Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a technique for improving the degree of freedom in designing stopped-symbol expressions of a game machine.SOLUTION: Regarding a pressing order bell 1 and a pressing order bell 2, if a stop operation is performed in a correct-answer operation mode, control modes at the time of stopping a right reel R3 are different and symbol combinations to be displayed on valid lines at the time of winning a 15-coin small combination are different. On the other hand, bell-aligned symbol combinations to be displayed on an upper stage invalid line are similar to each other. On the right reel R3, two types of bell symbols constituting the bell-aligned symbol combinations are disposed in an adjacent positional relationship.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

[Technical field]

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

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

[0003] In recent years, gaming machines that can perform assist time play, which changes the probability of winning a specific small prize by executing a winning assistance effect that assists in the winning of a specific small prize under specified conditions and makes it easier to win gaming media such as medals in the AT state where the winning assistance effect can be executed, have become popular (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-176538 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In gaming machines that allow assist time play, it is customary to display numbers on a valid line or a specific invalid line when a specific minor win is achieved, which numbers display a specific symbol combination that is easy for the player to understand. However, as the number of types of specific minor wins increases, the difficulty of designing the numbers that display the specific symbol combinations tends to increase.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a technique that improves the degree of freedom in designing the presentation of outcomes in gaming machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The present invention is a gaming machine comprising: a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on their outer peripheral surfaces; an internal lottery means for conducting an internal lottery for determining whether a plurality of types of roles including a minor role will be won; a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and controlling the reels to stop being rotated in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery in response to a stop operation; and a winning determination means for determining that a role has won based on a symbol combination showing a winning form predetermined for each role being displayed on an active line when the plurality of reels are stopped, and in which game value is paid out based on the fact that the minor role has won, wherein as winning modes of the minor role, there are a plurality of types of specific winning modes in which a plurality of types of specific minor roles are won without overlapping with each other, and a correct operation mode is predetermined as a mode of a stop operation corresponding to the type of the specific winning mode, and the reel control means determines whether the result of the internal lottery is the specific winning mode. The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which, in a game in which, when a stopping operation is performed in the correct operation mode, control is performed so that the specific minor role included in the specific winning mode can be won, and when the stopping operation is not in accordance with the correct operation mode, control is performed so that the specific minor role included in the specific winning mode cannot be won, the multiple reels are composed of a left reel, a center reel, and a right reel, and for a first specific winning mode and the second specific winning mode among the multiple types of specific winning modes, the control mode for stopping at least the right reel when a stopping operation is performed in the correct operation mode is different, and while the pattern combinations displayed on the pay lines when the specific minor role is won are different, the specific pattern combinations displayed on specific ineffective lines are the same or similar to each other, and the patterns that make up the specific pattern combinations are arranged in adjacent positions on the right reel.

[0008] In the present invention, the arrangement of the symbols on the right reel out of the left reel, center reel, and right reel is devised so that the symbols constituting a specific symbol combination that is displayed on a specific inactive line when a specific minor win is achieved are arranged in adjacent positions, thereby improving the design freedom of the result representation.

[0009] (2) The present invention is a gaming machine comprising: a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on their outer periphery; an internal lottery means for conducting an internal lottery for determining whether a plurality of types of roles including a minor role will be won; a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and controlling the reels to stop during rotation in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is performed; and a winning determination means for determining that a role has won based on a symbol combination showing a winning form predetermined for each role being displayed on an active line when the plurality of reels are stopped, and in which game value is paid out based on the winning of the minor role, in which a plurality of specific winning modes exist as winning modes of the minor role, in which a plurality of types of specific minor roles are won without overlapping with each other, and a correct operation mode is predetermined as a mode of a stop operation corresponding to the type of the specific winning mode, and in a game in which the result of the internal lottery is the specific winning mode, the reel control means When a stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode, control is performed to make the specific minor role included in the specific winning mode eligible to win, and when a stop operation is not performed in accordance with the correct operation mode, control is performed to make the specific minor role included in the specific winning mode unacceptable, the multiple reels are composed of a left reel, a center reel, and a right reel, and for a first specific winning mode and the second specific winning mode among the multiple types of specific winning modes, when a stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode, the control mode for stopping at least the center reel is different, and when the specific minor role wins, the pattern combinations displayed on the pay lines are different, while the specific pattern combinations displayed on specific ineffective lines are the same or similar to each other, and the patterns that make up the specific pattern combinations on the center reel are arranged in a positional relationship that sandwiches one pattern that does not make up the specific pattern combination.

[0010] In the present invention, the arrangement of the symbols on the center reel out of the left reel, center reel, and right reel is devised so that the symbols constituting a specific symbol combination that is displayed on a specific inactive line when a specific minor win is achieved are positioned in such a way that a symbol that does not constitute a specific symbol combination is sandwiched between them, thereby improving the design freedom of the result representation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an amusement machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is an oblique view showing the internal configuration of a cabinet of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram illustrating an internal lottery table in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram illustrating an internal lottery table in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of minor prizes in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating the winning patterns of small prizes and replays in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on a reel in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 16]1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 17] 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 18] 2 is a transition diagram of a gaming state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 19] A transition diagram of the presentation state in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] A transition diagram of a game zone in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] 1 is a diagram illustrating the combination of the batting order bell in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention and the results when a 15-coin minor prize is won. [Figure 22] 1 is a diagram illustrating the combination of the batting order bell in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention and the results when a 15-coin minor prize is won. [Figure 23] 13 is a diagram illustrating the invalid lines that display the bell-line pattern combination when a 15-coin minor win is achieved in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a comparative example with respect to a method of arranging symbols in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 25] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the pattern arrangement in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the pattern arrangement in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0013] 1. Configuration Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration (excluding the reel unit) of the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The gaming machine of this embodiment is a so-called slot machine or reel type gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as gaming media.

[0015] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, a reel unit consisting of a left reel R1, a center reel R2, and a right reel R3 (multiple reels) is stored in a box-shaped housing consisting of a storage box BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD. In addition, a power supply unit EU having a built-in power supply device and various switches such as a power switch ES, a setting change key cylinder KS, and a setting change button BS, and a hopper unit HP as a medal payout device are stored in the lower part of the reel unit storage space PS in the storage box BX. The hopper unit HP is equipped with a medal storage tank MT for storing medals to be used in a game, a payout motor (not shown) consisting of a stepping motor, and a rotating disk (not shown) axially supported by the payout motor, and is configured so that the rotating disk is rotated by the payout motor to pay out medals one by one. In addition, when the amount of medals stored in the medal storage tank MT reaches a certain amount, the hopper unit HP sends out surplus medals to a cash box CB. In the housing of the gaming machine of this embodiment, for example, a main board MAIN is attached above the reel unit storage space PS, and a sub-board SUB is attached to the side of the reel unit storage space PS, and these control boards (main board MAIN, sub-board SUB) are equipped with a CPU (an example of a calculation means), a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM (an example of a temporary storage means), etc., so that the operation of the gaming machine can be controlled. Note that in this embodiment, the power supply unit EU is provided with a setting change key cylinder KS and a setting change button BS, but the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting change button BS may be provided on the surface of the main board MAIN.

[0016] The outer periphery of the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 shown in FIG. 1 is divided into 20 regions (each region is called a "frame") at regular intervals, and one of a number of different patterns is arranged on each frame. The left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 are supported by a stepping motor (reel driving means: not shown), and are rotated around the axis of the stepping motor, and are provided so as to be stopped in frame units (predetermined rotation angle units, predetermined rotation amount units) by controlling the number of pulses and pulse width of the drive pulse of the stepping motor. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stepping motor rotates the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 in response to the drive pulse supplied from the control board, and when a drive pulse of full phase excitation is supplied from the control board, the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 stop as the rotation of the stepping motor stops.

[0017] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are provided so that they can be opened and closed separately, and the upper front door UD is provided with a display window DW that allows the rotation and stop states of the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 to be observed. When the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 are stopped, three patterns (upper pattern, middle pattern, and lower pattern) that are arranged consecutively on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 among a plurality of patterns arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 can be observed from the front of the gaming machine through the display window DW.

[0018] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, an upper, middle, and lower section is provided for each reel as a display position for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and an active line is set by a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called prescribed insertion number, is set to 2 or 3, and when a number of medals equivalent to the prescribed insertion number are inserted, an active line L1 consisting of the middle section of the left reel R1, the middle section of the middle reel R2, and the lower section of the right reel R3 is activated.

[0019] The game result is determined by the symbol combination that is stopped and displayed on the winning line in the display window DW, and if the symbol combination on the winning line corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is treated as a winning combination and medals are paid out from the hopper unit HP.

[0020] The upper front door UD is provided with a game information display section DS and a zone indicator SEC. The game information display section DS is made up of LEDs, lamps, 7-segment indicators, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, the total number of medals paid out or won in BB state, etc. The zone indicator SEC notifies whether or not the player is in an advantageous zone by turning on and off the built-in LED.

[0021] The upper front door UD is provided with a liquid crystal display LCD for game presentation. Various videos (or images) for supporting or livening up the game are displayed on this liquid crystal display LCD. In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a plurality of speakers SP for game presentation are provided on the upper front door UD and the lower front door DD. Various sounds for supporting or livening up the game are output from these speakers SP.

[0022] In addition, various operating means are provided on the lower front door DD. The operating means include a bet button (insertion operating means) B0 for inserting credited (stored) medals, a start lever (game start operating means) SL for spinning the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 to start a game, and stop buttons (stop operating means) B1 to B3 for stopping each of the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 that are rotated by a stepping motor.

[0023] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a player inserts a medal into the medal slot MI or presses the bet button B0, the machine is set to a ready state in which the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 can start to rotate. When the player presses the start lever SL, the control board starts to rotate the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 by driving a stepping motor, and an internal lottery is performed using a random number value. On the condition that the rotation speed of the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 has increased to a predetermined speed, pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 is permitted (enabled).

[0024] Thereafter, when the player presses the stop buttons B1 to B3 at any timing, the stop switch (stop signal output means: for example, a photosensor, a conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.) built into each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 turns on, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0025] In addition, when the player releases any of the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 at any timing, the stop switches corresponding to the stop buttons B1 to B3 are turned off, and the reel stop signal input to the control board changes from on to off.

[0026] The control board then stops the left reel R1, center reel R2, and right reel R3 at stopping positions according to the results of the internal lottery based on the change from off to on of the reel stop signal, whose signal state changes depending on the timing of pressing and releasing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0027] A medal payout port MO and a medal tray MP are provided below the lower front door DD, and a number of medals according to the results of a game are paid out from the hopper unit HP through the medal payout port MO to the medal tray MP. When medals are paid out according to the results of a game, if crediting (internal storage) of medals is permitted, medals equivalent to some or all of the payout number are credited up to the credit upper limit (50 in this embodiment), and the display value of the credit indicator consisting of a 7-segment indicator of the game information display unit DS is changed in accordance with the change in the number of medal credits.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0029] The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a gaming control means (main board MAIN and sub board SUB) 100. The gaming control means 100 is started by power supplied from a power supply unit EU by the operation of a power switch ES, and receives input signals from input means such as a medal insertion switch 210, a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change permission switch 250, and a setting change switch 260, performs various calculations for executing a game, and controls the operation of output means such as a reel unit 310, a hopper unit (payout device) HP, a display device 330, and a sound device 340 based on the calculation results. The functions of the gaming control means 100 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), ROMs (an example of information storage media), or RAMs, or software consisting of a given program prestored in a ROM or the like.

[0030] The game control means 100 includes a setting change means 103, a throw-in receiving means 105, a random number generating means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state control means 170, an AT control means 175, a performance control means 180, a game information storage means 190a, and a performance information storage means 190b. In this embodiment, the setting change means 103, the throw-in receiving means 105, the random number generating means 110, the internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state transition control means 170, and an AT control means 175 are realized by the CPU of the main board MAIN executing various programs, and the performance control means 180 is realized by the CPU of the sub board SUB executing various programs. The game information storage means 190a is composed of a main ROM and a main RAM mounted on the main board MAIN, and the performance information storage means 190b is composed of a sub-ROM and a sub-RAM mounted on the sub-board SUB. Various programs executed by the CPU of the main board MAIN are stored in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, and various programs executed by the CPU of the sub-board SUB are stored in the sub-ROM of the performance information storage means 190b. The setting change means 103 controls changing the setting value stored in the setting value storage area 1913 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In this embodiment, the game machine is switched between starting in the game mode and starting in the setting change mode depending on the state of the setting change permission switch 250 when the power is turned on. When the setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting key is turned clockwise from the initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 becomes ON. When the power switch ES is operated in this state to supply power from the power supply unit EU, the setting change means 103 starts the game machine in the setting change mode. In this embodiment, the setting value can be selected from six setting values ​​from setting 1 to setting 6, and the probability of winning the internal lottery is changed so that the expected value of the ball payout rate increases from setting 1 to setting 6. In this embodiment, the setting values ​​are expressed in the order of setting 1<setting 2<setting 3<setting 4<setting 5<setting 6.

[0031] Furthermore, when the setting change switch 260 is actuated by pressing the setting change button BS in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 →... setting 6 → setting 1 →... each time it receives an input signal from the setting change switch 260, determines the setting value based on a game start signal from the start switch 230 actuated by pressing the start lever SL, and controls to store the determined setting value in the setting value storage area 1913. In this embodiment, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 can be changed to the OFF state by returning the setting key inserted in the setting change key cylinder KS to the initial position, thereby making it possible to transition from the setting change mode to the game mode.

[0032] In this embodiment, when the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder KS in the initial position, the gaming machine is started in the game mode based on the signal state of the setting change permission switch 260 being in the OFF state. In this embodiment, in the game mode, it is possible to play games but it is not possible to change the setting values, and in the setting change mode, it is possible to change the setting values ​​but it is not possible to play games.

[0033] In addition, the setting change means 103 performs an initialization process in the setting change mode to initialize information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In particular, in this embodiment, with respect to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, information stored in the lottery flag storage area 1915, the game state storage area 1916, the performance state storage area 1918, the AT stock number counter 1920, the navigation count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 is initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode. More specifically, the storage areas other than the lottery flag storage area 1915, the game state storage area 1916, the performance state storage area 1918, the AT stock number counter 1920, the navigation count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a are designated as information storage areas, and information stored in storage areas other than the information storage area of ​​the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, in the main RAM, the setting value memory area 1913 and the credit information memory area 1914 are designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in these memory areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode.

[0034] The insertion receiving means 105 receives insertion of medals for each game, and performs processing to validate a game start operation for the start lever SL (game start operating means) based on insertion of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number (2 or 3 medals). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first pressing operation of the start lever SL, which is validated based on insertion of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number, is accepted as a game start operation, which triggers the start of rotation of the left reel R1, center reel R2, and right reel R3, and also triggers the execution of an internal lottery.

[0035] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot MI, the medal insertion switch 210 is operated, and the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the inserted medals to an inserted state up to a specified insertion number. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, a maximum of 50 medals can be stored (accumulated) in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, and when the bet button B0 is pressed with medals credit-stored in the gaming machine, the bet switch 220 is operated, and the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the medals credit-stored in the credit information storage area 1914 to an inserted state up to a specified insertion number.

[0036] The random number generating means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for lottery. The random numbers can be generated by, for example, a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65536 random numbers from 0 to 65535 without duplication in one period. In this embodiment, the "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that may be generated regularly but may function as random numbers because of irregular acquisition timing.

[0037] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player operates the start lever SL to start the game (first pressing of the activated start lever SL), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0038] In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which of the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a is used to perform the internal lottery. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, eight types of internal lottery tables (internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 8) as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910. In each internal lottery table, various roles such as replay, small role, and bonus, and miss (non-winning) are associated with each of multiple random number values ​​(for example, 65536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65535). In this embodiment, eight types of internal lottery tables are prepared for each of the six setting values, and the probability of obtaining some winning modes in the internal lottery differs depending on the setting value, and the correspondence between the roles and the random number values ​​is set so that the higher the setting value, the higher the expected value of the ball payout rate.

[0039] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, minor roles are provided as minor roles 1 to 61, and the winning modes of the minor roles are set as shown in Figures 6 and 7, namely, batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 24 (an example of a specific winning mode), common bell, watermelon, chance eye A, chance eye B, JAC1, and JAC2, and batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 24, common bell, watermelon, chance eye A, and chance eye B act as triggers for the execution of a lottery for transition to a favorable zone, which will be described later.

[0040] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, replays are provided as Replay 1 to Replay 9, and the winning types of replays are set as normal replay A, normal replay B, weak cherry, and strong cherry, as shown in Figure 7, and normal replay A, weak cherry, and strong cherry serve as triggers for executing a lottery to transition to a favorable zone.

[0041] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the selection mode and winning probability of the small role are the same in the internal lottery table 1 to the internal lottery table 3, but at least one of the selection mode and winning probability of the replay is different, and in the internal lottery table 4, the replay is not the subject of the selection, the selection mode of the small role is different from the internal lottery table 1 to the internal lottery table 3, and the probability of obtaining the winning mode of the small role is high. In this embodiment, the winning probability is the same for each of the batting order bell 1 to the batting order bell 24 in the internal lottery table 1 to the internal lottery table 3.

[0042] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the selection mode and winning probability of the small role are the same in the internal lottery tables 5 to 7, but at least one of the selection mode and winning probability of the replay is different, and in the internal lottery table 8, unlike the internal lottery table 4, the replay is the object of selection, and the selection mode of the small role is different from the internal lottery tables 5 to 7, and the probability of obtaining the winning mode of the small role is high. In this embodiment, none of the batting order bell 1 to the batting order bell 24 are the object of selection in the internal lottery tables 5 to 7.

[0043] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first Big Bonus (BB1) to the fourth Big Bonus (BB4) are prepared as bonuses, the first Big Bonus (BB1) and the second Big Bonus (BB2) being the objects of drawing in the internal lottery table 5, and the third Big Bonus (BB3) and the fourth Big Bonus (BB4) being the objects of drawing in the internal lottery table 1. In this embodiment, the first Big Bonus (BB1) and the second Big Bonus (BB2) are effective bonuses only when the number of medals inserted is two, and the third Big Bonus (BB3) and the fourth Big Bonus (BB4) are effective bonuses only when the number of medals inserted is three.

[0044] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the game states can be set to normal state, BB1 formed state, BB2 formed state, BB3 formed state, BB4 formed state, BB1 state, BB2 state, BB3 state, and BB4 state, and in the lottery table selection process, one of internal lottery tables 1 to 8 is selected as the internal lottery table to be used in the internal lottery depending on the number of medals inserted and the game state.

[0045] In this embodiment, the probability of winning a bonus or replay does not change depending on the setting value, but the probability of winning some of the minor winning patterns changes depending on the setting value, and the higher the setting value, the higher the probability of winning JAC1.

[0046] In the random number determination process, a random number value (random number for lottery) is obtained from the random number generating means 110 for each game based on a start signal from the start switch 230, and a determination is made as to whether or not the obtained random number value has won a winning combination by referring to an internal lottery table stored in the main lottery table memory area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information memory means 190a.

[0047] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-winning state (first flag state, off state) to a winning state (second flag state, on state). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are won in a overlapping manner, the lottery flags corresponding to the two or more types of combinations that are won in a overlapping manner are set to a winning state. The setting information of the lottery flag is stored in the lottery flag storage area 1915 provided in the main RAM of the gaming information storage means 190a.

[0048] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over a winning state to the next game or later until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to a non-winning state without carrying over a winning state to the next game or later regardless of whether a prize is won are prepared. The former carry-over flag corresponds to a bonus (first big bonus (BB1) to fourth big bonus (BB4)), and the latter non-carry-over flag corresponds to a small win and a replay. In the lottery flag setting process, for example, when the first big bonus (BB1) is won in the internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the winning state of the lottery flag of the first big bonus (BB1) until the first big bonus (BB1) is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether or not the small win and the replay are won, even in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag of the first big bonus (BB1) is carried over. The same applies to the case where the second big bonus (BB2), the third big bonus (BB3), and the fourth big bonus (BB4) are won. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag of the bonus corresponding to the carryover possible flag is carried over, if a small combination or replay is won, the lottery flag corresponding to two or more types of combinations consisting of the lottery flag of the already won bonus and the lottery flag of the small combination or replay won by the internal lottery are set to the winning state.

[0049] The reel control means 130, based on a start signal from the start switch 230 which is operated by the player operating the start lever SL to start playing, starts driving the left reel R1, center reel R2, and right reel R3 to rotate using a stepping motor, and controls the left reel R1, center reel R2, and right reel R3 to start rotating at a predetermined speed (approximately 80 rpm: a rotation speed of approximately 80 rotations per minute) by pressing the stop buttons B1-B3 (stop operation means) corresponding to the reels, and also controls the left reel R1, center reel R2, and right reel R3, which are driven to rotate by the stepping motor, to stop in a manner according to the setting state of the lottery flag (the result of the internal lottery).

[0050] When the stop switch 240 is activated by the player pressing one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 while the stop operation for the stop buttons B1 to B3 is enabled, the reel control means 130 controls the stopping of each of the left reel R1, center reel R2, and right reel R3 by supplying a full-phase excitation drive pulse to the stepping motor of the reel unit 310 based on a reel stop signal from the stop switch 240.

[0051] That is, the reel control means 130 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the pressed button among the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 each time the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, and controls the reel to stop at the determined stop position. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, pressing the stop button B1 corresponds to an operation for stopping the left reel R1, pressing the stop button B2 corresponds to an operation for stopping the center reel R2, and pressing the stop button B3 corresponds to an operation for stopping the right reel R3. In other words, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed is changed, the stop order of the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 is changed.

[0052] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 are stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button B1 to B3 is pressed. When the reels are stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each reel is determined by the number of frames required from the time when the stop button is pressed until the reel stops within a range of 0 to 4 frames (predetermined pull-in range). The reel control means 130 performs control to stop the reel corresponding to the stop button pressed so that the symbol corresponding to the symbol with the lottery flag set to a winning state is displayed at the display position on the pay line when the symbol corresponding to the symbol that won the internal lottery is located within a range of 0 to 4 frames from the display position on the pay line at the time when the stop button is pressed on the outer circumferential surface of the reel that is rotating corresponding to the stop button B1 to B3 that was pressed.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, the red 7 symbol "RED 7", the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", the special symbol "SP", the replay symbol 1 "RP1", the replay symbol 2 "RP2", the bell symbol 1 "BL1", the bell symbol 2 "BL2", the bell symbol 3 "BL3", the watermelon symbol "WM", and the cherry symbol "CH" are arranged on the outer periphery of the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 constituting the reel unit 310, and when the symbols existing within 4 frames from the pressing detection position are drawn onto the activated line, the symbols arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less on the outer periphery of each reel can be displayed on the activated line regardless of the pressing detection position (an example of the operation detection position), which is the position of the reel at the time when the stop switch 240 is operated (the time when the pressing of the stop button is detected). In this embodiment, the pressing detection position is the display position of the upper row of each reel.

[0054] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the reel unit 310 is provided with a reel index 315 consisting of a photosensor, and the reel control means 130 is capable of monitoring the current rotation state of the reel by determining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotating shaft of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the frame detected by the reel index 315) based on the reference position signal detected by the reel index 315 every time the reel rotates once. In other words, the reel control means 130 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop switch 240 is activated by determining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

[0055] Furthermore, the reel control means 130 determines the stop positions of the reels during rotation by referring to a stop control table stored in a stop control table storage area 1911 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0056] In the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the push detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time when the stop switch 240 is actuated (the time when the push of the stop button is detected), and the actual stop position is set according to the setting state of the lottery flag. Note that in the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the push detection position and the number of sliding symbols indicating the amount of rotation from the push detection position to the actual stop position may be set according to the setting state of the lottery flag.

[0057] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the priorities for small wins, replays, and bonuses are set in the order of "replay > bonus" and then "small win > bonus", and the stop control table is set so that a stop position including a pattern that constitutes the winning form of a high priority win is selected according to the priorities associated with each win.

[0058] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, in the stop control table that is referenced when the lottery flags related to multiple types of minor roles are set to a winning state in the internal lottery, there are cases where the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the active line (number priority control) and cases where the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out based on a predetermined payout for the minor role (payout number priority control). When the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the active line, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the stop position with a greater number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the active line is given priority, and when the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the stop position with a greater number of medals paid out based on the payout for the minor role corresponding to the pattern displayed at the display position on the active line (the stop position that can win a minor role with a greater payout) is given priority. However, when the stop positions are set according to the number of medals paid out, for multiple stop positions that have the same number of medals paid out, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the press detection position is set, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on an active line, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the press detection position is set, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on an active line, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the press detection position is set.

[0059] In the stop control table which is referenced when any of batting order bells 1 to 24 is selected in the internal lottery, the correct batting order is set for each batting order bell, as shown in FIG. 9, and any pressing order that differs from the correct batting order is treated as an incorrect batting order.

[0060] In the stop control table which is referenced when any of batting order bells 1 to 24 is won, the stop positions relative to the press detection position are set so that when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, a 15-coin small prize or a 1-coin small prize will be awarded, and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the incorrect batting order, the stop positions relative to the press detection position are set so that there are incorrect batting orders in which a 1-coin small prize will always be awarded, and incorrect batting orders in which a 1-coin small prize will be awarded with a 1 / 2 probability (incorrect batting orders in which there is a 1 / 2 probability of missing out).

[0061] In this embodiment, when the batting order bell is won and a stop operation is performed in the correct batting order, whether or not a 15-coin small win (an example of a specific small win) will be won is determined by the detection position of the stop operation (hereinafter, the first stop operation) corresponding to the reel that stops first in the correct batting order, and whether or not a 15-coin small win will be won is determined by whether the detection position of the first stop operation is the first push position or the second push position shown in FIG. 8. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, for batting order bell 1, batting order bell 3, batting order bell 5, batting order bell 7, batting order bell 9, batting order bell 11, batting order bell 13, batting order bell 15, batting order bell 17, batting order bell 19, batting order bell 21, and batting order bell 23, if the batting order is correct and the first stop operation is in the first push position, a 15-coin small win will be won, and if the batting order is correct and the first stop operation is in the second push position, a 15-coin small win will be won. For batting order bell 2, batting order bell 4, batting order bell 6, batting order bell 8, batting order bell 10, batting order bell 12, batting order bell 14, batting order bell 16, batting order bell 18, batting order bell 20, batting order bell 22, and batting order bell 24, if the batting order is correct and the first stopping operation is in the second press position, the 15-coin small role will be won, but if the batting order is correct but the first stopping operation is in the first press position, the 15-coin small role will not be won.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 9, in the normal state, all the sequences of the stop operations are treated as incorrect sequences, and only when the BB1, BB2, BB3, or BB4 state is established, there are sequences of the stop operations that are treated as correct sequences and sequences of the stop operations that are treated as incorrect sequences. Therefore, in the normal state, even if the stop operation is performed in a manner that allows the winning of 15 small prizes in the BB1, BB2, BB3, or BB4 state, the winning of 1 small prize will be won.

[0063] In addition, when each batting order bell is won, the stop position for the press detection position is set in each stop control table so that in the correct batting order, the payout number priority control causes the symbols that make up the winning form of a 15-coin small prize to be preferentially displayed on the valid line, and in the incorrect batting order, the number priority control causes the symbols that make up the winning form of a 1-coin small prize to be preferentially displayed on the valid line.

[0064] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when the common bell is won, the stop position relative to the push detection position is set so that the 15-coin small win 30 wins in priority over the 1-coin small wins 23 and 24, and when the common bell is won, the small win 30 will always win regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed.

[0065] In addition, in the stop control table which is referred to when the watermelon is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that for the three-coin minor combinations included in the watermelon winning mode, minor combination 60 or minor combination 61 will win in priority over minor combination 58 and minor combination 59.

[0066] In addition, in the stop control table which is referred to when chance eye A is won, the stop position relative to the push detection position is set so that small win 56 or small win 57, which are 15-coin small wins, will win in priority over small wins 25 to 29, which are 1-coin small wins, and when chance eye A is won, either small win 56 or small win 57 will always win regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed.

[0067] In addition, in the stop control table which is referenced when chance eye B is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that small win 55, which is a 15-coin small win, will win in priority over small win 11, small win 12, small win 14, small win 16, and small win 19 to small win 24, which are 1-coin small wins, and when chance eye B is won, small win 55 will always win regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed.

[0068] In addition, in the stop control table which is referenced when JAC1 is won, the stop position for the press detection position is set so that any of the 15-coin small prizes will definitely be won, and in the stop control table which is referenced when JAC2 is won, the stop position for the press detection position is set so that any of the 1-coin small prizes will definitely be won.

[0069] In addition, for the winning patterns of various replays such as normal replay A, normal replay B, weak cherry, and strong cherry, the stop positions relative to the press detection position are set so that any of the replays included in the winning patterns will always win regardless of the type of stop operation.

[0070] In addition, in a game in which the first big bonus (BB1) has been won, a stop control table is referenced in which the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the first big bonus (BB1) can be won only when two medals are inserted, and when three medals are inserted, a stop control table is referenced in which the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the first big bonus (BB1) cannot be won no matter what manner of stop operation is performed.

[0071] In addition, in a game in which the second big bonus (BB2) has been won, a stop control table is referenced in which the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the second big bonus (BB2) can be won only when two medals are inserted, and when three medals are inserted, a stop control table is referenced in which the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the winning of the second big bonus (BB2) is avoided regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed.

[0072] In addition, in a game in which the third big bonus (BB3) has been won, a stop control table is referenced in which the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the third big bonus (BB3) can be won only when three medals are inserted, and when two medals are inserted, a stop control table is referenced in which the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the third big bonus (BB3) cannot be won no matter what manner of stopping operation is performed.

[0073] In addition, in a game in which the Fourth Big Bonus (BB4) has been won, a stop control table is referenced in which the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the Fourth Big Bonus (BB4) can be won only when three medals are inserted, and when two medals are inserted, a stop control table is referenced in which the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the Fourth Big Bonus (BB4) will not be won no matter what manner of stopping operation is performed.

[0074] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3. Specifically, the winning determination means 140 refers to a winning determination table stored in a winning determination table storage area 1912 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a to determine whether or not a symbol combination displayed on an active line at the time when all of the left reel R1, the center reel R2, and the right reel R3 have stopped is a winning form of a predetermined winning combination. Then, the winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of a winning combination of the first big bonus (BB1), the second big bonus (BB2), the third big bonus (BB3), the fourth big bonus (BB4), the replay 1 to the replay 9, and the small winning combination 1 to the small winning combination 61 can be determined based on the symbol combination displayed on the active line when each reel has stopped, as shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 17.

[0075] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a winning combination is achieved, a winning process is executed based on the result of the determination by the winning determination means 140. As the winning process, for example, when a small combination is achieved, a medal payout process is executed by the payout control means 150, when a replay is achieved, a replay process is executed by the replay processing means 160, and when a bonus is achieved, a game state transition process is executed by the game state control means 170 to transition the game state.

[0076] The payout control means 150 performs a payout control process for the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a small winning combination is won, the payout number of medals in the game is determined based on the payout amount determined in advance for each combination, and the payout number of medals corresponding to the determined payout number is controlled to be paid out to the hopper unit HP (payout device).

[0077] The hopper unit HP performs an operation of paying out the number of medals instructed by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit HP is provided with a paid out medal detection switch 325 that is activated each time a medal is paid out, and the payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit HP based on an input signal from the paid out medal detection switch 325.

[0078] When credit storage (accumulation storage) of medals is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals using the hopper unit HP, a credit addition process is performed in which the number of payouts is added to the number of credits (the number of medals stored as credits) stored in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, and medals are virtually paid out.

[0079] When a replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs a replay process (replay process) for setting the next game to the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert medals owned by the player. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed for automatically inserting medals in the number equivalent to the prescribed insertion number required for the next game without using medals (including credit medals) owned by the player, and the machine waits for the next game start operation on the start lever SL with the pay line corresponding to the prescribed insertion number set.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 18, the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition control process for transitioning the game state among a normal state, a BB1 established state, a BB2 established state, a BB3 established state, a BB4 established state, a BB1 state, a BB2 state, a BB3 state, and a BB4 state. In this embodiment, information indicating the game state in which the player is currently playing is stored in a game state storage area 1916 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. The transition condition of the game state may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are set, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the establishment of one of multiple predetermined conditions or the establishment of all of multiple predetermined conditions.

[0081] The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of game states, and the prescribed number of coins inserted is set to 2 and 3. From the normal state, it is possible to transition to the BB1 ​​established state, the BB2 established state, the BB3 established state, and the BB4 established state. Specifically, in the normal state, if the first big bonus (BB1) is won, the state transitions to the BB1 ​​established state, if the second big bonus (BB2) is won, the state transitions to the BB2 established state, if the third big bonus (BB3) is won, the state transitions to the BB3 established state, and if the fourth big bonus (BB4) is won, the state transitions to the BB4 established state. In the normal state, the internal lottery is performed by referring to the internal lottery table 1 or the internal lottery table 2 in which the probability of winning a replay is set to about 1 / 7.3 or more and the bonuses (the first big bonus (BB1) to the fourth big bonus (BB4)) are set as the lottery objects among the internal lottery tables 1 to 8 shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 according to the number of coins inserted.

[0082] Specifically, when three medals are inserted in the normal state and a game is played, the internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table 1 in which the third Big Bonus (BB3) and the fourth Big Bonus (BB4) are set as the items to be selected, and when two medals are inserted in the normal state and a game is played, the internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table 2 in which the first Big Bonus (BB1) and the second Big Bonus (BB2) are set as the items to be selected.

[0083] The BB1 ​​state is a game state entered when the first Big Bonus (BB1) is won in an internal lottery, in which the specified number of coins to be inserted is set to 2 and 3, and an internal lottery is held by referring to internal lottery table 2 or internal lottery table 6, among internal lottery tables 1 to 8 shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 or more and in which bonuses (first Big Bonus (BB1) to fourth Big Bonus (BB4)) are excluded from the lottery, depending on the number of coins inserted.

[0084] Specifically, when BB1 is established and three medals are inserted to play, an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 2, and when BB1 is established and two medals are inserted to play, an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 6, which has a different lottery pattern for minor roles and replays from internal lottery table 2.

[0085] In the BB1 ​​established state, the lottery flag corresponding to the first big bonus (BB1) is maintained in a winning state until the first big bonus (BB1) is won, and when the symbol combination showing the winning form of the first big bonus (BB1) is displayed on the pay line, the game state control means 170 shifts the game state from the BB1 ​​established state to the BB1 ​​state. In this embodiment, since the first big bonus (BB1) is an effective bonus only when the number of medals inserted is two, it is possible to win the first big bonus (BB1) when playing with two medals inserted in the BB1 ​​established state, but it is not possible to win the first big bonus (BB1) when playing with three medals inserted in the BB1 ​​established state.

[0086] The BB2 state is a game state entered when the second big bonus (BB2) is won in an internal lottery, in which the specified number of coins to be inserted is set to 2 and 3, and an internal lottery is held by referring to internal lottery table 2 or internal lottery table 6, among internal lottery tables 1 to 8 shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 or more and in which bonuses (first big bonus (BB1) to fourth big bonus (BB4)) are excluded from the lottery, depending on the number of coins inserted.

[0087] Specifically, when BB2 is established and three medals are inserted to play, an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 2, and when BB2 is established and two medals are inserted to play, an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 6, which has a different lottery pattern for minor roles and replays from internal lottery table 2.

[0088] In the BB2 established state, the lottery flag corresponding to the second big bonus (BB2) is maintained in a winning state until the second big bonus (BB2) is won, and when the symbol combination showing the winning form of the second big bonus (BB2) is displayed on the pay line, the game state control means 170 shifts the game state from the BB2 established state to the BB2 state. Note that in this embodiment, since the second big bonus (BB2) is an effective bonus only when the number of medals inserted is two, it is possible to win the second big bonus (BB2) when playing with two medals inserted in the BB2 established state, but it is not possible to win the second big bonus (BB2) when playing with three medals inserted in the BB2 established state.

[0089] The BB3 state is a game state entered when the third Big Bonus (BB3) is won in an internal lottery, in which the specified number of coins to be inserted is set to 2 and 3, and an internal lottery is held by referring to internal lottery table 3 or internal lottery table 7, among internal lottery tables 1 to 8 shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 or more, and in which bonuses (first Big Bonus (BB1) to fourth Big Bonus (BB4)) are excluded from the lottery, depending on the number of coins inserted.

[0090] Specifically, when BB3 is established and three medals are inserted to play, an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 3, and when BB3 is established and two medals are inserted to play, an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 7, which has a different lottery pattern for minor roles and replays than internal lottery table 3.

[0091] In the BB3 established state, the lottery flag corresponding to the third big bonus (BB3) is maintained in a winning state until the third big bonus (BB3) is won, and when the symbol combination showing the winning form of the third big bonus (BB3) is displayed on the pay line, the game state control means 170 shifts the game state from the BB3 established state to the BB3 state. Note that in this embodiment, since the third big bonus (BB3) is an effective bonus only when the number of medals inserted is three, it is possible to win the third big bonus (BB3) when playing with three medals inserted in the BB3 established state, but it is not possible to win the third big bonus (BB3) when playing with two medals inserted in the BB3 established state.

[0092] The BB4 state is a game state entered when the 4th Big Bonus (BB4) is won in an internal lottery, in which the specified number of coins to be inserted is set to 2 and 3, and an internal lottery is held by referring to internal lottery table 3 or internal lottery table 7, among internal lottery tables 1 to 8 shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 or more, and in which bonuses (1st Big Bonus (BB1) to 4th Big Bonus (BB4)) are excluded from the lottery, depending on the number of coins inserted.

[0093] Specifically, when BB4 is established and three medals are inserted to play, an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 3, and when BB4 is established and two medals are inserted to play, an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 7, which has a different lottery pattern for minor roles and replays from internal lottery table 3.

[0094] In the BB4 state, the lottery flag corresponding to the 4th Big Bonus (BB4) is maintained in the winning state until the 4th Big Bonus (BB4) is won, and when the symbol combination showing the winning form of the 4th Big Bonus (BB4) is displayed on the pay line, the game state control means 170 shifts the game state from the BB4 state to the BB4 state. Note that in this embodiment, since the 4th Big Bonus (BB4) is an effective bonus only when the number of medals inserted is three, it is possible to win the 4th Big Bonus (BB4) when playing with three medals inserted in the BB4 state, but it is not possible to win the 4th Big Bonus (BB4) when playing with two medals inserted in the BB4 state.

[0095] The BB1 ​​state is a game state to which the player enters when a symbol combination indicating the winning form of the first big bonus (BB1) is displayed on the winning line. The specified number of coins to be inserted is set to 2 or 3, and an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 4 or internal lottery table 8, of internal lottery tables 1 to 8 shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the lottery mode for minor roles is different from the internal lottery tables used in other game states.

[0096] Specifically, when three medals are inserted in the BB1 ​​state and a game is played, the internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table 4 in which replays are excluded from the lottery items, and when two medals are inserted in the BB1 ​​state and a game is played, the internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table 8 in which replays are included in the lottery items, unlike the internal lottery table 4.

[0097] In the BB1 ​​state, the game state transition control means 170 determines whether or not the end condition is met based on the total number of medals paid out by the game in the BB1 ​​state, and when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 200 medals), the game state transition control means 170 performs control to end the BB1 ​​state and return the game state to the normal state. Note that in this embodiment, count information on the number of medals paid out in the BB1 ​​state is stored in the game state storage area 1916.

[0098] The BB2 state is a game state to which the player enters when a symbol combination indicating the winning form of the second big bonus (BB2) is displayed on an active line. The specified number of coins to be inserted is set to 2 or 3, and an internal lottery is conducted with reference to internal lottery table 4 or internal lottery table 8, among internal lottery tables 1 to 8 shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which replays are excluded from the lottery and the lottery mode for minor roles is different from the internal lottery tables used in other game states.

[0099] Specifically, when three medals are inserted in the BB2 state and a game is played, the internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table 4 in which replays are excluded from the lottery items, and when two medals are inserted in the BB2 state and a game is played, the internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table 8 in which replays are included in the lottery items, unlike the internal lottery table 4.

[0100] In the BB2 state, the game state transition control means 170 determines whether or not the end condition is met based on the total number of medals paid out by the game in the BB2 state, and when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 200 medals), the game state transition control means 170 performs control to end the BB2 state and return the game state to the normal state. Note that in this embodiment, count information on the number of medals paid out in the BB2 state is stored in the game state storage area 1916.

[0101] The BB3 state is a game state to which the player enters when a symbol combination indicating the winning form of the third big bonus (BB3) is displayed on an active line. The specified number of coins to be inserted is set to 2 or 3, and an internal lottery is conducted with reference to internal lottery table 4 or internal lottery table 8, among internal lottery tables 1 to 8 shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which replays are excluded from the lottery and the lottery mode for minor roles is different from the internal lottery tables used in other game states.

[0102] Specifically, when three medals are inserted in the BB3 state and a game is played, the internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table 4 in which replays are excluded from the lottery items, and when two medals are inserted in the BB3 state and a game is played, the internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table 8 in which replays are included in the lottery items, unlike the internal lottery table 4.

[0103] In the BB3 state, the game state transition control means 170 determines whether or not the end condition is met based on the total number of medals paid out by the game in the BB3 state, and when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 200 medals), the game state transition control means 170 performs control to end the BB3 state and return the game state to the normal state. Note that in this embodiment, count information on the number of medals paid out in the BB3 state is stored in the game state storage area 1916.

[0104] The BB4 state is a game state to which the player enters when a symbol combination indicating the winning form of the 4th Big Bonus (BB4) is displayed on an active line. The specified number of coins to be inserted is set to 2 or 3, and among internal lottery tables 1 to 8 shown in Figures 4 and 5, replays are excluded from the lottery and an internal lottery is conducted with reference to internal lottery table 4 or internal lottery table 8, in which the lottery mode for minor roles differs from the internal lottery tables used in other game states.

[0105] Specifically, when three medals are inserted in the BB4 state and a game is played, the internal lottery is performed by referring to internal lottery table 4, which excludes replays from the lottery items, and when two medals are inserted in the BB4 state and a game is played, the internal lottery is performed by referring to internal lottery table 8, which, unlike internal lottery table 4, includes replays as a lottery item.

[0106] In the BB4 state, the game state transition control means 170 determines whether or not the end condition is met based on the total number of medals paid out by the game in the BB4 state, and when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 200 medals), the game state transition control means 170 performs control to end the BB4 state and return the game state to the normal state. Note that in this embodiment, count information on the number of medals paid out in the BB4 state is stored in the game state storage area 1916.

[0107] 19, the AT control means 175 changes the presentation state among a plurality of types of presentation states including an initial presentation state, a normal presentation state, a first AT state, a second AT state, and an end waiting state, sets the presentation state to the first AT state (first assist time state) or the second AT state (second assist time state) under a predetermined condition, judges whether the end condition of each AT state is satisfied based on the value of the navigation count counter 1921, and performs control to end each AT state when the end condition of each AT state is satisfied. In this embodiment, information indicating the currently-stayed presentation state is stored in a presentation state storage area 1917 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In this embodiment, when the player is in the first AT state or the second AT state, the AT control means 175 notifies the player of the correct batting order to assist in the winning of the 15-coin small prize (small prize 31 to small prize 54) by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the correct batting order, etc. (at least one of the correct batting order and the press position) on the main display 300 consisting of a 7-segment display provided in the game information display unit DS when the batting order bell is won, and the performance control means 180 performs a winning assistance performance to assist in the winning of the 15-coin small prize (small prize 31 to small prize 54) by displaying an image corresponding to the correct batting order, etc. (at least one of the correct batting order and the press position) on the liquid crystal display LCD when the batting order bell is won, allowing the player to play an assist time game (an example of an assistance game) in which it is easier to win medals than when the player is in the initial performance state or the normal performance state.

[0108] 20, the AT control means 175 can set a normal section (non-advantageous section) and an advantageous section, and in the normal section, the presentation state is fixed to the initial presentation state and a lottery for transition to an advantageous section is performed, and the presentation state can be set to the AT state on the condition that the advantageous section is started by winning the lottery for transition to an advantageous section. In the normal section game, when the game state is the normal state, the BB1 ​​establishment state, or the BB2 establishment state, the AT control means 175 performs a lottery for transition to an advantageous section based on the fact that any of the winning patterns of batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 24, watermelon, chance eye A, chance eye B, normal replay A, weak cherry, or strong cherry is obtained in the internal lottery. In this embodiment, when the game state is normal, BB1, or BB2, and the number of medals inserted is three, the lottery for moving to the favorable zone can be executed, and when the number of medals inserted is two, the lottery for moving to the favorable zone is not executed regardless of the game state, and when the game state is BB3, BB4, BB1, BB2, BB3, or BB4, the lottery for moving to the favorable zone is not executed even if the number of medals inserted is three. In addition, the normal replay B, the third big bonus (BB3), and the fourth big bonus (BB4), which are the objects of the lottery when the number of medals inserted is three in the normal state, do not trigger the lottery for moving to the favorable zone.

[0109] In the advantageous zone transition lottery, the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is compared with the advantageous zone transition lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and whether or not the advantageous zone transition lottery has been won (advantageous zone win) is determined according to the comparison result. In the advantageous zone transition lottery table, advantageous zone win (AT win), advantageous zone win (AT non-win), or miss is assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery associated with each winning mode that triggers the execution of the advantageous zone transition lottery, and it is determined that the advantageous zone transition lottery has been won when the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is associated with the winning mode that triggers the execution of the advantageous zone transition lottery and is associated with advantageous zone win (AT win) or advantageous zone win (AT non-win) in the advantageous zone transition lottery table.

[0110] Then, when the AT control means 175 wins the advantageous zone transition lottery in the normal zone, it performs advantageous zone transition processing based on the fact that the advantageous zone transition lottery has been won, and starts the advantageous zone from the next game of the game in which the advantageous zone transition lottery has been won. In this embodiment, if the result of the advantageous zone transition lottery is advantageous zone win (AT non-win), the presentation state is transitioned to the normal presentation state in the advantageous zone transition processing, and if the result of the advantageous zone transition lottery is advantageous zone win (AT win), the presentation state is transitioned to the first AT state in the advantageous zone transition processing. Note that the advantageous zone transition lottery may be considered as one type of winning mode, and it may be determined whether the presentation state is transitioned to the normal presentation state or the first AT state in the advantageous zone transition processing, and the allocation of the transition destination to the normal presentation state or the first AT state may be determined by the random number value for the internal lottery that triggered the advantageous zone transition lottery.

[0111] When the performance state is the normal performance state in the advantageous zone, the AT control means 175 performs an AT lottery based on the fact that the batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 24, watermelon, chance eye A, chance eye B, normal replay A, weak cherry, or strong cherry is won in the internal lottery. In the AT lottery, the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is compared with the AT lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and whether or not the AT lottery has been won is determined according to the comparison result. In the AT lottery table, an AT win or a miss is assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery associated with the winning mode that triggers the execution of the AT lottery, and it is determined that the AT lottery has been won when the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is associated with either the batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 24, watermelon, chance eye A, chance eye B, normal replay A, weak cherry, or strong cherry, and is associated with the AT win or CZ win in the AT lottery table. If the result of the AT lottery in the normal presentation state is an AT win, the AT control means 175 controls the presentation state to transition from the normal presentation state to the first AT state. In this embodiment, the AT lottery can be executed only when the game state is either the BB1 ​​establishment state or the BB2 establishment state and the number of inserted medals is three.

[0112] In addition, when the AT control means 175 obtains a result of advantageous zone win (AT win) in the advantageous zone transition lottery, and when the AT win is obtained in the AT lottery, the AT control means 175 adds a fixed value "1" to the AT stock number counter 1920, and when transitioning the presentation state to the first AT state, it subtracts a fixed value "1" from the AT stock number counter 1920, selects by lottery the number of navigations that is the end condition for the first AT state, and sets a value equivalent to 10 or 20 navigations ("10" or "20") to the navigation number counter 1921 depending on the lottery result.

[0113] Then, the AT control means 175 performs an assist time game based on the fact that the performance state is the first AT state, and in the assist time game, when the batting order bell 1 to the batting order bell 24 are selected, a correct batting order notification is executed to notify the correct batting order and the push position related to the first stop operation, and each time the correct batting order notification is performed, a fixed value "1" corresponding to one correct batting order notification is subtracted from the value of the navigation count counter 1920. Note that in the assist time game, when the batting order bell 1 to the batting order bell 24 are selected, the performance control means 180 also performs a winning assistance performance to assist in the winning of a 15-coin small role by notifying the correct batting order and the push position related to the first stop operation.

[0114] In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 notifies the correct batting order, information corresponding to the correct batting order is displayed on the main display 300. Specifically, an operation instruction number is set for each combination of the correct batting order and the pressed position related to the final stop operation, and the upper digit of the 7-segment display of the main display 300 corresponds to the first pressed position or the second pressed position shown in FIG. 8, and the lower digit corresponds to the batting order 1 to the batting order 6 shown in FIG. 7. The main display 300 displays "11" (batting order 1 and first pressed position), "2" (batting order 2 and first pressed position), and "3" (batting order 3 and first pressed position) by the 7-segment display. The operation instruction number is displayed as one of the following: "1" (batting order 1 and second pressed position), "12" (batting order 2 and first pressed position), "22" (batting order 2 and second pressed position), "13" (batting order 3 and first pressed position), "23" (batting order 3 and second pressed position), "14" (batting order 4 and first pressed position), "24" (batting order 4 and second pressed position), "15" (batting order 5 and first pressed position), "25" (batting order 5 and second pressed position), "16" (batting order 6 and first pressed position), or "26" (batting order 6 and second pressed position).

[0115] When the value of the navigation count counter 1921, which is subtracted by a fixed value each time a correct batting order is notified in the first AT state, reaches the initial value "0", the AT control means 175 determines that the end condition of the first AT state is met and performs control to transition the presentation state to the second AT state. In this embodiment, when transitioning the presentation state to the second AT state, the AT control means 175 sets the value "20" corresponding to 20 times, which is the number of navigations that is the end condition of the second AT state, to the navigation count counter 1921. In the second AT state, the AT control means 175 performs an assist time game in which a correct batting order is notified when batting order bells 1 to 24 are won, just like in the first AT state, and subtracts a fixed value "1" corresponding to one correct batting order notification from the value of the navigation count counter 1920 each time a correct batting order is notified.

[0116] In addition, when the performance state is the second AT state, the AT control means 175 performs an additional lottery based on the fact that watermelon, chance eye A, chance eye B, weak cherry, or strong cherry is won in the internal lottery. In the additional lottery, the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is compared with the additional lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and whether or not the additional lottery has been won is determined according to the comparison result. In the additional lottery table, the navigation win (+5 times, +10 times, +20 times), stock win (+1, +2, +5), or loss is assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery associated with the winning mode that triggers the execution of the additional lottery, and it is determined that the additional lottery has been won when the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is associated with either watermelon, chance eye A, chance eye B, weak cherry, or strong cherry, and is associated with the navigation win or stock win in the additional lottery table. In this embodiment, the AT control means 175, based on obtaining a lottery result of a navigation win in the additional lottery, adds a value corresponding to the number of navigation times according to the winning condition ("5", "10", "20") to the navigation count counter 1921, and based on obtaining a lottery result of a stock win in the additional lottery, adds a value corresponding to the number of AT stocks according to the winning condition ("1", "2", "5") to the AT stock number counter 1920.

[0117] In addition, when the value of the navigation count counter 1921 reaches the initial value "0" in the second AT state, the AT control means 175 performs a fall lottery based on the fact that the batting order bell 1 to the batting order bell 24 or the normal replay A is won in the internal lottery when the value of the navigation count counter 1921 is the initial value "0". In the fall lottery, the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is compared with the fall lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the fall lottery has been won according to the comparison result. In the fall lottery table, a fall win or a miss is assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery associated with the winning mode that is the trigger for the execution of the fall lottery, and it is determined that the fall lottery has been won when the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is associated with either the batting order bell 1 to the batting order bell 24 or the normal replay A and is associated with a fall win in the fall lottery table. In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 determines that the condition for terminating the second AT state has been met based on obtaining a winning fall result in the fall lottery.

[0118] Then, when the AT control means 175 determines that the end condition of the second AT state is satisfied, it sets the presentation state to the end standby state. In this embodiment, the end standby state continues until any one of the batting order bells 1 to 24 is won, and the AT control means 175 performs control to return the presentation state to the first AT state if the value of the AT stock number counter 1921 is greater than the initial value "0" in a game in which any one of the batting order bells is won in the end standby state. Also, in the end standby state, if the value of the AT stock number counter 1921 is the initial value "0" in a game in which any one of the batting order bells is won, the AT control means 175 adds "1" to the value of the AT stock number counter 1921 based on the winning of a 15-piece small role in that game, and performs control to return the presentation state to the first AT state based on the value of the AT stock number counter 1921 being greater than the initial value "0", and performs control to end the advantageous zone based on the fact that the 15-piece small role is not won.

[0119] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the first clear counter 1922 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to a predetermined value "1" in the advantageous zone transition process, and in the advantageous zone, an incremental update is performed by adding a certain value (for example, 1) corresponding to one game to the value of the first clear counter 1922 every time one game is played, and when the value of the first clear counter 1922 exceeds a threshold value (for example, 1500) (when the value of the first clear counter 1922 reaches "1501"), it is determined that the end condition of the advantageous zone is established. In this embodiment, the first clear counter 1922 is updated after all reels rotating in each game have stopped, but the first clear counter 1922 may be updated at any timing as long as it is predetermined for each game. For example, the update may be triggered by a game start operation on the start lever SL.

[0120] In addition, in this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the second clear counter 1923 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to an initial value of "0" in the advantageous zone transition process, and in the advantageous zone, updates the value of the second clear counter 1923 according to the difference in the number of medals in each game, subtracts the value "3" corresponding to the number of medals inserted in the game (3 medals) from the value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (for example, "15" if 15 medals are paid out, and "0" if no role is won and no medals are paid out) to obtain a calculation result of the difference in the number of medals in the game, and performs an update process in which this calculation result is added to the value of the second clear counter 1923, and also when the value of the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold value (for example, 2400), it is determined that the condition for ending the advantageous zone has been met. The value of the second clear counter 1923 is controlled so as not to fall below the initial value "0". For example, if the value of the second clear counter 1923 at the start of a game is "2" and, as a result of playing a game, no winning combination is won and no medals are paid out, the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals in that game will be "-3", and if the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals is added to the value of the second clear counter 1923, it will fall below the initial value "0". However, the count of the second clear counter 1923 after the update is stopped with the initial value "0" as the lower limit. Also, if a replay is won in a game, the difference in the number of medals is calculated by treating the game in which the replay was won as having been paid out with medals equivalent to the prescribed number of medals for that game, and the difference in the number of medals for the next game provided free of charge due to the replay winning as having been inserted with medals equivalent to the prescribed number of medals for that game, even if no actual medals have been inserted, is calculated.

[0121] In addition, in the advantageous zone, the first clear counter 1922 and the second clear counter 1923 are updated even if a transition in the game state or presentation state occurs, unless the end condition of the advantageous zone is met.

[0122] The AT control means 175 also performs an initialization process to initialize information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a based on the end of the advantageous period. In particular, in this embodiment, with respect to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190, information stored in the performance state storage area 1917, the AT stock number counter 1918, the AT game number counter 1919, the CZ game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 is initialized by an initialization process associated with the end of the advantageous period. More specifically, the storage areas other than the performance state storage area 1918, the AT stock number counter 1920, the navigation count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a are designated as information storage areas, and information stored in storage areas other than the information storage area of ​​the main RAM is initialized. Therefore, when the initialization process is performed following the end of the advantageous zone, unlike the case where the initialization process is performed in the setting change mode, in addition to the setting value storage area 1913 and the credit information storage area 1914, the lottery flag storage area 1915 and the game status storage area 1916 are also designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization process following the end of the advantageous zone. When the initialization process is performed following the end of the advantageous zone, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the AT stock number counter 1920, the navigation count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0) to return to the normal zone.

[0123] In this embodiment, the initialization process is executed with the end of the favorable zone to return to the normal zone, so that if the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold value while the player is in the first AT state or the second AT state, the initialization process with the end of the favorable zone forces the player to terminate the first AT state or the second AT state, initializes the performance state to the initial performance state, and initializes the values ​​of the AT stock number counter 1920, the navigation count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 to their initial values ​​(for example, 0). Also, if the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold value while the player is in another performance state, the initialization process with the end of the favorable zone forces the player to terminate the currently staying performance state, initializes the performance state to the initial performance state, and initializes the values ​​of the AT stock number counter 1920, the navigation count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 to their initial values ​​(for example, 0). In this embodiment, the presentation state is not initialized by turning the power on / off, but when started in the setting change mode, if an initialization process is performed in the setting change mode, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the AT stock number counter 1920, the navigation count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 are initialized to their initial values ​​(e.g., 0).

[0124] In this embodiment, the advantageous zone is started by winning the advantageous zone transition lottery in the normal zone, and the presentation state is set to the first AT state or the second AT state under predetermined conditions within the advantageous zone to play the assist time game, but even if these AT states end, the advantageous zone is maintained as long as the advantageous zone end condition is not met. In other words, in this embodiment, since the advantageous zone continues even after the end of the first AT state or the second AT state, there are cases where the player stays in the advantageous zone even if the presentation state transitions to a presentation state different from the first AT state or the second AT state (for example, a state waiting for completion).

[0125] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 controls the LED built into the section indicator SEC to light up based on the start of an advantageous section to indicate that the player is in the advantageous section, and the LED built into the section indicator SEC to turn off based on the end of the advantageous section. In this embodiment, the LED built into the section indicator SEC is turned off during normal sections, so that it is possible to determine whether or not the player is in an advantageous section by checking the lighting state of the section indicator SEC.

[0126] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 starts or ends advantageous zone notification, which is a notification that the player is staying in an advantageous zone, based on the value of the first clear counter 1922. For example, when a predetermined value "1" is set to the first clear counter 1922 with a transition to an advantageous zone, advantageous zone notification is started based on the value of the first clear counter 1922 becoming larger than the initial value "0" (the value of the first clear counter 1922 not being the initial value "0"), and when the value of the first clear counter 1922 is initialized to the initial value "0" with a transition from the advantageous zone to the normal zone, advantageous zone notification is ended based on the value of the first clear counter 1922 becoming the initial value "0".

[0127] The section indicator SEC does not need to be provided exclusively as in the present embodiment, and may be used in combination with the main display 300. For example, whether or not the player is in the advantageous section may be indicated by switching on / off a dot display section that displays decimal points, etc., of a seven-segment display, and the dot display section may be turned off in a normal section, and the dot display section may be turned on in an advantageous section to notify the player of the advantageous section. When an advantageous section starts, an LED built into the section indicator SEC lights up to immediately notify the player of the advantageous section, but the advantageous section may be set as a non-notification section that does not notify the player of the advantageous section until a predetermined number of games are played from the start of the advantageous section, or the advantageous section may be set as a non-notification section that does not notify the player of the advantageous section until the first correct batting order notification in the advantageous section is executed.

[0128] The effect control means 180 controls display effects using the display device 330 (one example of an effect device) and sound effects using the sound device 340 (one example of an effect device) based on the effect data stored in the effect data storage area 1926 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b. For example, in response to the occurrence of game events such as the insertion of medals, the operation of the bet button B0, the start lever SL, and the stop buttons B1 to B3, and the change in the game state, the effect control means 180 controls the execution of effects to liven up the game or to assist the game, depending on the progress of the game, by lighting or blinking lamps or LEDs, changing the display contents of the liquid crystal display LCD, and outputting sounds from the speaker SP. The contents of the effects executed in the game are determined by referring to the effect lottery table stored in the sub-lottery table storage area 1927 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b, depending on the game state, the effect state, the result of the internal lottery, and the like. In this embodiment, image data corresponding to the progress of the game, etc. is read from the performance data memory area 1926 of the sub-ROM into an image buffer 1928 provided in the sub-RAM, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer 1928 is output to the liquid crystal display LCD, and sound data corresponding to the progress of the game, etc. is read from the performance data memory area 1926 of the sub-ROM into a sound buffer 1929 provided in the sub-RAM, and sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer 1929 is output from the speaker SP.

[0129] When the presentation state is the first AT state and when the presentation state is the second AT state, the presentation control means 180 controls the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a winning assistance presentation that notifies the correct batting order and the press position for the first stop operation when batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 24 are won, and assists in the winning of 15 small prizes (small prizes 31 to 54).

[0130] Furthermore, when playing in the first AT state or the second AT state, the presentation control means 180 controls to execute a remaining number display presentation that displays the remaining number of navigation times in the first AT state or the second AT state on the display device 330 such as a liquid crystal display LCD. In the remaining number display presentation, when the value of the navigation number counter 1921 is subtracted by playing the game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of navigation times is also reduced to reflect the subtraction.

[0131] The functional block configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to computer systems (including game systems). In these systems, the functions of the game control means 100 of this embodiment can be realized by downloading a program that causes a computer to function as the game control means 100 of this embodiment from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD or a Web server on the Internet via a network. In the above computer system, the medal insertion switch 210, the bet switch 220, the start switch 230, the stop switch 240, etc. can be realized by virtually allocating their functions to operation means such as a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse), a touch panel, or a controller. In the above computer system, the reel unit 310, the hopper unit HP, etc. are not essential components, and these device units can virtually realize their functions by controlling images displayed and output on a display (display device 330).

[0132] 2. Method of the Present Invention In this embodiment, when multiple types of small prizes including the 15-coin small prize are won in overlapping fashion, the order of the stopping operations is the correct batting order, and the stopping operation is performed at a predetermined pressing position for the first reel to stop (when the stopping operation is performed in the correct operating mode), batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 24 are provided as winning modes for the small prize that will result in the 15-coin small prize being awarded.

[0133] In this embodiment, among the 24 types of batting order bells, 15 small prizes can be won with the same correct operation mode, but the stop control mode for the right reel R3 is different, and there are some that display similar bell combinations on the same invalid line. The bell combinations referred to here are pattern combinations consisting of at least one of bell pattern 1 "BL1", bell pattern 2 "BL2", and bell pattern 3 "BL3", and "similar" means that the types of bell patterns displayed in the same display position on at least one of the left reel R1, center reel R2, and right reel R3 are different.

[0134] For example, for the batting order bell 1 (an example of a first specific winning mode) and the batting order bell 3 (an example of a second specific winning mode), when a 15-coin small win is won, a similar bell-line pattern combination (an example of a specific pattern combination) is displayed on the ineffective line (upper ineffective line: an example of a specific ineffective line) consisting of the upper row of each reel. As shown in FIG. 21, the batting order bell 1 is a winning mode including a small win 54 as a 15-coin small win, and the batting order bell 3 is a winning mode including a small win 52 as a 15-coin small win. And as shown in FIG. 9, the batting order bell 1 and the batting order bell 3 have the same correct operation mode, and both are winning modes in which a 15-coin small win is won when the correct batting order is the batting order 1 and the push detection position related to the first stop operation is the first push position.

[0135] When comparing the symbol combination indicating the winning form of minor win 54 with the symbol combination indicating the winning form of minor win 52, the symbols assigned to the left reel R1 and center reel R2 are the same, but the symbol assigned to the right reel R3 is different, and when each wins, the control manner for stopping the right reel R3 is different, and the symbol combinations displayed on the pay lines are different, but similar bell-line symbol combinations are displayed on the upper inactive lines.

[0136] In this embodiment, among the 24 types of batting order bells, it is possible to win 15 small prizes with different correct operation methods, but the stop control method for the right reel R3 is different, and there are some that display similar bell pattern combinations on the same invalid line.

[0137] For example, for the batting order bell 9 (an example of a first specific winning mode) and the batting order bell 13 (an example of a second specific winning mode), when a 15-coin small win is won, a similar bell-line pattern combination is displayed on the invalid line (lower invalid line: an example of a specific invalid line) consisting of the lower row of each reel. As shown in FIG. 22, the batting order bell 9 is a winning mode including a small win 46 as a 15-coin small win, and the batting order bell 13 is a winning mode including a small win 42 as a 15-coin small win. As shown in FIG. 9, the batting order bell 9 is a winning mode in which a 15-coin small win is won when the correct batting order is batting order 3 and the push detection position related to the first stop operation is the first push position, and the batting order bell 13 is a winning mode in which a 15-coin small win is won when the correct batting order is batting order 4 and the push detection position related to the first stop operation is the first push position, and the correct operation modes of both are different.

[0138] However, when comparing the symbol combination indicating the winning form of minor win 46 with the symbol combination indicating the winning form of minor win 42, the symbols assigned to the left reel R1 and center reel R2 are the same, but the symbol assigned to the right reel R3 is different, and when each wins, the control manner for stopping the right reel R3 is different, and the symbol combinations displayed on the pay lines are different, but similar bell-line symbol combinations are displayed on the lower inactive lines.

[0139] In this embodiment, each of the batting order bells 1 to 24 includes a unique 15-coin small combination, and when each of the 15-coin small combinations wins, a bell combination is displayed on seven types of invalid lines, as shown in Fig. 23(A) to 23(G). In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, the bell symbol 1 "BL1" and the bell symbol 2 "BL2" are arranged adjacent to each other on the right reel R3, and the bell symbol 3 "BL3" and the bell symbol 2 "BL2" are arranged adjacent to each other, and by utilizing this arrangement, it is possible to display similar bell combinations on the same invalid line when different 15-coin small combinations win.

[0140] Here, in this embodiment, there is a reason why two kinds of bell symbols are arranged adjacently on the right reel R3, not on the left reel R1 or the center reel R2. First, in gaming machines called slot machines, the left reel R1 is generally stopped first, and it is customary to sense the winning of rare roles such as watermelon, weak cherry, and strong cherry by the stopping state of the left reel R1. For this reason, in this embodiment, the arrangement of the cherry symbol "CH" and the watermelon symbol "WM" on the left reel R1 is important, and arranging two kinds of bell symbols adjacently is not preferable because it affects the arrangement of the cherry symbol "CH" and the watermelon symbol "WM". Also, when two types of bell symbols are arranged adjacently on the center reel R2, as shown in Fig. 24(A), the bell combination appears on the upper void line consisting of the upper row of each reel, and on the small V void line consisting of the upper row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the middle reel R2, and the upper row of the right reel R3, narrowing the range of possible results.Furthermore, when two types of bell symbols are arranged adjacently on the center reel R2, as shown in Fig. 24(B), the bell combination appears on the lower void line consisting of the lower row of each reel, and on the small mountain void line consisting of the lower row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the middle reel R2, and the lower row of the right reel R3, narrowing the range of possible results.

[0141] Therefore, in this embodiment, a pattern arrangement is adopted in which two types of bell patterns are arranged adjacent to each other on the right reel R3, and when the hitting order bell is won and a stopping operation is performed in the correct operation mode to win a 15-coin small prize, even if a different 15-coin small prize is won due to different controls for stopping the right reel R3, similar bell pattern combinations are displayed on the same void line, making it possible to ensure freedom in the expression of the results.

[0142] In addition, in game specifications that allow detection of rare winning symbols such as watermelon or cherry by stopping center reel R2 first, the freedom of pattern arrangement on left reel R1 is increased, so it is possible to obtain the same effect as in this embodiment by arranging two types of bell symbols on left reel R1.

[0143] Also, by changing the control mode when stopping the center reel R2, it is possible to display similar symbol combinations on the same invalid line when different 15-coin minor winning combinations are won. In this case, by arranging a symbol other than the bell symbol (for example, a watermelon symbol "WM") between two types of bell symbols in a positional relationship in which one symbol is sandwiched between them, it is possible to avoid similar bell symbol combinations being displayed simultaneously on the upper invalid line and the small V invalid line as shown in Figures 25(A) to 25(D), and it is also possible to avoid similar bell symbol combinations being displayed simultaneously on the lower invalid line and the small mountain invalid line as shown in Figures 25(E) to 25(H).

[0144] It is also possible to employ an embodiment in which two types of bell symbols are arranged on the middle reel R2 with one other symbol sandwiched between them, and two types of bell symbols are arranged adjacently on the right reel R3, and when the batting order bell is won, the control manner for at least one of the middle reel R2 or the right reel R3 is different, so that similar bell pattern combinations are displayed on the same void line when different 15-coin minor prizes are won.

[0145] In this embodiment, the symbol combinations of bells displayed on the same invalid line when different 15-coin minor prizes are won are similar to each other, but it is also possible to adopt a mode in which the same symbol combination of bells is displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 26(A) and FIG. 26(B), the symbol combinations displayed on the pay lines are different, while the same symbol combination of bells is displayed on the upper invalid line. In addition, by arranging two bell symbols (same bell symbols) on the center reel R2 in a positional relationship in which another symbol different from the bell symbols is sandwiched between them, the same symbol combination of bells can be displayed on the same invalid line when different 15-coin minor prizes are won.

[0146] In the present embodiment, the push position for the first stop operation is determined in the correct operation mode, but the push position for the second stop operation or the third stop operation may be determined. In addition, for a batting order bell with the same correct operation mode, the reels with different stop control modes may be not only one reel but also multiple reels, and even in this case, it is sufficient that similar symbol combinations are displayed on the same invalid line. In addition, for a batting order bell with different correct operation modes, when similar symbol combinations are displayed on the same invalid line, the reels with different stop control modes may be not only one reel but also multiple reels. In addition, for the correct operation mode, both the order of stop operations and the push position are determined, but either one of them may be determined as the correct operation mode.

[0147] In the present embodiment, the gaming machine is configured to insert gaming media such as medals when playing a game, and to pay out gaming media when winning a winning combination, but the game may be played by consuming or granting gaming value as electronic information without using gaming media. For example, the gaming machine or an external unit connected to the gaming machine may be configured to store information on the gaming value owned by the player, and the consumption of gaming value by subtracting the number of gaming values ​​may be replaced by the insertion of gaming media, and the granting of gaming value by adding the number of gaming values ​​may be replaced by the payout of gaming media. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] BX storage box, UD front upper door, DD front lower door, DW display window, L1 Valid line, DS Game information display, LCD liquid crystal display, BS setting change button, KS setting change key cylinder, SEC section indicator, EU power supply unit, ES power switch, SP speaker, PS Reel unit storage space, MAIN Main board, SUB Sub board, HP Hopper Unit, MT Medal Storage Tank, CB Cash Box, R1 left reel, R2 center reel, R3 right reel, B0 bet button, SL start lever, B1~B3 stop buttons, MI medal slot, MO medal outlet, MP medal tray, 100 Game control means, 103 setting change means, 105 input acceptance means, 110 random number generation means, 120 internal lottery means, 130 reel control means, 140 winning determination means, 150 payout control means, 160 replay processing means, 170 game state control means, 175 AT control means, 180 Production control means, 190a game information storage means, 1910 main lottery table storage area, 1911: stop control table storage area; 1912: winning determination table storage area; 1913 setting value storage area, 1914 credit information storage area, 1915 lottery flag storage area, 1916 game status storage area, 1918 performance state memory area, 1920 AT stock counter, 1921 Navigation count counter, 1922 1st clear counter, 1923 2nd clear counter, 190b performance information storage means, 1926 performance data storage area, 1927 Sub lottery table storage area, 1928 Image Buffer, 1929 Sound Buffer, 210 coin insertion switch, 220 bet switch, 230 start switch, 240 Stop switch, 250 Setting change permission switch, 260 Setting change switch, 300 Main display, 310 reel units, 315 reel index, 325 payout medal detection switch, 330 display device, 340 sound device,

Claims

1. A plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer circumferential surface thereof; An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not a plurality of types of roles including small roles are won; a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and controlling the reels to stop in a manner corresponding to a result of an internal lottery when a stop operation is initiated; When the plurality of reels are stopped and a symbol combination showing a winning form predetermined for each winning combination is displayed on an active line, the winning combination is won, and a game value is paid out based on the winning of the minor winning combination. As the winning mode of the small win, there are a plurality of types of specific winning modes in which a plurality of types of specific small wins are won without overlapping with each other, and a correct operation mode is previously determined as a mode of a stop operation according to the type of the specific winning mode, The reel control means In a game in which the result of the internal lottery is the specific winning pattern, if a stop operation is performed in the correct operation pattern, the specific minor role included in the specific winning pattern can be won, and if the stop operation is not in accordance with the correct operation pattern, the specific minor role included in the specific winning pattern cannot be won. the plurality of reels are comprised of a left reel, a center reel, and a right reel; Among the plurality of specific winning modes, the first specific winning mode and the second specific winning mode have different correct operation modes, and when a stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode, the control mode for stopping at least the right reel is different. When the specific minor winning combination is won, the symbol combinations displayed on the pay line are different, while the specific symbol combinations displayed on the same ineffective line are the same or similar to each other. A gaming machine characterized in that the symbols constituting the specific symbol combination are arranged in adjacent positions on the right reel.

2. A plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer circumferential surface thereof; An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not a plurality of types of roles including small roles are won; a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and controlling the reels to stop in a manner corresponding to a result of an internal lottery when a stop operation is initiated; When the plurality of reels are stopped and a symbol combination showing a winning form predetermined for each winning combination is displayed on an active line, the winning combination is won, and a game value is paid out based on the winning of the minor winning combination. As the winning mode of the small win, there are a plurality of types of specific winning modes in which a plurality of types of specific small wins are won without overlapping with each other, and a correct operation mode is previously determined as a mode of a stop operation according to the type of the specific winning mode, The reel control means In a game in which the result of the internal lottery is the specific winning pattern, if a stop operation is performed in the correct operation pattern, the specific minor role included in the specific winning pattern can be won, and if the stop operation is not in accordance with the correct operation pattern, the specific minor role included in the specific winning pattern cannot be won. the plurality of reels are comprised of a left reel, a center reel, and a right reel; Among the plurality of specific winning modes, the first specific winning mode and the second specific winning mode have different control modes when at least the center reel is stopped when a stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode, and the symbol combinations displayed on the pay lines when the specific minor winning combination is won are different, while the specific symbol combinations displayed on the same ineffective line are the same or similar to each other; The gaming machine is characterized in that, on the center reel, the symbols constituting the specific symbol combination are arranged in a positional relationship in which one symbol not constituting the specific symbol combination is sandwiched between them.

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