Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of increasing fun by a pattern stopped and displayed within a display window while facilitating design of the pattern disposed in a reel.SOLUTION: A draw-in range of a first kind pattern disposed in a third position overlaps with a draw-in range of a first kind pattern disposed in a first position within a first range, and overlaps with a draw-in range of a first kind pattern disposed in a second position within a second range. The first range does not overlap with the second range. A first kind pattern disposed in the first position is stopped and displayed on an effective line when operation timing of a specific stop button when a specific winning combination can be won is timing when a pattern within a first range is displayed rotationally, and a first kind pattern disposed in the second position is stopped and displayed on an effective line when the operation timing is timing when a pattern in a second range is displayed rotationally.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines (reel type gaming machines, slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with patterns arranged on the outer periphery are known. In this type of gaming machine, a certain gaming value is assigned to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and a game is played to acquire such gaming media. In addition, in this type of gaming machine, an internal lottery is performed and the rotation of the multiple reels is started when the player operates to start the rotation, and the multiple reels are stopped in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery when the player operates to stop the rotation. The result of the game is determined by the combination of symbols displayed on the winning determination line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals and the like are paid out according to the result of the game.

[0003] In the gaming machine described above, for a specific winning mode in which multiple winning combinations are achieved, a configuration is known in which the ease of acquiring gaming value changes as the gaming state transitions to change the combination that can be won (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-99608 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of a configuration in which the ease of acquiring game value differs depending on the game state, such as the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, in the reel stop control executed when a specific winning mode is won, a method of determining a priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on an active line (number priority control) and a method of determining a priority according to the number of medals paid out based on a payout that is predetermined for a minor winning combination (number priority control) are switched depending on the game state, thereby realizing a configuration in which the ease of acquiring game value differs depending on the game state. In such a gaming machine, although a configuration in which a specific winning combination can be won by number priority control can be easily realized by arranging various symbols on the reel, the number of symbols that can be arranged on the periphery of the reel is limited by regulations. In addition, in a gaming machine, it is also required to enhance playability by the symbols that are stopped and displayed in the display window.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can easily design the symbols arranged on the reels while enhancing the enjoyment of the game by the symbols that are stopped and displayed in the display window. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a reel system comprising: Multiple stop buttons a display window through which the plurality of reels can be viewed; An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery; a reel control means for controlling a rotation mode and a stopping mode of the reel; A winning determination means for determining whether a winning combination has been achieved, The winning determination is based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line. the plurality of reels includes a specific reel, the plurality of stop buttons includes a specific stop button corresponding to the specific reel, A first type of symbol and a second type of symbol are arranged on the specific reel, The first type of symbols are arranged at least in a first position, a second position, and a third position; The second type of symbols are displayed in a stopped state in the display window when the first type of symbols arranged in the first position stop on an active line and when the first type of symbols arranged in the second position stop on an active line; the reel control means stops, on an active line, symbols within a pull-in range corresponding to the position of the reel at the time when the stop button is operated; The pull-in range of the first type of symbols arranged at the first position and the pull-in range of the first type of symbols arranged at the third position overlap each other in a first range, The pull-in range of the first type of symbol arranged at the second position and the pull-in range of the first type of symbol arranged at the third position overlap each other in a second range, The first range and the second range do not overlap, The subject of the internal lottery includes a specific role, The symbols on the specific reels constituting the winning symbol combination of the specific combination are the first type of symbols, When the specific combination is winnable and the specific stop button is operated at the timing when the symbols within the first range are being displayed in rotation, the first type of symbols arranged at the first position are stopped and displayed on the pay line, When the specific combination is winnable and the specific stop button is operated at the timing when the symbols within the second range are being displayed in rotation, the first type of symbols arranged at the second position are displayed stopped on the pay line. 、 When the specific combination is won, the second type of symbols are displayed in the display window of each of the reels. The present invention is characterized in that: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can easily design the symbols arranged on the reels while enhancing playability by the symbols that are stopped and displayed in the display window. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram showing winning areas which can be won by an internal lottery in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and winning numbers corresponding to each winning area. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on a reel in a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of small win 1 to small win 16 and payouts for small win 1 to small win 16 in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of small winning symbols 17 to 24 and payouts for small winning symbols 17 to 24 in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of small winning symbols 25 to 36 and payouts for small winning symbols 25 to 36 in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in a gaming machine of the first embodiment 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 9] 1A is a diagram showing the game results for each batting order when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 6", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 10" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 12", the winning area "Special minor role 1", and the winning area "Special minor role 2" are won by internal lottery in the non-RT state of the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the game results for each batting order when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 6", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 10" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 12", the winning area "Special minor role 1", and the winning area "Special minor role 2" are won by internal lottery in the bonus formation state. [Figure 10]This figure explains the patterns that can be stopped in the middle of the middle reel depending on the timing of operating the stop button when a first type of small win is won in a game in which the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12", the winning area "Special Small Winner 1", or the winning area "Special Small Winner 2" is won in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure explains the patterns that can be stopped in the middle of the middle reel depending on the timing of operating the stop button in a game in which the winning area "special small prize 1" and the winning area "special small prize 2" are won and a small prize of the second type can be won in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] (A) is a diagram explaining the symbols that can be stopped in the middle of the right reel when the winning area "special minor feature 1" is won in the bonus formation state in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention, depending on the timing of the operation of the stop button when the stop button is operated at batting orders 5 and 6; (B) is a diagram explaining the symbols that can be stopped in the middle of the right reel when the winning area "special minor feature 2" is won in the bonus formation state, depending on the timing of the operation of the stop button when the stop button is operated at batting orders 5 and 6. [Figure 13] This figure explains the pull-in range of the symbols that can be stopped in the middle of the left reel and the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol arranged at stop number 2 when small symbols 34 and 36 can be won on the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1A is a diagram explaining the pattern that is displayed in a stopped state within a specific area when batting order 4 is announced in auxiliary play and the stop button is operated at batting order 4 in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 1B is a diagram explaining the pattern that is displayed in a stopped state within a specific area when batting order 5 is announced in auxiliary play and the stop button is operated at batting order 5 in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing winning areas which can be won by an internal lottery in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and winning numbers which are associated with each winning area. [Figure 16]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of minor winning combination 1 and payouts in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This figure explains the pull-in range of the symbols that can be stopped on the lower row of the left reel when minor prize 1 can be won on the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention, and the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol arranged at stop number 4. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a pattern that is stopped and displayed in a specific area when minor winning combination 1 is won in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [First embodiment] The first embodiment will be described below. Note that the first embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in the first embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] 1. Overview of the gaming machine configuration 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment is a so-called reel type gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as gaming media.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is housed in a box-shaped housing consisting of a housing BX, a front upper door UD, and a front lower door DD, and a reel unit 310 (see FIG. 2) consisting of a left reel R1 to a right reel R3 as a plurality of reels. In addition, a hopper unit 320 (see FIG. 2) as a medal payout device is housed below the reel unit 310 in the housing. In addition, a control board having a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, etc. mounted thereon and controlling the operation of the slot machine 1 is also housed in the housing of the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment.

[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 each frame has one of several types of patterns arranged on it.

[0014] The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided so as to be able to be opened and closed separately. The front upper door UD is provided with a display device 330 as a display means for performing effects composed of various videos and images for assisting and livening up a game. In addition, the display device 330 is configured so that a specific area 330b facing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in a display area 330a for displaying images is composed of a transparent liquid crystal display, and the spinning state and stopped state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed through the display device 330. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped, three patterns (upper pattern, middle pattern, lower pattern) arranged consecutively on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 among a plurality of types of patterns arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed through the display device 330 from the front of the slot machine 1.

[0015] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, an upper, middle, and lower row are provided for each reel as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 330, and an activated line L1 is set for an activated line based on a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called prescribed insertion number (prescribed number), is set to three in any game state, and when medals equivalent to the prescribed insertion number are inserted, an activated line L1 formed by the middle row of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is activated.

[0016] The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the winning line L1 (on the winning line), and if the symbol combination on the winning line L1 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is deemed to have won and medals are paid out from the hopper unit 320.

[0017] The front upper door UD is provided with a game information display section DS. The game information display section DS is made up of LEDs, lamps, 7-segment displays, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, the total number of medals paid out or won in the bonus state, information on the winning combination in the current game, and information suggesting how to press the stop buttons B1, B2, and B3 related to the payout of medals.

[0018] When a specified number of medals are inserted and the start lever SL is operated, the seven-segment display of the game information display unit DS displays a notification display that corresponds to a winning combination command, which is a control signal created based on winning information, which is information on the combination that has been won in the current game, and when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop after the notification display is displayed, the notification display ends and the number of medals paid out or won is displayed. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, a notification display is executed in which each segment of the game information display unit DS lights up and goes out in a display mode corresponding to the winning combination command.

[0019] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, a plurality of sound devices 340 for performing effects using sound are provided on the front lower door DD. The sound devices 340 output various sounds for assisting or livening up the game.

[0020] The front lower door DD is provided with various operating means. The operating means include a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of medals as an inserting operation means for inserting credited (stored) medals, a start lever SL as a game start operation means for allowing the player to execute 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 execute a stop operation that triggers the stopping of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 rotated by a stepping motor, and a settlement button BS for settling the credited medals.

[0021] In addition, a medal payout outlet MO and a medal tray MP are provided at the bottom of the front lower door DD, and medals in a number according to the results of a game are paid out from the medal payout outlet MO to the medal tray MP. In addition, when the settlement button BS is pressed while credited medals are stored in the gaming machine, a settlement process is executed in response to pressing of the settlement button BS, in which a number of medals equivalent to the number of credits (the number of credited medals) is paid out from the hopper unit 320, and the medals are paid out from the medal payout outlet MO to the medal tray MP.

[0022] 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment. The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is controlled by a game control means 10 serving as a control board. The game control means 10 receives input signals from input means such as a coin insertion switch 210, a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change switch 250, and a reset switch 260 serving as a plurality of operation detection means, performs various calculations for executing a game, and controls the operation of output means such as a performance device 300, a reel unit 310, a hopper unit 320, and a game information display unit DS based on the calculation results.

[0023] The game control means 10 also includes a setting change means 100, an input acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state transition control means 170, a performance control means 180, a storage means 190, and an assist time control means (AT control means) 200. Each of the means constituting the game control means 10 reads out and executes each control program pre-stored in the storage means 190 when each control process is executed.

[0024] The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the storage means 190. When the setting change switch 250 is in the ON state and the setting change is permitted, 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 from the reset switch 260 provided in the power supply device, and determines the setting value based on the start signal output from the start switch 230 when the start lever SL is operated. 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 that is a value that can change the winning probability of the role in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0025] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 200 are configured to be initialized, the game state is set to a non-replay time (hereinafter, replay time is also written as "RT") state described later, and the control related to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 200 before the setting change is also initialized and a normal zone is set. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when the supply of power to the game control means 10 is cut off (power interruption) and then the supply of power is resumed again, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 200 are configured to be resumed from the state before the power interruption, and the control related to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 200 before the power interruption is also configured to be maintained in the state before the power interruption.

[0026] When a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot MI (see FIG. 1) and the medal insertion switch 210 is actuated during the insertion acceptance period for accepting the insertion of medals, the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the inserted medal to an inserted state, and when a bet switch 220 is actuated in which the max bet button MB is pressed to execute a bet operation while the medals are credited, the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the credited medals to an inserted state up to a specified insertion number (3 medals), thereby performing a process of enabling a game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that medals equivalent to the specified insertion number have been set to the inserted state.

[0027] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the initial depression of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a specified number of medals, is accepted as the player's operation to start the game, and serves as a trigger for starting the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, as well as a trigger for the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to execute an internal lottery.

[0028] The random number generating means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for lotteries. In the first embodiment, the term "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in a mathematical sense, but also values ​​that may function as random numbers substantially because the timing of acquisition is irregular, even if the generation itself is regular.

[0029] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved based on a start signal output when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 230 detects the start operation, and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0030] In the lottery table selection process, which internal lottery table is 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 storage means 190. In each internal lottery table, various roles such as replay, small role, and bonus, and non-win (miss) are associated with each of multiple random numbers (for example, 65536 random numbers from 0 to 65535).

[0031] In the following description, a bonus means a role that activates a reel or a device for continuously operating a reel when it is won, a bonus being activated means that a bonus is won and activates a reel or a device for continuously operating a reel, and a bonus state means that the reel or device for continuously operating a reel is activated.

[0032] 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 from the start switch 230, and the obtained random number is compared with the internal lottery table selected in the lottery table selection process, and it is determined whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the comparison result.

[0033] 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 an established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are overlappingly won, the lottery flags corresponding to each of the two or more types of combinations that are overlappingly won are set to an established state. In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, there are provided a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over the established state to the next or subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to an unestablished state without carrying over the established state to the next or subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. In addition, the setting information of the lottery flag is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the storage means 190.

[0034] The reel control means 130 executes reel rotation control, which starts the rotation drive of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and controls the rotation mode of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, based on the output of a start signal from the start switch 230, which is operated by the player performing a start operation on the start lever SL. In addition, when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are in a steady rotation state at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 executes control to validate a stop operation detected by the stop switch 240 when the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 corresponding to each reel are pressed. Then, when a reel stop signal is output from the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation, the reel control means 130 executes control to stop each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation (reel stop control).

[0035] 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 presses each of the active stop buttons B1 to B3, the first press operation will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second press operation will be referred to as the second stop operation, and the third press operation will be referred to as the third stop operation.

[0036] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the reel that is rotating corresponding to the stop button pressed is stopped within a predetermined period of 190 ms from the time when the stop button B1 to B3 is pressed (the time when the stop switch 240 detects the stop operation) for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Here, when the rotating reel is stopped within 190 ms from the time when 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 when the stop button is pressed until the reel stops, depending on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel.

[0037] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of the first 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 four frames have rotated are the range (pull-in range) in which the pattern can be pulled onto the pay line L1.

[0038] 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 preset priority order by logic calculation including a pull-in process to stop the spinning reel so that a combination with a lottery flag 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 combination with a lottery flag 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 storage means 190, thereby stopping the spinning reel and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the spinning reel by the reel stop control and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

[0039] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when multiple types of small winning combinations are won in the internal lottery, the priority of the candidate stop positions can be determined according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the pay line L1 (number priority control), or according to the number of medals to be paid out based on the payout that is predefined for the small winning combination (number priority control). However, when the number priority control is executed, if the same payout is won twice, the priority of the candidate stop positions that can win each small winning combination is treated as being the same.

[0040] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage means 195 of the storage means 190, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 at the time when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped is a winning form of a predetermined winning combination. Then, 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 indicating the winning form of a winning combination is also referred to as "winning symbol combination".

[0041] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, each process is executed based on the judgment result of the winning judgment means 140 in the winning judgment process. As each process executed based on the judgment result of the winning combination, for example, when a small combination is won, a process is executed to determine the number of medals to be paid out by the payout control means 150, when a replay is won, a process is executed to make the replay processing means 160 execute the next game without consuming 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 170 transition the game state.

[0042] The payout control means 150 performs a payout process for paying out medals according to game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is won, the payout number of medals in a game is determined based on a payout amount determined in advance for each combination, and the payout control means 150 controls the hopper unit 320 as a payout device to pay out medals equivalent to the determined payout number.

[0043] The hopper unit 320 performs an operation of paying out the number of medals instructed by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit 320 is provided with a payout medal detection switch 325 that is activated each time a medal is paid out. The payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit 320 based on an input signal from the payout medal detection switch 325. When medal credit is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper unit 320, a credit addition process is performed in which the payout number is added to the credit number (the number of credited medals) stored in a credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means 190, and medals are virtually paid out.

[0044] 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 is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, and the replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs a replay process (replay process) to set the next game to a ready state in which the game can be played without inserting medals. That is, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert a specified number of medals without using medals (including credit medals) held by the player, and the same pay line L1 as the previous game is set, and the start operation of the next start lever SL is awaited.

[0045] The game state transition control means 170 performs a process of transitioning the game state between a plurality of game states, and a process related to the activation and termination of a bonus. 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 establishment of any one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or the establishment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0046] The performance control means 180 performs control related to performances related to the game, such as image and video performances performed using the display device 330 and sound performances performed using the sound device 340, based on the performance data stored in the performance control data storage means 196 of the storage means 190. Specifically, when the player operates each component of the slot machine 1 by inserting a medal, operating the max bet button MB, the start lever SL, the stop buttons B1 to B3, etc., or when a game event such as a change in the game state occurs, the performance control means 180 performs execution control of performances to liven up the game or to assist the game by executing performances using lighting or blinking of lamps and LEDs, and sound output from the sound device 340. In addition, the performance control means 180 causes each component constituting the performance device 300 to execute a performance based on each performance state.

[0047] The AT control means 200 uses data stored in the AT control data storage means 197 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 game information display unit DS to assist in the winning of specific roles, can be executed, and a normal zone (non-advantageous period), which is a zone (period) during which control related to auxiliary games (control related to instruction functions) based on the results of internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, and constitutes an auxiliary game control means that performs control related to the normal zone, advantageous zone, and auxiliary game.

[0048] The AT control data storage means 197 stores data (various flags, counters, etc. that are set to ON or OFF by a specified control process) used in various controls related to multiple types of presentation states including the normal state and AT state that are executed within the advantageous zone.

[0049] The AT control means 200 sets the presentation state to the AT state (assist time state) under a predetermined condition 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 enables the winning of the specific role that has been won on the game information display unit DS having a 7-segment display, thereby performing an operation notification to assist the winning of the specific role. In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the operation notification by the AT control means 200 is executed, the presentation control means 180 described later executes a navigation presentation that displays an indicator corresponding to the correct hitting order on the display device 330. 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 winning assistance of the operation notification and the navigation presentation, so that an auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) that is advantageous to the player is executed.

[0050] More specifically, when a predetermined termination condition for terminating the advantageous zone, described later, is met, the AT control means 200 executes a predetermined termination process for terminating the advantageous zone and starting the normal zone from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process for initializing information regarding the advantageous zone, such as various flags and numerical values ​​set within the advantageous zone.

[0051] The AT control means 200 executes a game number update process in which, in a game that has started an advantageous zone, a value "1" corresponding to one game is added to a value (storage value) stored in the first advantageous zone counter 197a each time a game is played, and the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 197a is cumulatively incremented and updated. Also, the AT control means 200 executes a difference number update process in which, in the second advantageous zone counter 197b, a difference value (difference number) obtained by subtracting the number of medals paid out from the game that has started an advantageous zone by the number of medals inserted is cumulatively recorded.

[0052] The AT control means 200 of the first embodiment, when controlling in a favorable zone, executes a game number update process in which, regardless of the game state, a value of "1", which corresponds to one game, is cumulatively added (updated) to the stored value of the first favorable zone counter 197a each time one game is played, and a difference number update process in which a value equivalent to the difference in the number of medals is cumulatively updated to the stored value of the second favorable zone counter 197b.

[0053] In addition, in the difference number update process for updating the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b, even if the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b becomes less than the value "0" when the paid-out number of medals in the game is less than the specified inserted number and the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b is subtracted, the AT control means 200 sets the subtracted result to the second advantageous zone counter 197b. In other words, the AT control means 200 is configured to be able to set a negative value to the second advantageous zone counter 197b.

[0054] When 4000 games have been played, that is, when the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 197a reaches the value "4000", the AT control means 200 determines that a specific end condition has been met as a predetermined end condition for terminating the advantageous zone, and executes a predetermined end process for terminating the advantageous zone and starting the normal zone from the next game.

[0055] In addition, when more than 2400 medals are won in the advantageous zone, that is, when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b exceeds the value "2400", the AT control means 200 determines that a specific end condition is satisfied as a predetermined end condition for ending the advantageous zone, and executes a predetermined end process for ending the advantageous zone and starting the normal zone from the next game. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, for example, when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b is a negative value of "-900" before the transition to the presentation state in which medals can be won, in the presentation state in which medals can be won, a total of 3301 medals can be won, including 900 medals until the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b becomes the value "0" and 2401 medals until the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b becomes the value "2401" or more.

[0056] In a predetermined initialization process, the AT control means 200 initializes all information used in various control processes in the favorable zone, such as each flag set to the ON state in the favorable zone and values ​​set in the favorable zone. The AT control means 200 can also end the favorable zone when a predetermined end condition (normal end condition) other than the specific end condition is met, and executes a predetermined initialization process and a predetermined end process even when the normal end condition is met. Details of the normal end condition set by the AT control means 200 in the first embodiment will be described later.

[0057] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in the first embodiment Next, the components of the slot machine 1 in the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0058] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the winning areas that are the subject of an internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, and the winning numbers associated with each winning area.

[0059] In addition, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment has, as a bonus, a regular big bonus (hereinafter, the regular big bonus is also referred to as "RBB") as a device for continuously operating a special device of the first kind.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 3, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery include the winning area "Replay A", the winning area "Replay B", the winning area "All small roles", the winning area "All 1-coin roles", the winning area "Bat order bell 1" to the winning area "Bat order bell 12", the winning area "Special small roles 1", the winning area "Special small roles 2", the winning area "Slip-up roles", the winning area "RBB & 1-coin roles", and the winning area "RBB", which are associated with the winning numbers 1 to 21, respectively. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with a non-win (miss) as a result of the internal lottery.

[0061] The winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12", the winning area "Special Small Winning Role 1", and the winning area "Special Small Winning Role 2" are configured so that, depending on the game status, the small winning role corresponding to the batting order among the operation modes of the stop buttons B1 to B3 can be won.

[0062] Here, the "batting order" refers to the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. In the following description, the timing at which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated is also referred to as the "operation timing."

[0063] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the batting order, which is the order in which the three stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, is composed 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 executed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3, which is called a so-called "scissors press". Batting order 2 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2, which is called a "scissors press". Batting order 3 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed 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 executed 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 executed 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.

[0064] For example, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" are set with operation modes (correct batting order) of stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable the player to win a small prize with a payout (9 coins) greater than the specified number of coins when the game state is in a bonus established state. Specifically, the correct batting order for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" and "Batting Order Bell 7" is set to batting order 1, the correct batting order for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 2" and "Batting Order Bell 8" is set to batting order 2, the correct batting order for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 3" and "Batting Order Bell 9" is set to batting order 3, the correct batting order for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 4" and "Batting Order Bell 10" is set to batting order 4, the correct batting order for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 5" and "Batting Order Bell 11" is set to batting order 5, and the correct batting order for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 6" and "Batting Order Bell 12" is set to batting order 6.

[0065] 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 with the largest winning number among the winning areas associated with the lottery value numbers toward the winning area with the winning number 0, which is a non-winner.

[0066] Here, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the role to which the carryover possible flag is associated is RBB, and the small role and replay are associated with the non-carryover possible 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 wins. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether or not the small role and replay are won, 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, the lottery flag 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 is set to an established state.

[0067] <Internal lottery table> The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment stores an internal lottery table A used in the non-RT state, an internal lottery table B used in the bonus establishment state, and an internal lottery table C used in the bonus state in the internal lottery table storage means 192 as the internal lottery tables used in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120. 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.

[0068] <Random number determination process> In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 of the first embodiment sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the lottery value numbers corresponding to 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 at the time when the internal lottery means 120 has finished subtracting all the lottery value numbers stored in the internal lottery table, it determines that none of the roles have been won.

[0069] <Arrangement of designs> 4 is a diagram showing each symbol arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, ten kinds of symbols are arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, including a white 7 symbol "white 7", a red BAR symbol "red BAR", a blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", a green BAR symbol "green BAR", a replay A symbol "RPA", a replay B symbol "RPB", a bell symbol "BL", a cherry symbol "CH", a watermelon symbol "WM" and a blank symbol "BK". Also, 20 symbols are arranged on the periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0070] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of the first 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 set 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 won in combination, the reel control means 130 executes stop control to give priority to the bonus and win the small combination or the replay.

[0071] As described above, the reel control means 130 is configured to be capable of rotating 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 capable of displaying stopped on the pay line L1 for the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 through the right reel R3 that are spaced four frames apart or less, regardless of the timing of the operation of the stop buttons B1 through B3.

[0072] Specifically, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to stop the watermelon symbol "WM" and bell symbol "BL" on the left reel R1, the watermelon symbol "WM", bell symbol "BL", and cherry symbol "CH" on the center reel R2, and the bell symbol "BL" on the right reel R3, regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3, if they can be stopped on the activated line L1.

[0073] In addition, 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, when either the replay A symbol "RPA" arranged at stop number 0 and stop number 15 on the left reel R1, or the replay B symbol "RPB" arranged at stop number 5 and stop number 10 can be stopped on the activated line L1, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to stop the replay A symbol "RPA" or the replay B symbol "RPB" regardless of the timing of operation of the stop button B1.

[0074] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, on the right reel R3, within the pull-in range (stop numbers 3 to 12) of the Replay A symbol "RPA" arranged at stop numbers 3 and 8, there are arranged the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" arranged at stop number 6 and the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" arranged at stop number 7, and within the pull-in range (stop numbers 0 to 2 and 13 to 19) of the Replay B symbol "RPB" arranged at stop numbers 13 and 18, there are arranged the blue BAR symbol "BLUE BAR" arranged at stop number 16 and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" arranged at stop number 17.

[0075] <Small prize winning combination> 5 to 7 are diagrams showing winning symbol combinations of small winning symbols 1 to 36 provided in the slot machine 1 and payouts of small winning symbols 1 to 36. FIG.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 5, the symbols constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor symbol 1 to minor symbol 16, which are set to a payout of 1 coin, which is less than the specified number of coins (3 coins), are as follows: the symbols on the left reel R1 are composed of a replay A symbol "RPA" or a replay B symbol "RPB", the symbols on the center reel R2 are composed of a combination of a white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" and a watermelon symbol "WM" or a combination of a green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" and a blank symbol "BK", and the symbols on the right reel R3 are composed of a combination of a replay A symbol "RPA", a replay B symbol "RPB", a white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" and a red BAR symbol "RED BAR", or a combination of a blue BAR symbol "BLUE BAR" and a green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR".

[0077] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the symbols that make up the winning symbol combinations of minor symbols 17 to 24, which are set to a payout of one coin, are configured such that the symbol on the center reel R2 is capable of being stopped and displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of operation of the stop button B2, and the symbols on the left reel R1 and the right reel R3 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 if the timing of operation of the stop button B1 and the timing of operation of the stop button B3 are such that each symbol can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and if the symbols are stopped at a timing other than the above timing, they will not be able to win.

[0078] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the winning symbol combination "BL-RPA (blue BAR)-WM (BK)" of the minor win 25 set to a payout of 1 coin and the winning symbol combination "BL-RPB (red BAR)-WM (BK)" of the minor win 26 set to a payout of 1 coin are configured such that the symbols on the left reel R1 and the symbols on the right reel R3 are composed of symbols that can win regardless of the timing of operation of the stop buttons B1 and B3, and the symbols on the middle reel R2 have a pull-in range consisting of 10 symbols out of 20 frames, and the pull-in range of the replay A symbol "RPA" or the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR" and the pull-in range of the replay B symbol "RPB" or the red BAR symbol "red BAR" do not overlap with each other.

[0079] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the symbols constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor symbols 27 to 30, which are set to a payout of one coin, can be stopped and displayed on the pay line L1 if any of the symbols on the left reel R1 to right reel R3 are operated at a timing when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated so that the symbols can be stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, but if the stop buttons are operated at a timing other than the timing, the symbols cannot win a prize.

[0080] 7, the symbols constituting the winning symbol combinations of the small winning combinations 31 to 36, which are set to a payout of 9 coins, which is a number greater than the prescribed number of coins (3 coins), are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less on each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Therefore, when the reel stop control is executed to enable the small winning combinations 31 to 36 to be stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, the small winning combinations 31 to 36 are configured to be stopped and displayed on the pay line L1 regardless of the operation timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0081] <Game state transition control means> FIG. 8(A) is a state transition diagram showing game states to which a transition can be made from each game state in the control relating to the transition of the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 of the first embodiment.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 8(A), the non-RT state is a gaming state (initial gaming state, normal gaming state) that corresponds to the initial state among a plurality of gaming states, and is a non-bonus state in which a bonus is not activated or established. In the non-RT state, the gaming state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table A in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0083] The bonus establishment state is a game state to which the game state is entered when either the winning area "RBB" or the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" is won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, and the RBB is set to the establishment state. In the bonus establishment state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table B in which the winning probability of replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0084] The bonus state is a game state to which the game state is transitioned when the RBB is activated by winning the prize. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 judges whether the termination condition of the activated RBB is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out, and when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined payout number (for example, 100 medals), the game state transition control means 170 terminates the bonus state by terminating the operation of the RBB, and transitions the game state to a non-RT state, which is a non-bonus state. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C.

[0085] In the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with the winning area "All Small Winnings", which is a winning area for winning all small winnings from Small Winnings 1 to Small Winnings 36, and the winning area "All 1 Coin Winnings", which is a winning area for winning all small winnings from Small Winnings 1 to Small Winnings 30, which have the payout set to 1 coin.

[0086] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, during the operation of the RBB, the probability of winning in the winning area "all small winning combinations" or the winning area "all single-card winning combinations" is higher than the probability of winning in any of the winning areas including small winning combinations in the gaming state where the RBB is not operating. And when the RBB is operating, the probability of winning in the winning area "all small winning combinations" is set to the same probability as the sum of the probabilities of winning in any two of the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 12" in the gaming state where the RBB is not operating.

[0087] Due to such a configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, in the gaming state where the RBB is operating, the winning probability of all small winning combinations increases compared to the gaming state where the RBB is not operating, and the probability of winning any small winning combination is also configured to be the same or increase.

[0088] Also, the slot machine 1 is configured such that during the operation of the RBB, the probability of winning in the winning area "all small winning combinations" is lower than the probability of winning in any of the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 12" (the winning probability obtained by summing the respective winning probabilities of the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 12").

[0089] With such a configuration, in the first embodiment, after reducing the lower limit of the expected value of the medal acquisition rate in the state where the RBB is operating to less than 100%, the medal acquisition performance regarding the state where the RBB is not operating can be designed, so that the design freedom of the slot machine 1 can be improved dramatically.

[0090] <AT control means> FIG. 8(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of the normal section and the advantageous section controlled by the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment, and the production state controlled during the advantageous section.

[0091] As described above, the normal period is a period during which control regarding the auxiliary game based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. The AT control means 200 executes an advantageous period lottery, which is a lottery that determines whether to end the normal period and start an advantageous period, based on the winning area that is won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, during the game within the normal period.

[0092] In the advantageous zone lottery, the AT control means 200 first obtains an advantageous zone transition lottery table, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous zone" and "miss (no win)" are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers, from the AT control data storage means 197. Then, the AT control means 200 obtains a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the obtained random number with the advantageous zone transition lottery table, and determines whether or not to start an advantageous zone based on the comparison result.

[0093] The AT control means 200 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.

[0094] The AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to execute a favorable zone lottery when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 12", the winning area "special minor role 1", the winning area "special minor role 2", or the winning area "replay A" is won in the internal lottery, and not to execute a favorable zone lottery when another winning area is won. Also, the AT control means 200 executes a favorable zone lottery that wins the "start of the favorable zone" with a high probability of about 1 / 1.5.

[0095] In the advantageous zone, the AT control means 200 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, it is configured not to execute the winning assistance of the small roles 31 to 36 when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 12" are won, and in the CZ state and the AT state, it is configured to execute the winning assistance of the small roles 31 to 36 when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 12" are won. Also, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that the ratio of staying in the advantageous zone during the entire game can be 70% or more.

[0096] The normal state is a presentation state (normal presentation state) that corresponds to a 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 200 executes incremental update to add a value "1" corresponding to one game to a normal game number counter (not shown) that 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 becomes a value "700", the AT control means 200 determines that a transition condition to the CZ state (CZ transition condition) has been established, and transitions the presentation state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0097] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the CZ state in a game in which a winning area not including an RBB is won in an internal lottery in the normal state. The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ lottery in which, when the winning area "special minor role 1" or the winning area "special minor role 2" is won in the internal lottery, the player is more likely to win the "transition to the CZ state" than when other winning areas are won, thereby increasing the probability of a favorable result for the player. When the "transition to the CZ state" is won in the CZ lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0098] In addition, if the winning area "Replay 2" is won in the internal lottery, the AT control means 200 executes a normal AT lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state, and if "Transition to AT state" is won, it determines that the transition condition to the AT state (AT transition condition) has been met, and transitions from the normal state to the AT state.

[0099] The CZ state is configured to be able to transition to the AT state with a higher probability than the normal state when control for determining whether or not to transition the presentation state to the AT state is executed as a control related to auxiliary games, 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 200 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (e.g., 10 games) to the CZ game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197, and executes a decrement update that subtracts the stored value of the CZ game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game each time a game is executed.

[0100] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ AT lottery for each game in the CZ state to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state. If the "transition to the AT state" is selected in the CZ AT lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the CZ state to the AT state after 10 games have been played since the start of the CZ state.

[0101] The AT control means 200 executes a CZ set number addition lottery to determine whether or not to add (add) to the number of times one set of AT state is executed for the AT state transitioned from the CZ state via the AT transition state during play until the CZ state ends after winning the "transition to AT state" in the CZ AT lottery.

[0102] 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 200 ends the CZ state and transitions the presentation state to the normal state.

[0103] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute the lottery for the auxiliary game executed in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, set number addition lottery during CZ) regardless of the result of the internal lottery. The AT control means 200 is configured so that, for the lottery for the auxiliary game executed in the CZ state, if the winning area "special minor role 1" or the winning area "special minor role 2" is won in the internal lottery, the probability of "not winning (missing)" is lower than when other winning areas are won, resulting in an advantageous result for the player (if the AT lottery is held during CZ, the probability of "transition to AT state" is higher).

[0104] The AT state is a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state, because when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" are won, the winning assistance of small prizes 31 to 36 is executed.

[0105] At the start of the AT state, the AT control means 200 sets an initial value (50 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games in an AT game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197, 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.

[0106] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute an add-on lottery to determine whether or not to add (add to) the period during which the AT state continues when the winning area "special minor role 1", the winning area "special minor role 2", or the winning area "replay 2" is won in an internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, by determining whether or not to add a value determined by lottery to the stored value of the AT game number counter, and to execute an add-on process to add the determined value to the AT game number counter when the value determined by the add-on lottery is 1 or greater.

[0107] When the stored value of the AT game number counter becomes "0" due to a decrement update performed each time a game is played in the AT state, the AT control means 200 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 regarding the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0108] In addition, when the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 197a reaches the value "4000" in the AT state, and when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b exceeds the value "2400" in the AT state, the AT control means 200 determines that the AT termination condition has been met, terminates the AT state, and determines that a specific termination condition among the advantageous zone termination conditions has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process of initializing information regarding the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0109] 3. Reel stop control in each game state Next, the reel stop control executed in each game state in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0110] <Game results when winning the winning area including minor winnings in each game state> Figure 9 (A) shows the game results for each operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 when winning areas "Batting Order Bell 4" to "Batting Order Bell 6", "Batting Order Bell 10" to "Batting Order Bell 12", "Special Small Winning Role 1", and "Special Small Winning Role 2" in non-RT state.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 9(A), in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 6", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 10" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 12", the winning area "Special Small Winning Point 1", or the winning area "Special Small Winning Point 2" is won in the non-RT state, any of the small winning points set to one winning payout has a 1 / 2 probability of winning regardless of the batting order of the stop buttons B1 to B3, and there is a 1 / 2 probability of none of the winning points winning (non-winning).

[0112] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12", the winning area "Special Small Winning Point 1", or the winning area "Special Small Winning Point 2" is won in the non-RT state, regardless of the hitting order of the stop buttons B1 to B3, any of the winning small winning points from small winning point 1, small winning point 3, small winning point 5, small winning point 7, small winning point 9, small winning point 11, small winning point 13, or small winning point 15 will win with a 1 / 2 probability, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that none of the winning points will win (non-winning).

[0113] Figure 9 (B) is a diagram showing the game results for each operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 6", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 10" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 12", the winning area "Special Small Winner 1", and the winning area "Special Small Winner 2" are won when a bonus is achieved.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 9(B), in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", "Batting Order Bell 5", "Batting Order Bell 10", or "Batting Order Bell 11" is won in the bonus established state, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with an incorrect batting order, any of the minor roles set to a payout of 1 coin will win with a probability of 1 / 2, and if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with a correct batting order, any of the minor roles set to a payout of 9 coins will win with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0115] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell 6" or the winning area "batting order bell 12" is won in the bonus establishment state, if the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are operated in the batting order 1 to the batting order 4, any of the winning small roles among the small roles 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 will win with a probability of 1 / 2, and when the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are operated in the batting order 5, any of the winning small roles among the small roles 25 and 26 will win with a probability of 1 / 2, and the small roles will be missed (non-winning) with a probability of 1 / 2. In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell 6" or the winning area "batting order bell 12" is won in the bonus establishment state, if the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are operated in the batting order 6, the small role 35 will win with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0116] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "special small win 1" or the winning area "special small win 2" is won in the bonus established state, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 to batting order 4, any of the winning small wins from small win 1, small win 3, small win 5, small win 7, small win 9, small win 11, small win 13, and small win 15 has a 1 / 2 probability of winning, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that no small win will occur (non-winning).

[0117] In slot machine 1, when the bonus is established and the winning area "special small prize 1" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6, any of small prize 2, small prize 4, small prize 6, small prize 8, small prize 10, small prize 12, small prize 14, and small prize 16 will win with a probability of 1 / 5, and if small prize 2, small prize 4, small prize 6, small prize 8, small prize 10, small prize 12, small prize 14, and small prize 16 do not win, any of small prize 1, small prize 7, small prize 9, and small prize 15 will win with a probability of 1 / 2, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that no small prize will win (non-winning).

[0118] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the bonus is established and the winning area "special small prize 2" is won, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6, any of the small prizes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 will win with a probability of 1 / 10, and if the small prize 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 do not win, any of the small prizes 3, 5, 11, and 13 will win with a probability of 1 / 2, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that no small prize will win (non-winning).

[0119] <Reel stop control for winning a small prize of 1 coin> Next, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the reel stop control executed when the winning area "batting order bell 6", the winning area "batting order bell 12", the winning area "special small win 1", and the winning area "special small win 2" are won will be described. In the following description, the small win 1, small win 3, small win 5, small win 7, small win 9, small win 11, small win 13, and small win 15, which are set to a payout of one coin less than the specified number of coins, are collectively referred to as small wins of the first mode, and the small win 2, small win 4, small win 6, small win 8, small win 10, small win 12, small win 14, and small win 16, which are set to a payout of one coin less than the specified number of coins, are collectively referred to as small wins of the second mode.

[0120] Figure 10 is a diagram explaining the patterns that can be stopped in the middle of the middle reel R2 that constitutes the pay line L1 depending on the timing of operation of the stop button B2 when a small win of the first type is won in a game in which the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12", the winning area "Special Small Winner 1", or the winning area "Special Small Winner 2" is won.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 10, the reel control means 130 of the first embodiment is configured to display a blank symbol "BK" on the pay line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated at a timing when the symbols arranged at the positions of stop numbers 0, 1, and 12 to 19 are displayed and rotated on the pay line L1, and to display a watermelon symbol "WM" on the pay line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated at a timing when the symbols arranged at the positions of stop numbers 2 to 11 are displayed and rotated on the pay line L1.

[0122] In other words, the reel control means 130 is configured to stop and display the blank symbol "BK" or the watermelon symbol "WM" on the activated line L1 in preference to the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" arranged on the middle reel R2 when a small symbol of the first mode is won when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12", the winning area "Special Small Symbol 1", or the winning area "Special Small Symbol 2" shown in Figures 9(A) and (B) is won.

[0123] Figure 11 is a diagram explaining the symbols that can be stopped in the middle of the middle reel R2 that forms the pay line L1 depending on the timing of operation of the stop button B2 in a game in which the winning area "special small prize 1" or the winning area "special small prize 2" is won and a small prize of the second type can be won.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 11, the reel control means 130 of the first embodiment displays the white 7 symbol "white 7" stopped on the valid line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated at a timing when the symbols arranged at stop numbers 6 to 10, which are within the pull-in range of the white 7 symbol "white 7", are displayed in rotation on the valid line L1, and displays the green BAR symbol "green BAR" stopped on the valid line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated at a timing when the symbols arranged at stop numbers 0 and 16 to 19, which are within the pull-in range of the green BAR symbol "green BAR", are displayed in rotation on the valid line L1.

[0125] In addition, when the stop button B2 is operated at a timing when the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" cannot be stopped and displayed, the reel control means 130 stops and displays the symbols that can be stopped, among the blank symbol "BK" and the watermelon symbol "WM", on the activated line L1.

[0126] In this way, the reel control means 130 of the first embodiment stops and displays the blank symbol "BK" and the watermelon symbol "WM" on the activated line L1 in preference to the white 7 symbol "white 7" and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" when stopping the center reel R2 in the reel stop control that allows the small combination of the first mode to be won. Also, the reel control means 130 stops and displays the white 7 symbol "white 7" and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" on the activated line L1 in preference to the blank symbol "BK" and the watermelon symbol "WM" when stopping the center reel R2 in the reel stop control that allows the small combination of the second mode to be won.

[0127] Figure 12(A) is a diagram explaining the symbols that can be stopped in the middle of the right reel R3 that constitutes the active line L1 depending on the timing of operation of the stop button B3 when the winning area "Special Minor Role 1" is won when a bonus is formed and the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 12(A), in the first embodiment, when the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the stop numbers 6 and 7 are being displayed in rotation, that is, when the white 7 symbol "white 7" reaches the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the replay A symbol "RPA", the reel control means 130 stops and displays the white 7 symbol "white 7" on the activated line L1 in priority to the replay A symbol "RPA".

[0129] In addition, when the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the stop numbers 16 and 17 are being displayed in rotation, which is the timing when the blue BAR pattern "blue BAR" reaches the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the replay B pattern "RPB", the reel control means 130 stops and displays the blue BAR pattern "blue BAR" on the activated line L1 in priority to the replay B pattern "RPB".

[0130] When the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the symbols of stop numbers 0 to 5, 8 to 15, 18, and 19 are displayed in rotation, that is, when the Replay A symbol "RPA" and the Replay B symbol "RPB" reach the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the white 7 symbol "white 7" and the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", the reel control means 130 stops and displays the Replay A symbol "RPA" and the Replay B symbol "RPB" on the activated line L1 in priority to the white 7 symbol "white 7" and the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR".

[0131] Figure 12(B) is a diagram explaining the symbols that can be stopped in the middle of the right reel R3 that constitutes the active line L1 depending on the timing of operation of the stop button B3 when the winning area "Special Minor Role 2" is won when a bonus is formed and the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 12(B), in the first embodiment, when the stop button B3 is operated at the timing when the red BAR pattern "RED BAR" reaches the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the replay A pattern "RPA" and the pattern with stop number 7 is rotated and displayed, the reel control means 130 stops and displays the red BAR pattern "RED BAR" on the activated line L1 in priority to the replay A pattern "RPA".

[0133] In addition, when the stop button B3 is operated at the timing when the green BAR symbol "green BAR" reaches the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the replay B symbol "RPB" and the symbol with stop number 17 is displayed in rotation, the reel control means 130 stops and displays the green BAR symbol "green BAR" on the activated line L1 in priority to the replay B symbol "RPB".

[0134] When the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the replay A symbol "RPA" and the replay B symbol "RPB" reach the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR", and the symbols with stop numbers 0 to 6, 8 to 16, 18, and 19 are displayed in rotation, the reel control means 130 stops and displays the replay A symbol "RPA" and the replay B symbol "RPB" on the activated line L1 in priority to the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR".

[0135] <Relationship between the winning of the first type of winning combination and the second type of small winning combination and gameplay> In this way, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6" or the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting orders 1 to 4, the replay A symbol "RPA" or the replay B symbol "RPB" is displayed stopped in the middle of the right reel R3, making it possible to win the first type of small winning combination. In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "special small win 1" or the winning area "special small win 2" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 to batting order 4, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6 and the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", the red BAR symbol "RED BAR", the blue BAR symbol "BLUE BAR", and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" are not stopped and displayed in the middle row of the right reel R3, the first mode of small win can be won.

[0136] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is capable of winning the first type of small role in both games in which the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6" or the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" is won, and in games in which the winning area "Special Small Role 1" or the winning area "Special Small Role 2" is won. This makes it difficult for the player to guess which role will be won in the current game, and prevents the player from figuring out the results of the internal lottery and adopting strategies unintended by the designer.

[0137] In addition, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured to execute reel stop control that allows the white 7 symbol "white 7" and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" to be stopped in the middle of the middle reel R2 when the winning area "special minor symbol 1" or the winning area "special minor symbol 2" is won, and execute reel stop control that prevents the white 7 symbol "white 7" and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" from being stopped in the middle of the middle reel R2 when the winning area "batting order bell 6" or the winning area "batting order bell 12" is won.

[0138] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment can stop and display any of the following symbols on the middle reel R2 among the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination of the minor prize in the first mode: the watermelon symbol "WM", the white 7 symbol "white 7" arranged within the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM", the blank symbol "BK", and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" arranged within the pull-in range of the blank symbol "BK". Therefore, the symbols determined as the winning symbol combination of the minor prize in the first mode can be displayed by the player's operation, and fairness in the game can be maintained.

[0139] In addition, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6" or the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" is won, in addition to the small win 35 and the small win of the first mode, the small win of the second mode is also won. However, regardless of the game state and the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3, the small win of the second mode is not won.

[0140] The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that if the winning area "special small win 1" and the winning area "special small win 2" are won, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6, and the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", the red BAR symbol "RED BAR", the blue BAR symbol "BLUE BAR", and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" can be stopped and displayed in the middle of the right reel R3, the second type of small win can be won.

[0141] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment can display the second type of minor role, which is won but does not win when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6" and the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" are won, when the winning area "Special Minor Role 1" and the winning area "Special Minor Role 2" are won, and can therefore display the second type of minor role by the player's operation, thereby ensuring fairness in the game.

[0142] 9(A), the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that, when the winning area "batting order bell 6" or the winning area "batting order bell 12" is won in the non-RT state, the small role 35 set to a payout of 9 coins does not win regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3. The slot machine 1 is also configured such that, when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 5" or the winning area "batting order bell 7" to the winning area "batting order bell 11" is won in the non-RT state, the small role set to a payout of 9 coins does not win, and when the winning area is won in the bonus establishment state, the small role set to a payout of 9 coins can win by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in the correct batting order.

[0143] In other words, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that the probability of winning a minor role set to a payout of 9 coins, which is more than the specified number of coins, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" are won is higher when the gaming state is in a bonus establishment state than when the gaming state is in a non-RT state.

[0144] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 can be designed to reduce the expected number of medals won when the game state is in a non-RT state, while increasing the expected number of medals won when a bonus is formed, thereby improving playability in the bonus state and increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0145] The winning areas "Batting Order Bell 6" and "Batting Order Bell 12" constitute the first winning pattern in the first embodiment, and the winning areas "Special Small Winning Point 1" and "Special Small Winning Point 2" constitute the second winning pattern in the first embodiment. In addition, the right reel R3 constitutes the specific reel and the first reel in the first embodiment, and the replay A pattern "RPA" and the replay B pattern "RPB" of the right reel R3 which constitute the winning pattern combination of the small roles of the first aspect, small role 1, small role 3, small role 5, small role 7, small role 9, small role 11, small role 13, and small role 15, constitute the first pattern in the first embodiment, and the white 7 pattern "WHITE 7", the red BAR pattern "RED BAR", the blue BAR pattern "BLUE BAR", and the green BAR pattern "GREEN BAR" of the right reel R3 which constitute the winning pattern combination of the small roles of the second aspect, small role 2, small role 4, small role 6, small role 8, small role 10, small role 12, small role 14, and small role 16, constitute the second pattern in the first embodiment. Batting order 6, which is the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that enables the player to win a small prize 35 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6" or the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" is won, constitutes a specific operation mode in the first embodiment.

[0146] In addition, the left reel R1 constitutes the second reel in the first embodiment, and the replay A pattern "RPA" and the replay B pattern "RPB", which are the patterns of the left reel R1 that constitute the winning pattern combinations of small win 1, small win 3, small win 5, small win 7, small win 9, small win 11, small win 13, and small win 15, constitute the third pattern in the first embodiment, and the center reel R2 constitutes the third reel in the first embodiment, and the center reel R2 constitutes the winning pattern combinations of small win 1 to small win 8. The white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" among the symbols and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" among the symbols on the middle reel R2 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of small win 9 to small win 16 constitute the fourth symbol in the first embodiment, and the watermelon symbol "WM" among the symbols on the middle reel R2 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of small win 1 to small win 8 and the blank symbol "BK" among the symbols on the middle reel R2 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of small win 9 to small win 16 constitute the fifth symbol in the first embodiment.

[0147] <Stopping mode when winning small prize 34 and small prize 36> Next, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" are won, the AT control means 200 executes the winning assistance, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order to win a small prize set to a payout of 9 coins, the patterns that are stopped and displayed in the specific area 330b will be explained using the example of winning small prizes 34 and 36.

[0148] 7, the winning symbol combination of the small win 34 is "WM-BL-RPA(RPB)", and the winning symbol combination of the small win 36 is "WM-BL-WM(BK)". Therefore, in the slot machine 1, when the small win 34 and the small win 36 are won, the watermelon symbol "WM" is stopped and displayed in the middle of the left reel R1 constituting the activated line L1.

[0149] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged on the left reel R1. As shown in FIG. 13, the watermelon symbols "WM" are arranged at the positions of stop numbers 2, 3, 8, 13, and 18 on the left reel R1. The watermelon symbols "WM" arranged at the positions of stop numbers 3, 8, 13, and 18 are arranged with an interval of 4 frames between them, so that the pull-in ranges do not overlap with each other. In addition, the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at the position of stop number 2 is a range in which a total of 5 frames of symbols are arranged, from the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at the position of stop number 2 to the white 7 symbol "white 7" arranged at the position of stop number 6.

[0150] Therefore, the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 2 is configured such that the range of one frame of stop number 2 overlaps with the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 18, and the range of four frames from stop number 3 to stop number 6 overlaps with the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 3. Also, the range of one frame of stop number 2 where the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 2 and the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 18 overlap, and the range of four frames from stop number 3 to stop number 6 where the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 2 and the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 3 overlap, do not overlap.

[0151] Due to this configuration, when the stop button B1 is operated at a timing when symbols within the range of stop number 3 to stop number 6 are displayed and rotated on the valid line L1, the reel control means 130 displays the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 3 as stopped on the valid line L1, and when the stop button B1 is operated at a timing when symbols within the range of stop number 2 are displayed and rotated on the valid line L1, the reel control means 130 displays the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 18 as stopped on the valid line L1. This makes it possible to prevent the probability of winning small prizes 34 and 36 from changing depending on the timing of operation of the stop button B1, even if the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 2 is controlled not to stop on the valid line L1.

[0152] In addition, in the slot machine 1, even if the bell symbol "BL" is arranged at the stop number 2 position of the left reel R1, the odds of winning the winning combination are not affected even if the control is executed not to stop the bell symbol "BL" like the watermelon symbol "WM", but the bell symbol "BL" being stopped and displayed in the specific area 330b may remind the player that a medal will be paid out, and the gameplay may be reduced by the symbol being stopped and displayed in the specific area 330b. In addition, in the slot machine 1, if symbols other than the watermelon symbol "WM" and the bell symbol "BL" are arranged, the odds of winning other combinations depending on the operation timing of the stop button B1 change, and the stop control of other combinations is affected. In the slot machine 1, ten types of symbols are arranged around the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3: a white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", a red BAR symbol "RED BAR", a blue BAR symbol "BLUE BAR", a green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR", a replay A symbol "RPA", a replay B symbol "RPB", a bell symbol "BL", a cherry symbol "CH", a watermelon symbol "WM" and a blank symbol "BK". Arranging an eleventh type of symbol at the stop number 2 position of the left reel R1 would be a configuration that violates the rules of gaming machines.

[0153] In this way, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 2 of the left reel R1 overlaps with the pull-in range of the watermelon symbols "WM" arranged at stop number 3 and 18, so that the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 2 is not stopped on the active line L1. However, the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 3 or the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 18, whichever can be stopped, is stopped and displayed on the active line L1. Therefore, the probability of winning a combination does not change depending on the operation timing of the stop button B1, and the watermelon symbol "WM" which has a negligible effect on playability when stopped and displayed in the specific area 330b can be arranged at stop number 2, making it easier to design the symbols arranged on the reels.

[0154] Fig. 14(A) is a diagram explaining the symbols arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are stopped and displayed in the specific area 330b when the winning area "batting order bell 4" and the winning area "batting order bell 10" are won, batting order 4 is announced as the correct batting order in the auxiliary game, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 4 to win the small winning combination 34. As shown in Fig. 14(A), in the slot machine 1, the winning combination of symbols "WM-BL-RPA(RPB)" of the small winning combination 34 is stopped and displayed in the middle of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that constitute the activated line L1.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 4, bell symbols "BL" are arranged on the periphery of the center reel R2 at stop numbers 3, 8, 13, and 18. Replay A symbols "RPA" are arranged on the periphery of the right reel R3 at stop numbers 3 and 8, and replay B symbols "RPB" are arranged at stop numbers 13 and 18. Bell symbols "BL" are arranged on the right reel R3 at stop numbers 4, 9, 14, and 19 below the replay A symbols "RPA" and replay B symbols "RPB" in the reel rotation direction, and the replay A symbols "RPA" and replay B symbols "RPB" arranged on the right reel R3 are stopped and displayed in the middle row of the right reel R3, so that the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed in the lower row of the right reel R3.

[0156] Fig. 14(B) is a diagram explaining the symbols arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are stopped and displayed in the specific area 330b when the winning area "batting order bell 5" and the winning area "batting order bell 11" are won, batting order 5 is announced as the correct batting order in the auxiliary game, and the small winning combination 36 is won by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 5. As shown in Fig. 14(B), in the slot machine 1, the winning combination of symbols "WM-BL-WM(BK)" of the small winning combination 36 is stopped and displayed in the middle of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that constitute the activated line L1.

[0157] As shown in Fig. 4, on the periphery of the right reel R3, watermelon symbols "WM" are arranged at stop numbers 5 and 10, and blank symbols "BK" are arranged at stop numbers 0 and 15. On the right reel R3, bell symbols "BL" are arranged at stop numbers 4, 9, 14, and 19, which are above the watermelon symbols "WM" and blank symbols "BK" in the reel rotation direction, and the watermelon symbols "WM" and blank symbols "RPB" arranged on the right reel R3 are stopped and displayed in the middle row of the right reel R3, so that the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed in the upper row of the right reel R3.

[0158] In the first embodiment, when the small prize 34 or small prize 36 can be won and the stop button B1 is operated, the reel control means 130 stops and displays the watermelon symbols "WM" arranged at the stop numbers 3, 8, 13, and 18 of the left reel R1 on the activated line L1. As a result, in the slot machine 1, the watermelon symbols "WM" arranged at the stop numbers 3, 8, 13, and 18 of the left reel R1 are stopped and displayed in the middle row, and the bell symbols "BL" arranged at the stop numbers 4, 9, 14, and 19 are stopped and displayed in the lower row of the left reel R1. In other words, the slot machine 1 is controlled so that the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 2 on the left reel R1 is displayed in the middle row, causing the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 3 to be displayed in the lower row of the left reel R1, and preventing the bell symbol "BL" arranged at stop number 4 from being displayed in the specific area 330b.

[0159] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the small winning combination 34 and the small winning combination 36, which are set to a payout of 9 coins, win, the winning symbol combination of the small winning combination 34, "WM-BL-RPA(RPB)", and the winning symbol combination of the small winning combination 36, "WM-BL-WM(BK)", are stopped and displayed on the activated line L1, and a symbol other than the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed in the left reel R1 and the middle row of the right reel R3. However, in the specific area 330b, when the small winning combination 34 wins, the lower row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the middle reel R2, and the lower row of the right reel R3, When minor winning combination 36 is won, the bell pattern "BL" is stopped and displayed on the bottom of left reel R1, the middle of middle reel R2, and the top of right reel R3. In other words, the bell pattern "BL", which the player associates with the payout of medals when it is stopped and displayed in specific area 330b, is stopped and displayed on each of left reel R1 to right reel R3, so that the gameplay can be improved by realizing the gameplay that suggests to the player that a medal has been won by the pattern stopped and displayed in specific area 330b.

[0160] The left reel R1 constitutes the specific reel in the first embodiment, the stop button B1 constitutes the specific stop button in the first embodiment, the specific area 330b constitutes the display window in the first embodiment, the watermelon symbol "WM" constitutes the first type of symbol in the first embodiment, and the bell symbol "BL" constitutes the second type of symbol in the first embodiment. In addition, the position of stop number 3 on the left reel R1 constitutes the first position, the position of stop number 18 constitutes the second position, and the position of stop number 2 constitutes the third position. In addition, the four-frame range of stop numbers 3 to 6 overlapping the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 2 and the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 3 constitutes the specific range and the first range, and the one-frame range of stop number 2 overlapping the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 2 and the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 18 constitutes the second range. In addition, small winning combinations 34 and 36 constitute the specific winning combination in the first embodiment.

[0161] 5. Summary of the First Embodiment As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 2 of the left reel R1 overlaps with the pull-in range of the watermelon symbols "WM" arranged at stop number 3 and 18, so that the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 2 is not stopped on the pay line L1. However, the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 3 or the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 18, whichever can be stopped, is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1. Therefore, the probability of winning a combination does not change depending on the operation timing of the stop button B1, and the watermelon symbol "WM" that has a negligible effect on playability when stopped and displayed in the specific area 330b can be arranged at stop number 2, which makes it easier to design the symbols arranged on the reels.

[0162] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the small winning combination 34 and the small winning combination 36, which are set to a payout of 9 coins, are won, the winning symbol combination "WM-BL-RPA(RPB)" of the small winning combination 34 and the winning symbol combination "WM-BL-WM(BK)" of the small winning combination 36 are stopped and displayed on the activated line L1, and a symbol other than the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed in the middle of the left reel R1 and the right reel R3. However, in the specific area 330b, when the small winning combination 34 is won, a bell symbol is displayed in the lower part of the left reel R1, the middle part of the middle reel R2, and the lower part of the right reel R3. The symbol "BL" is displayed as a stopped symbol, and when minor winning combination 36 is won, the bell symbol "BL" is displayed as a stopped symbol on the bottom of left reel R1, the middle of middle reel R2, and the top of right reel R3. In other words, the bell symbol "BL", which is displayed as a stopped symbol in specific area 330b and which the player associates with the payment of medals, is displayed as a stopped symbol on each of left reel R1 to right reel R3. This realizes a gameplay that suggests to the player that a medal has been won by the symbol displayed as a stopped symbol in specific area 330b, thereby enhancing the gameplay.

[0163] [Second embodiment] Next, a slot machine 1 of a second embodiment, which is a partial modification of the first embodiment, will be described. The slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured so that the positions of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1, the configuration of the winning area including the small winning combination that is won by the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the bonus established state, the small winning combination that can be won when the winning area including the small winning combination is won, and the patterns arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are different. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so that the components common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0164] 1. Configuration of the gaming machine The components of the slot machine 1 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0165] <Valid line> In the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, an upper, middle, and lower row are provided for each reel as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 330, and an activated line L1 is set for an activated line based on a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called prescribed insertion number (prescribed number), is set to three in any game state, and when medals equivalent to the prescribed insertion number are inserted, an activated line L1 consisting of the lower 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.

[0166] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the winning areas that are the subject of an internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, and the winning numbers associated with each winning area.

[0167] As shown in Fig. 15, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery include the winning area "Replay A", the winning area "Replay B", the winning area "All small roles", the winning area "All 1-coin roles", the winning area "Battle order bell 1" to the winning area "Battle order bell 8", the winning area "Common bell", the winning area "Slip-up role", the winning area "RBB & 1-coin role", and the winning area "RBB", which are associated with the winning numbers 1 to 17, respectively. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with a non-win (miss) as a result of the internal lottery.

[0168] <Arrangement of designs> FIG. 16 is a diagram showing each symbol arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, ten kinds of symbols are arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, including a red 7 symbol "red 7", a BAR symbol "BAR", a replay symbol "RP", a bell A symbol "BLA", a bell B symbol "BLB", a watermelon symbol "WM", a cherry symbol "CH", a blank A symbol "BKA", a blank B symbol "BKB" and a blank C symbol "BKC". Also, 20 frames of symbols are arranged on the periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0169] <Stopping mode when small win 1 is won> 17 is a diagram showing the winning symbol combination of the small winning combination 1 provided in the slot machine 1 and the payout of the small winning combination 1. In the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the winning area "common bell" is won, the small winning combination 1 is won, and the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" do not include the small winning combination 1.

[0170] As shown in FIG. 17, the winning symbol combination for minor win 1, which is set to a payout of 8 coins, which is more than the specified number of coins inserted (3 coins), is composed of "Red 7 (BAR, BKA, BKB)-BLA-WM (CH, BKB)". In a game in which minor win 1 can be won, the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination for minor win 1 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of operation of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0171] FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the pull-in ranges of the red 7 symbol "red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", and the blank B symbol "BKB" arranged on the left reel R1. As shown in FIG. 18, on the left reel R1, the red 7 symbol "red 7" is arranged at the positions of stop numbers 2 and 4, the blank A symbol "BKA" is arranged at the position of stop number 7, the BAR symbol "BAR" is arranged at the position of stop number 12, and the blank B symbol "BKB" is arranged at the position of stop number 17. The symbols arranged at the positions of stop numbers 2, 7, 12, and 17 are arranged with an interval of 4 frames between each other, and the pull-in ranges do not overlap with each other.

[0172] In addition, the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "Red 7" arranged at stop number 4 is the range consisting of a total of five symbols, from the red 7 symbol "Red 7" arranged at stop number 4 to the cherry symbol "CH" arranged at stop number 8.

[0173] For this reason, the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "Red 7" arranged at stop number 4 is configured such that the range of three frames from stop number 4 to stop number 6 overlaps with the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "Red 7" arranged at stop number 2, and the range of two frames from stop number 7 and stop number 8 overlaps with the pull-in range of the blank A symbol "BKA" arranged at stop number 7. In addition, the range of three frames from stop number 4 to stop number 6 where the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "Red 7" arranged at stop number 4 and the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "Red 7" arranged at stop number 2 overlap, and the range of two frames from stop number 7 and stop number 8 where the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "Red 7" arranged at stop number 4 and the pull-in range of the blank A symbol "BKA" arranged at stop number 7 overlap do not overlap.

[0174] Due to this configuration, when the stop button B1 is operated at a timing when symbols within the range of stop numbers 4 to 6 are displayed in rotation on the valid line L1, the reel control means 130 displays the red 7 symbol "RED 7" arranged at stop number 2 on the valid line L1, and when the stop button B1 is operated at a timing when symbols within the range of stop numbers 7 and 8 are displayed in rotation on the valid line L1, the reel control means 130 displays the blank A symbol "BKA" arranged at stop number 7 on the valid line L1, thereby preventing the probability of winning minor prize 1 from changing depending on the timing of operation of the stop button B1, even if the red 7 symbol "RED 7" arranged at stop number 4 is controlled not to stop on the valid line L1.

[0175] In addition, in the slot machine 1, the symbol arranged at the stop number 4 position of the left reel R1 can be configured so that even if the replay symbol "RP" is arranged and controlled not to stop like the red 7 symbol "red 7", it does not affect the winning probability of the winning combination. However, when the replay symbol "RP" arranged at the stop number 5 position is stopped and displayed on the lower part of the left reel R1 constituting the active line L1 when the replay wins, the two replay symbols "RP" are displayed side by side in the specific area 330b, which may make the player think that some kind of special offer is suggested when the replay wins, and the gameplay may be reduced by the symbols displayed in the specific area 330b. In addition, in the slot machine 1, if symbols other than the red 7 symbol "red 7" and the replay symbol "RP" are arranged, the winning probability of other roles depending on the operation timing of the stop button B1 changes, and the stop control of other roles is affected. In the slot machine 1, ten different symbols are arranged around the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3: the red 7 symbol "RED 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the replay symbol "RP", the bell A symbol "BLA", the bell B symbol "BLB", the watermelon symbol "WM", the cherry symbol "CH", the blank A symbol "BKA", the blank B symbol "BKB", and the blank C symbol "BKC". Arranging an eleventh symbol at the stop number 4 position of the left reel R1 would be a configuration that violates the rules of gaming machines.

[0176] In this way, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "red 7" arranged at stop number 4 of the left reel R1 overlaps with the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "red 7" arranged at stop number 2 and the pull-in range of the blank A symbol "BKA" arranged at stop number 7, so that even if the red 7 symbol "red 7" arranged at stop number 4 is not stopped on the pay line L1, the red 7 symbol "red 7" arranged at stop number 2 and the blank A symbol "BKA" arranged at stop number 7 are not stopped on the pay line L1. Since either the red 7 symbol "RED 7" or the blank A symbol "BKA" that can be stopped is displayed stopped on the active line L1, the probability of winning the winning combination does not change depending on the timing of operation of the stop button B1, and when the red 7 symbol "RED 7" at stop number 2 or the blank A symbol "BKA" at stop number 7 is displayed stopped on the lower row of the left reel R1 that constitutes the active line L1, the red 7 symbol "RED 7", which has a negligible effect on gameplay as it is not displayed stopped in the specific area 330b, can be arranged at stop number 4, making it easier to design the symbols to be arranged on the reels.

[0177] 19 is a diagram explaining the symbols arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stopped and displayed in the specific area 330b when the winning area "common bell" is won and the small win 1 is won. As shown in FIG. 19, in the slot machine 1, the winning symbol combination of the small win 1 "red 7 (BAR, BKA, BKB)-BLA-WM (CH, BKB)" is stopped and displayed on the lower row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the center reel R2, and the lower row of the right reel R3 that constitute the activated line L1.

[0178] As shown in Fig. 16, bell A symbols "BLA" are arranged on the periphery of the center reel R2 at stop numbers 1, 6, 11, and 16. Also, watermelon symbols "WM" are arranged on the periphery of the right reel R3 at stop numbers 1 and 6, cherry symbols "CH" are arranged at stop numbers 8, 13, 16, and 18, and blank B symbol "BKB" is arranged at stop number 19. On the right reel R3, a watermelon symbol "WM" is arranged at stop number 1 and 6, a cherry symbol "CH" is arranged at stop number 16, and a bell A symbol "BLA" is arranged at stop numbers 0, 5, and 15 above in the direction of reel rotation. The symbols arranged at stop numbers 1, 6, and 16 on the right reel R3 are displayed in a stopped state on the bottom row of the right reel R3, causing the bell A symbol "BLA" to be displayed in a stopped state on the middle row of the right reel R3.

[0179] In the second embodiment, the reel control means 130 stops and displays the red 7 symbol "red 7", the blank A symbol "BKA", the BAR symbol "BAR", and the blank B symbol "BKB" arranged at the stop numbers 2, 7, 12, and 17 of the left reel R1 on the pay line L1 when the small win 1 can be won and the stop button B1 is operated. In other words, the reel control means 130 is configured not to stop and display the red 7 symbol "red 7" at the stop number 4 on the pay line L1 when the stop button B1 is operated at the timing when the small win 1 can be won and the symbols at the stop numbers 4 to 8 of the left reel R1 are stopped and displayed on the pay line L1.

[0180] As a result, in the slot machine 1, the symbols arranged at the stop numbers 2, 7, 12, and 17 of the left reel R1 are stopped and displayed in the lower row, so that the bell A symbol "BLA" arranged at the stop numbers 11 and 16 or the bell B symbol "BLB" arranged at the stop numbers 1 and 6 are stopped and displayed in the middle row of the left reel R1. In other words, in the slot machine 1, the red 7 symbol "red 7" arranged at the stop number 4 of the left reel R1 is stopped and displayed in the lower row, so that the cherry symbol "CH" arranged at the stop number 3 is stopped and displayed in the middle row of the left reel R1, and the bell B symbol "BLB" arranged at the stop number 1 is controlled not to be stopped and displayed in the specific area 330b.

[0181] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the minor winning combination 1 set to a payout of 8 coins wins, the winning symbol combination of the minor winning combination 1 "Red 7 (BAR, BKA, BKB)-BLA-WM (CH, BKB)" is displayed on the activated line L1, and in the specific area 330b, the bell A symbol "BLA" or the bell B symbol "BLB" can be displayed in the middle of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. In other words, the bell A symbol "BLA" or the bell B symbol "BLB", which the player associates with the payment of medals when displayed in the specific area 330b, is displayed in the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, respectively. This realizes a gameplay that suggests to the player that medals have been won by the symbols displayed in the specific area 330b, thereby improving the gameplay.

[0182] The left reel R1 constitutes the specific reel in the second embodiment, the stop button B1 constitutes the specific stop button in the second embodiment, the red 7 symbol "RED 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", and the blank B symbol "BKB" constitute the first type of symbols in the second embodiment, and the bell A symbol "BLA" and the bell B symbol "BLB" constitute the second type of symbols in the second embodiment. Also, the position of stop number 2 on the left reel R1 constitutes the first position, the position of stop number 7 constitutes the second position, and the position of stop number 4 constitutes the third position. In addition, the three-frame range of stop numbers 4 to 6 overlapping the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "red 7" arranged at the position of stop number 2 and the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "red 7" arranged at the position of stop number 4 constitutes the specific range and the first range, and the two-frame range of stop numbers 7 and 8 overlapping the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "red 7" arranged at the position of stop number 4 and the pull-in range of the blank A symbol "BKA" arranged at the position of stop number 7 constitutes the second range. In addition, the small winning combination 1 constitutes the specific winning combination in the second embodiment.

[0183] 2. Summary of the Second Embodiment As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "red 7" arranged at stop number 4 of the left reel R1 overlaps with the pull-in range of the red 7 symbol "red 7" arranged at stop number 2 and the pull-in range of the blank A symbol "BKA" arranged at stop number 7, so that the red 7 symbol "red 7" arranged at stop number 4 is not stopped on the pay line L1. However, the red 7 symbol "red 7" arranged at stop number 2 and the blank A symbol "BKA" arranged at stop number 7 overlap with each other. Since either the pattern "BKA" or the blank A pattern "BKA", whichever can be stopped, is displayed stopped on the active line L1, the probability of winning the winning combination does not change depending on the timing of operation of the stop button B1, and when the red 7 pattern "RED 7" at stop number 2 or the blank A pattern "BKA" at stop number 7 is displayed stopped on the lower row of the left reel R1 that constitutes the active line L1, the red 7 pattern "RED 7", which has only a minor impact on gameplay as it is not displayed stopped within the specific area 330b, can be arranged at stop number 4, making it easier to design the patterns to be arranged on the reels.

[0184] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the minor win 1 set to a payout of 8 coins wins, the winning symbol combination of the minor win 1 "Red 7 (BAR, BKA, BKB)-BLA-WM (CH, BKB)" is displayed on the activated line L1, and the bell A symbol "BLA" or the bell B symbol "BLB" can be displayed as a stop symbol in the middle of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the specific area 330b. In other words, the bell A symbol "BLA" or the bell B symbol "BLB", which the player associates with the payment of medals when displayed as a stop symbol in the specific area 330b, can be displayed as a stop symbol in each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, so that the gameplay that suggests to the player that medals have been won can be realized and the gameplay can be enhanced.

[0185] [Other embodiments] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured not to stop and display the first type of symbols arranged at the third position of the specific reel on the pay line L1, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to stop and display the first type of symbols arranged at the third position on the pay line L1 when the gaming state is a bonus state and the symbols on the specific reel among the symbols constituting the winning symbol combination can win a combination composed of the first type of symbols.

[0186] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has a non-RT state as the first gaming state and a bonus establishment state as the second gaming state, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may be configured to have, for example, an RBB as an RBB in which a shift role is won and an RB (regular bonus) as a first type special role is activated when the shift role is won, an RBB operation general state in which the RBB is activated and the RB is neither won nor activated as the first gaming state, and an RBB operation RB establishment state in which the RBB is activated, the RB is won, and the RB is not activated as the second gaming state.

[0187] In addition, in the first embodiment, the reel control means 130 is configured to stop and display the white 7 symbol "white 7", the red BAR symbol "red BAR", the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" in the right reel R3 constituting the active line L1 before the replay A symbol "RPA" or the replay B symbol "RPB" in the case where the winning area "special minor symbol 1" and the winning area "special minor symbol 2" are won in the bonus establishment state and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6, but is not limited thereto. For example, in a case where the winning area "special minor feature 1" and the winning area "special minor feature 2" are won in a bonus established state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6, if the operation timing of the stop button B3 is a timing when the symbols within the pull-in range of the white 7 symbol "white 7", the red BAR symbol "red BAR", the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" are rotated and displayed on the effective line L1, the reel control means 130 may be configured to stop and display the white 7 symbol "white 7", the red BAR symbol "red BAR", the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" in priority to the replay A symbol "RPA" or the replay B symbol "RPB".

[0188] Also, in the first embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured so that when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6" or the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5, which is different from the correct batting order but in which stop button B3 is operated for the first stop operation which is the same as the correct batting order, a pattern different from the replay A pattern "RPA" or the replay B pattern "RPB" is stopped and displayed on the right reel R3, but this is not limited to the above. The slot machine 1 may be configured, for example, so that when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6" or the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order, the symbols on the right reel R3 for the small role set to a payout of 9 coins and the small role of the first mode are formed from a common first symbol, and when the first stop operation is performed with the stop button B3, the first symbol is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, making it possible to win the small role set to a payout of 9 coins and the small role of the first mode, so that when operated in batting order 5, the small role of the first mode is won, and when operated in batting order 6, the small role set to a payout of 9 coins is won.

[0189] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has a left reel R1 as a specific reel and a stop button B1 as a specific stop button, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may have a center reel R2 as a specific reel and a stop button B2 as a specific stop button, or may have a right reel R3 as a specific reel and a stop button B3 as a specific stop button.

[0190] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured not to notify whether or not it is in an advantageous zone, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to notify that it is in an advantageous zone when the expected medal acquisition value is 1 or more due to the assistance of the winning of a small winning combination.

[0191] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has a left reel R1 to a right reel R3 as a plurality of reels, and a stop button B1 to a stop button B3 corresponding to the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 as a plurality of stop buttons, but is not limited to this and may have, for example, a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0192] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of medals, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to have, in addition to the max bet button MB, a single bet button for inserting one medal.

[0193] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to insert and pay out medals as game value, but is not limited thereto. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to set the game value to an inserted state based on an insert signal output from a game value management device (dedicated unit) that is provided outside the slot machine 1 and has a configuration capable of recording the total number of game values ​​that a player can use for playing games by an electromagnetic method, and to output a payout signal to the game value management device when paying out the game value, and to electromagnetically record the game value corresponding to the payout signal on a predetermined recording medium in the game value management device. In other words, the slot machine 1 may be configured as a so-called medal-less gaming machine.

[0194] When configured in this way, the slot machine 1 is configured to have, for example, a credit number display means for displaying the number of credits corresponding to the amount of money inserted into the game value management device by the player. The slot machine 1 may also be configured to be capable of crediting a game value equivalent to a maximum of 16,368 medals, and when a game value exceeding 16,368 medals is credited, the game control means may be set to an error state, and the game value may be paid out by a method of recording electromagnetically on a predetermined recording medium via the game value management device, making it impossible to play (a state in which the game value is not set to an inserted state and the start operation of the start lever SL is not enabled) until the number of credits becomes 16,368 medals or less.

[0195] Also, when configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 may be configured not to set an upper limit on the number of plays that can be performed in the advantageous zone, or may be configured to only set an upper limit on the difference in the number of coins for a specific ending condition of the advantageous zone.

[0196] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the stored value of each counter and memory means as an initial value, and perform a decrement update in which one is subtracted each time a game is played, or an increment update in which one is added 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]

[0197] 1. Slot machines (amusement machines) 120 Internal lottery method 130 Reel control means 140 Winning Judgment Means 330b Specific area (display window) B1 Stop button (specific stop button) B2 Stop button B3 Stop button L1 Valid Line R1 Left reel (specific reel) R2 Middle reel R3 Right reel

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple reels and Multiple stop buttons a display window through which the plurality of reels can be viewed; An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery; a reel control means for controlling a rotation mode and a stopping mode of the reel; A winning determination means for determining whether a winning combination has been achieved, The winning determination is based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line. the plurality of reels includes a specific reel, the plurality of stop buttons includes a specific stop button corresponding to the specific reel, A first type of symbol and a second type of symbol are arranged on the specific reel, The first type of symbols are arranged at least in a first position, a second position, and a third position; The second type of symbols are displayed in a stopped state in the display window when the first type of symbols arranged in the first position stop on an active line and when the first type of symbols arranged in the second position stop on an active line; the reel control means stops, on an active line, symbols within a pull-in range corresponding to the position of the reel at the time when the stop button is operated; The pull-in range of the first type of symbols arranged at the first position and the pull-in range of the first type of symbols arranged at the third position overlap each other in a first range, The pull-in range of the first type of symbols arranged at the second position and the pull-in range of the first type of symbols arranged at the third position overlap each other in a second range, The first range and the second range do not overlap, The subject of the internal lottery includes a specific role, The symbols on the specific reels constituting the winning symbol combination of the specific combination are the first type of symbols, When the specific combination can be won and the specific stop button is operated at the timing when the symbols within the first range are being displayed in rotation, the first type of symbols arranged at the first position are stopped and displayed on the pay line, When the specific combination is winnable and the specific stop button is operated at the timing when the symbols within the second range are being displayed in rotation, the first type of symbols arranged at the second position are displayed stopped on the pay line, When the specific combination is won, the second type of symbols are stopped and displayed in the display window on each of the plurality of reels. A gaming machine characterized by:

Images