control table are configured to win small prize 4 with a probability of 1 / 1 in preference to small prize 5.

[0139] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the RBB internal state, the batting order (correct batting order) of stop buttons B1 to B3 is set so that minor winning feature 1, with a payout of 11 coins in a 3-coin bet game, can be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0140] In the slot machine 1, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the RBB internal state, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order, the reel stop control based on the number-priority control stops the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination of minor winning combination 1, which is set to a payout of 11 coins, on the activated line L1.

[0141] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Common Bell" is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, regardless of whether stop button B1 to stop button B3 is operated in batting order 1 to batting order 6, small win 3, which is set to a payout of 3 coins, will be won with a winning probability of 1 / 1.

[0142] In the slot machine 1, when the winning area "missed role" is won in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, regardless of whether the stop button B1 to stop button B3 is operated in batting order 1 to batting order 6, the small role 2, which is set to a payout of 1 coin, will be won with a winning probability of approximately 1 / 1.3. Specifically, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "missed role" is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal middle state, if the stop button B2 is operated at the timing when 15 of 20 frames of the middle reel R2, from the star A symbol "STA" at stop number 2 to the bell symbol "BL" at stop number 0, and the replay symbol "RP" at stop number 19 to the watermelon symbol "WM" at stop number 8, are displayed in rotation on the valid line L1, then minor role 2 will be won, and if the stop button B2 is operated at the timing when 5 of 20 frames of the middle reel R2, from the blank symbol "BK" at stop number 7 to the star B symbol "STA" at stop number 3, are displayed in rotation on the valid line L1, then a symbol combination different from the winning symbol combination of either role will be displayed in rotation on the valid line L1, resulting in a miss (non-winning).

[0143] In the slot machine 1, if the winning area "Cherry" is won in the non-RT state and the inside RBB state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 to batting order 5, the small winning combination 25, which is set to a payout of 1 coin, will be won with a winning probability of 1 / 1. Also, in the slot machine 1, if the winning area "Cherry" is won in the non-RT state and the inside RBB state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 6, the small winning combination 18, which is set to a payout of 1 coin, will be won with a winning probability of 1 / 40, and if the small winning combination 18 is not won, the small winning combination 25 will be won with a winning probability of 1 / 1.

[0144] Specifically, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Cherry" is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the batting order 6, if the stop button B3 is operated at the timing when 10 out of 20 frames of the watermelon symbol "WM" at stop number 17 to the cherry symbol "CH" at stop number 14 on the right reel R3, and the star A symbol "STA" at stop number 8 to the cherry symbol "CH" at stop number 4 are displayed rotating on the active line L1, and if the stop button B2 is operated at the timing when 1 out of 20 frames of the star B symbol "STB" at stop number 3 on the center reel R2 is displayed stopped on the active line L1, the small prize 18 can be won, and if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation mode different from the operation mode that makes it possible to win the small prize 18, the small prize 25 can be won.

[0145] In the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Chance Role" is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 to batting order 4, the small role 24 set to a payout of 1 coin will be won with a 1 / 1 winning probability. Also, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Chance Role" is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and 6, the small role 30 set to a payout of 1 coin will be won with a 1 / 10 winning probability, the small role 29 set to a payout of 1 coin will be won with a winning probability of approximately 1 / 5.6, and if the small role 29 and the small role 30 are not won, the small role 5 will be won with a winning probability of 1 / 1.

[0146] Specifically, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Chance Role" is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and 6, if the stop button B3 is operated at the timing when the bell symbol "BL" at stop number 10 and the star B symbol "STB" at stop number 9 on the right reel R3, two of 20 symbols, are displayed rotating on the active line L1, the star B symbol "STB" is displayed stopped on the active line L1 of the right reel R3, and the possible winning symbols are limited to small role 29 and small role 30. In the slot machine 1, when the possible winning symbols are limited to small role 29 and small role 30, if the stop button B2 is operated, the cherry symbol "CH" is displayed stopped on the active line L1 of the center reel R2, and the possible winning symbols are limited to small role 30.

[0147] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Chance Role" is won in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and 6, if the stop button B3 is operated at the timing when 18 of the 20 frames of the right reel R3's stop number 19 red 7 symbol "Red 7" to stop number 11 replay symbol "PR", and stop number 8 star A symbol "STA" to stop number 0 bell symbol "BL" are displayed rotating on the active line L1, the replay symbol "RP" will be displayed stopped on the active line L1 of the right reel R3, and the roles that can win a prize will be limited to small role 5 and small role 29. In slot machine 1, when stop button B2 is operated at the timing when 4 of the 20 frames of the replay symbol "RP" at stop number 14 on middle reel R2, the watermelon symbol "WM" at stop number 13, the replay symbol "RP" at stop number 9, and the watermelon symbol "WM" at stop number 8 are stopped and displayed on the active line L1 on middle reel R2, the watermelon symbol "WM" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 on middle reel R2, making it possible to win small win 29, and when stop button B2 is operated at a timing different from the timing that makes it possible to win small win 29, it becomes possible to win small win 5.

[0148] In the slot machine 1, when the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" are won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting orders 1 to 4, small roles 20 to 23, which are set to a payout of 1 coin with a 1 / 1 winning probability, will be won. Also, in the slot machine 1, when the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" are won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting orders 5 and 6, small role 26, which is set to a payout of 1 coin with a 1 / 4 winning probability, will be won, and if small role 26 is not won, small role 27, which is set to a payout of 1 coin with a 1 / 1 winning probability, will be won.

[0149] Specifically, in the slot machine 1, when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and 6, if the stop button B3 is operated at the timing when 5 of the 20 frames of the blank symbol "BK" at stop number 3 to the bell symbol "BL" at stop number 0 and the red 7 symbol "Red 7" at stop number 19 on the right reel R3 are displayed in rotation on the active line L1, the red 7 symbol "Red 7" will be displayed stopped on the active line L1 of the right reel R3, making it possible to win the small role 26, and if the operation timing of the stop button B3 is operated at a timing different from the operation timing that makes it possible to win the small role 26, it becomes possible to win the small role 27.

[0150] In the slot machine 1, when the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 1" is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2, the small role 5 is won with a 1 / 1 winning probability, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to batting order 6, the small role 19, which is set to a payout of 1 coin, is won with a 1 / 1 winning probability. Also, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 2" is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2, the small role 5 is won with a 1 / 1 winning probability, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to batting order 6, the small role 28, which is set to a payout of 1 coin, is won with a 1 / 1 winning probability.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 10, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "bonus small / medium win 1" is won in the RBB state, small win 1 to small win 3, which are set to one coin in a two-coin bet game, can be won depending on the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3. Specifically, in the slot machine 1, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1, small win 2 is won with a probability of approximately 1 / 1.3, and when stop button B2 is operated at an operation timing that does not win small win 2, small win 3 is won with a probability of 1 / 1. Also, in the slot machine 1, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 2, small win 3 is won with a probability of 1 / 1. Also, in the slot machine 1, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to 6, small win 1 is won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0152] In addition, in the slot machine 1, if the winning area "bonus small / medium role 2" is won in the RBB state, regardless of whether the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in any of the batting orders 1 to 6, the small role 1, which has a payout set to 1 in a 2-coin bet game, will be won with a 1 / 1 probability of winning.

[0153] <Payout of medals in each game state> As shown in Fig. 8, in the slot machine 1, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, the small winning combination 1, which is set to a payout greater than the first specified number, will not be won. For this reason, the payout rate in the non-RT state is configured to be less than 50% regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0154] The payout rate is the ratio of the total number of medals won during a predetermined number of games (e.g., 17,500 games), which is a number of games that is sufficient to ignore the effects of temporary probability bias, to the total number of medals inserted during the predetermined number of games.

[0155] 9, in the slot machine 1, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 or batting order 2 in the RBB internal state, the small winning combination 1 set to a payout greater than the first specified number does not win, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to batting order 6, the small winning combination 1 can win. Therefore, the payout rate in the RBB internal state is configured to be less than 50% when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 or batting order 2, and to exceed 50% when operated in any of batting orders 3 to 6. Also, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a random batting order in the RBB internal state, the payout rate is configured to be less than 50%.

[0156] As shown in FIG. 10, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "bonus small / medium role 1" is won in the RBB state, the small role corresponding to the operation mode of stop button B1 to stop button B3 among small roles 1 to 3 is won, and when the winning area "bonus small / medium role 2" is won, small role 1 is won.

[0157] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a two-coin bet game is executed, the payouts for small wins 1 to 30 are set to one coin for each small win.

[0158] That is, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the slot machine transitions to the RBB state in which the specified number is set to two, and when a winning area including a small winning combination is won, one coin is paid out regardless of which small winning combination is won. Also, as described above, in the slot machine 1, in the internal lottery in the RBB state in which the internal lottery table C is used, either the winning area "bonus small / medium winning combination 1" or the winning area "bonus small / medium winning combination 2" is won.

[0159] Due to this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the RBB state, two medals are set to the inserted state and a game is executed in which one medal is paid out, so while the payout rate in the RBB state is reduced to 50%, it is possible to design the medal acquisition performance for the state in which the RBB is not activated, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0160] Furthermore, as described above, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the payout rate in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a random order is less than 50%, and the payout rate in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state is lower than the payout rate in the RBB state (50%).

[0161] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a lower ball payout rate in the RBB state than in the non-RT state where the RBB is not operating and in the RBB internal state, and the performance of the RBB state does not deteriorate excessively, so the performance of the gaming machine can be fully guaranteed.

[0162] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the payout is set to 1 coin for all minor roles from minor role 1 to minor role 30 when a game is played with 2 coins bet, so that when a minor role is won in an RBB state where the specified number is set to 2 coins, the number of coins to be paid out is set to 1 coin, and therefore there is no need to execute a process to set the upper limit of the payout number (upper limit setting process), which makes it possible to reduce the data capacity related to the program required to execute the upper limit setting process for the payout number.

[0163] <Small winning combinations that can be won in each game state> Next, FIG. 11 is a table summarizing small winning combinations that are awarded based on winning in each gaming state of the non-RT state, the RBB internal state, and the RBB state in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment.

[0164] As shown in Figure 11, minor win 1, in which the payout is set to 11 coins when a game with three bets is played and the payout is set to 1 coin when a game with two bets is played, is configured to win based on whether it is in the RBB internal state or the RBB state.

[0165] In addition, minor prizes 2 and 3, the payout for which is set to 3 coins when a 3-coin bet game is played and 1 coin when a 2-coin bet game is played, are configured to win based on whether they are won in the non-RT state, the RBB internal state, or the RBB state.

[0166] In addition, minor prizes 4 to 30, which have a payout set to 1 coin when a game is played with 3 coins and when a game is played with 2 coins, are configured not to win if they are won in the RBB state, but to win if they are won in the non-RT state or the state inside the RBB.

[0167] As described above, in the slot machine 1, when the second specified number (two medals) of medals are set to the inserted state and a game is started, the payouts for small prizes 1 to 30 are set to one medal.

[0168] In other words, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that when each of small prizes 1 to 3 is won in the RBB state where two medals are set to the inserted state and play begins, the payout number is different from when three medals are set to the inserted state and play begins, and is configured so that when the play state is the RBB state for small prizes 1 to 3, a prize is won based on the win.

[0169] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the RBB state where the specified number is set to a second specified number, which is different from the specified number in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB, the number of electronic medals paid out when small prizes 1 to 3 are won is less than the number of electronic medals paid out when a prize is won in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB; however, by winning based on any of small prizes 1 to 3 being won in the RBB state, the performance of small prizes 1 to 3 is prevented from deteriorating excessively, and the performance of the gaming machine can be fully guaranteed.

[0170] Also, as shown in FIG. 11, in the slot machine 1, the payout when three medals are inserted and play is started, and the payout when two medals are inserted and play is started, are both set to one, and for minor prizes 4 to 30, which have the same payout amount when winning in the RBB state where two medals are inserted and play is started, and when playing is started with three medals inserted, the slot machine is configured to win when a prize is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, but in the RBB state, when a prize is won, no prize is won regardless of the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0171] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that in the RBB state, where the specified number is set to a second specified number, which is different from the specified number in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB, small prizes 4 to 30, which do not result in a change in the number of electronic medals paid out when won in the RBB state and when won in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB, are not won in the RBB state.This eliminates the need to pre-store in the reel control data storage means 194 the stop control data related to the reel stop control that makes it possible to win small prizes 4 to 30, and reduces the data capacity related to the stop control data in the RBB state.

[0172] Here, as a gaming machine that suppresses the payout rate in a bonus state and makes it possible to acquire medals by executing AT play in a gaming state different from the bonus state (for example, a non-bonus state in which a bonus is not activated, such as a bonus establishment state), there has conventionally been a gaming machine that has a plurality of first winning modes in which a plurality of first specific minor roles, which are set to a payout greater than the number of game values ​​inserted required to start a game, do not overlap with each other but overlap with a second specific minor role different from the first specific minor role, and a third winning mode in which a plurality of first specific minor roles overlap and are won, and an internal lottery means In a known configuration, an internal lottery is conducted in the bonus state so that multiple types of first winning patterns exist, and in the bonus state so that a third winning pattern exists, and the probability of winning the third winning pattern in the internal lottery in the bonus state is lower than the probability of winning one of the multiple types of first winning patterns in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus formation state, and the winning probability of each of all small roles in the internal lottery in the bonus state is equal to or higher than the winning probability of each of all small roles in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus formation state.

[0173] In a gaming machine configured in this manner, the probability of winning the first specific minor role in the bonus state is compressed to the inverse of the number of types of first specific minor role (for example, 1 / 4 if the configuration has four types of first specific minor role), while ensuring that the performance in the bonus state is sufficient as required of a gaming machine, and by executing winning assistance for the first specific minor role in the non-bonus state, the probability of winning the first specific minor role is increased compared to when winning assistance is not executed, making it possible to win medals in AT play, but it is necessary to have multiple types of first specific minor role.

[0174] In gaming machines, for small winning combinations that can earn medals by winning, it is common for specific symbols (for example, symbols with a bell motif) to be displayed in a stopped form that is visible to the player. However, if the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are configured so that each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is visible in three frames in a specific area that makes the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 visible, the number of patterns in which the specific symbols are displayed in a row is limited to five, so if the number of types of first specific small winning combinations exceeds five, it becomes necessary to display them in the specific area in a display mode different from the display mode in which they are displayed in a row.

[0175] In addition, in gaming machines, when multiple types of small winning combinations are won in an internal lottery, there are two ways to determine the priority of the candidate stopping positions: a method of determining the priority based on the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed on the valid line L1 (number priority control), and a method of determining the priority based on the number of medals paid out based on the payout that is predetermined for the small winning combination (number priority control).

[0176] Therefore, in a gaming machine, when an operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that makes it possible to win a first specific small role and an operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that makes it impossible to win a first specific small role and makes it possible to win a second specific small role are set, in order to make it possible to win a second specific small role, it is necessary to make it possible to win a second specific small role by using quantity priority control.

[0177] Due to such limitations, in gaming machines, the more the types of first specific small roles are increased and the payout rate in the bonus state is compressed, the more types of second specific small roles will also increase, and an arrangement of patterns that makes it possible to win with the second specific small roles is also required, so compressing the payout rate in the bonus state tends to increase the data volume related to the small roles and make the design more difficult.

[0178] In contrast, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the RBB state in which the specified number is set to a second specified number (2 coins) different from the first specified number (3 coins), the payout rate is configured to be 50% by setting the payout for all minor roles to a payout less than the second specified number when the second specified number of medals are set to the inserted state and play begins, and the slot machine 1 is configured to have one type of minor role, minor role 1, as a minor role with a payout greater than the first specified number as the payout when the first specified number of medals are set to the inserted state and play begins, and the payout rate in the RBB state can be sufficiently reduced while ensuring that the performance in the RBB state is sufficient as required of a gaming machine.

[0179] Therefore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can reduce the payout rate in the RBB state and prevent the data capacity related to small winning combinations from increasing when designing medal acquisition performance for a state in which the RBB is not activated, thereby reducing the data capacity related to small winning combinations and improving the design freedom related to the arrangement of patterns.In addition, by reducing the data capacity related to small winning combinations, data capacity can be allocated to various data used in other control processes executed by the main control CPU 11, improving the design freedom of the gaming machine.

[0180] The small roles 1 to 3 constitute the small roles included in the second group and the predetermined group, which are small roles with different numbers of game values paid out based on winning when the game starts with the first specified number of game values input and when the game starts with the second specified number of game values input. The small roles 4 to 30 constitute the small roles included in the first group, which are small roles with the same payout set when the game starts with the first specified number of game values input and when the game starts with the second specified number of game values input, which is less than the first specified number.

[0181] <Control Using an AT High-Probability Counter> Next, the details of the AT high-probability counter 196b controlled by the AT control means 170 of the present embodiment and the control related to the instruction function executed using the AT high-probability counter 196b will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the control related to the update of the stored value of the AT high-probability counter 196b executed by the AT control means 170 of the present embodiment.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 12, the AT control means 170 executes control related to the instruction function by referring to the stored value of the AT high-probability counter 196b (S11). In this process, the AT control means 170 executes control related to the instruction function by referring to the stored value of the AT high-probability counter 196b according to the current production state.

[0183] For example, when the production state is the CZ state, the AT control means 170 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to execute a lottery related to the instruction function, such as control related to the transition to the AT lottery during CZ based on the winning of the winning areas "Cherry", "Chance Role", "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4", "RBB & 1-Card Role 1", and "RBB & 1-Card Role 2", by referring to the stored value of the AT high-probability counter 196b as control related to the instruction function. When the AT control means 170 executes various controls related to the transition of the production state in the CZ state, it refers to the AT high-probability counter 196b and is configured not to execute the lottery related to the instruction function in the CZ state when the stored value of the AT high-probability counter 196b is the initial value "0".

[0184] Furthermore, when the presentation state is a CZ state, for example, the AT control means 170 is configured to be able to execute a lottery related to the instruction function in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, lottery for adding the number of sets during CZ) as control related to the instruction function that references the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b. The AT control means 170 is configured to reference the AT high probability counter 196b in the lottery related to the instruction function in the CZ state, and to make the probability of "not winning (missing)" lower and the probability of a result advantageous to the player higher (in the case of an AT lottery during a CZ, "transition to the AT state") when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "1" than when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the initial value "0".

[0185] Next, the AT control means 170 determines whether all of the left reels R1 to R3 have stopped (S12). In this process, the AT control means 170 determines whether the left reels R1 to R3, which began spinning when the start lever SL was operated, have all stopped by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3. If it is determined that at least one of the left reels R1 to R3 is spinning (NO), the AT control means 170 repeats the process of step S12 until all of the left reels R1 to R3 have stopped.

[0186] In the process of step S12, if it is determined that all of the left reel R1 to right reel R3 have stopped (YES), the AT control means 170 determines whether the stop button B1 has been operated for the first stop in this game (S13). In this process, the AT control means 170 determines whether the stop button operated for the first stop was stop button B1, stop button B2, or stop button B3.

[0187] In the process of step S13, if it is determined that the stop button B1 has not been operated to perform the first stop in the current game (NO), the AT control means 170 determines whether or not the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" have been won in the internal lottery in the current game (S14). In this process, the AT control means 170 determines whether or not any of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" have been won in the current game.

[0188] In the process of step S14, if it is determined that the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" have been won in the current game (YES), the AT control means 170 determines whether or not the correct batting order notification has been executed in the current game (S15). In this process, the AT control means 170 determines whether or not the winning assistance for the correct batting order notification has been executed in the current game, thereby determining whether or not the stop button B2 or stop button B3 has been operated to the first stop as a result of the player playing in accordance with the winning assistance when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" have been won in the internal lottery.

[0189] In the processing of step S14, if it is determined that the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4" have not been won in this game (NO), the AT control means 170 determines whether the presentation state is normal or not (S16). In this processing, if it is determined that the presentation state is normal (YES), the AT control means 170 determines whether the winning areas "transition role 1" to "transition role 4" have been won in this game (S17).

[0190] In the processing of step S13, if it is determined that the stop button B1 has been operated to perform the first stop (YES), if it is determined in the processing of step S15 that the winning assistance of the correct batting order notification is being executed in this game (YES), if it is determined in the processing of step S16 that the current game is in the CZ state or the AT state (NO), or if it is determined in the processing of step S17 that the winning area "Transition Role 1" to winning area "Transition Role 4" have not been won (NO), the AT control means 170 executes control related to the instruction function by referring to the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b (S18). In this process, the AT control means 170 controls the instruction function by referring to the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b depending on the current presentation state. For example, when the presentation state is normal, if the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" are won in the internal lottery and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2, and small roles 20 to 23 are won, the AT control means 170 executes control to transition the presentation state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0191] After executing the processing of step S18, or if it is determined in the processing of step S17 that the current game is in a normal state and that the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" have been won in the internal lottery (YES), the AT control means 170 initializes the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b (S19). Then, the AT control means 170 adds the value "1" to the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b (S20) and ends the processing related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b. By executing these processing, the AT control means 170 initializes the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to the value "0", then adds the value "1", and ends the processing related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, thereby making it possible to set the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to the value "1" when the next game is started and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is referenced.

[0192] On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of step S15 that the winning assistance of the correct batting order notification has not been executed in this game (NO), the AT control means 170 initializes the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b (S21) and terminates the processing related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b.

[0193] In this way, in a game in which no winning assistance is being performed and the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" is won, when the stop button B2 or stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment proceeds to step S21 without executing the processing from step S15 to step S18 to step S20, and ends the processing with the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b set to the value "0", thereby making it possible to set the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to the value "0" when the next game is started and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is referenced.

[0194] As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that when the game state is in the RBB internal state, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 1 and batting order 2, minor winning combination 1, which is set to a payout greater than the first specified number, will not win, but if stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 3 to batting order 6, minor winning combination 1 can win.Therefore, when play is performed by stopping stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 1 and batting order 2, the payout rate is less than 50%, and when play is performed by operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 3 to batting order 6, the payout rate is more than 50%.

[0195] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the AT control means 170 is not executing winning assistance and the instruction function is not activated, meaning that the correct batting order notification is not being executed, the expected value of winning electronic medals when a game is played in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting orders 1 and 2 is lower than the expected value of winning electronic medals when a game is played in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting orders 3 to 6.

[0196] For this reason, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when in the normal state or CZ state where the winning assistance is not performed, the possibility of winning an electronic medal in the game is higher when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 3 to 6 than when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2.

[0197] The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to update the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to the value "1" and terminate the processing in the process related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, which is executed after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 shown in Figure 12 have stopped, if a winning assistance is executed, or if a winning assistance is not executed but the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are operated in batting order 1 or 2 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won, the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is updated to the value "1" and terminate the processing, and to initialize the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to the value "0" and terminate the processing in the case where the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery and the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are operated in batting order 3 to 6 without the winning assistance being executed.

[0198] In addition, the AT control means 170 is configured to perform various controls related to the instruction function that references the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, such that when various controls are executed, such as enabling the presentation state to transition to an AT state that is advantageous to the player, when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "1", it is more advantageous to the player than when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0".

[0199] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured not to execute control related to the instruction function that references the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b when the winning assistance is not executed and the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won, or when the stop button B2 or stop button B3 is operated to perform the first stop in a game in which the winning area "Transition Role 1" to winning area "Transition Role 4" are won in an internal lottery under normal conditions, in the process related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b.

[0200] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can execute control related to the instruction function that is more advantageous to the player when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 or batting order 2 when the winning assistance is not being executed, by referring to the AT high probability counter 196b, than when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 3 to batting order 6. Since it is relatively disadvantageous to the player when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 3 to batting order 6, it is possible to prevent the player from taking a strategic approach of operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 to aim for winning the small winning combination 1 that is set to a payout greater than the first specified number.

[0201] Furthermore, in the process of updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment updates the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to the value "1" and terminates the process of updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b in the following cases: when a winning assistance is executed, when a winning area not included in winning role group 1 is won, and in addition, when a winning assistance is not executed but the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and 2 when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won, thereby controlling the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to be the value "1" at the time the next game is started.

[0202] On the other hand, in the process related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, if the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated to make the first stop in a game in which the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" has been won and the winning assistance has not been executed, the AT control means 170 updates the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to the value "0" and terminates the process related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, thereby controlling the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to be the value "0" at the time the next game is started.

[0203] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured to execute control related to the instruction function that references the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b in a manner that is more advantageous to the player when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "1" than when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0."

[0204] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in a state where the winning assistance is not executed, in a game (second game) following a game (first game) in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 3 to batting order 6, the second game is started in a state where the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b has been updated to the value "0" by the process related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b. Therefore, even if the control related to the instruction function that references the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is executed in the second game, the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is not updated to the value "1". Since this is relatively more disadvantageous than when control related to the instruction function is executed with reference to the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, stopping the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 3 to 6 when the winning assistance is not being executed creates a situation where the control related to the instruction function is at a disadvantage over two games, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a strategy of aiming to win small winning combination 1, which has a payout set to be greater than the first specified number, by stopping the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 3 to 6 when the winning assistance is not being executed.

[0205] This stop button B1 constitutes the specific stop button in this embodiment, the left reel R1 constitutes the specific reel in this embodiment, batting orders 1 and 2, who perform the first stop operation on stop button B1, constitute an operation mode in which the specific stop button is operated first, and batting orders 3 to 6, who perform the first stop operation on stop buttons B2 and B3, which are stop buttons different from stop button B1, constitute an operation mode in which a stop button different from the specific stop button in this embodiment is operated first.

[0206] 4. Details of game results when winning small prizes and gameplay in CZ state Next, we will explain the details of the game results when a player wins a winning area including a small win in the internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, and the details of the gameplay in the CZ state.

[0207] <Small winning symbols and non-winning symbols in each winning area> FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating small winning combinations that can be won and small winning combinations that do not win when each winning area including a small winning combination is won in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment.

[0208] As shown in Figures 8, 9 and 13, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4" are won, the small winning combination 18, the small winning combination 29 and the small winning combination 30 are not won regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3. Also, in the slot machine 1, when the winning areas "RBB & 1 coin winning combination 1" and "RBB & 1 coin winning combination 2" are won, the small winning combination 29 and the small winning combination 30 are not won regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0209] 8 and 9, the slot machine 1 is configured so that, regarding the small winning combination 18, when the winning area "Cherry" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 6, the small winning combination 18 can be won with a winning probability of 1 / 40. Also, regarding the small winning combination 29 and the small winning combination 30, when the winning area "Chance combination" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and 6, the slot machine 1 is configured so that, regarding the small winning combination 29 and the small winning combination 30, the winning probability is 1 / 10, and the winning probability of the small winning combination 29 is about 1 / 5.6.

[0210] In this way, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the small winning combinations 18, 29, and 30 that overlap with other small winning combinations in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", and the small winning combinations 29 and 30 that overlap with other small winning combinations in the winning areas "RBB & 1 Coin Winning 1" and "RBB & 1 Coin Winning 2", will not win regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3. However, the small winning combination 18 is configured to be able to win when the winning area "Cherry" is won, and the small winning combinations 29 and 30 are configured to be able to win when the winning area "Chance Winning" is won.

[0211] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2, the bell pattern "BL", which is the pattern on the left reel R1 that constitutes the winning pattern combination of minor win 5 in priority to minor win 1, is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, so that by stopping and displaying the bell pattern "BL" on the active line L1 of the left reel R1, it is possible to stop and display the same number of pattern combinations on the active line L1 as when other patterns are stopped and displayed, or more pattern combinations than when other patterns are stopped and displayed.

[0212] For this reason, in the slot machine 1, in each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", the minor winning feature 5 whose winning symbol combination is "BL-CH-RP", the minor winning feature 18 whose winning symbol combination is "BL-STB-CH", the minor winning feature 29 whose winning symbol combination is "BL-WM-RP(STB)", and the minor winning feature 30 whose winning symbol combination is "BL-CH-STB" are all overlapping wins, so that when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2, the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1 when the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed on the left reel R1 is the same as or greater than when other symbols are stopped and displayed.

[0213] In addition, in the slot machine 1, the small prize 18 is configured to be able to win when the winning area "Cherry" is won, and the small prizes 29 and 30 are configured to be able to win when the winning area "Chance Prize" is won, and if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2, the small prizes 18, 29 and 30 will not be able to win.

[0214] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won by the small role 5, the small role 18, the small role 29, and the small role 30 are overlappingly won, and when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in the batting order 1 and the batting order 2, the small role 5 can be won in preference to the small role 1 which is set to a higher payout than the small role 5, and by winning the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in the batting order 1 and the batting order 2, the winning role that can be won is limited to the small role 5, and when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in the batting order 1 and the batting order 2, the reel stop control in the case where the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped can be realized by a simple control program, and the design related to the winning of the role can be made easier.

[0215] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is configured such that in the RBB state, a game is played with a second specified number of hits, and the game state in which a game is played with a first specified number of hits is limited to the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, in which the configuration of the winning areas including the small winning symbols is the same. In this state, small winning symbol 18, which does not win when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won, can win when the winning area "Cherry" is won, and small winning symbol 29 and small winning symbol 30 can win when the winning area "Chance Symbol" is won. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a small winning symbol from not winning under any circumstances, even though it is set as a target for the internal lottery. A simple control program is used to control the reels to stop when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop when the winning areas are won in batting order 1 and batting order 2, making it possible to ensure fairness in the game while facilitating the design related to the winning of symbols.

[0216] Furthermore, as described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning area "Cherry" is won, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 to batting order 5, the small winning combination 25 will be won with a winning probability of 1 / 1, and even if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 6, the small winning combination 18 will be won with a winning probability of 1 / 40, and if the small winning combination 18 is not won, the small winning combination 25 will be won. In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Chance Role" is won, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 to batting order 4, small role 24 will be won with a probability of 1 / 1, and even if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 5 and 6, small role 30 will be won with a probability of 1 / 10, small role 29 will be won with a probability of approximately 1 / 5.6, and if small role 29 or small role 30 is not won, small role 5 will be won.

[0217] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning area "Cherry" is won, small win 25 is more likely to be won than small win 18, and when the winning area "Chance" is won, small win 5 is more likely to be won than small win 29 and small win 30.

[0218] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that small winning symbols 18, 29, and 30, which do not win when winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4," can win when winning area "Cherry" or winning area "Chance Role." However, when winning area "Cherry," small winning symbol 25 is more likely to win than small winning symbol 18, and when winning area "Chance Role," small winning symbol 5 is more likely to win than small winning symbol 29 and small winning symbol 30, so it is possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable when small winning symbols 18, 29, and 30, which do not win frequently, win.

[0219] In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 or batting order 2 without prize-winning assistance being performed, control related to the instruction function can be executed by referring to the AT high-probability counter 196b, so that when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 3 to batting order 6, it is relatively more advantageous for the player.

[0220] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning assistance is not being performed, there is a low possibility that stop buttons B1 to B3 will be operated to stop in batting order 5 and batting order 6, and if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2, which are the recommended operating modes when the winning assistance is not being performed, small winning combinations 18, 29, and 30 will not be awarded, so it is possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable when small winning combinations 18, 29, and 30 are awarded, which have a low frequency of winning.

[0221] The winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" constitute the first winning mode in this embodiment, the winning area "Cherry" and the winning area "Chance Role" constitute the second winning mode in this embodiment, small role 1 constitutes the first small role in this embodiment, small role 18, small role 29, small role 30 constitute the second small role in this embodiment, the correct batting order that makes small role 1 winable when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won constitutes the first operation mode in this embodiment, the operation mode of stop button B1 to stop button B3 that makes small role 18, small role 29, small role 30 winable when the winning area "Cherry" and the winning area "Chance Role" are won constitutes the second operation mode in this embodiment, and batting order 1 and batting order 2 constitute a specific operation mode in which small role 18, small role 29, small role 30 do not win.

[0222] <Pattern combinations displayed when transitional roles are won> Figure 14 shows the pattern combinations that are displayed in a stopped state in the specific area 410b when the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2.

[0223] As shown in Figure 14 (A), in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Transition Role 1" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2 to win the small role 20, the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is displayed stopped on the top row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the middle reel R2, and the bottom row of the right reel R3.

[0224] As shown in Figure 14 (B), in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Transition Role 2" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2 to win the small role 21, the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is displayed stopped on the lower row of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0225] As shown in Figure 14 (C), in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Transition Role 3" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2 to win the small role 22, the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is displayed stopped on the bottom row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the middle reel R2, and the top row of the right reel R3.

[0226] As shown in Figure 14 (D), in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Transition Role 4" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2 to win the small role 23, the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is displayed stopped in the middle row of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0227] Thus, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when winning in the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting orders 1 and 2, the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is configured to stop and be displayed within the specific area 410b.

[0228] As described above, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment wins in the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" in the internal lottery in the normal state, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting orders 1 and 2 and the stored value of the AT high-probability counter 196b is the value "1", it is determined that the transition condition to the CZ state (CZ transition condition) is satisfied, and the effect state is configured to transition from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0229] That is, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting orders 1 and 2 in the normal state and displaying the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" within the specific area 410b, it has a game configuration that enables the effect state to transition from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0230] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment transitions to the advantageous CZ state for the player when the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" stops and is displayed in the specific area 410b, suggests the transition of the effect state to the player using the symbol combination that stops and is displayed within the specific area 410b, and can improve the player's interest in the game.

[0231] <Gameplay in the CZ state> 15(A) is a diagram showing an example of a symbol suggestion effect that can be executed in the CZ state by the effect control means 200 of this embodiment. As described above, the effect control means 200 is configured to be able to execute a symbol suggestion effect when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", winning area "Cherry", winning area "Chance Role", winning area "Transition Role 1" to winning area "Transition Role 4", winning area "RBB & 1-piece Role 1", or winning area "RBB & 1-piece Role 2" is won in the internal lottery.

[0232] 15(A), the effect control means 200 displays, as a symbol suggestion effect, a star image 411 having a star design common to the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" in the display area 410a of the display device 410. In this way, the slot machine 1 suggests that a minor winning combination such as 18 consisting of the winning symbol combination "BL-STB-CH" has been won.

[0233] Figure 15(B) is a diagram showing an example of a batting order suggestion effect that the effect control means 200 executes when the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4", the winning areas "RBB & 1 Coin Role 1", and the winning areas "RBB & 1 Coin Role 2" are won in the CZ state. As shown in Figure 15(B), when the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" are won in the CZ state, the effect control means 200 executes a batting order suggestion effect that suggests performing the first stop operation on the stop button B3, such as "??1", in the display area 410a.

[0234] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the slot machine 1 is configured so that when the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation mode in which the stop buttons B3 of batting order 5 and batting order 6 are operated to the first stop, the small role 27 can be won.

[0235] As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to execute control related to the instruction function using the AT high probability counter 196b, and when a game is played in batting order 3 to 6 by operating the stop button B2 and stop button B3 to the first stop when the winning assistance is not being executed, there is a possibility that the next game will start with the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b initialized to the value "0". Therefore, when the winning assistance is not being executed, playing in batting order 3 to 6 may be relatively disadvantageous to the player in the next game, and therefore, when the winning assistance is not being executed, it is recommended that the game be played in batting order 1 or 2.

[0236] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", the winning area "Cherry", or the winning area "Chance Role" are won in the internal lottery in the CZ state, a pattern suggestion effect is executed, encouraging players to operate stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 1 and batting order 2, aiming to stop the star A symbol "STA" or the star B symbol "STB" on the valid line L1; and if the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4", the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 1", or the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 2" are won in the internal lottery in the CZ state, a pattern suggestion effect and a batting order suggestion effect are executed, encouraging players to operate stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 5 and batting order 6, aiming to stop the star A symbol "STA" or the star B symbol "STB" on the valid line L1.

[0237] 16(A) is a diagram showing an example of a symbol that is stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in accordance with the symbol suggestion effect. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the slot machine 1 is configured so that when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2, small prizes 4 and 5 are won.

[0238] For this reason, in the slot machine 1, when a winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in accordance with the pattern suggestion performance, the star A pattern "STA" and star B pattern "STB" are not displayed simultaneously in the specific area 410b.

[0239] FIG. 16(B) is a diagram showing an example of a symbol that is stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b when the winning area "RBB & 1-piece role 1" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in accordance with the symbol suggestion effect and the batting order suggestion effect. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the slot machine 1 is configured to win a small symbol 19 when the winning area "RBB & 1-piece role 1" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and 6. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the winning symbol combination of the small symbol 19 is "RP-BL-WM." And, as shown in FIG. 4, on the left reel R1, a replay symbol "RP" is arranged at stop number 1, a star A symbol "STA" is arranged at stop number 2, and a star B symbol "STB" is arranged at stop number 3.

[0240] For this reason, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role 1" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in accordance with the symbol suggestion effect and the batting order suggestion effect, the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" are simultaneously displayed in the middle and bottom rows of the left reel R1 within the specific area 410b.

[0241] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Chance Role" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in accordance with the symbol suggestion performance, the small role 24 is won, and the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" are simultaneously displayed in the middle and bottom rows of the middle reel R2 in the specific area 410b.

[0242] 16(C) is a diagram showing an example of a symbol that is stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in accordance with the symbol suggestion effect and the batting order suggestion effect. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the slot machine 1 is configured such that when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the batting order 5 and the batting order 6, the small symbol 26 and the small symbol 27 are won. Furthermore, as described above, in the slot machine 1, when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and 6, if the stop button B3 is operated to stop at a timing when the red 7 symbol "Red 7" cannot be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 of the right reel R3, the small role 27 can be won, and therefore, the star B symbol "STB" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 of the right reel R3, and the small role 27 can be won.

[0243] As shown in Figure 6, the winning symbol combination for minor win 27 is "BL-White 7 (Yellow 7, STA, BK)-CH (STB)". As shown in Figure 4, on the center reel R2, the star A symbol "STA" is arranged at stop number 2, and the star B symbol "STB" is arranged at stop number 3, and on the right reel R3, the star A symbol "STA" is arranged at stop number 8, and the star B symbol "STB" is arranged at stop number 9.

[0244] Therefore, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in accordance with the pattern suggestion effect and the batting order suggestion effect, the pattern combination "BL-STA-STB" from the winning pattern combinations of the minor role 27 is displayed stopped on the active line L1, and the star A pattern "STA" and the star B pattern "STB" are simultaneously displayed in the middle and bottom rows of the center reel R2 and the middle and bottom rows of the right reel R3 within the specific area 410b.

[0245] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Cherry" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in accordance with the symbol suggestion performance, the small prize 25 is won, and the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" are simultaneously displayed in the middle and bottom rows of the left reel R1 and the middle and bottom rows of the right reel R3 within the specific area 410b.

[0246] FIG. 16(D) is a diagram showing an example of a symbol that is stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b when the winning area "RBB & 1-piece role 2" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in accordance with the symbol suggestion effect and the batting order suggestion effect. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the slot machine 1 is configured to win the small symbol 28 when the winning area "RBB & 1-piece role 2" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and 6. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the winning symbol combination of the small symbol 28 is "Red 7 (White 7, STA, BK) - Red 7 (STB, WM) - BL." And, as shown in FIG. 4, on the right reel R3, the star A symbol "STA" is arranged at stop number 8, the star B symbol "STB" is arranged at stop number 9, and the bell symbol "BL" is arranged at stop number 10.

[0247] Therefore, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role 2" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in accordance with the symbol suggestion effect and the batting order suggestion effect, the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" are simultaneously displayed in the upper and middle rows of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 within the specific area 410b.

[0248] <Summary of game results when winning small prizes and gameplay in CZ state> As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" are won in the internal lottery in the normal state, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2 to win small roles 20 to 23, the pattern combination "RP-RP-BL" is displayed in a stopped state in the specific area 410b, and the presentation state transitions from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0249] In addition, in the slot machine 1, in the CZ state, based on whether or not the winning area "Cherry", the winning area "Chance role", the winning area "Transition role 1" to the winning area "Transition role 4", the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role 1", or the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role 2" has been won in an internal lottery, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to execute lotteries related to instruction functions such as AT lottery during CZ, which determines whether or not to transition the presentation state from the CZ state to the AT state.

[0250] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when in the CZ state, if the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", winning area "Cherry", winning area "Chance Role", winning area "Transition Role 1" to winning area "Transition Role 4", winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 1", or winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 2" is won by an internal lottery, a pattern suggestion effect can be executed which suggests that the star A pattern "STA" or the star B pattern "STB" can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1, and if the winning area "Transition Role 1" to winning area "Transition Role 4", winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 1", or winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 2" is won, a batting order suggestion effect is executed which suggests stopping the stop buttons B1 to B3 at batting order 5 and batting order 6.

[0251] In addition, in the slot machine 1, the probability of a result advantageous to the player in the lottery related to the instruction function executed by the AT control means 170 in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, set number addition lottery during CZ) is set to a first probability if the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role 1" and the winning area "Chance role" are won, a second probability higher than the first probability is set if the winning area "Cherry" and the winning area "Transition role 1" to the winning area "Transition role 4" are won, and a third probability higher than the second probability is set if the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role 2" is won.

[0252] In the slot machine 1, the game is played in accordance with the various suggestive effects of the symbol suggestive effects and batting order suggestive effects that are executed in the CZ state, so that if the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role 1" or the winning area "Chance role" is won, the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" can be stopped and displayed on one reel, if the winning area "Cherry" or the winning areas "Transition role 1" to "Transition role 4" is won, the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" can be stopped and displayed on two reels, and if the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role 2" is won, the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" can be stopped and displayed on three reels.

[0253] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment executes various suggestive effects in the CZ state, and when a game is played in accordance with the suggestive effects, the greater the number of star A symbols "STA" and star B symbols "STB" that are stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b, the higher the probability of transitioning from the CZ state to the AT state, thereby realizing gameplay that is advantageous to the player, and the symbols that are stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b can be used to increase the player's interest in the game.

[0254] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to execute a symbol suggestion effect when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery in the CZ state, but when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2, the small symbols that are awarded are small symbols 4 and 5, and the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" are not displayed stopped within the specific area 410b on any of the left reel R1 to right reel R3.

[0255] In other words, winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are configured as winning areas that function to execute so-called exciting effects, which execute pattern suggestion effects to create a sense of anticipation in players when the internal lottery in the CZ state is won.

[0256] The winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are configured with the winning symbol combination "BL-STB-CH", and are configured to win multiple minor prizes 18 that allow the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" to be stopped and displayed on the upper and middle rows of the middle reel R2.

[0257] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to execute hype effects when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in order to improve playability using the pattern suggestion effects in the CZ state, and in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", the small winning symbols 18 that enable the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" to be stopped and displayed on the upper and middle rows of the middle reel R2 when a win is won are each won twice, so that based on the small winning symbol 18 being won in the internal lottery, a star image 411 can be displayed in the pattern suggestion effect, preventing the player from mistakenly believing that a symbol that has not won in the internal lottery is capable of winning, and preventing the player from misunderstanding the results of the game.

[0258] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that, in the normal state, when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 1 and batting order 2, the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b, and the presentation state transitions from the normal state to the CZ state. Meanwhile, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won in the CZ state, an AT lottery is executed during the CZ state. However, when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won in the CZ state and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and displayed in batting order 1 and batting order 2, if the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b, the awarding of a bonus based on the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is not executed.

[0259] For this reason, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won in the CZ state, a pattern suggestion effect and a batting order suggestion effect are executed, and a game is executed with the aim of stopping and displaying the star A pattern "STA" and the star B pattern "STB" in batting order 5 and batting order 6 within the specific area 410b, so that "BL-STA-STB" is stopped and displayed among the winning pattern combinations of minor role 27, and the star A pattern "STA" and the star B pattern "STB" are stopped and displayed on the two reels, the center reel R2 and the right reel R3, within the specific area 410b.

[0260] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is displayed stopped in the specific area 410b, in the CZ state where a benefit based on the stopped display of the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is not awarded, a symbol suggestion effect and a batting order suggestion effect are executed based on winning the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4", and by making it possible to stop and display "BL-STA-STB", which is included in the winning symbol combination of small role 27 rather than small role 20 to small role 23, on the valid line L1, it is possible to prevent the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" from being stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b, and to prevent the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" from being stopped and displayed in a state where a benefit based on the stopped display of the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is not awarded, which would give the player a sense of loss.

[0261] In addition, the slot machine 1 executes a lottery related to instruction functions such as an AT lottery during the CZ as control related to an instruction function that is executed based on winning the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" in an internal lottery when in the CZ state, regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 or the small winning combination that wins. In other words, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to grant a benefit related to a transition to the AT state, which is a benefit that is advantageous to a player who wins a small winning combination 27 that has a high probability of winning due to the execution of a pattern suggestion effect and a batting order suggestion effect, and can execute control according to the progress of the game without executing complex control such as changing the control content according to the game result, thereby preventing the program capacity from increasing excessively.

[0262] In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that in the CZ state, the greater the number of reels that can stop and display the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" within the specific area 410b, the higher the probability that the player will win a result advantageous to them in a lottery such as an AT lottery during the CZ.

[0263] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, even if the winning area "Transitional Role 1" to winning area "Transitional Role 4" is won in the CZ state and the game is played in accordance with the pattern suggestion effect and the hitting order suggestion effect, and the pattern combination "RP-RP-BL" is avoided from being displayed in a stopped state, the star A pattern "STA" and the star B pattern "STB" are displayed in a stopped state on the two reels, the center reel R2 and the right reel R3, and the patterns displayed in a stopped state in the specific area 410b can suggest that there is a high probability that the player will be awarded a beneficial benefit, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0264] The winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" constitute a specific winning mode in this embodiment, and the operation mode of stopping the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 1 and batting order 2 constitutes a first specific operation mode in this embodiment, and the operation mode of stopping the stop buttons B2 in batting order 5 and batting order 6 when the cherry symbol "CH" at stop number 6 to the star A symbol "STA" at stop number 2 on the center reel R2 are rotated and displayed on the activated line L1, and the operation mode of stopping the white 7 symbol "white 7" at stop number 13 to the white 7 symbol "white 7" at stop number 9 on the right reel R3 are rotated and displayed on the activated line L1. The operation mode of stopping the stop button B3 at the timing when the star B symbol "STB" is displayed rotating on the effective line constitutes the second specific operation mode in this embodiment, and the symbol combination of "RP-RP-BL" that is stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b by winning the winning areas "transition role 1" to "transition role 4" and by stopping the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 1 and batting order 2 constitutes the first symbol combination in this embodiment, and the CZ state that is transitioned based on the symbol combination of "RP-RP-BL" being stopped and displayed The state constitutes a specific state in this embodiment, and when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won, and when the batting order is 5 and 6, and when the center reel R2 has the cherry symbol "CH" at stop number 6 to the star A symbol "STA" at stop number 2 rotating on the activated line L1, the stop button B2 is operated to stop, and when the right reel R3 has the white 7 symbol "white 7" at stop number 13 to the star B symbol "STB" at stop number 9 rotating on the activated line, the specific area 41 is opened. The symbol combination of "BL-STA-STB" stopped and displayed in 0b constitutes the second symbol combination in this embodiment, the symbol suggestion effect and the batting order suggestion effect that are executed when the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" are won in the CZ state constitute suggestion effects that suggest the second operation mode in this embodiment, and the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" that are stopped and displayed on two reels in the specific area 410b when the symbol combination of "BL-STA-STB" is stopped and displayed constitute a specific type of symbol in this embodiment,Benefits such as transition to the AT state that can be granted by lottery (AT lottery during CZ, set number addition lottery during CZ) related to the instruction function executed when the star A symbol "STA" and star B symbol "STB" are stopped and displayed in the CZ state are benefits that differ from the transition to a specific state that is granted based on the stopped display of the first symbol combination in this embodiment, and constitute benefits that are advantageous to the player.

[0265] 5. Summary of this embodiment As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won by the small role 5, the small role 18, the small role 29, and the small role 30 are overlappingly won, and when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in the batting order 1 and the batting order 2, the small role 5 can be won in preference to the small role 1 which is set to a higher payout than the small role 5, and when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in the batting order 1 and the batting order 2, the winning role that can be won is limited to the small role 5, and when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped, the reel stop control in the case where the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped can be realized by a simple control program, and the design related to the winning of the role can be made easier.

[0266] 6. Variations In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to have, as a first winning mode, winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4," which include small winning combination 1, which is set to a payout of 11 coins, which is more than the first specified number, and small winning combinations 5, 18, 29, and 30, which are set to a payout of 1 coin, which is less than the first specified number. The slot machine 1 has small winning combination 1 as the first small winning combination, and small winning combinations 18, 29, and 30 as the second small winning combination, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may have, as the first small winning combination, a small winning combination set to a payout less than the first specified number, such as small winning combination 5. The slot machine 1 may also be configured to have, as the second small winning combination, a small winning combination set to a payout higher than the first small winning combination.

[0267] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured so that any of the small winning combinations 18, 29, and 30 can be won in a non-RT state or an RBB internal state in which a game is started after a first specified number of electronic medals have been inserted, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured so that, for example, at least one of the small winning combinations 18, 29, and 30 does not win a prize in a non-RT state or an RBB internal state in which a game is started after a first specified number of electronic medals have been inserted, but can win a prize for that small winning combination in an RBB state in which a second specified number of electronic medals have been inserted.

[0268] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured so that no prize is awarded for any of the small prize 18, small prize 29, and small prize 30 when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2, but this is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured so as to have a winning area set so that a winning small prize among the small prize 18, small prize 29, and small prize 30 can be awarded when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2.

[0269] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to include the small winning combination 18 in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured not to include the small winning combination 18 in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", if the slot machine 1 is configured not to execute a symbol suggestion effect when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won.

[0270] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won in the CZ state, the presentation control means 200 executes a symbol suggestion presentation and a batting order suggestion presentation, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured such that, when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won in the CZ state, the presentation control means 200 executes a symbol suggestion presentation, and the AT control means 170 activates an instruction function to suggest a batting order.

[0271] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" as specific winning patterns, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to have at least one winning area as a specific winning pattern, and may be configured to have the winning area "Transitional Role 1" but not have the winning areas "Transitional Role 2" to "Transitional Role 4", for example.

[0272] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to transition the presentation state related to the instruction function from the normal state to the CZ state when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won in the normal state and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in the batting order 1 and the batting order 2 to stop the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL", but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to set the state controlled by the presentation control means 200 to a specific state while maintaining the presentation state related to the instruction function in the normal state, for example, when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won in the normal state and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in the batting order 1 and the batting order 2 to stop the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL".

[0273] In other words, the slot machine 1 only needs to be configured to be able to set a specific state that is advantageous to the player when the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is stopped and displayed, and the specific state may be configured to be either a state related to an instruction function controlled by the AT control means 170 or a state related to a presentation controlled by the presentation control means 200. In addition, when the specific state is configured to be a state related to a presentation controlled by the presentation control means 200, it is preferable that the AT control means 170 is also configured to manage, using a storage area provided in the AT control data storage means 196, that the specific state is set by the presentation control means 200 based on the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" being stopped and displayed when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "1".

[0274] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured not to award a bonus based on the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" being stopped and displayed when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won in the CZ state and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 1 and batting order 2, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may also be configured to award a bonus based on the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" being stopped and displayed even in the CZ state. The bonus based on the "RP-RP-BL" symbol combination being displayed in a stopped state may be configured to grant a bonus that is substantially the same as the bonus that is granted based on the "RP-RP-BL" symbol combination being displayed in a stopped state in the normal state, such as adding 10 games to the number of games that the CZ state continues, or it may be configured to grant a bonus that is different from the bonus that is granted based on the "RP-RP-BL" symbol combination being displayed in a stopped state in the normal state, such as increasing the probability of the player winning a bonus that is advantageous to the player in the next lottery related to the instruction function (AT lottery during CZ, lottery to add the number of sets during CZ).

[0275] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that when the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2, small role 20 to small role 23 are won with a winning probability of 1 / 1, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured, for example, such that if the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" are won in an internal lottery in a non-RT state and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2, small roles 20 to 23 will not be won and the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" will not be displayed as stopped symbols, and if the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" are won in an internal lottery in an RBB internal state and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2, small roles 20 to 23 will be won and the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" will be displayed as stopped symbols.

[0276] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured so that when the winning area "Transitional Role 1" to winning area "Transitional Role 4" are won, and the stop button B2 is operated to stop when the batting order is 5 and 6 and the cherry symbol "CH" at stop number 6 to the star A symbol "STA" at stop number 2 on the center reel R2 are displayed in rotation on the active line L1, and the stop button B3 is operated to stop when the white 7 symbol "White 7" at stop number 13 to the star B symbol "STB" at stop number 9 on the right reel R3 are displayed in rotation on the active line, the symbol combination "BL-STA-STB" included in the winning symbol combination of the minor role 27 is stopped and displayed, but this is not limited to this. For example, in the slot machine 1, when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are selected in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, and the stop button B2 is operated to stop when the cherry symbol "CH" at stop number 6 to the star A symbol "STA" at stop number 2 are displayed on the active line L1 in the batting order 5 and 6, and when the stop button B3 is operated to stop when the white 7 symbol "White 7" at stop number 13 to the star B symbol "STB" at stop number 9 are displayed on the active line R3, the small winning combination 27 is not won, and the symbol combination "BL-STA-STB" is not displayed, and the RB In the B internal middle state, when the winning area "Transition Role 1" to winning area "Transition Role 4" are won in the internal lottery, and the stop button B2 is operated to stop when the batting order is 5 and 6 and the cherry symbol "CH" at stop number 6 to the star A symbol "STA" at stop number 2 on the middle reel R2 are displayed and rotating on the valid line L1, and when the stop button B3 is operated to stop when the white 7 symbol "white 7" at stop number 13 to the star B symbol "STB" at stop number 9 on the right reel R3 are displayed and rotating on the valid line, the pattern combination "BL-STA-STB" included in the winning pattern combination of the minor role 27 may be displayed and stopped.

[0277] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to award different benefits when the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is stopped and when the symbol combination "BL-STA-STB" is stopped and displayed when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to be able to award a common benefit, such as holding a lottery to determine whether or not to transition the state related to the instruction function to a state advantageous to the player, in either case when the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" is stopped and displayed when the winning areas "Transitional Role 1" to "Transitional Role 4" are won, or when the symbol combination "BL-STA-STB" is stopped and displayed.

[0278] In addition, in this embodiment, when the slot machine 1 wins the winning areas "Transition Role 1" to "Transition Role 4" in the internal lottery in the CZ state, it is configured to execute a lottery related to the instruction function based on the winning regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3, but this is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to execute a lottery relating to the instruction function when, for example, the winning area "Transitional Role 1" to the winning area "Transitional Role 4" are won in an internal lottery in the CZ state, and the stop button B2 is operated to stop at the timing when the cherry symbol "CH" at stop number 6 to the star A symbol "STA" at stop number 2 on the center reel R2 are displayed in rotation on the active line L1 in batting order 5 and 6, and the stop button B3 is operated to stop at the timing when the white 7 symbol "White 7" at stop number 13 to the star B symbol "STB" at stop number 9 on the right reel R3 are displayed in rotation on the active line, thereby stopping and displaying the pattern combination "BL-STA-STB" included in the winning pattern combination of the minor role 27, and the lottery relating to the instruction function may be executed based on the fact that the minor role 27 has won as a result of the stop buttons B1 to B3 being operated to stop at batting order 5 and 6.

[0279] In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has the symbol combination "RP-RP-BL" stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b as the first symbol combination, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to have a symbol combination stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b as the first symbol combination, which is also a symbol combination consisting of a winning symbol combination for a minor role.

[0280] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has, as the second symbol combination, the symbol combination "BL-STA-STB" included in the winning symbol combination of the small win 27, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to have, as the second symbol combination, a symbol combination that is stopped and displayed in the specific area 410b and is different from the winning symbol combination of the small win.

[0281] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has, as the specific type of symbols, star A symbol "STA" and star B symbol "STB" arranged in two consecutive frames on each reel, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured so that, for example, a specific type of symbol consisting of a symbol that has a different design from the other symbols and is highly visible (for example, a bar symbol "BAR" that is longer in width than the other symbols and has a substantially rectangular shape) is arranged in one frame on each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0282] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute a symbol suggestion effect by displaying a star image 411 having a design characteristic common to the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB." However, this is not limiting. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to display a star A image having a design characteristic common to the star A symbol "STA" and a star B image having a design characteristic common to the star B symbol "STB." Alternatively, the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute an effect in which a player aims to stop and display the star A symbol "STA" and the star B symbol "STB" within the specific area 410b by displaying an image consisting of text such as "Take aim!" together with the star image. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute a symbol suggestion effect by outputting a sound such as "Aim for the star symbol!" from the sound device 420, thereby forming a symbol suggestion effect that does not involve the display of an image.

[0283] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute an effect suggesting that the stop button B3 be operated to stop for the first time by displaying "??1" as the batting order suggestion effect, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to execute an effect suggesting that the stop buttons B1 to B3 be operated to stop for batting order 6 by displaying, for example, an arrow pointing from right to left in the display area. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute an effect in which, as the batting order suggestion effect, a sound such as "Right!" is output from the sound device 420, thereby forming the batting order suggestion effect from an effect that does not involve the display of an image.

[0284] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the payout number of electronic medals when a two-coin bet game is executed is one by setting the payout for all of the small roles 1 to 30 to one when a two-coin bet game is executed, but is not limited to this. For example, when a two-coin bet game is executed, the slot machine 1 may be configured so that the payout of one medal is executed regardless of the number of medals set for the winning small role by executing a process to set the upper limit of the payout number to one.

[0285] Below, a detailed description will be given of a configuration in which a process for setting an upper limit on the number of payouts (upper limit setting process) is executed to play a two-coin bet game and one electronic medal is paid out regardless of which minor winning combination is won. A slot machine 1 configured in this way is configured to set an upper limit on the number of electronic medals that can be paid out when a two-coin bet game is played, and is configured to set the number of payouts to the upper limit and pay out medals when a minor winning combination with a payout set to equal or exceed the upper limit is won. Specifically, the slot machine 1 is configured to set one medal as the upper limit on the number of electronic medals that can be paid out when a two-coin bet game is played.

[0286] Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an upper limit value setting process in which the slot machine 1 of the modified example sets an upper limit value for the payout number. The process shown in Fig. 17 is executed after the payout value set for the winning minor winning combination is stored in the payout number storage means 199 (see Fig. 2) of the main storage means 190 in the payout process by the payout control means 150, which is executed when a minor winning combination is won.

[0287] 17, the payout control means 150 first acquires the payout number stored in the payout number storage means 199 (S1). In this process, the payout control means 150 acquires the stored value of the payout number storage means 199, which stores the payout value set for the small winning combination in the current game.

[0288] Next, the payout control means 150 checks the number of electronic medals that have been set to the inserted state for the current game (S2). In this process, the payout control means 150 checks the value stored in the inserted number storage means 198, thereby making it possible to determine whether the current game is a two-coin bet game or a three-coin bet game.

[0289] Next, the payout control means 150 determines whether or not the number of electronic medals set to the inserted state in the current game is two (S3). In this process, the payout control means 150 determines whether or not the stored value of the inserted number storage means 198 (see FIG. 2) confirmed in the process of step S2 is the value "2". By the payout control means 150 executing the process of step S3, the slot machine 1 can determine whether or not the current game has been executed in the RBB state in which the second specified number (two medals) is set.

[0290] In the process of step S3, when it is determined that the number of electronic medals set to the inserted state in the current game is two (YES), the payout control means 150 determines whether the number of payouts in the current game is two or more (S4). In this process, the payout control means 150 determines whether the number of payouts stored in the payout number storage means 199 obtained in the process of step S1 is a value of "2" or more.

[0291] In the process of step S4, if it is determined that the number of payouts in the current game is two or more (YES), the payout control means 150 sets the number of payouts to one (S5). In this process, the payout control means 150 changes the value of two or more stored in the payout number storage means 199 to the value "1", thereby setting the number of payouts in the current game to one.

[0292] This processing in step S5 constitutes a process for setting the upper limit of the number of electronic medals that can be paid out to a specific number (1 medal) that is less than the second specified number (3 medals) when a game is started by inserting a second specified number (2 medals) that is less than the first specified number (3 medals).

[0293] After executing the processing of step S5, if it is determined in the processing of step S3 that the number of electronic medals set to the inserted state for the current game is three (NO), or if it is determined in the processing of step S4 that the number of medals to be paid out for the current game is one (NO), the payout control means 150 executes processing to pay out medals (S6) and ends the payout processing. In this processing, the payout control means 150 determines the value stored in the payout number storage means 199 as the number of medals to be paid out for the game, and adds the number of electronic medals corresponding to the determined number to the medal number counter 311.

[0294] In this way, when a three-coin bet game is executed, the payout control means 150 is configured to skip the processing of steps S4 and S5 from step S3 and proceed to step S6, determine the stored value of the payout number storage means 199, which stores the value set as the payout for the small winning combination won in the game, as the number of medals to be paid out in the game, and add the number of electronic medals corresponding to the determined payout number to the medal number counter 311.

[0295] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured to pay out the same number of electronic medals as the payout set for the winning minor role in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and when a minor role with a payout set to more than one medal is won, the payout of the payout is executed.

[0296] On the other hand, when a two-coin bet game is played and a small role with a payout of two or more coins set as the payout for the two-coin bet game is won, the payout control means 150 is configured to execute the processing of step S5 and then proceed to step S6, and determines the stored value of the payout number memory means 199, which is set to the value "1", as the number of medals to be paid out in the game, regardless of the value set as the payout for the small role won in the game, and adds the number of electronic medals (1 medal) corresponding to the determined payout number to the medal number counter 311.

[0297] Because of this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when a game with three bets is executed and when a game with two bets is executed, the payout is the same, and when a minor role with a payout set to more than one coin is won in the RBB state when a game with two bets is executed, a payout of one coin is executed, which is less than the set payout and is less than the specified number (2 coins) in the RBB state.

[0298] That is, in the slot machine 1, when the specified number is set to the RBB state of 2 coins and a win area including a small winning combination is won, one coin is paid out regardless of which of all the small winning combinations is won. In other words, in the slot machine 1, when the specified number is set to the second specified number (2 coins) and a small winning combination with a payout set to a payout greater than the second specified number is won, a payout less than the second specified number is paid out.

[0299] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 transitions to an RBB state in which the specified number is set to two coins, and when a winning area including a small win is won, a process for setting an upper limit on the number of payouts is executed, so that one coin is paid out regardless of which of all the small wins is won. Therefore, by lowering the payout rate in the RBB state to 50%, it is possible to design the medal acquisition performance for when the RBB is not activated, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0300] Furthermore, as described above, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the payout rate in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a random order is less than 50%, and the payout rate in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state is lower than the payout rate in the RBB state (50%).

[0301] With this configuration, the ball payout rate in the RBB state of the slot machine 1 is lower than that in the non-RT state in which the RBB is not operating and in the RBB internal state, and the performance of the RBB state does not deteriorate excessively, so the performance of the gaming machine can be fully guaranteed.

[0302] Furthermore, by configuring the slot machine 1 to execute an upper limit value setting process, the payout number when a two-coin bet game is executed can be set to one coin without having to set the payout when a two-coin bet game is executed for each minor role separately from the payout when a three-coin bet game is executed, thereby reducing the data volume required to set the payout when a two-coin bet game is executed for each minor role.

[0303] In addition, when configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 is required to be configured so that when the game state is in the RBB state, a prize is awarded based on a win for a minor role that is configured to result in a different payout number when a prize is awarded in the RBB state in which two medals are set to the inserted state and play is started, and when three medals are set to the inserted state and play is started.

[0304] As a result, in the RBB state where the prescribed number is set to a second prescribed number, which is different from the prescribed number in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB, the slot machine 1 can win a minor winning combination in which the number of electronic medals paid out is less than the number of electronic medals that would be paid out if a winning combination was won in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB, by winning in the RBB state, preventing the performance of the minor winning combination from being excessively reduced and fully guaranteeing the performance of the gaming machine.

[0305] When configured in this manner, minor winning combinations that have different numbers of game values ​​paid out based on winning when a first specified number of game values ​​is inserted and game play is started and when a second specified number of game values ​​is inserted and game play is started constitute minor winning combinations included in the second group and the predetermined group, and minor winning combinations that have the same number of game values ​​paid out based on winning when a first specified number of game values ​​is inserted and game play is started and when a second specified number of game values ​​that is less than the first specified number is inserted and game play is started constitute minor winning combinations included in the first group.

[0306] In addition, when configured to execute the upper limit setting process, the slot machine 1 may be configured to set the upper limit of the payout number set in the upper limit setting process to the payout number of 2, which is the same as the second specified number (2 coins). In other words, the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute a payout of the second specified number or less when a small combination set to a payout greater than the second specified number wins in an RBB state in which the specified number is set to the second specified number (2 coins).

[0307] In a configuration in which the payout number of two coins is set as the upper limit in the upper limit setting process, the slot machine 1 is preferably configured so that when the winning area "bonus small / medium combination 2" is won, a small combination set to a payout of one coin is won regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3. Also, in a case where it is configured in this way, it is preferable that the slot machine 1 is configured so that the probability of winning the winning area "bonus small / medium combination 2" is higher than the probability of winning the winning area "bonus small / medium combination 1" in the internal lottery in the RBB state.

[0308] When the upper limit setting process is configured to set the payout number to two as the upper limit, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "bonus small / medium role 1" is won, one of small role 1 to small role 3 is won depending on the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3, and two electronic medals are paid out. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, in the internal lottery in the RBB state, the probability of winning the winning area "bonus small / medium role 2," in which a payout of one medal is won regardless of the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3, is higher than the probability of winning the winning area "bonus small / medium role 1," so that the payout rate in the RBB state can be reduced to less than 100%, and medal acquisition performance can be designed for when the RBB is not activated, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0309] In this embodiment, the payout for all of the small winning combinations 1 to 30 is set to 1 coin when a two-coin bet game is played, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured so that the payout for the small winning combination 1 is 2 coins when a two-coin bet game is played.

[0310] In the case where the slot machine 1 is configured in this way, it is preferable that when the winning area "bonus small / medium role 1" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to 6, a small role (for example, small role 2, small role 3, etc.) with a payout set to one in the case of a two-coin bet game is won. Also, in the case where the slot machine 1 is configured in this way, the probability of winning the winning area "bonus small / medium role 1" is higher than the probability of winning the winning area "bonus small / medium role 2" in the internal lottery in the RBB state. This makes it possible to reduce the payout rate in the RBB state to less than 100% and design medal acquisition performance for the state in which the RBB is not activated, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0311] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to switch the small winning combination that can be won depending on the hitting order and operation timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3 when the winning area "bonus small / medium winning combination 1" is won, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to switch the small winning combination that can be won depending on the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 when the winning area "bonus small / medium winning combination 1" is won.

[0312] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to have a non-RT state and an RBB internal state as the first gaming state, and an RBB state as the second gaming state, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to have, for example, the following game states in a game state in which the RBB is won and the RBB is activated: a non-RT state, an RBB internal state, a general RBB activated state in which the RBB is activated and the RB is not won or won and the RB is not activated, an RBB activated RB internal state in which the RBB is activated and the RB is won and the RB is not activated, and an RBB activated RB state in which the RBB is activated and the RB is won and the RB is activated.When configured in this way, the game states in which the probability of winning a small role in the internal lottery is the same in the non-RT state, the RBB internal state, the general RBB activated state and the RBB activated RB internal state may constitute a first game state, and the RBB activated RB activated state in which the probability of winning any small role in the internal lottery is higher than in the first game state may constitute a second game state.

[0313] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured not to notify whether or not it is in an advantageous zone, but this is not limiting. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to notify that it is in an advantageous zone when the expected value of medal acquisition is 1 or more due to the support of winning a small winning combination.

[0314] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a plurality of reels, namely, left reel R1 to right reel R3, and a plurality of stop buttons, namely, stop buttons B1 to B3, corresponding to the left reel R1 to right reel R3, but is not limited to this and may have, for example, a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0315] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of medals, but is not limited to this, and may be configured to have, for example, a single bet button for inserting one medal in addition to the max bet button MB.

[0316] When configured in this way, the slot machine 1 may be configured to be able to start a game when either the first specified number or the second specified number of electronic medals is set to the inserted state, with respect to the specified number in the non-RT state or the RBB state. When configured in this way, the slot machine 1 may be configured to set the first specified number of electronic medals to the inserted state when the max bet button MB is operated when the gaming state is the non-RT state or the RBB state, and to set the second specified number of electronic medals to the inserted state when the single bet button is operated twice.

[0317] In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured as a so-called medalless gaming machine that records gaming value electromagnetically, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to allow medals, which serve as physical media for gaming value, to be inserted, and to allow the physical media medals to be paid out using a hopper unit. In this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to credit up to 50 inserted medals. In this configuration, the AT control means 170 ends the advantageous zone when 4,000 games have been played since the advantageous zone began.

[0318] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the stored value of each counter and memory means as an initial value, and to perform a decrement update by subtracting 1 each time a game is played, or an increment update by adding 1 each time a game is played, but this is not limited to this, and the method of updating each counter and memory means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0319] 1. Slot machines (gaming machines) 120 Internal lottery method B1 Stop button B2 Stop button B3 Stop button R1 Left reel R2 middle reel R3 Right reel

Claims

1. Multiple reels and Multiple stop buttons and an internal lottery means for conducting an internal lottery; In the internal lottery, the success or failure of multiple winning patterns is determined, The plurality of winning modes include a first winning mode and a second winning mode, The first winning mode includes a first small win and a second small win, The second winning mode includes the second small win, When the first winning mode is won and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the first operation mode, the first small winning combination can be won, When the first winning mode is won and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode different from the first operation mode, the first small winning combination is not won, When the second small win mode is won, the second small win mode is not won regardless of the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons, The second small winning combination can be won when the second winning mode is won and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the second operation mode. A gaming machine characterized by:

2. When a first specified number of game values ​​is inserted and a game is started, a payout of game values ​​exceeding the first specified number can be executed; When a game is started by inserting a second specified number of game values ​​that is less than the first specified number, the upper limit of the number of game values ​​that can be paid out is set to a specific number that is less than the second specified number.

2. The gaming machine according to claim 1 .

Images