Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing interest by new game properties.SOLUTION: A Pachinko machine induces a jackpot game when jackpot determination performed with entry into a first start winning hole or a second start winning hole as an opportunity reaches a winning determination result. While the number of limit times is not imparted after a jackpot game in the jackpot game in which jackpot determination performed with entry into the first winning hole as an opportunity is imparted as a result of winning determination, the number of limit times is imparted after a jackpot game in the jackpot game in which jackpot determination performed with entry into the second start winning hole as an opportunity is imparted as a result of winning determination. More specifically, a type of privilege obtained in an imparted advantageous state differs between a winning type determinable based on entry into the first start winning hole and a winning type determinable based on entry into the second start winning hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine that is configured to create an advantageous state by making a specific judgment result based on a winning entry to an initial winning means. [Background technology]

[0002] A typical gaming machine, a pachinko machine, is provided with a game board in which a game area is defined in which pachinko balls (game balls) can flow down, a start winning hole (start winning means) in which the pachinko balls can win, and a display device (display means) such as a liquid crystal type or drum type that displays a pattern variation effect by varying the performance pattern (so-called decorative pattern), and is configured to start the pattern variation effect of the display device when a pachinko ball flowing down the game area wins the start winning hole. Then, when a winning judgment is made in response to the winning of a pachinko ball in the start winning hole, a predetermined winning display is displayed on the display device, and as a result, a winning game advantageous to the player is generated. In the winning game, a special winning device provided on the game board is opened to allow the player to win a large number of prize balls. Furthermore, in pachinko machines configured in this manner, many models have been proposed that have gameplay that gives the player an advantageous state, such as a special state or a time-saving state (a time-saving state), after the end of a winning game, compared to normal times (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-137760 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, simply providing advantageous states such as a sure-win state or a short-time win state, as in the pachinko machine of Patent Document 1, can lead to monotony and is not expected to increase the enjoyment of the game, so there is a demand for pachinko machines that can increase interest through new gameplay characteristics.

[0005] In other words, the present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems inherent in gaming machines related to conventional technology, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can increase interest through new gameplay characteristics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application provides: There are a first state and a second state that is more advantageous than the first state, When the game ball enters the first start winning means (31) or the second start winning means (32), which can win a prize, a judgment is made to have a specific result. The first The situation is more favorable to the player. The second In a gaming machine configured to be able to give a state, When the determination results in a specific determination result, The second A type determination means (60a) for determining a type of the state, The type determining means (60a) can determine The second There are different types of states with different expected rewards. The type determining means (60a) can determine when the winning judgment in the first start winning means (31) becomes a specific judgment result. The second The type of state and the type determination means (60a) can determine the type of state when the determination of the winning of the second start winning means (32) becomes a specific judgment result. The second The type of benefits granted varies depending on the type of status. As the above-mentioned privilege, the first privilege is a winning game, The first In this state, without going through the winning game The second There is a second benefit that gives the state of shortness, The above Grant the first benefit The second Status and The above Granting a second benefit The second The probability of determining the state is The above changes during play The gist of the invention is that the effect differs depending on the type of game state. In this way, it is granted SecondThe type of the benefit obtained in each state varies depending on the type of the start winning means that is won, which makes the game more exciting.

[0007] The present application includes the following technical ideas. The gist of the invention is that there is provided a difference in expected value due to the type of benefit that can be obtained in an advantageous state that can be granted based on winning the first start winning means (31) and a difference in expected value due to the type of benefit that can be obtained in an advantageous state that can be granted based on winning the second start winning means (32) that are different from each other. In this way, the difference in expected value due to the type of benefit may differ depending on the type of starting winning means that has been won, so that the game can be prevented from becoming monotonous and interest can be increased.

[0008] The present application includes the following technical ideas. a specific winning hole (33a) into which a game ball can enter when a specific judgment result is obtained from the winning judgment in the second start winning means (32); and a distribution means (35, SL3) for distributing the game balls that have entered the specific winning hole (33a) to either the specific area (34b) or the non-specific area (34a), The gist of the invention is that an expected value of a benefit obtained from an advantageous state given varies depending on whether the gaming ball passes through the specific area (34b). In this way, when the judgment on the winning of the second start winning means is a specific judgment result, the expected value of the bonus awarded differs depending on whether the game ball passes through the specific area or not, thereby preventing the game from becoming monotonous and increasing interest. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the gaming machine of the present invention, interest can be increased by providing new gameplay not available in conventional machines. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a front view showing the game board according to the first embodiment, showing an enlarged game information display device. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of a special prize section of the pachinko machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing types of big win states of the pachinko machine according to Example 1. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing some of the types of big win states of the pachinko machine according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a game board according to Example 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the types of big win states of the pachinko machine according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Next, a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, using a preferred embodiment. Note that the gaming machine will be described as a pachinko machine in which a game is played using pachinko balls (game balls) as a gaming medium. In the following description, the terms "front", "rear", "left" and "right" refer to the state of the pachinko machine 10 as seen from the front side (player side) as shown in FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified. EXAMPLES

[0012] (About Pachinko Machine 10) In the pachinko machine 10 according to the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, a middle frame 12 that detachably holds a game board 20 (see Fig. 2) described later is assembled so as to be openable, closable and detachable to the front side of the opening of an outer frame 11 that is formed in a rectangular frame shape and fixed to a mounting frame base (not shown) of a game parlor, and a performance display device (performance means) 17 that serves as a performance execution means for performing display performance is disposed on the game board 20. In addition, a front frame 13 that is configured to cover a window 13a that opens in the front and rear with a transparent plate 13b that protects the game board 20 so as to be see-through is assembled so as to be openable and detachable to the front side of the middle frame 12, and a lower ball tray 15 that stores pachinko balls is assembled so as to be openable and detachable below the front frame 13. In the first embodiment, an upper ball tray 14 that stores pachinko balls is assembled integrally to the lower position of the front frame 13, and the upper ball tray 14 is configured to be opened and closed integrally with the opening and closing of the front frame 13.

[0013] 1, an operating handle 16 for operating a ball launcher (not shown) disposed in the middle frame 12 is provided on the right side of the lower ball tray 15 on the front frame 13. This operating handle 16 has an operating lever 16a biased in a counterclockwise direction, and when the player rotates the operating lever 16a to rotate clockwise, the ball launcher is operated and the pachinko balls stored in the upper ball tray 14 are launched toward the game board 20. Here, the force of the pachinko ball hit by the ball launcher is changed depending on the amount of rotation of the operation lever 16a, and the player can operate the operation lever 16a to adjust the amount of rotation, so that the player can hit the pachinko ball in a so-called "left hit" in which the pachinko ball is made to flow down a first ball flow path 21a (described later) and in a so-called "right hit" in which the pachinko ball is made to flow down a second ball flow path 21b (described later) in a game area 21 (see FIG. 2) formed on the front side of the game board 20. In addition, a lamp device (light emitting means) 18 is arranged on the front frame 13 so as to surround the outer periphery of the window 13a, and speakers (sound output means) 19 capable of outputting sound are arranged on the left and right corners of the upper part of the front frame 13. The lamp device 18 is configured to light up or blink light-emitting bodies (not shown) such as LEDs, and to output appropriate sounds from the speaker 19, so that light emission and sound effects can be performed in accordance with the display effects on the effect display device 17. In other words, the lamp device 18 and the speaker 19 function as effect execution means capable of executing effects in accordance with the display effects on the effect display device 17.

[0014] A main control board 60 (see FIG. 3) that controls the game in an integrated manner is provided on the rear side of the middle frame 12 (the rear side of the game board 20). The main control board 60 is configured so that the main control CPU 60a provided on the main control board 60 executes various processes based on detection signals from various detection sensors (detection means) SE1 to SE5 provided on the pachinko machine 10, and outputs various control signals (control commands) according to the processing results. Also, on the rear side of the middle frame 12 (the rear side of the game board 20), a performance control board 65 (see FIG. 3) that controls the performance in an integrated manner based on the control signal from the main control board 60, and a display control board 67 (see FIG. 3) that updates the display contents on the performance display device 17 based on various image data (image data such as patterns, background images, letters, characters, etc.) stored in the storage means based on the control signal from the performance control board 65 are provided. The performance control board 65 is electrically connected to the lamp device 18 and the speaker 19 to directly control the light emission and sound performances, and is also electrically connected to the display control board 67 to indirectly control the display performance in the performance display device 17 via the display control board 67. In other words, the operation of the performance execution means such as the performance display device 17, the lamp device 18, and the speaker 19 is controlled by the performance control board 65 based on the control signal (control command) output by the main control board 60.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 3, the main control board 60 includes a main control CPU 60a that executes control processing related to games, a main control ROM 60b that stores a control program executed by the main control CPU 60a, and a main control RAM 60c that can write and read data required for the processing of the main control CPU 60a. The performance control board 65 includes a performance control CPU 65a that executes control processing related to performance, a performance control ROM 65b that stores a control program executed by the performance control CPU 65a, and a performance control RAM 65c that can write and read data required for the processing of the performance control CPU 65a. The display control board 67 includes a display control CPU 67a that executes control processing related to performance, a display control ROM 67b that stores a control program executed by the display control CPU 67a, and a display control RAM 67c that can write and read data required for the processing of the display control CPU 67a, and image data related to display on the performance display device 17 is stored in the display control ROM 67b.

[0016] Although not shown, a payout control board for driving and controlling the ball payout device, a launch control board for driving and controlling the ball launch device, etc. are arranged on the rear side of the middle frame 12. The payout control board is wired and connected to the main control board 60, and is configured to pay out pachinko balls corresponding to the number of prize balls specified by the prize ball payout command by controlling the ball payout device based on a prize ball payout command (control signal) from the main control CPU 60a of the main control board 60.

[0017] (Regarding game board 20) Next, the configuration of the game board 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The game board 20 is a transparent flat plate member made of synthetic resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and a guide rail 22 curved into a substantially circular shape is arranged on the front surface of the game board 20. Then, pachinko balls shot from a ball launching device flow down a game area 21 defined by the guide rail 22 and can win in winning holes 31a, 32a, and 33a described later. In addition, the game board 20 has attachment holes (not shown) that penetrate from the front to the back at appropriate positions, and various game parts are attached to each attachment hole from the front side. The game board 20 may be decorated by attaching a synthetic resin sheet or the like on which various patterns are drawn to the surface of a wooden board.

[0018] The game area 21 (board surface) is provided with a first start winning section (first start winning means) 31, a second start winning section (second start winning means) 32, and a special winning section (special winning means) 33, each having winning holes 31a, 32a, and 33a through which pachinko balls can win (enter), and is also provided with a large number of game nails. Therefore, the pachinko balls that reach the game area 21 change their flow direction irregularly due to contact with the game nails, and some of them win (enter) into the winning holes 31a, 32a, and 33a. In addition, an outlet 23 that discharges pachinko balls shot into the game area 21 is opened at the bottom position of the game area 21, and pachinko balls that flow down to the bottom of the game area 21 are discharged from the outlet 23 to the outside of the game area 21.

[0019] (Frame-shaped decorative body 25) A frame-shaped decorative body 25 with an opening 25a opening to the front and rear is attached to the game board 20 (board surface). The frame-shaped decorative body 25 has a eaves-shaped part 25b that protrudes forward from the front of the game board 20 to prevent pachinko balls from entering the inner circumference side (i.e., the opening 25a), and a thin plate-shaped base plate part 25c that extends from the rear end of the eaves-shaped part 25b toward the outer circumference. The performance display device 17 (display screen 17a) arranged on the rear side of the game board 20 faces the front side of the game board 20 through the opening 25a of the frame-shaped decorative body 25.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the frame-shaped decorative body 25 is present in the approximate center of the game area 21, so that the game area 21 branches into the left and right, forming a first ball flow path 21a, which is a path (movement area) for pachinko balls flowing down the left side of the eaves-shaped portion 25b, and a second ball flow path 21b, which is a path (movement area) for pachinko balls flowing down the right side of the eaves-shaped portion 25b. When the pachinko balls are made to flow down the first ball flow path 21a (when hit from the left), the possibility of winning in the first start winning section 31 is higher than when they are made to flow down the second ball flow path 21b, and when the pachinko balls are made to flow down the second ball flow path 21b (when hit from the right), the possibility of winning in the second start winning section 32 (and the possibility of winning in the gate 30 described later) and the special winning section 33 is higher than when they are made to flow down the first ball flow path 21a.

[0021] (Start-up prize winners 31 and 32) The first start winning section 31 has a first start winning port 31a open below the frame-shaped decorative body 25 so that it can always receive pachinko balls. On the other hand, the second start winning section 32 changes to an open state where pachinko balls can enter (enter) the second start winning port 32a and a closed state where they cannot enter (enter) by opening and closing the start opening and closing member 32b. That is, the second start winning section 32 is an open / close type winning section (variable winning section) that opens and closes the second start winning port 32a according to a predetermined opening condition and closing condition. In addition, the second start winning section 32 is equipped with a start winning solenoid SL1 (see FIG. 3) as a driving means that opens and closes (drives) the start opening and closing member 32b. The second start winning section 32 is arranged in a position in the second ball flow path 21b where pachinko balls flowing down the second ball flow path 21b can win with a high probability.

[0022] The first and second start winning sections 31 and 32 are provided with start winning detection sensors SE1 and SE2 (see FIG. 3) that detect pachinko balls that have won (entered) into the first and second start winning openings 31a and 32a. When the start winning detection sensors SE1 and SE2 detect pachinko balls (entry into the start winning openings 31a and 32a is detected), the ball payout device pays out a prescribed number of pachinko balls (prize balls). In the first embodiment, four prize balls are paid out for a win into the first start winning opening 31a, whereas one prize ball is paid out for a win into the second start winning opening 32a, making the first start winning opening 31a more advantageous in terms of the number of prize balls. In addition, in the main control board 60 (main control CPU 60a), the detection of the pachinko ball by the start winning detection sensors SE1, SE2 (establishment of the start condition) is used as a trigger to acquire start winning information (various random number values ​​described later), and based on this acquired start winning information, various judgments are made as to whether or not a specific judgment result will be obtained, such as a special winning judgment such as a big win judgment or a small win judgment, and a judgment as to whether or not to grant a c time reduction described later. Then, on the display screen 17a of the performance display device 17, a pattern change performance (display performance including a change display of a decorative pattern as a performance pattern) showing the result of the special winning judgment, etc. is performed, using the detection (start winning) by the start winning detection sensors SE1, SE2 as a trigger.

[0023] (About Gate 30) As shown in FIG. 2, a gate 30 is provided on the front surface of the base plate portion 25c located on the left side of the frame-shaped decorative body 25, facing the second ball flow path 21b, through which pachinko balls can pass downward. The gate 30 is provided with a gate sensor SE4 that detects pachinko balls passing through the gate opening of the gate 30. The gate sensor SE4 is electrically connected to the main control board 60 (see FIG. 3), and various information (random numbers for determining whether or not a pachinko ball is to be hit, which will be described later) is acquired in accordance with the input of a ball detection signal from the gate sensor SE4 to the main control board 60 (main control CPU 60a) (i.e., detection of a pachinko ball by the gate sensor SE4), and based on this acquired information, a determination is made as to whether or not to open the start opening / closing member 32b of the second start winning section 32 (a normal winning determination). Then, the start winning solenoid SL1 is driven and controlled according to the result of the normal winning determination, and the start opening / closing member 32b is opened and closed.

[0024] (Special Prize Division 33) The special winning section 33 includes a special winning port (ball entry port, variable ball entry port) 33a and a special opening / closing member 33b, and is an opening / closing type winning section (variable winning section) that opens and closes the special winning port 33a by the special opening / closing member 33b according to a predetermined opening condition and closing condition. The special winning section 33 includes a special winning solenoid SL2 (see FIG. 3) as a driving means, and opens the special opening / closing member 33b in response to the driving of the special winning solenoid SL2, thereby changing the special winning port 33a from a closed state in which pachinko balls cannot enter to an open state in which they can enter. The special winning section 33 is also provided with a special winning detection sensor SE3 (special winning detection means, see FIG. 3) that detects pachinko balls that have entered the special winning port 33a. When the special winning detection sensor SE3 detects a pachinko ball, the ball payout device pays out a prescribed number of prize balls (e.g., eight balls). The special winning port 33a is opened in the state of a big win game or a small win game. Note that a detailed description of the configuration related to the small win is omitted.

[0025] 4, the special prize winning section 33 is provided with a first passage (non-specific area) 34a and a second passage (specific area) 34b that communicate with the special prize winning opening 33a. In addition, the special prize winning section 33 is provided with a switching member 35 at a branching position where the special prize winning section 33 branches into the first passage 34a and the second passage 34b, which distributes pachinko balls that have entered the special prize winning opening 33a to either the first passage 34a or the second passage 34b, and is provided with a switching solenoid SL3 (see FIG. 3) as a driving means for operating the switching member 35. The switching member 35 is provided so as to be displaceable between a first position in which the first passage 34a is opened while the second passage 34b is closed, and a second position in which the second passage 34b is opened while the first passage 34a is closed, and the switching member 35 is displaced between the first position and the second position in response to the driving of the switching solenoid SL3, so that the pachinko ball is guided to one of the passages. In FIG. 4, the switching member 35 in the first position is shown by a solid line, and the switching member 35 in the second position is shown by a two-dot chain line. Here, in the special winning section 33, the switching member 35 is always held in the first position, and the switching solenoid SL3 is driven and controlled so as to displace the switching member 35 from the first position to the second position in a specific round during a specific big win game described later. In Example 1, the special winning port 33a of the special winning section 33 is a specific winning port through which a game ball can enter if the winning judgment for winning in the second start winning section 32 results in a winning judgment result, and the switching member 35 and the switching solenoid SL3 constitute a distribution means for distributing the game ball that has entered the specific winning port to either a specific area or a non-specific area.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 4, the special winning detection sensor SE3 is provided upstream of the branching position where the first passage 34a and the second passage 34b branch off, and a specific area passage detection sensor SE5 is provided as a ball detection means for detecting pachinko balls corresponding to the second passage 34b. The specific area passage detection sensor SE5 is wired and connected to the main control board 60 (main control CPU 60a) like the special winning detection sensor SE3 (see Fig. 3), and is configured to output a detection signal to the main control board 60 when the specific area passage detection sensor SE5 detects a pachinko ball.

[0027] Here, in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, whether or not to grant a later-described probability variable state advantageous to the player as a game state after a jackpot game is determined based on whether or not the pachinko ball that entered the special winning port 33a opened in a specific round game in a specific type of jackpot game (specific jackpot game) is detected by the specific area passage detection sensor SE5 (whether or not the pachinko ball passes through the second passage 43b as a specific area). That is, when the specific area passage detection sensor SE5 detects a pachinko ball in a specific round (the second round in the first embodiment) in a specific jackpot game (i.e., when the pachinko ball passes through the specific area), the main control board 60 (main control CPU 60a) is configured to determine the granting of the probability variable state after the specific jackpot game. In addition, in a specific round of a specific jackpot game, if the specific area passage detection sensor SE5 does not detect a pachinko ball (i.e., if the pachinko ball does not pass through the specific area), the main control board 60 (main control CPU 60a) is configured not to determine whether or not to grant a high probability state after the specific jackpot game (determines whether or not to grant a non-high probability state). In other words, the main control board 60 (main control CPU 60a) has a function as a specific state grant determination means that determines whether or not to grant a high probability state after the end of the jackpot game when the specific area passage detection sensor SE5 detects a pachinko ball during a specific round of the jackpot game. In addition, in the special winning section 33, the switching solenoid SL3 is driven and controlled so that the switching member 35, which has been displaced from the first position to the second position in a specific round of the jackpot game, is displaced from the second position to the first position on the condition that the specific area passage detection sensor SE5 detects a pachinko ball.

[0028] (About the game information display M) As shown in FIG. 2, a game information display M capable of displaying various game information is arranged on the game board 20. The game information display M includes a plurality of display units Ma, Mb, Mc, Md, Me, Mf, and Mg, and is electrically connected to the main control CPU 60a of the main control board 60, and the display contents (light-emitting mode) are controlled by the main control CPU 60a. The game information display M is arranged at a position outside the game area 21 on the front side of the game board 20 (in the first embodiment, the lower left of the game area 21). Note that the game information display M in the first embodiment is composed of a light-emitting display unit consisting of a plurality of LEDs whose display units Ma, Mb, Mc, Md, Me, Mf, and Mg can be individually controlled to be turned on and off, but a seven-segment display, a dot matrix, a small liquid crystal display, or other display means can be used as long as it can display or notify the corresponding information.

[0029] (Regarding the special chart display areas Ma and Mb) The game information display M is provided with special symbol display sections (symbol display sections) Ma, Mb which identifiably display special symbols (hereinafter referred to as special symbols) for notification indicating the result of a judgment (a judgment as to whether or not a specific result such as a special symbol hit judgment (jackpot judgment)) made upon a start winning (a winning entry into the start winning ports 31a, 32a) (see Figure 3). The special chart display units Ma, Mb are of two types: a first special chart display unit Ma as a light-emitting display unit composed of a plurality of LEDs (eight in the first embodiment) which starts a changing display (pattern change) triggered by a winning entry into the first start winning port 31a (detected by the first start winning detection sensor SE1) and then finally displays (confirms) one of a plurality of types of patterns (special patterns); and a second special chart display unit Mb as a light-emitting display unit composed of a plurality of LEDs (eight in the first embodiment) which starts a changing display (pattern change) triggered by a winning entry into the second start winning port 32a (detected by the second start winning detection sensor SE2) and then finally displays (confirms) one of a plurality of types of special patterns (hereinafter referred to as "special charts").

[0030] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, 100 types of special symbols as a jackpot display (jackpot pattern) that can recognize a jackpot and one type of special symbol as a loss display (loss pattern) that can recognize a loss are set in correspondence with each special symbol display section Ma, Mb as special symbols that can be displayed in each special symbol display section Ma, Mb, and one special symbol is determined according to the result of the special symbol hit judgment, and the determined special symbol is displayed as a fixed stop on each special symbol display section Ma, Mb as a result of the special symbol variable display. Then, when a special symbol as a jackpot display (hit display) is displayed in either of the special symbol display sections Ma, Mb, a game in a jackpot state corresponding to the jackpot display (jackpot game) is granted to the player. The jackpot game is an advantageous state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. In the first embodiment, the type of jackpot game to be awarded can be identified by the type of jackpot display (jackpot pattern) (pattern A, B, a, b described later) displayed on the special pattern display section Ma, Mb. The type of jackpot game will be described later. Note that the number of special patterns as jackpot patterns and loss patterns that can be displayed on each of the special pattern display sections Ma, Mb described above is an example, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0031] Here, the variation time of the special chart variation display in the special chart display section Ma, Mb and the type of the special chart to be displayed as stopped are determined based on the start winning information (the value of the acquired random number) acquired by the main control CPU 60a upon the detection of the pachinko ball by the first and second start winning detection sensors SE1, SE2. Specifically, the main control CPU 60a acquires the value of the special chart hit determination random number used to determine whether or not to grant a big win game (special chart hit determination), the value of the special chart determination random number used to determine the winning pattern (big win pattern) among the special charts (special chart 1 and special chart 2), and the value of the special chart variation pattern allocation random number used to determine the variation time of the special chart variation display and the type of performance in the pattern variation performance according to the detection timing of the pachinko ball by the first and second start winning detection sensors SE1, SE2, and stores them in the main control RAM 60c of the main control board 60. Then, the main control CPU 60a performs a special symbol hit judgment (jackpot judgment) as a hit judgment (winning judgment) according to the value of the special symbol hit judgment random number stored in the main control RAM 60c. In this special symbol hit judgment, if the jackpot judgment is a hit judgment result, the main control CPU 60a determines a special symbol as a jackpot pattern according to the value of the special symbol determination random number. Also, in the special symbol hit judgment, if the jackpot judgment is a miss judgment result, one type of special symbol indicating a miss is determined as the special symbol to be stopped and displayed.

[0032] (Regarding the special chart reservation display section Mc, Md) The special chart reserved display units Mc and Md are display units that display the reserved number of the start reserved information in a specific manner when the start winning information (various random number information) acquired when the start winning occurs is stored in the main control RAM 60c as the start reserved information (special chart reserved information). Here, the special chart reserved display units Mc and Md are composed of a first special chart reserved display unit Mc that displays the reserved number of the start winning information (various random number information) acquired when the pachinko ball enters the first start winning port 31a that the main control RAM 60c stores as the first start reserved information, and a second special chart reserved display unit Md that displays the reserved number of the start winning information (various random number information) acquired when the pachinko ball enters the second start winning port 32a that the main control RAM 60c stores as the second start reserved information, and each of the special chart reserved display units Mc and Md is composed of a plurality of light-emitting display units. A first special pattern reserved display section Mc is provided as a light-emitting display section composed of a plurality of LEDs (two in the first embodiment) that display the reserved number of the first start reserved information, and a second special pattern reserved display section Md is provided as a light-emitting display section composed of a plurality of LEDs (two in the first embodiment) that display the reserved number of the second start reserved information. That is, the number of reserved first special pattern variable displays and second special pattern variable displays (the number of pattern variable performances) is notified by the display contents of the first and second special pattern reserved display sections Mc and Md.

[0033] Here, the reserved number of the first start pending information displayed in the first special chart reserved display section Mc is incremented by 1 when a pachinko ball enters the first start winning hole 31a, and is decremented by 1 each time the first special chart change display (pattern change performance) is performed. Similarly, the reserved number of the second start pending information displayed in the second special chart reserved display section Md is incremented by 1 when a pachinko ball enters the second start winning hole 32a, and is decremented by 1 each time the second special chart change display (pattern change performance) is performed. Note that a predetermined upper limit number ("4" for both in the first embodiment) is set for the reserved numbers of the first and second start pending information, and it is set so that the reserved numbers of the first and second start pending information can be added up to the upper limit number.

[0034] (Regarding the Me section of the map) The game information display M is provided with a normal pattern display section Me as a light-emitting display section composed of multiple LEDs (two in the first embodiment) that finally stop display (confirm display) one of multiple types of patterns (normal patterns) after starting a variable display triggered by the detection of a pachinko ball by the gate sensor SE4 (passage of a pachinko ball through the gate opening (operating opening)). As the normal patterns (hereinafter referred to as "normal patterns") that are stopped and displayed on the normal pattern display section Me, multiple types of normal patterns as winning patterns that can be recognized as a normal pattern winning game state (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a normal pattern winning game) are set, and one type of normal pattern as a losing display (losing pattern) that can be recognized as a losing game is set.

[0035] The main control CPU 60a is configured to acquire the values ​​of multiple types of random numbers as the operation ball entry information when the gate sensor SE4 detects a pachinko ball, and to determine the variation time of the normal map variation display in the normal map display unit Me and the type of normal map to be displayed on the basis of the operation ball entry information (the acquired random number value). Specifically, the main control CPU 60a acquires the value of the random number for determining the normal map win used to determine whether or not to grant a normal map winning game state (normal map winning judgment), the value of the random number for determining the normal map winning pattern used to determine the winning pattern as the normal map, and the value of the random number for allocating the normal map variation pattern used to determine the variation time of the normal map variation display according to the timing of detection of the pachinko ball by the gate sensor SE4, and stores them in the main control RAM 60c. Then, a normal map winning judgment is performed according to the value of the random number for determining the normal map win stored in the main control RAM 60c, and if this normal map winning judgment is a result of a loss, one type of normal map indicating a loss is determined as the normal map to be displayed on the stop display. In addition, when the normal winning judgment is a winning judgment result, the normal winning pattern is determined according to the value of the random number for normal winning. Furthermore, the normal winning pattern that specifies the fluctuation time of the normal winning pattern display is determined from among multiple types according to the value of the random number for normal winning pattern allocation.

[0036] (Regarding the regular map reservation display section Mf) The regular map reserved display unit Mf is a display unit that displays the reserved number of the operation reserved information in a specific manner when the operation ball entry information (various random number information such as random numbers for determining a regular map hit) obtained when a pachinko ball passes through the gate 30 is stored as operation reserved information (regular map reserved information) in a storage means inside the machine (specifically, the main control RAM 60c). Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the regular map reserved display unit Mf is a light-emitting display unit composed of multiple LEDs (two in the first embodiment), and the number of times the reserved regular map has changed is notified by the display contents of the regular map reserved display unit Mf. The number of operation reserved memories displayed on the regular map reserved display unit Mf is incremented by one when a pachinko ball passes through the gate 30, and decremented by one when the regular map change display is started. Note that a predetermined upper limit number ("4" in the first embodiment) is set for the number of operation reserved memories, and it is set so that the number of operation reserved memories can be incremented up to the upper limit number.

[0037] (Regarding the status display section Mg) The display unit Mg is a display unit that distinguishably displays which of multiple types of game states the current game state in the pachinko machine 10 is in, and is composed of multiple LEDs (two in the first embodiment). Here, since the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment can generate multiple game states, which will be described later, the LEDs of the display unit Mg are lit in different lighting patterns (lighting positions, number of lights, lighting colors, etc.) to notify that each game state is occurring.

[0038] (About the special state) The pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment has a function of granting the first special game state as a game state (advantageous state) advantageous to the player after the end of the big win game. In the first special game state, the chances of the pachinko ball entering the special winning hole 33a can be increased by changing the probability of the special winning from a low probability to a high probability. In the following description, the first special game state will be referred to as the "probably-changing state" for convenience.

[0039] The probability variable function is a function that gives a probability variable state that changes the probability of winning a jackpot (jackpot probability) from low to high after the end of a jackpot game. A state in which the probability variable state is not given is called a non-probability variable state. In this way, when the probability variable state is given, the probability of winning a jackpot changes to a high probability, making it easier for a jackpot game to occur, so the probability variable state is advantageous for the player, and the player plays the game in the hope of winning a probability variable jackpot game. The period for which the probability variable state is granted can be set to a period from the end of a jackpot game until the next jackpot game occurs, or to a period from the end of the probability variable state until a predetermined condition (such as an upper limit on the number of times the special chart changes in the probability variable state) is met, and to a non-probability variable state on the condition that the predetermined condition is met. In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which the probability variable state is set to be granted continuously until the next jackpot game occurs in all jackpot games that grant the probability variable state after the end of a jackpot game. The probability variable state is one of the types of benefits that a player can obtain after the end of a jackpot game.

[0040] (About the short state) The pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment has a function of granting a second privilege game state as a game state (advantageous state) advantageous to the player after the end of a big win game. Here, the second privilege game state is a winning rate improvement state in which the chance of a pachinko ball winning into the second start winning hole 32a increases compared to a state in which the second privilege game state is not granted. Specifically, in the second privilege game state, the chance of a pachinko ball winning into the second start winning hole 32a can be increased by (1) shortening the variation time of the normal map variation display, (2) varying the normal map winning probability from a low probability to a high probability, and (3) increasing the opening time of the start opening / closing member 32b that opens the second start winning hole 32a for one normal map win. In the second privilege game state, the above (1) to (3) can be used alone or in combination. In the first embodiment, the second special game state is called the variable-time state, and the variable-time state in the first embodiment is set by combining the above (1) to (3). Also, a state in which the variable-time state is not given is called a non-variable-time state. That is, the variable-time state is a winning rate improvement state in which the winning rate of the pachinko balls into the second start winning hole 32a is improved, and is one of the types of special benefits that the player can obtain after the end of the big win game.

[0041] The pachinko machine 10 is configured to determine the number of times of change (hereinafter referred to as the number of times of shortening) at which the shortened state is generated according to the type of jackpot symbol (symbol A, symbol B, symbol a, symbol b). In Example 1, when the type of jackpot symbol is a predetermined symbol (symbol A in Example 1), the number of times of shortening granted after the end of the jackpot game is set to 70 times. Also, when the type of jackpot symbol is another predetermined symbol (symbol B, symbol a, symbol b in Example 1), it is set so that the shortened state is continuously granted until the next jackpot game occurs. Note that the period for which the shortened state is granted is not limited to the above.

[0042] The pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment is configured to be able to generate a "non-probability variable / non-short-time variable state" as a normal game state in which neither the probability variable state nor the short-time variable state is generated, a "probability variable / short-time variable state" in which both the probability variable state and the short-time variable state are generated, a "probability variable / non-short-time variable state" in which the probability variable state is generated but the short-time variable state is not generated, and a "non-probability variable / short-time variable state" in which the probability variable state is not generated but the short-time variable state is generated. In this case, the main control CPU 60a is configured to be able to distinguish each of the above-mentioned game states according to the set values ​​of multiple types of flags (probability variable flag and short-time variable flag) stored in the main control RAM 60c. The main control CPU 60a sets the value of the probability variable flag stored in the main control RAM 60c to "1" in response to the case of generating the probability variable state. That is, the set value of the probability variable flag is changed from "0" to "1" when the main control CPU 60a generates the probability variable state, and is returned from "1" to "0" when the probability variable state is ended. The main control CPU 60a also sets the value of the variable-shortened flag stored in the main control RAM 60c to "1" in response to the case of generating the variable-shortened state. That is, the set value of the variable-shortened flag is changed from "0" to "1" when the main control CPU 60a generates the variable-shortened state, and is returned from "1" to "0" when the variable-shortened state is ended. The main control CPU 60a also sets the set values ​​of the probability variable flag and the variable-shortened flag to "0" when the jackpot game is started.

[0043] (About the special rate limiter function) The pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment is provided with a probability variable limiter function for limiting the number of consecutive times that a player wins a probability variable jackpot game (a jackpot game in which a probability variable state is granted after a jackpot has ended) and the main control CPU 60a decides to grant the probability variable state to a preset limit number of times. The game state in which the probability variable limiter is activated (limit game state) is one of the types of benefits that a player can obtain after a jackpot game has ended. The number of times that a player wins a probability variable jackpot game and the granting of the probability variable state is determined may hereinafter be referred to as the number of probability variable jackpots (the number of times a predetermined condition is met). That is, the main control CPU 60a has a function as a probability variable counter capable of counting the number of probability variable jackpots, and the value of the probability variable counter is incremented by one each time a probability variable jackpot game is first won and a probability variable state is decided to be granted, and until the number of times reaches the limit number, the probability variable limiter is inactive, and the probability variable state is granted after the probability variable jackpot game ends, while when the value of the probability variable counter (the number of probability variable jackpots) reaches the limit number, the probability variable limiter is activated after the probability variable jackpot game ends at the limit number. Then, after the probability variable jackpot game that has reached the limit number ends, the game is forced to enter a normal game state. Also, when the value of the probability variable counter (the number of probability variable jackpots) reaches the limit number, the value of the probability variable counter (the number of probability variable jackpots) is reset (i.e., set to "0"). In addition, a jackpot game in which a player first wins a special jackpot game from a game state other than a special jackpot state may be referred to as a first jackpot game.

[0044] In the first embodiment, as described later, a plurality of limit numbers are set depending on the type of the jackpot game. Specifically, in the first embodiment, two limit numbers are set, "1 time" and "5 times". The limit number depends on the type of the first jackpot game. For example, even if a player wins a jackpot game with a limit number of "5 times" as the first jackpot game and then wins a jackpot game with a limit number of "1 time", the limit number will not be changed from "5 times" to "1 time". The type of the limit number is not limited to two, and three or more types can be set.

[0045] (About the jackpot game) Next, a jackpot game that occurs in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment will be described. The jackpot game is set to start after the jackpot pattern is displayed as a fixed stop on the first special pattern display section Ma or the second special pattern display section Mb as a result of the special pattern variable display, and the special opening and closing member 33b of the special winning section 33 is opened and closed depending on the type of the jackpot (jackpot pattern) that has been won. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the jackpot game ends after a round game in which the special opening and closing member 33b is opened once is performed a prescribed number of rounds (five or ten times in the first embodiment). One round game is set to end (a round end condition is established) when a prescribed number of pachinko balls (eight in the first embodiment) enter the special winning port 33a or a prescribed round time (25 seconds in the first embodiment) has elapsed from the start of each round game. In the jackpot game, an opening performance time is set before the first round of play starts, and an ending performance time is set after the last round of play ends. Also, an interval time is set as a waiting time during which the special opening / closing member 33b is kept closed from the end of each round of play in the jackpot game.

[0046] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, when the result of the special winning judgment performed based on the entry of pachinko balls into the first to second start winning holes 31a, 32a (establishment of the starting condition) is a winning judgment result, one of the multiple types of jackpot games (winning) with different values ​​given to the player is determined, and the determined jackpot game is generated (see FIG. 5). Here, which of the multiple types of jackpot games is generated is determined based on the type of jackpot pattern determined by the main control CPU 60a when the special winning judgment is won. In the first embodiment, 100 types of jackpot patterns (jackpot patterns of special pattern 1) that can be displayed on the first special pattern display unit Ma are classified into two groups, pattern A and pattern B, and a jackpot game according to the special pattern 1 as the jackpot pattern displayed as a fixed stop on the first special pattern display unit Ma is generated. In addition, in the first embodiment, 100 kinds of jackpot patterns (jackpot patterns of special pattern 2) that can be displayed on the second special pattern display section Mb are classified into two groups, pattern a and pattern b, and a jackpot game is generated according to the special pattern 2 as the jackpot pattern that is fixed and displayed on the second special pattern display section Mb. In the first embodiment, the main control CPU 60a functions as a jackpot type determination means (type determination means) that determines the type of jackpot from among multiple types when the jackpot determination (hit determination) results in a hit.

[0047] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, when the special symbol hit judgment triggered by the entry of a pachinko ball into the first start winning port 31a is a hit judgment result, one big win symbol classified into one of two types of symbols (symbol A, symbol B) is determined based on the special symbol determination random number obtained when the pachinko ball enters the first start winning port 31a. Specifically, when the judgment result of the special symbol hit judgment based on the first special symbol start pending information is a hit judgment result, the special symbol determination judgment value is assigned so that the symbol A is selected as the big win symbol with a 50% probability, and the symbol B is selected as the big win symbol with a 50% probability, regardless of the difference in the game state. In addition, in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, when the special symbol hit judgment, which is performed in response to the entry of a pachinko ball into the second start winning port 32a, is a hit judgment result, a single big win symbol classified into one of two types of symbols (symbol a, symbol b) is determined based on the special symbol determination random number obtained when the pachinko ball enters the second start winning port 32a. Specifically, when the judgment result of the special symbol hit judgment based on the second special symbol start pending information is a hit judgment result, the special symbol determination judgment value is assigned so that the symbol a is selected as the big win symbol with a 50% probability, and the symbol b is selected as the big win symbol with a 50% probability, regardless of the difference in the game state. Note that the distribution probability of the big win symbols described above is one example.

[0048] Here, in the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the types of jackpot games are roughly divided into specific jackpot games that can provide a high probability state after the jackpot game ends, and non-specific jackpot games that cannot provide a high probability state after the jackpot game ends. When the main control CPU 60a determines the specific jackpot game, the specific jackpot game and the non-specific jackpot game are set to drive the switching solenoid SL3 so that the switching member 35 of the special winning section 33 changes its position from the first position to the second position in a specific round (two rounds in the first embodiment) among the round games of the specified number of rounds, and the switching solenoid SL3 is set to drive the switching member 35 to maintain the first position in the specific round of the non-specific jackpot game. In this way, in a specific jackpot game, a pachinko ball can enter the specific area in a specific round, whereas in a non-specific jackpot game, a pachinko ball cannot enter the specific area. When the specific area passage detection sensor SE5 detects a pachinko ball in a specific round (2 rounds) of a specific jackpot game, it is determined that a probability variable state is given after the jackpot game ends.

[0049] In the pachinko machine 10 of Example 1, four types of jackpot games are set: a first jackpot game (first winning game state) corresponding to pattern A, a second jackpot game (second winning game state) corresponding to pattern B, a third jackpot game (third winning game state) corresponding to pattern a, and a fourth jackpot game (fourth winning game state) corresponding to pattern b.

[0050] (About the first big win game) As shown in FIG. 5, the first jackpot game corresponding to the jackpot pattern (special pattern) classified as pattern A operates the special opening / closing member 33b in a predetermined manner to open the special winning port 33a regardless of the game state (probable variable state and short-time variable state) at the time when the first jackpot game is determined. Specifically, the first jackpot game is a jackpot game in which the total number of round games is set to "7 times", and the prescribed number of winnings in each round game is set to "8". In addition, the first jackpot game is set so that the short-time variable state is continuously given after the end of the jackpot game until 70 pattern variation effects (special pattern variation display) are executed. In addition, the first jackpot game is set as a non-specific jackpot game in which the switching member 35 is held in the first position in a specific round (2 rounds).

[0051] (About the second big win game) As shown in FIG. 5, the second jackpot game corresponding to the jackpot pattern (special pattern) classified as pattern B is configured to operate the special opening / closing member 33b in a predetermined manner to open the special winning port 33a regardless of the game state (probable variable state and variable short state) at the time when the second jackpot game is determined. Specifically, the second jackpot game is a jackpot game in which the total number of round games is set to "7 times", and the specified number of winnings in each round game is set to "8". In addition, the second jackpot game is configured so that a variable short state occurs after the end of the jackpot game until the next win. In addition, the second jackpot game is configured as a non-specific jackpot game in which the switching member 35 is held in the first position in a specific round (2 rounds).

[0052] The types of jackpots (types of wins) classified into patterns A and B are games in which a probability variable state is not actually given after the end of a jackpot game, and the types of jackpots classified into patterns A and B are set so that the number of times of short-time play in the short-time play state, which is the second privilege game state that occurs (given) after the end of a jackpot game, is different. In other words, the types of jackpots classified into patterns A, which can be determined by winning in the first start winning section 31, and the types of jackpots classified into patterns B are set so that the number of times of short-time play, which is the expected value of the privilege obtained in the advantageous state that occurs (given) after the end of a jackpot game, is different.

[0053] (About the third big win game) As shown in FIG. 5, the third jackpot game corresponding to the jackpot pattern (special pattern) classified as pattern a operates the special opening / closing member 33b in a predetermined manner to open the special winning port 33a regardless of the game state (probable win state and short-time win state) at the time when the third jackpot game is determined. Specifically, the third jackpot game is a jackpot game in which the total number of round games is set to "10 times", and the prescribed number of winnings in each round game is set to "8". In addition, in the third jackpot game, after the end of the jackpot game, a short-time win state occurs until the next win, and the limit number of times is set to "5 times". In addition, the third jackpot game is set as a specific jackpot game in which the switching member 35 is displaced from the first position to the second position in a specific round (2 rounds).

[0054] (About the fourth big win) As shown in FIG. 5, the fourth jackpot game corresponding to the jackpot pattern (special pattern) classified as pattern b operates the special opening / closing member 33b in a predetermined manner to open the special winning port 33a regardless of the game state (probable variable state and variable short state) at the time when the fourth jackpot game is determined. Specifically, the fourth jackpot game is a jackpot game in which the total number of round games is set to "10 times", and the prescribed number of winnings in each round game is set to "8". In addition, in the fourth jackpot game, after the end of the jackpot game, a variable short state occurs until the next win, and the limit number of times is set to "3 times". In addition, the fourth jackpot game is set as a specific jackpot game in which the switching member 35 is displaced from the first position to the second position in a specific round (2 rounds).

[0055] The types of jackpots (types of wins) classified as patterns a and b are games in which a probability variable state may be granted after the end of the jackpot game, and therefore the bonus game states (game states such as probability variable state and short-time variable state) that may occur (be granted) after the end of the jackpot game are the same, but the limit number of times is different. In other words, the type of jackpot classified as pattern a, which can be determined by winning in the second start winning section 32, and the type of jackpot classified as pattern b have different limit numbers of times, which are the expected value of the bonus obtained in the advantageous state that occurs (be granted) after the end of the jackpot game.

[0056] Next, the flow of the game played on the pachinko machine 10 will be described in relation to the number of times limit as an example.

[0057] In the normal game state, as described later, "left hit" is advantageous to the player, so "left hit" is performed. In the situation where the "left hit" is being performed, if a pachinko ball enters the first start winning hole 31a, a jackpot determination is performed. If the first or second jackpot game is won in the jackpot determination, the game state becomes a non-probability variable / short-time variable state after the first or second jackpot game ends. In the non-probability variable / short-time variable state, as described later, "right hit" is advantageous to the player, so "right hit" is performed. If a pachinko ball passes through the gate 30 and is detected by the gate sensor SE4, a jackpot determination is performed when the pachinko ball enters the second start winning hole 32a by opening and closing the start opening / closing member 32b. When the third jackpot game is won in the jackpot judgment, the main control CPU 60a adds 1 to the value of the probability variable counter. That is, the number of probability variable jackpots becomes "1 time". The main control CPU 60a judges whether the probability variable jackpot count of the probability variable counter has reached the limit number, and if it has not reached the limit number, the main control CPU 60a sets the game state after the end of the third jackpot game to the probability variable / short variable state.

[0058] In the variable probability and short variable probability state, as described later, since "hitting to the right" is advantageous for the player, "hitting to the right" is continued. In the state where "hitting to the right" is being performed, when a pachinko ball passes through the gate 30 and wins in the normal winning judgment, and the start opening and closing member 32b opens and closes, the pachinko ball enters the second start winning hole 32a, and a jackpot judgment is performed. When the third or fourth jackpot game is won in the jackpot judgment, the main control CPU 60a adds 1 to the number of variable probability jackpots stored in the main control RAM 60c, and the number of variable probability jackpots becomes "2 times". Then, the main control CPU 60a judges whether the number of variable probability jackpots after the addition has reached the limit number. Since the limit number of times set when the first jackpot game is the third jackpot game is "5 times", the main control CPU 60a determines that the number of special jackpots has not reached the limit number of times, and sets the game state after the end of the third or fourth jackpot game to the special / short variable state.

[0059] In the variable probability / short variable state, the "right hit" advantageous to the player continues, and the jackpot determination is performed triggered by the entry of a pachinko ball into the second start winning hole 32a as described above. If the third or fourth jackpot game is won in the jackpot determination, the main control CPU 60a adds 1 to the number of variable probability jackpots stored in the main control RAM 60c, and the number of variable probability jackpots becomes "3 times". Then, in the situation where the "right hit" is being performed, if the fifth third or fourth jackpot game is won counting from the first third jackpot game, the main control CPU 60a adds 1 to the number of variable probability jackpots stored in the main control RAM 60c, and the number of variable probability jackpots becomes "5 times". Then, the main control CPU 60a determines whether the number of variable probability jackpots after the addition has reached the limit number. Since the number of chance jackpots after the addition is "5 times", the main control CPU 60a judges that the limit number has been reached, and after the end of the third or fourth chance jackpot game of the limit number, the game state is forcibly changed to the normal game state, and the chance jackpot number of the chance jackpot counter is reset (to "0 times"). In other words, if the first or second chance jackpot game is won, the player is given the right to be granted either five third or fourth chance jackpot games or one fourth chance jackpot game after the end of the first or second chance jackpot game.

[0060] Here, both the high probability state and the short variable state are easier to win in a jackpot judgment than the normal game state, and the game state to which the high probability state or the short variable state is given (high probability state / short variable state, non-high probability state / short variable state, high probability state / non-short variable state) is an advantageous state that is more advantageous than the normal game state. As shown in FIG. 5, the types of jackpot games (types of jackpots) that can be determined when a jackpot is determined by winning the first start winning section 31 include the first and second jackpot games with no limit number of times ("0 times"), while the types of jackpot games (types of jackpots) that can be determined when a jackpot is determined by winning the second start winning section 32 include the third and fourth jackpot games with a limit number of times ("1 time or 5 times"). The types of jackpot games that can be determined when a jackpot is determined by winning the first start winning section 31 and the types of jackpot games that can be determined when a jackpot is determined by winning the second start winning section 32 differ in the type of bonus (whether or not there is a limit game) that can be obtained in the advantageous state. In addition, the number of balls that a player can get in an advantageous state such as a high probability state or a short variable state after a jackpot game is one of the types of privileges that a player can get in the advantageous state, and the number of balls that can be got (number of balls put out) is the expected value of the privilege. In the first embodiment, the number of balls that can be got after a jackpot game when only a short variable state is given after a jackpot game based on winning the first start winning section 31 is different from the number of balls that can be got after a jackpot game when a high probability state, a short variable state and a limit game are given after a jackpot game based on winning the second start winning section 32, and it can be said that the difference in expected value due to the type of privilege that can be given based on winning the first start winning section 31 is different from the difference in expected value due to the type of privilege that can be given based on winning the second start winning section 32.Furthermore, the number of balls that can be acquired after the first jackpot game based on winning in the first start winning section 31 and the number of balls that can be acquired after the second jackpot game based on winning in the first start winning section 31 differ due to the difference in the number of short-time play times granted after the jackpot game, and it can be said that the expected value of the privilege obtained after the jackpot game is different depending on the type of jackpot game (type of jackpot) that can be determined based on winning in the first start winning section 31. Also, the number of balls that can be acquired after the third jackpot game based on winning in the second start winning section 32 and the number of balls that can be acquired after the fourth jackpot game based on winning in the second start winning section 32 differ due to the difference in the limit number of times granted after the jackpot game, and it can be said that the expected value of the privilege obtained after the jackpot game is different depending on the type of jackpot game (type of jackpot) that can be determined based on winning in the second start winning section 32.

[0061] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, the types of jackpot games (types of jackpots) that can be determined when a jackpot is determined by winning the first start winning section 31 are set to a first jackpot game with a number of shortening times of 70 and a second jackpot game in which the shortening state continues until the next time, and the number of shortening times, which is the expected value of the benefit obtained after the end of the jackpot game, is different. In contrast, the types of jackpot games (types of jackpots) that can be determined when a jackpot is determined by winning the second start winning section 32 are set to a third jackpot game with a number of limit times of "5 times" and a fourth jackpot game with a number of limit times of "1 time", and the number of limit times, which is the expected value of the benefit obtained after the end of the jackpot game, is different. In other words, the number of times the time limit is set and the number of times the time limit is set are the expected values ​​of the privileges that the player can obtain. In the first jackpot game (a type of jackpot classified as pattern A) and the second jackpot game (a type of jackpot classified as pattern B) that can be determined by winning the first start winning section 31, the types of privileges (short-time play) have different expected values ​​(number of times the time limit is set) that can be obtained in the advantageous state (non-certain variable / short-time play state) that occurs (awarded) after the end of the jackpot game. In the third jackpot game (a type of jackpot classified as pattern a) and the fourth jackpot game (a type of jackpot classified as pattern b) that can be determined by winning the second start winning section 32, the types of privileges (limit play) have different expected values ​​(number of times the time limit is set) that can be obtained in the advantageous state (certain variable / short-time play state) that occurs (awarded) after the end of the jackpot game. In addition, it can be said that the types of wins that can be won in the jackpot judgment (that can be determined by the win type determination means) have different expected values ​​for the benefits that can be obtained in the advantageous state that is granted.

[0062] (Regarding the performance display device 17) As shown in FIG. 3, the performance display device 17 is electrically connected to the display control board 67, and the display contents are updated by the control of the display control board 67. The display control board 67 is configured to control the contents of the display performance such as the pattern variation performance displayed on the performance display device 17 based on the control signal such as the performance pattern designation command output by the performance control CPU 65a of the performance control board 65 according to the performance pattern determined by the performance control CPU 65a. The display screen 17a of the performance display device 17 has a plurality of pattern rows (three pattern rows: left pattern row, middle pattern row, and right pattern row) set as pattern rows (pattern group display areas) that variably display the decorative figures that are the patterns for performance, and the decorative figures of each pattern row are variably displayed upon the start winning (winning at the start winning holes 31a and 32a). Then, the pattern combination of the decorative figures that is stopped and displayed (determined display) on the stop pattern effective line that combines the effective stop positions determined for each pattern row is derived. In the performance display device 17, after the display of the decorative figures (pattern change) starts, a predetermined decorative figure is displayed stopped (confirmed stop display) at a valid stop position after the change time specified by the special figure change pattern determined by the main control CPU 60a has elapsed. In addition, various display performances are performed in accordance with the display of the decorative figures. In other words, the pattern change performance (pattern change) performed by the performance display device 17 is a display performance (including the display of the decorative figure) displayed on the performance display device 17 during the display time of the decorative figure.

[0063] Here, in the first special chart display section Ma and the performance display device 17, the first special chart change display and the pattern change performance related to the first special chart change display are started simultaneously, and the special chart 1 and the decorative chart are stopped (determined stop display) simultaneously. Similarly, in the second special chart display section Mb and the performance display device 17, the second special chart change display and the pattern change performance related to the second special chart change display are started simultaneously, and the special chart 2 and the decorative chart are stopped (determined stop display) simultaneously.

[0064] In addition, the effect display device 17 displays a combination of symbols of decorative symbols corresponding to the special symbols (jackpot symbols and losing symbols) displayed as a result of the special symbol variable display performed in the first special symbol display unit Ma and the second special symbol display unit Mb. In the first embodiment, the symbol combination of the decorative symbols for the special symbols is not one-to-one, but is selected from among a plurality of symbols that have a common combination of symbols for a plurality of types of winning symbols as the special symbols, and is selected from among a plurality of symbols that have a common combination of symbols for a single losing symbol as the special symbol.

[0065] Here, as the symbol combination of the jackpot, a symbol combination (for example, "222", "777", etc.) in which the same decorative symbols are stopped and displayed at the effective stopping position of each symbol row is set. The symbol combination of the decorative symbols that allows the occurrence of this jackpot game to be recognized becomes a jackpot display (a jackpot symbol combination) that is displayed in response to the jackpot symbol displayed in the special symbol display section Ma, Mb described above on the performance display device 17, and after the symbol variation performance ends, a jackpot game advantageous to the player is granted. Then, a symbol combination of the decorative symbols that is different from the jackpot display becomes a losing display (a losing symbol combination) on the pattern performance display device 17.

[0066] In addition, in the pattern change performance, the same decorative figure is displayed in a specific pattern column (for example, the left pattern column and the right pattern column) among a plurality of pattern columns, and the remaining pattern columns (for example, the middle pattern column) are displayed in a variable display (reach display), so that the player can recognize that a reach has occurred. A specific example of a reach display is a pattern combination (such as "1↓1", "4↓4", etc.) in which the same decorative figure is displayed in the left pattern column and the right pattern column. Note that "↓" indicates that it is changing. In addition, in a state in which the decorative figures of the specific pattern columns (the left pattern column and the right pattern column) that form the reach display are displayed in a stopped state, the decorative figures of all the pattern columns are displayed in a stopped state (confirmed display) after the decorative figures of the remaining pattern columns (the middle pattern column) are displayed in a stopped state.

[0067] (Regarding the various bases 60, 65, 66, etc. provided in the pachinko machine 10) Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the specific board configurations and control contents of each of the control boards 60, 65, 66 provided in the pachinko machine 10 will be described in the order of the main control board 60, the performance control board 65, and the display control board 66.

[0068] (Regarding the main control board 60) The main control board 60 is equipped with a main control CPU 60a which executes control processing such as special drawing hit determination, a main control ROM 60b which stores the control program executed by the main control CPU 60a, and a main control RAM 60c which can write and read data necessary for the processing of the main control CPU 60a.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 3, the main control CPU 60a is electrically connected to various detection sensors such as the first start winning detection sensor SE1, the second start winning detection sensor SE2, the special winning detection sensor SE3, the gate sensor SE4, and the specific area passage detection sensor SE5, and is configured to input detection signals from each detection sensor and determine whether or not the detection signals are input. The main control CPU 60a is also electrically connected to various drive means such as the start winning solenoid SL1, the special winning solenoid SL2, and the switching solenoid SL3, and is configured to drive and control each of the drive means. Furthermore, the main control CPU 60a is electrically connected to a game information display M that displays various information related to the game, and is configured to control the display contents (light emission modes) of each display section Ma, Mb, Mc, Md, Me, Mf, and Mg provided on the game information display M.

[0070] The main control CPU 60a is set to acquire a random number for judgment as winning information when a pachinko ball enters the first start winning hole 31a or the second start winning hole 32a (when the first start winning detection sensor SE1 or the second start winning detection sensor SE2 detects a pachinko ball). Here, various random numbers such as a random number for special winning judgment, a random number for special winning determination, a random number for special winning pattern allocation, a random number for normal winning judgment, and a random number for normal winning determination are set as the random number for judgment (winning information) acquired by the main control CPU 60a. The main control CPU 60a updates these values ​​at a predetermined period (4 ms in the first embodiment), temporarily stores the updated values ​​in the main control RAM 60c, and rewrites the values ​​before the update, thereby acquiring a random number for judgment according to the timing when the detection signal of the first or second start winning detection sensor SE1, SE2 is input to the main control CPU 60a. In addition, the main control CPU 60a executes a timer update process for measuring time. In the main control RAM 60c, various information (random numbers, timer values, flags, etc.) that is appropriately rewritten during the operation of the pachinko machine 10 is stored (set).

[0071] The random number for special pattern hit determination is a random number used in hit determination (jackpot determination) of whether or not a hit game (jackpot game) occurs as a result of the special pattern change display (pattern change performance). In the first embodiment, a total of 65536 integer values ​​from "0" to "65535" are set as the random number for special pattern hit determination, and are updated by one at a predetermined cycle (4 ms). The random number for special pattern determination is a random number used when determining the special pattern 1 to be displayed as a fixed stop on the first special pattern display unit Ma or the special pattern 2 to be displayed as a fixed stop on the second special pattern display unit Mb according to the result of the jackpot determination. Here, in the first embodiment, a total of 101 integer values ​​from "0" to "100" are set as the random number for special pattern determination, and are updated by one at a predetermined cycle (4 ms). Each value of the special chart determination random number is set to a random number corresponding to one type of special chart display indicating a miss as described above, and a random number corresponding to 100 types of special chart displays indicating a big win, and the value of the special chart determination random number is set to specify the special chart 1 displayed as a fixed stop on the first special chart display unit Ma or the special chart 2 displayed as a fixed stop on the second special chart display unit Mb. That is, the value of the special chart determination random number obtained upon detection of the first start winning detection sensor SE1 specifies the special chart 1 displayed as a fixed stop on the first special chart display unit Ma, and the value of the special chart determination random number obtained upon detection of the second start winning detection sensor SE2 specifies the special chart 2 displayed as a fixed stop on the second special chart display unit Mb. As mentioned above, the special chart 1 and the special chart 2 as the jackpot patterns are classified according to the type of jackpot game, and by identifying the special chart 1 or the special chart 2, the type of jackpot game that will be awarded after the special chart change display (pattern change performance) ends is identified.

[0072] The special pattern variation pattern allocation random number is a random number used to determine one special pattern variation pattern from a plurality of special pattern variation patterns that specify the performance time in the pattern variation performance. In the first embodiment, a total of 251 integer values ​​from "0" to "250" are set as the special pattern variation pattern allocation random number, and the random number is updated by 1 at a predetermined cycle (4 ms).

[0073] In the pachinko machine of the first embodiment, the random numbers for special winning judgment, the random numbers for special winning determination, and the random numbers for special winning pattern distribution are temporarily stored in the main control RAM 60c and are acquired by the main control CPU 60a at the same timing when a pachinko ball enters the first start winning opening 31a or the second start winning opening 32a (the first start winning detection sensor SE1 or the second start winning detection sensor SE2 detects a pachinko ball). In addition, the random numbers acquired when a pachinko ball enters the first start winning opening 31a are the same as the random numbers acquired when a pachinko ball enters the second start winning opening 32a, and the main control CPU 60a acquires random numbers according to the timing of the entry into each start winning opening 31a, 32a.

[0074] The main control CPU 60a is set to acquire various random numbers as passage detection information when a pachinko ball passes through the gate 30 (when the gate sensor SE4 detects a pachinko ball). Here, various random numbers such as a random number for determining a normal winning number and a random number for determining a normal winning pattern are set as the random numbers acquired by the main control CPU 60a when the gate sensor SE4 detects the pachinko ball. The main control CPU 60a updates these random number values ​​at a predetermined period (4 ms in the first embodiment), temporarily stores the updated random number values ​​in the main control RAM 60c, and rewrites the values ​​before the update, so that the random number is acquired according to the timing when the detection signal of the gate sensor SE4 is input to the main control CPU 60a. The main control CPU 60a also executes a timer update process for measuring time. The main control RAM 60c is configured to store (set) various information (random number values, timer values, flags, etc.) that is appropriately rewritten during the operation of the pachinko machine 10.

[0075] The passing (entering) detection information (various random number values) acquired when a pachinko ball passes through the gate sensor SE4 is temporarily stored as regular game start pending information in a predetermined regular game memory area (storage area) of the main control RAM 60c. The regular game start pending information is stored in a regular game memory area in the order in which it is stored in the main control RAM 60c, and when the regular game start pending information is used to display regular game changes in the regular game display unit Me based on the regular game start pending information, the regular game start pending information is read out by the main control CPU 60a in the order in which it is stored in the main control RAM 60c.

[0076] The random number for determining a normal winning is a random number used in a normal winning judgment (normal winning judgment) for judging whether or not a normal winning is a normal winning (normal winning) that opens the start opening and closing member 32b of the second start winning section 32 as a result of the normal winning fluctuation, allowing a pachinko ball to enter the second start winning port 32a. In the first embodiment, a total of 65536 integer values ​​from "0" to "65535" are set as the random number for determining a normal winning, and are updated one by one at a predetermined cycle (4 ms). The random number for determining a normal winning pattern is a random number used to determine a normal winning pattern that determines the fluctuation time of the normal winning in the normal winning display. In the first embodiment, a total of 9 integer values ​​from "0" to "8" are set as the random number for allocating a normal winning pattern, and are updated one by one at a predetermined cycle (4 ms). Then, when a pachinko ball passes through the gate 30 (when the gate sensor SE4 detects a pachinko ball), the main control CPU 60a acquires the passage detection information (random numbers for determining whether a pachinko ball has been won and random numbers for determining a pachinko ball fluctuation pattern, etc.) temporarily stored in the main control RAM 60c at the same timing.

[0077] (About the judgment value) On the other hand, the main control ROM 60b stores a jackpot determination value indicating that a jackpot game will occur as a result of the special pattern change display (pattern change performance). The jackpot determination value is a determination value used in determining whether or not a jackpot has occurred (jackpot determination) using the special pattern hit determination random number, and a predetermined number of determination values ​​are set from a total of 65536 integers from "0" to "65535" that the special pattern hit determination random number can take. Here, the number of jackpot determination values ​​set differs depending on whether or not the aforementioned high probability state is given at the time of performing the jackpot determination. Specifically, the number of jackpot determination values ​​set in the high probability state (in the first embodiment, the number at which the probability of winning a jackpot is 1 / 91.40) is set to be greater than the number of jackpot determination values ​​set in the non-high probability state (in the first embodiment, the number at which the probability of winning a jackpot is 1 / 199.00). In other words, by increasing the number of jackpot determination values ​​set in the special probability state, jackpot play becomes more likely to occur.

[0078] In addition, the main control ROM 60b stores a special symbol determination judgment value. The special symbol determination judgment value is a judgment value that determines, when the judgment result of the jackpot judgment is a hit, the special symbol 1 as the jackpot symbol to be displayed as a fixed stop on the first special symbol display unit Ma or the special symbol 2 as the jackpot symbol to be displayed as a fixed stop on the second special symbol display unit Mb, using a special symbol determination random number. Here, in the first embodiment, the special symbol determination judgment value is set to an integer value of "0" to "100" corresponding to the above-mentioned 101 types of special symbol determination random numbers, and the special symbol 1 and the special symbol 2 are individually associated with each of the special symbol determination judgment values.

[0079] The main control ROM 60b stores a normal winning judgment value indicating that a normal winning game will occur as a result of the normal winning display. The normal winning judgment value is a judgment value used to judge whether or not a normal winning game has occurred (normal winning judgment) using the normal winning judgment random number, and a predetermined number of judgment values ​​are set from a total of 65536 integers from "0" to "65535" that the normal winning judgment random number can take. Here, the normal winning judgment value has a different number of judgment values ​​set depending on whether or not the above-mentioned variable short state is given at the time of performing the normal winning judgment. Specifically, the number of normal winning judgment values ​​set in the variable short state (65535 in the first embodiment) is set to be greater than the number of normal winning judgment values ​​set in the non-variable short state (1125 in the first embodiment). In other words, by increasing the number of settings of the normal winning judgment value in the variable short state, it becomes easier for a normal winning game to occur.

[0080] The main control ROM 60b stores a plurality of types of special chart change patterns (change patterns) that specify the change contents, and a special chart change pattern distribution judgment value is stored corresponding to each special chart change pattern. Here, the special chart change pattern specifies the basic base content of the display contents (contents of the special chart change display, display contents of the pattern change performance, light emission performance mode, sound performance mode) that are executed from the start of the first special chart change display or the second special chart change display until the fixed stop display. In addition, the special chart change pattern specifies the change time (time of the special chart change display and the pattern change performance) from the start of the first special chart change display or the second special chart change display until the fixed stop display of the special chart 1 or the special chart 2. The special chart change pattern distribution judgment value is a judgment value used to determine the special chart change pattern using the special chart change pattern distribution random number, and a predetermined judgment value is assigned to each special chart change pattern, and the special chart change pattern to which the special chart change pattern distribution judgment value corresponding to the acquired special chart change pattern distribution random number is assigned is specified.

[0081] The special pattern variation patterns stored in the main control ROM 60b are classified into special pattern variation patterns for winning and special pattern variation patterns for losing, and a specific special pattern variation pattern allocation judgment value is determined for each special pattern variation pattern according to the game state. The special pattern variation pattern for winning is a special pattern variation pattern that can be determined when the result of the jackpot judgment is a winning result. The special pattern variation pattern for losing is a special pattern variation pattern that is selected when the result of the winning judgment (jackpot judgment) is a losing result. The special pattern variation pattern for losing includes a reach-miss special pattern variation pattern that finally results in a losing result after a reach performance is performed, and a losing special pattern variation pattern that results in a losing result without forming a reach. The reach performance is a performance that is performed from when a pattern combination of effective patterns that will be a reach display in the pattern change performance is displayed on the performance display device 17 until a pattern combination of decorative patterns that will be a winning display (jackpot display) or a losing display is stopped and displayed.

[0082] The special pattern variation pattern that the main control CPU 60a can determine is determined for each game state, and the main control CPU 60a determines one special pattern variation pattern from the types of special pattern variation patterns (variation patterns) determined for each game state, so that a pattern variation (special pattern variation display and pattern variation performance) specific to each game state is executed. Specifically, the number of allocations of special pattern variation pattern allocation judgment values ​​for each special pattern variation pattern set in the main control ROM 60b is determined for each special pattern variation pattern table corresponding to the game state, and the main control CPU 60a determines a special pattern variation pattern corresponding to the acquired special pattern variation pattern allocation random number from the special pattern variation pattern table referenced in each game state.

[0083] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, a first special chart change pattern table (change pattern table) in which the main control CPU 60a determines a special chart change pattern based on winning in the first start winning section 31 in the normal game state, the probability change / non-short-change state, the probability change / short-change state, and the non-probability change / short-change state, which are set as game states, and a second special chart change pattern table (change pattern table) in which the main control CPU 60a determines a special chart change pattern based on winning in the second start winning section 32 in the case of each of the game states are set. In each special chart change pattern table, a loss special chart change pattern, a reach loss special chart change pattern, and a big win special chart change pattern are set as special chart change patterns for losses, and a special chart change pattern allocation judgment value is assigned to these special chart change patterns.

[0084] When comparing the determination ratio and change time of each special chart change pattern set in the first special chart change pattern table with the determination ratio and change time of each special chart change pattern set in the second special chart change pattern table, in the normal game state and in the high probability / non-short variable state, it is set so that it is more advantageous for the player to aim for winning in the first start winning section 31 by "hitting from the left," and in the high probability / short variable state and non-high probability / short variable state, it is set so that it is more advantageous for the player to aim for winning in the second start winning section 32 by "hitting from the right." For example, the change time of the special chart change pattern determined from the second special chart change pattern table when a player hits "to the right" in the normal game state and wins the second start winning section 32 is set to be much longer than the change time of the special chart change pattern determined from the first special chart change pattern table when a player hits "to the left" in the normal game state and wins the first start winning section 31, and conversely, the change time of the special chart change pattern determined from the first special chart change pattern table when a player hits "to the left" in the special rate / short-change state and wins the first start winning section 31 is set to be much longer than the change time of the special chart change pattern determined from the second special chart change pattern table when a player hits "to the right" in the special rate / short-change state and wins the second start winning section 32. In addition, in the high probability / short variable state and non-high probability / short variable state, the winning rate is improved in which the chances of the pachinko ball entering the second starting winning port 32a are increased, so in the high probability / short variable state and non-high probability / short variable state, it is advantageous to hit from the right.

[0085] (Function of Example 1) Next, the actions and effects of the above-mentioned first embodiment will be described.

[0086] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, in the first or second jackpot game (type of jackpot) that can be determined when the winning judgment in the first start winning section 31 is a winning judgment result, the limit number of times is not given after the jackpot game ends, whereas in the third or fourth jackpot game (type of jackpot) that can be determined when the winning judgment in the second start winning section 32 is a winning judgment result, the limit number of times is set to be given after the jackpot game ends. In other words, the new gameplay in which the type of benefit obtained in an advantageous state after the jackpot game ends differs depending on the type of the winning start winning means 31, 32, can increase the interest in the game. In other words, the type of bonus granted after the end of a jackpot game differs depending on the type of special symbol that is determined to be a winning symbol when it wins the first start winning section 31, and the type of bonus granted after the end of a jackpot game differs depending on the type of special symbol that is determined to be a winning symbol when it wins the second start winning section 32, thereby increasing interest in the type of special symbol that is a winning symbol and improving the enjoyment of the game. In addition, the number of balls that can be acquired in an advantageous state after a jackpot game by a type of jackpot game that does not have a limit number of times to be granted after the end of the jackpot game, such as the type of jackpot game (type of jackpot) that can be determined when a winning judgment is made by winning the first start winning section 31, is smaller than the number of balls that can be acquired in an advantageous state after a jackpot game by a type of jackpot game that has a limit number of times to be granted after the end of the jackpot game, such as the type of jackpot game (type of jackpot) that can be determined when a winning judgment is made by winning the second start winning section 32. In other words, the difference in the limit number of times and the difference in the number of balls that can be acquired are due to the difference in the expected value of the privilege, so that the difference in the expected value due to the type of privilege obtained in an advantageous state that can be granted based on winning the first start winning section 31 is different from the difference in the expected value due to the type of privilege obtained in an advantageous state that can be granted based on winning the second start winning section 32, and therefore it is possible to prevent the game from becoming monotonous and improve interest.

[0087] In the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment, if the first or second jackpot game is won in the normal game state, the game state will be in a non-variable / short-time variable state after the jackpot game ends, so if the third jackpot game is won by winning the second start winning section 32 during the short-time variable state, the right to win the jackpot game the limit number of times (5 times) set for the third jackpot game is granted, which can increase the interest in the game. In other words, in addition to the jackpot game won in the normal game state, it is possible to win the jackpot game the limit number of times set for the jackpot game won thereafter, so the interest in the game can be increased. EXAMPLES

[0088] Next, the difference between the pachinko machine of the second embodiment and the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, only the jackpot games (third and fourth jackpot games) in which the limited number of times to be awarded is fixed are set as the types of jackpot games that can be won by winning the second start winning section 32, but in addition to this, in the second embodiment, a jackpot game in which the limited number of times to be awarded varies depending on whether the pachinko ball that won the special winning section 33 passed through a specific area or a non-specific area is set. That is, in the pachinko machine of the second embodiment, when the winning judgment of the winning in the second start winning port 32a is a winning judgment result, the pachinko ball that has entered the special winning port (specific winning port) 33a where the pachinko ball can win passes through the second area (specific area) 34b or the first area (non-specific area) 34a, depending on whether the pachinko ball passes through the second area (specific area) 34b or the first area (non-specific area) 34a, the big win game (type of winning) with different expected value (limit number of times) of the benefit obtained in the advantageous state granted after the end of the big win game is set. In FIG. 6, only the third to fifth big win games corresponding to the special chart 2 are shown.

[0089] In the pachinko machine of the second embodiment, when the special symbol hit judgment, which is performed in response to the entry of a pachinko ball into the second start winning port 32a, is a hit judgment result, a single big win symbol classified into one of three types of symbols (symbol a, symbol b, symbol c) is determined based on the special symbol determination random number obtained when the pachinko ball entered the second start winning port 32a. Specifically, when the judgment result of the special symbol hit judgment based on the second special symbol start pending information is a hit judgment result, the special symbol determination judgment value is assigned so that the symbol a is selected as the big win symbol with a probability of 50%, the symbol b is selected as the big win symbol with a probability of 46%, and the symbol c is selected as the big win symbol with a probability of 4%, regardless of the difference in the game state. The third jackpot game corresponding to the jackpot pattern (special pattern) classified as pattern a and the fourth jackpot game corresponding to the jackpot pattern (special pattern) classified as pattern b are the same as those in the first embodiment. The fifth jackpot game is a jackpot game corresponding to the jackpot pattern (special pattern) classified as pattern c, as shown in FIG. 6, and the special opening and closing member 33b is operated in a predetermined manner to open the special winning port 33a, regardless of the game state (probable variable state and variable short state) at the time when the fifth jackpot game is determined. Specifically, the fifth jackpot game is a jackpot game in which the total number of round games is set to "10 times", and the prescribed number of winnings for each round game is set to "8". In addition, in the fifth jackpot game, a variable short state occurs after the end of the jackpot game until the next win. In addition, the limit number of times can be determined to be either "1 time" or "2 times."

[0090] The main control CPU 60a is set so that, when the main control CPU 60a determines a fifth jackpot game (specific jackpot game), in a specific round (two rounds), the switching member 35 of the special winning section 33 is displaced between the first position and the second position in a predetermined operating pattern, and in the specific round of the fifth jackpot game, the pachinko ball is configured to be able to pass through either the first passage (non-specific area) 34a or the second passage (specific area) 34b. In the second embodiment, when a pachinko ball does not pass through the second passage 34b in a specific round (when the specific area passage detection sensor SE5 does not detect a pachinko ball, i.e., when the pachinko ball passes through the first passage 34a), the main control CPU 60a determines the limited number of times to be awarded to be "1 time", whereas when a pachinko ball passes through the second passage 34b in a specific round (when the specific area passage detection sensor SE5 detects a pachinko ball), the main control CPU 60a is configured to determine the limited number of times to be awarded to be "2 times".

[0091] The pachinko machine of the embodiment 2 can achieve the same effect as the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment 1. In addition, in the pachinko machine of the embodiment 2, when the winning judgment of the winning in the second start winning section 32 (second start winning port 32a) is a winning judgment result, the fifth jackpot game is set in which the limit number of times, which is the expected value of the benefit obtained in the advantageous state granted after the end of the jackpot game, is different between the case where the pachinko ball that won the special winning port (specific winning port) 33a passes through the first passage (non-specific area) 34a and the case where the pachinko ball passes through the second passage (specific area) 34b, so that the game can be prevented from becoming monotonous and the interest can be further increased. EXAMPLES

[0092] Next, a pachinko machine 69 according to a third embodiment will be described, focusing mainly on the parts that are different from the first embodiment. The same or similar parts as those already described will be given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0093] As shown in Fig. 7, a distribution device 70 (described later) is attached to the approximate center of the game board 20, and the display screen 17a of the performance display device 17 faces the front side of the game board 20 through a display window 70a that penetrates the distribution device 70 from front to back. The distribution device 70 has distribution areas 71, 76 that protrude forward from the front of the game board 20 and are provided in front of the display screen 17a of the performance display device 17 (inside the display window 70a), and a eaves-shaped portion 70b is provided to separate the game area 21 from the distribution areas 71, 76. The eaves-shaped portion 70b is formed so as to be inclined downward in the left-right direction from the uppermost position, so that pachinko balls shot into the game area 21 are guided to the left or right side of the distribution device 70 without being stuck on the eaves-shaped portion 70b. As a result, the game area 21 is divided into a first flow path 21a, which is a flow path for pachinko balls flowing down the left side of the distribution device 70, and a second flow path 21b, which is a flow path for pachinko balls flowing down the right side of the distribution device 70.

[0094] A first start winning section 31 of a constantly open type that always opens the first start winning port 31a upward is provided in the game area 21 below the distribution device 70. In the third embodiment, only the pachinko balls that flow into the distribution device 70 and are discharged below the distribution device 70 can win the first start winning port 31a. The second start winning section 32 of an open / close type that opens and closes the second start winning port 32a by opening and closing the gate 30 and the start opening / closing member 32b is provided in the second flow-down path 21b on the right side of the distribution device 70. The main control board 60 (main control CPU 60a) is configured to perform a special winning judgment (a big win judgment or a small win judgment) on whether or not a big win game state or a small win game state is generated, triggered by the detection of the pachinko ball by the first and second start winning detection sensors SE1 and SE2.

[0095] The special winning section 33 disposed on the game board 20 has a special winning opening 33a that is normally closed (made unwinnable) by a special opening / closing member 33b, and the special winning opening 33a is opened (made winable) when a big win game state occurs. Although not shown, the inside of the special winning section 33 is equipped with a first passage (non-specific area) 34a and a second passage (specific area) 34b that communicate with the special winning opening 33a, a switching member 35 that distributes pachinko balls to either the first passage 34a or the second passage 34b, a switching solenoid SL3 that operates the switching member 35, a special winning detection sensor SE3, and a specific area passage detection sensor SE5, as in the first embodiment. The special prize section 33 is configured such that the switching member 35 is normally held in a first position in which the first passage 34a is open while the second passage 34b is closed, and in response to the switching solenoid SL3 being driven and controlled during a jackpot game state, the switching member 35 is displaced to a second position in which the switching member 35 opens the second passage 34b while closing the first passage 34a, or the special prize section 33 is displaced between the first and second positions in a predetermined operating pattern.

[0096] (About the distribution structure of pachinko balls by the distribution device 70) As shown in FIG. 7, the distribution device 70 includes a ball inlet 72 formed in the eave-shaped portion 70b, distribution areas 71, 76 that distribute the pachinko balls that enter the ball inlet 72, and a plurality of flow paths 83, 84, 85 provided downstream of the distribution areas 71, 76. The pachinko balls distributed by the distribution device 70 (the distribution areas 71, 76 therein) are configured to flow down one of the plurality of flow paths 83, 84, 85 and be discharged to a position below the distribution device 70 in the play area 21.

[0097] The eave-shaped portion 70b of the distribution device 70 has the ball inlets 72 at the center, left side, and right side in the left-right direction. This allows the pachinko balls flowing down the first flow path 21a to flow into the distribution device 70 from the ball inlets 72 opening at the left side of the eave-shaped portion 70b, and the pachinko balls flowing down the second flow path 21b to flow into the distribution device 70 from the ball inlets 72 opening at the right side of the eave-shaped portion 70b. Also, the pachinko balls are configured to flow into the distribution device 70 from the ball inlets 72 opening at the top of the distribution device 70 (the center of the eave-shaped portion 70b). It is not necessary to provide a plurality of ball inlets 72, and the ball inlets 72 may be provided at only one (or two) of the ball inlets 72 at the center, left side, and right side in the left-right direction.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 7, an upper distribution area 71 and a lower distribution area 76 for distributing pachinko balls are defined inside the eave-shaped portion 70b of the distribution device 70. The upper distribution area 71 and the lower distribution area 76 are vertically separated from each other and communicate with each other through left and right communication passages (left communication passage 74 and right communication passage 75). That is, the left communication passage 74 and the right communication passage 75 provided in the distribution device 70 have openings 74a and 75a opening into the upper stage 73 that forms the rolling surface of the pachinko balls in the upper distribution area 71, and openings 74b and 75b opening into the lower distribution area 76. Here, the upper stage 73 of the upper distribution area 71 is gently inclined downward from the center in the left-right direction toward both left and right sides, and is also gently inclined downward toward the rear as a whole, so that the pachinko balls that enter the ball entrance 72 and flow into the distribution device 70 are guided backward while rolling back and forth from left to right, and are distributed to either the left connecting passage 74 (passing entrance 74a) or the right connecting passage 75 (passing entrance 75a). In other words, the pachinko balls that enter the ball entrance 72 are distributed in the upper distribution area 71, so that the inflow position of the pachinko balls (passing entrances 74b, 75b) into the lower distribution area 76 changes randomly. In addition, by providing the upper distribution area 71 upstream of the lower distribution area 76, the timing at which the pachinko balls that enter the ball entrance 72 reach the lower distribution area 76 is prevented from being constant.

[0099] The lower distribution area 76 is configured such that the lower stage 77 forming the rolling surface of the pachinko balls is gently inclined downward toward the front, and the outlet 74b of the left communication passage 74 opens toward the right at the left rear end (left end of the upstream end) of the lower stage 77, and the outlet 75b of the right communication passage 75 opens toward the left at the right rear end (right end of the upstream end) of the lower stage 77. That is, the lower distribution area 76 is configured such that the pachinko balls distributed to the left communication passage 74 in the upper distribution area 71 pass through the outlet 74b and roll from the left rear of the lower stage 77 toward the center. The lower distribution area 76 is also configured such that the pachinko balls distributed to the right communication passage 75 in the upper distribution area 71 pass through the outlet 75b and roll from the right rear of the lower stage 77 toward the center.

[0100] Here, the central area in the left-right direction of the lower stage 77 is formed by the circular upper surface of a rotatable distribution rotor 78. In this lower stage 77, the upper surface of the distribution rotor 78 is positioned so as to be aligned approximately flush with the surroundings, so that the pachinko balls that have flowed into the lower distribution area 76 can roll. The distribution rotor 78 is configured to be rotatable by driving a distribution drive source (not shown) around an axis that passes vertically through its center point.

[0101] The main control CPU 60a is configured to control the distribution drive source. Here, the main control ROM 60b stores information on the drive control content of the distribution drive source, and the main control CPU 60a controls the distribution drive source based on the information, so that the distribution rotor 78 rotates right and left in a predetermined pattern. In addition, the lower stage 77 and the distribution rotor 78 are provided with a plurality of protrusions 79 that protrude upward larger than the radius of a pachinko ball, and each protrusion 79 is configured to come into contact with a pachinko ball to change the behavior of the pachinko ball.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 7, at the downstream end of the lower stage 77 (downstream of the upper surface of the distribution rotor 78), a plurality of flow paths 83, 84, 85 through which pachinko balls can flow are formed by the plurality of protrusions 79. At the approximate center of the downstream end of the lower stage 77, a central specific flow path 84 through which pachinko balls sorted by the sorting device 70 (sorting areas 71, 76 in the sorting device 70) can flow is provided. The downstream end of the central specific flow path 84 is located above the first start winning opening 31a, and the pachinko balls that flow down the central specific flow path 84 can almost certainly win the first start winning opening 31a. On the other hand, the side specific flow paths 83, 85 provided on both the left and right sides of the central specific flow path 84 are configured to discharge pachinko balls to the left and right game areas 21 that sandwich the first start winning opening 31a.

[0103] In the pachinko machine 69 of the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, when the special symbol hit judgment triggered by the entry of a pachinko ball into the first start winning port 31a is a hit, one big win symbol classified into one of two types of symbols (symbol E, symbol F) is determined based on the special symbol determination random number acquired when the pachinko ball enters the first start winning port 31a. Specifically, when the special symbol hit judgment result based on the first special symbol start pending information is a hit, the special symbol determination judgment value is assigned so that the symbol E is selected as the big win symbol with a probability of 80% and the symbol F is selected as the big win symbol with a probability of 20% regardless of the difference in the game state. In addition, in the pachinko machine 69 of the third embodiment, when the special symbol hit judgment, which is performed in response to the entry of a pachinko ball into the second start winning port 32a, is a hit judgment result, a single big win symbol classified into one of three types of symbols (symbol e, symbol f, symbol g) is determined based on the special symbol determination random number obtained when the pachinko ball enters the second start winning port 32a. Specifically, when the judgment result of the special symbol hit judgment based on the second special symbol start pending information is a hit judgment result, regardless of the difference in the game state, the special symbol determination judgment value is assigned so that the symbol e is selected as the big win symbol with a probability of 50%, the symbol f is selected as the big win symbol with a probability of 40%, and the symbol g is selected as the big win symbol with a probability of 10%. Note that the distribution probability of the big win symbols described above is one example.

[0104] In the pachinko machine 69 of the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, five types of jackpot games are set as jackpot games: a sixth jackpot game corresponding to the symbol E, a seventh jackpot game corresponding to the symbol F, an eighth jackpot game corresponding to the symbol e, a ninth jackpot game corresponding to the symbol f, and a tenth jackpot game corresponding to the symbol g. In the pachinko machine 69 of the third embodiment, the eighth to tenth jackpot games are set as the specific jackpot games, while the sixth and seventh jackpot games are set as jackpot games with different probabilities of being given a probability variable state, as described later. A common configuration for each jackpot game corresponding to a jackpot pattern (special pattern) classified into patterns E, F, e, f, and g is that the special opening / closing member 33b is operated in a predetermined manner to open the special winning port 33a, regardless of the game state (high probability state or short variable state) at the time the jackpot game is determined.

[0105] (About the 6th big win) As shown in FIG. 8, the sixth jackpot game is a jackpot game in which the total number of round games is set to "10 times", and the number of prizes in each round game is set to "8". In addition, the number of short-time periods to be awarded after the end of the sixth jackpot game is set to 70 times. In addition, in the sixth jackpot game, the main control CPU 60a is set to change the position of the switching member 35 to the first position and the second position in a first operation pattern in a specific round (2 rounds), and the switching member 35 changes position in the first operation pattern, so that the pachinko ball that has won the special winning hole 33a can pass through the second passage 34b at a rate of about 30%. In other words, the sixth jackpot game is set as a jackpot game that is awarded when a type of jackpot that gives a probability of a probability of a probability of about 30% is won.

[0106] (About the 7th big win) As shown in FIG. 8, the seventh jackpot game is a jackpot game in which the total number of round games is set to "10 times", and the number of prizes in each round game is set to "8". In addition, the seventh jackpot game is set so that a short-time state occurs until the next win after the end of the jackpot game. In addition, in the second jackpot game, in a specific round (2nd round), the main control CPU 60a is set to change the position of the switching member 35 to the first position and the second position in the second operation pattern, and the switching member 35 changes position in the second operation pattern, so that the pachinko ball that has entered the special winning hole 33a can pass through the second passage 34b at a rate of about 70%. In other words, the seventh jackpot game is set as a jackpot game that is awarded when a type of jackpot that gives a probability of ...

[0107] The types of jackpots (types of wins) classified as patterns E and F have different chances of being awarded a high probability state after the end of a jackpot game depending on the type of pattern, but even if a high probability state is awarded, the types of jackpots classified as patterns E and F are set so that the number of times of short-time play in the short-time play state, which is the second privilege play state that occurs (given) after the end of a jackpot game, is different. In other words, the types of jackpots classified as patterns E and F, which can be determined by winning the first start winning section 31, have different numbers of short-time play, which are the expected value of the privilege obtained in the advantageous state that occurs (given) after the end of a jackpot game.

[0108] (About the 8th jackpot game) As shown in Fig. 8, the eighth jackpot game is a jackpot game in which the total number of round games is set to "5 times", and the number of prizes in each round game is set to "8". In addition, in the eighth jackpot game, after the end of the jackpot game, a short-time state is generated until the next win, and the limit number of times is set to "5 times". In addition, the eighth jackpot game is set as a specific jackpot game (a jackpot game in which the probability of a winning state is 100% given) in which the switching member 35 is displaced from the first position to the second position in a specific round (2 rounds).

[0109] (About the 9th big win) As shown in Fig. 8, the ninth jackpot game is a jackpot game in which the total number of round games is set to "5 times", and the number of prizes in each round game is set to "8". In addition, in the ninth jackpot game, after the end of the jackpot game, a variable time state is generated until the next win, and the limit number of times is set to "10 times". In addition, the ninth jackpot game is set as a specific jackpot game (a jackpot game in which the probability variable state is given 100%) in which the switching member 35 is displaced from the first position to the second position in a specific round (2 rounds).

[0110] (About the 10th jackpot game) As shown in Fig. 8, the tenth jackpot game is a jackpot game in which the total number of round games is set to "5 times", and the number of prizes specified for each round game is set to "8". In addition, after the end of the tenth jackpot game, a variable time state is generated until the next win, and the limit number of times is set to "20 times". In addition, the tenth jackpot game is set as a specific jackpot game (a jackpot game in which the probability variable state is given 100%) in which the switching member 35 is displaced from the first position to the second position in a specific round (2 rounds).

[0111] The types of jackpots (types of wins) classified as patterns e, f, and g are games in which it is confirmed that a high probability state will be granted after the end of the jackpot game, so the bonus game states (high probability state and short variable state) that may occur (be granted) after the end of the jackpot game are the same, but the limit number of times is different. In other words, the type of jackpot classified as pattern e, which can be determined by winning in the second start winning section 32, the type of jackpot classified as pattern f, and the type of jackpot classified as pattern g have different limit numbers of times, which are the expected value of the bonus obtained in the advantageous state that occurs (be granted) after the end of the jackpot game.

[0112] In the pachinko machine 69 of Example 3, as in Example 1, the types of jackpot games (types of jackpots) that can be determined when a jackpot is determined by winning a prize in the first start winning section 31 include the sixth and seventh jackpot games with no limit number of times ("0 times"), while the types of jackpot games (types of jackpots) that can be determined when a jackpot is determined by winning a prize in the second start winning section 32 include the eighth to tenth jackpot games with a limit number of times ("5 times, 10 times or 20 times"). The types of wins that can be determined when a jackpot is determined by winning a prize in the first start winning section 31 and the types of wins that can be determined when a jackpot is determined by winning a prize in the second start winning section 32 differ in the types of benefits (whether or not there is a limit game) that can be obtained in the advantageous state that is granted. In addition, in Example 3, the number of balls that can be won after a jackpot game when only a short-time variable state is awarded after a jackpot game based on winning the first start winning section 31 is different from the number of balls that can be won after a jackpot game based on winning the second start winning section 32 when a special mode state, a short-time variable state, and a limit game are awarded.It can be said that there is a difference in expected value due to the type of benefit obtained in an advantageous state that can be awarded based on winning the first start winning section 31 and a difference in expected value due to the type of benefit obtained in an advantageous state that can be awarded based on winning the second start winning section 32. Furthermore, the number of balls that can be won after a sixth jackpot game based on winning the first start winning section 31 and the number of balls that can be won after a seventh jackpot game based on winning the first start winning section 31 differ depending on the number of short-time play periods awarded after the jackpot game, and it can be said that the expected value of the bonus obtained after a jackpot game differs depending on the type of jackpot game (type of jackpot) that can be determined based on winning the first start winning section 31.In addition, the number of balls that can be won after an eighth jackpot game based on winning the second start winning section 32, the number of balls that can be won after a ninth jackpot game based on winning the second start winning section 32, and the number of balls that can be won after a tenth jackpot game based on winning the second start winning section 32 differ due to the difference in the limit number of times granted after the jackpot game, and it can be said that the expected value of the bonus obtained after a jackpot game is different depending on the type of jackpot game (type of jackpot) that can be determined based on winning the second start winning section 32.

[0113] In the pachinko machine 10 of the third embodiment, the types of jackpot games (types of jackpots) that can be determined when a jackpot is determined by winning the first start winning section 31 include a sixth jackpot game with a number of shortening times of 70 times and a seventh jackpot game in which the shortening state continues until the next time, and the number of shortening times, which is the expected value of the benefit obtained after the end of the jackpot game, is different. In contrast, the types of jackpot games (types of jackpots) that can be determined when a jackpot is determined by winning the second start winning section 32 include an eighth jackpot game with a number of limit times of "5 times", a ninth jackpot game with a number of limit times of "10 times", and a tenth jackpot game with a number of limit times of "20 times", and the number of limit times, which is the expected value of the benefit obtained after the end of the jackpot game, is different. In other words, in the sixth jackpot game (a type of jackpot classified as pattern E) and the seventh jackpot game (a type of jackpot classified as pattern F) which can be determined by winning the first start winning section 31, the types of benefits (short-time play) differ in the expected value (number of times of short-time play) that can be obtained in the advantageous state (non-certain variable / short-time play state) that occurs (awarded) after the end of the jackpot game, and in the eighth jackpot game (a type of jackpot classified as pattern e), the ninth jackpot game (a type of jackpot classified as pattern f), and the tenth jackpot game (a type of jackpot classified as pattern g) which can be determined by winning the second start winning section 32, the types of benefits (limit play) differ in the expected value (number of times of limit play) that can be obtained in the advantageous state (certain variable / short-time play state) that occurs (awarded) after the end of the jackpot game. In addition, it can be said that the types of wins that can be won in the jackpot judgment (that can be determined by the win type determination means) have different expected values ​​for the benefits that can be obtained in the advantageous state that is granted.

[0114] In the pachinko machine 69 of the third embodiment, the action and effect of the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the pachinko machine 69 according to the third embodiment is configured such that the multiple flow paths 83, 84, 85 provided in the distribution device 70 include a central specific flow path 84 that leads the pachinko balls distributed by the distribution device 70 to the first start winning port 31a in the game area 21, and side specific flow paths 83, 84 that lead to a side different from the first start winning port 31a. In other words, the pachinko balls distributed by the distribution device 70 can flow down the side specific flow paths 83, 84 and be guided to a side different from the first start winning port 31a, so that the expectation of whether the pachinko balls are distributed to the side specific flow paths 83, 85 or the central specific flow path 84 can be increased.

[0115] (Example of change) The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the examples, etc., and can be modified as follows, for example. Furthermore, the configurations described in the examples, etc., are not limited to the following modifications, and various embodiments can be adopted within the scope of the gist of the present invention. (1) In Example 1, the combination of the different types of benefits that can be obtained in the advantageous state granted by the type of winning that can be determined when the winning judgment upon winning in the first start winning section (first start winning means) results in a winning judgment, and the type of winning that can be determined when the winning judgment upon winning in the second start winning section (second start winning means) results in a winning judgment, is described as a case in which the variable short state and limit play differ depending on the type of start winning section that is won.However, various combinations can be set, such as, for example, a special rate state and a variable short state, a special rate state and limit play, a special rate state and ball output, a variable short state and ball output, a variable short state and a special rate state, ball output and a special rate state, ball output and a variable short state, ball output and a limit play, etc. (2) In each embodiment, a pachinko machine having a limit function is described, but a pachinko machine without a limit function may be used, and the type of the benefit obtained in the advantageous state granted may be different between the type of the win based on the win in the first start winning section and the type of the win based on the win in the second start winning section. As combinations with different types of benefits, various combinations such as a high probability state and a variable short state, a high probability state and a ball output, a variable short state and a ball output, a variable short state and a high probability state, a ball output and a high probability state, and a ball output and a variable short state can be set. (3) In each embodiment, when a special state is granted after the end of a jackpot game, the special state is granted continuously until the next jackpot game occurs. However, it is possible to set a type in which the period (number of special states) for which the special state is granted differs depending on the type of jackpot game (type of win). (4) The various probabilities etc. described in each embodiment are merely examples and may, of course, be set arbitrarily. (5) In each embodiment, the winning of the second start winning section (second start winning means) is used as a trigger to generate a big win game, and the pachinko ball passes through a specific area in a specific round of the big win game to give a high probability state after the big win game, but the winning of the second start winning section can be used as a trigger to generate a small win game that can open a special winning port, and the pachinko ball passes through a specific area during the small win game to give a high probability state after the small win game. In other words, a small win game state is generated when the small win judgment by the main control CPU as the small win judgment means, which is triggered by the winning of the game ball in the second start winning section, is judged to be a win, and the passing of the game ball through the specific area in this small win game state is used as a trigger to generate a big win game state. In addition, as types of small win games, multiple types can be set that differ in the ease of passing through a specific area, such as a type in which a distribution means causes the pachinko ball to definitely pass through the specific area, a type in which the probability of passing through the specific area varies, and a type in which passing through the specific area is impossible. (6) In each embodiment, a specific area is provided in the special winning section, and a specific area passage detection sensor detects that a pachinko ball has passed through the specific area of ​​the special winning section, thereby granting a special state after the end of the jackpot game. However, whether or not to grant the special state may be determined uniquely based on the type of jackpot game (type of pattern) won by a win determination triggered by the ball entering the start winning section (ball detection by the start winning detection sensor). (7) In the embodiments, two passages (a specific area and a non-specific area) and a switching member and a specific area passage detection sensor are provided inside the special winning section, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a first special winning section that does not have a passage, switching member, or specific area passage detection sensor, and a second special winning section that has a passage, switching member, and specific area passage detection sensor and has a special winning port as a specific winning port, in which a jackpot game is played using the first special winning section other than the specific round in the jackpot game, and a jackpot game is played using the second special winning section during the specific round, and a special jackpot state is granted if the specific area passage detection sensor detects a pachinko ball during a jackpot game using the second special winning section.

[0116] (8) In the modified example of (6) above, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of first special winning sections with different numbers of prize balls paid out upon winning are provided as the first special winning section not equipped with a specific area passage detection sensor, and when the specific area passage detection sensor detects a pachinko ball in a specific round in a jackpot game performed in a second special winning section equipped with a specific area passage detection sensor, the type of the first special winning section that operates (opens) in a round after the specific round is changed according to the type of jackpot pattern (type of win), thereby changing the number of prize balls that can be obtained during the jackpot game. That is, a plurality of types of jackpot patterns corresponding to each of the plurality of first special winning sections with different numbers of prize balls may be set, and when the specific area passage detection sensor detects a pachinko ball in a specific round, the type of the first special winning section that operates (opens) in a round after the specific round may be determined according to the type of jackpot pattern determined when the jackpot judgment is won. (9) In Example 2, all jackpot games that can be determined based on winning in the second start winning section (second start winning means) can be jackpot games in which the limit number of times awarded after the jackpot game varies depending on whether or not the pachinko ball passes through a specific area. (10) In Example 3, the type of jackpot game (type of win) that can be determined based on winning in the first start winning section (first start winning means) can be set to only the type that does not grant a special state after the end of the jackpot game, as in Example 1. (11) In the third embodiment, like the fifth big win game in the second embodiment, a big win game in which the limit number of times given after the big win game differs depending on whether or not the pachinko ball passes through a specific area in a specific round in the big win game based on the winning in the second start winning section (second start winning means) can be set. Also, the eighth to tenth big win games can be configured as big win games in which the limit number of times given after the big win game differs depending on whether or not the pachinko ball passes through a specific area. (12) As a pachinko machine, a type 1 / type 2 hybrid machine can be adopted, which is equipped with a first start-entry means that does not change the ease with which the game ball enters, and a second start-entry means that can change the ease with which the game ball enters, and a jackpot game (type 1 jackpot game) is played when a jackpot is determined to have been won upon entry into the first start-entry means, while a jackpot game is played when a jackpot is determined upon entry into the second start-entry section (second start-entry means) and a small jackpot is determined in addition to a jackpot, and when the determination result is a small jackpot, a small jackpot game is played, and when the game ball enters a specific area provided in a special entry section that is opened upon the small jackpot game and to which the game ball is allocated by an allocation means, a jackpot is determined and a jackpot game (type 2 jackpot game) is played. (13) In the embodiment, a configuration in which a switching member is actuated by the drive means is used as a distribution means for distributing game balls that have won in a special winning port (specific winning port) to either a specific area or a non-specific area, but this is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the game balls rolling on the ball rolling part are naturally distributed to either area depending on their momentum or rolling direction can also be used. For example, a ball rolling part formed in a mortar shape and having multiple through holes formed on its bottom surface, also known as a crane, or a so-called stage-shaped ball rolling part extending in a certain direction and having ball discharge parts at multiple locations spaced apart in the extension direction can also be used as a distribution means, or any other conventionally known distribution means capable of distributing game balls to multiple flow directions can be used.

[0117] (14) The performance control CPU may be provided with all or part of the functions of the main control means (main control CPU), and conversely, the main control means may be provided with all or part of the functions of the performance control means. In the embodiments, the main control board and the performance control board are provided separately, but they can also be a single control board. In other words, the functions of the main control means and the performance control means may be provided in a control means (CPU) provided on a single control board. Furthermore, a separate control board may be provided, and all or part of the functions of the main control means and the performance control means of the embodiments may be provided in another control means. (15) In addition, all or part of the functions of the performance control means (performance control CPU) may be provided by the display control means (display control CPU), and conversely, all or part of the functions of the display control means (display control CPU) may be provided by the performance control means (performance control CPU). And, although the performance control means (performance control CPU) and the display control board (display control CPU) are provided separately, they may also be provided as a single control board. In other words, the functions of the performance control board and the display control board may be shared by a control means (CPU) provided on a single control board. (16) The configurations of each embodiment and modification example may be combined with each other. (17) In the embodiment, a pachinko machine has been described as an example of a gaming machine, but the gaming machine is not limited to this, and various gaming machines such as an arrangeball machine or a pinball machine may be used.

[0118] (18) In each embodiment, a gaming machine is described in which a winning judgment made in response to a winning entry into the first start winning means or the second start winning means results in a winning judgment, thereby generating a winning game, which is a first advantageous state, and after the corresponding game is completed, a second advantageous state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. However, the judgment made in response to a winning entry into the start winning means is not limited to a winning judgment, and may be, for example, a judgment as to whether or not a specific special pattern is displayed in the special pattern display section in a normal game state (a low-probability game state in which a high-probability state is not granted), and when the specific special pattern is displayed in the special pattern display section, a judgment as to whether or not to grant a so-called c time reduction as a special game, which grants a variable-probability state, which is an advantageous state, without going through a winning game. In other words, if the judgment made by the main control CPU in response to a winning entry into the start winning means results in a specific judgment result such as a winning judgment or a judgment to award c time reduction, an advantageous state such as a winning game or c time reduction game depending on the result can be awarded. Also, as the c time reduction, multiple types of times to be given (expected value of the benefit, which is the same as the number of times to be changed in the embodiment, etc.) are set, and special symbols (c time reduction symbols) are allocated corresponding to each type of c time reduction, and a type of c time reduction game corresponding to the type of special symbol (c time reduction symbol) determined by the main control CPU (type determination means) is generated upon winning in the start winning means. Also, a configuration can be adopted in which the c time reduction game can be given only by winning in either the first or second start winning means, the probability of the c time reduction game being given is different between the first start winning means and the second start winning means, or the number of times to be given of the c time reduction game is different between the case of winning in the first start winning means and the case of winning in the second start winning means. (19) The probability of winning may be different for each game state depending on the type of bonus. For example, a winning game as a type of bonus may be the first bonus, and a time-saving game as a type of bonus may be the second bonus, and the first bonus may be more likely to be won during an advantageous state such as a probability-changing state, and the second bonus may be more likely to be won in a game state other than the game state in which the first bonus is more likely to be won, such as after the advantageous state ends or after the RAM is cleared. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 31 first start winning section (first start winning means), 32 second start winning section (second start winning means) 33a Special prize gate (specific prize gate), 34a 1st passage (non-specific area) 34b second passage (specific area), 35 switching member (distribution means), 60a main control CPU (type determining means), SL3 switching solenoid (distribution means)

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine having a first gaming state and a second gaming state which is more advantageous than the first gaming state, and a judgment made in response to a gaming ball winning a first or second starting winning means, which is capable of winning a game, results in a specific judgment result, thereby being able to give the player the second gaming state which is more advantageous than the first gaming state, a type determination means for determining a type of the second state when the determination results in a specific determination result; The type of the second state that can be determined by the type determination means includes types having different expected values ​​of the benefit to be provided, a type of the second state that can be determined by the type determination means when a judgment on the winning of the first start winning means results in a specific judgment result and a type of the second state that can be determined by the type determination means when a judgment on the winning of the second start winning means results in a specific judgment result are different from each other in the type of the benefit to be awarded; The benefits include a first benefit, which is a winning game, and a second benefit, which is the second state, which is a variable state, without going through a winning game in the first state, and the probability of determining the second state, which grants the first benefit, and the second state, which grants the second benefit, differs depending on the type of the game state that changes during a game. A gaming machine characterized by:

Images