Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of improving a player's amusement toward games by the stop mode of reels.SOLUTION: If a lottery-winning area "Cherry 1" is won in a lottery, a cherry symbol "CH" on a specific reel is stop displayed on a lower position with an operation of a specific stop button at a first timing, and is stop displayed on an upper position with an operation at a second timing. If any of a lottery-winning area "pressing order bell 1" to a lottery-winning area "pressing order bell 8" is won in a lottery and the specific stop button is operated first, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed is the same number when a replay B symbol "RPB" is stop displayed on a valid line and when a replay A symbol "RPA" is stop displayed on a valid line. The replay A symbol "RPA" is stop displayed with an operation of the specific stop button at the first timing and the replay B symbol "RPB" is stop displayed with an operation of the specific stop button at the second timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines (rotary gaming machines, slot machines) equipped with a plurality of reels having symbols arranged on their outer peripheral surfaces are known. This type of gaming machine assigns a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and conducts a game to obtain such a gaming value. Further, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery and starts the rotation of a plurality of reels upon the player's rotation start operation, and controls to stop the plurality of reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon the player's stop operation. Then, the result of the game is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in the state where the plurality of reels have stopped, and payouts such as medals are made according to the result of the game.

[0003] In the above-described gaming machine, there is known a configuration in which, by executing a game aiming to display a specific symbol arranged on a specific reel on an effective line, a small winning combination can be made winning when winning a small role in an internal lottery (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, when a stop button is operated such that a specific symbol is displayed on the effective line at a specific timing, there are cases where a minor winning combination wins and cases where a minor winning combination does not win, and the stopping mode of the reels is limited. If the game is continued over a long period, there is a risk that the player's interest in the stopping mode of the reels will decline.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of enhancing the player's interest in the game according to the stopping mode of the reels.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention includes a plurality of reels, a plurality of stop buttons, a display window for making the plurality of reels visible, internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery, and reel control means for controlling the rotation mode and stopping mode of the reels, When the winning combination selected in the internal lottery wins, a symbol combination indicating a win is stopped and displayed on the effective line, The plurality of reels includes a specific reel, The plurality of stop buttons includes a specific stop button, The specific stop button corresponds to the specific reel, Inside the display window, when the specific reel stops, there is a first symbol display position where one symbol is stopped and displayed, and a second symbol display position where one symbol is stopped and displayed when the specific reel stops, On the specific reel, a first symbol, a second symbol, a third symbol, a fourth symbol, etc. are arranged, The internal lottery includes a first winning mode and a second winning mode as objects of the lottery, When winning in the first winning mode and the specific stop button is operated at the first timing, the first symbol can be stopped and displayed at the first symbol display position, When winning the first winning mode and the specific stop button is operated at the second timing, the first symbol can be stopped and displayed at the second symbol display position. The first timing is the timing when the second symbol is rotationally displayed on the effective line. The second timing is the timing when the third symbol is rotationally displayed on the effective line. When winning a winning mode including a small winning combination, the reel control means can execute a number priority control to preferentially stop and display, on the effective line, the symbol with the most combinations of winning symbols that can be displayed on the effective line over other symbols. The second winning mode is included in a plurality of types of specific winning modes. The plurality of types of specific winning modes are winning modes each including a small winning combination with a first payout and a small winning combination with a second payout. The first payout is higher than the second payout. For each of the plurality of types of specific winning modes, a correct operation mode is set as the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons. The operation mode of operating the specific stop button first is not set as the correct operation mode in any of the specific winning modes. When winning the specific winning mode in the internal lottery, When the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the correct operation mode, the small winning combination with the first payout wins. Among the operation modes different from the correct operation mode, when the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the operation mode of operating the specific stop button first, the small winning combination with the second payout wins. Among the operation modes different from the correct operation mode, when the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the operation mode of operating a stop button different from the specific stop button first, the small winning combination with the second payout wins with a predetermined probability It is possible that among the operation modes different from the correct operation mode, the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which a stop button different from the specific stop button is operated first. And when the small winning combination with the second payout does not win, none of the winning combinations wins. When winning the second winning mode and when the specific stop button is operated for the first time, the number of symbol combinations indicating a winning that can be displayed when the third symbol stops and is displayed on the active line, and the number of symbol combinations indicating a winning that can be displayed when the fourth symbol stops and is displayed on the active line are the same. When winning the second winning mode and when the specific stop button is operated for the first time, if the specific stop button is operated at the first timing, the fourth symbol stops and is displayed on the active line. When winning the second winning mode and when the specific stop button is operated for the first time, if the specific stop button is operated at the second timing, the third symbol stops and is displayed on the active line. This is the gist of the invention.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can enhance the player's interest in the game depending on the stop mode of the reels.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0011] 1. Outline of the Configuration of the Gaming Machine FIG. 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called rotary drum type gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine that conducts a game using medals as gaming media.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment has a reel unit 310 (see FIG. 2) composed of left reels R1 to right reels R3 as a plurality of reels housed in a box-shaped housing composed of a housing BX, a front upper door UD, and a front lower door DD. Further, a hopper unit 320 (see FIG. 2) as a medal payout device is housed below the reel unit 310 in the housing. Also, a control board that mounts a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, etc. and controls the operation of the slot machine 1 is housed in the housing of the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment.

[0013] The left reel R1 to the right reel R3 shown in FIG. 1 each have an outer peripheral surface partitioned into 20 regions at regular intervals (hereinafter, each region is referred to as a "frame"), and any of a plurality of types of symbols are arranged in each frame.

[0014] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are provided so as to be individually openable and closable. The upper front door UD is provided with a display device 330 as display means for performing an effect composed of various videos and images for assisting the game and livening up the game. Further, in the display device 330, a specific area 330b facing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the display area 330a for displaying an image is composed of a transmissive liquid crystal display, and the rotation state and the stop state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed through the specific area 330b of the display device 330. In the stopped state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, among the plurality of types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer peripheral surface of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, three symbols (upper symbol, middle symbol, lower symbol) continuously arranged on the outer peripheral surface can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display device 330.

[0015] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, for each reel, an upper stage, a middle stage, and a lower stage are provided as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 330, and an effective line L1 is set for the effective lines formed by combinations of the display positions of the respective reels. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, so-called the specified insertion number, is set to 3 in any game state, and when medals corresponding to the specified insertion number are inserted, the effective line L1 formed by the middle stages of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is activated.

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

[0017] On the front upper door UD, a game information display unit DS is provided. The game information display unit DS is composed of an LED, a lamp, a 7-segment display, etc., and displays the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, the total number of medals paid out or won in the bonus state, the information on the winning combination selected in the current game, the information suggesting how to press the stop buttons B1, B2, and B3 related to medal payout, and various other game information.

[0018] The game information display unit DS includes a main control display device 500 composed of a 7-segment display. When a specified number of medals are inserted and the start lever SL is operated, a notification display, which is a display corresponding to a winning combination command that is a control signal created based on the winning information, which is the information on the winning combination selected in the current game, is displayed. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop after the notification display is shown, the notification display ends and the number of medals paid out or won is displayed. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a notification display is executed in which each segment of the main control display device 500 lights up and goes out in a display mode corresponding to the winning combination command.

[0019] In addition, the main control display device 500 is provided with a section notification unit 500A that is a dot of the 7-segment display and lights up when an advantageous section is started by the AT control means 200 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, and the winning of a minor winning combination is assisted so that the expected value of medal winning is 1 or more. Also, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of sound devices 340 for performing effects using sound are provided on the front lower door DD. Various sounds for assisting the game or livening up the game are output from the sound devices 340.

[0020] On the front lower door DD, various operating means are provided. As the operating means, as the insertion operating means for performing the operation of inserting the credited medals, there is a max bet button MB for inserting the specified number of medals, a start lever SL as the game start operating means for causing the player to execute a start operation that triggers the start of the game by rotating the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, stop buttons B1 to B3 as the stop operating means for causing the player to execute a stop operation that triggers the stop of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that is rotationally driven by a stepping motor, and a pay-out button BS for paying out the credited medals are also provided.

[0021] Also, at the lower part of the front lower door DD, a medal payout port MO and a medal tray MP are provided, and the number of medals corresponding to the result of the game is paid out from the medal payout port MO to the medal tray MP. Further, when the pay-out button BS is pressed while the medals credited in the gaming machine are stored, a pay-out process is executed to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the credit number (the number of credited medals) from the hopper unit 320 along with the pressing of the pay-out button BS, and the medals are paid out from the medal payout port MO to the medal tray MP.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment. The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is controlled by a game control means 10 as a control board. The game control means 10 receives input signals from input means of a plurality of operation detection means, namely, a medal insertion switch 210, a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change switch 250, and a reset switch 260, performs various calculations for executing the game, and controls the operations of output means such as an effect device 300, a reel unit 310, a hopper unit 320, and a main control display device 500 based on the calculation results.

[0023] Further, the game control means 10 includes a setting change means 100, a bet acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state transition control means 170, an effect control means 180, a storage means 190, and an assist time control means (AT control means) 200. Each means constituting the game control means 10 reads and executes each control program stored in advance in the storage means 190 when executing each control process.

[0024] The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the storage means 190. The setting change means 100, in a state where the setting change switch 250 is in the ON state and setting change is permitted, each time it receives an input signal output from the reset switch 260 provided in the power supply device, changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ··· → setting 6 → setting 1 → ··· in a cyclic manner, and determines the setting value based on the fact that the start lever SL is operated and a start signal output from the start switch 230 is received. In the slot machine 1, according to the setting value determined in the setting value storage means 191, the winning probability of a part of the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed. That is, the setting change means 100 is configured to be able to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the winning probability of the roles in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

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

[0026] During the input reception period in which the input reception means 105 receives the input of medals, when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion port MI (see FIG. 1) and the medal insertion switch 210 is activated, the inserted medal is set to the inserted state. When the bet switch 220 for executing a bet operation in which the max bet button MB is pressed in the state where the medal is credited is activated, based on the regulation that the maximum number of insertions (3 pieces) is the limit, by setting the credited medal to the inserted state, when the medals corresponding to the regulation number of insertions are set to the inserted state, a process of enabling the game start operation for the start lever SL is performed.

[0027] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the first pressing operation of the start lever SL enabled based on the insertion of medals corresponding to the regulation number of insertions is accepted as the game start operation by the player, and it is the trigger to start the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and it is also the trigger for the internal lottery means 120 described later to execute the internal lottery.

[0028] The random number generation means 110 is means for generating a random number for lottery. In the present embodiment, the "random number" includes not only values that are randomly generated in a mathematical sense, but also values that can function as random numbers in practice because, although their generation itself is regular, their acquisition timing or the like is irregular.

[0029] The internal lottery means 120 is means for performing an internal lottery for determining the winning or losing of a combination based on a start signal output when a player executes a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 230 detects the start operation, and performs a lottery table selection process, a random number determination process, a lottery flag setting process, and the like.

[0030] In the lottery table selection process, based on the current game state, it is selected which of the plurality of internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the storage means 190 is used for the internal lottery. In each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replay, small combination, and bonus, as well as non-winning (losing), are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535).

[0031] In the following description, "bonus" means a combination that activates a special device or a special device continuous operation device when winning, "activation of the bonus" means that the bonus wins and activates the special device or the special device continuous operation device, and "bonus state" means a state in which the special device or the special device continuous operation device is activated.

[0032] In the random number determination process, based on the start signal output from the start switch 230, the random number (lottery random number) generated by the random number generation means 110 for each game is acquired, and the acquired random number is compared with the internal lottery table selected in the lottery table selection process, and it is determined whether or not the combination has won based on the comparison result.

[0033] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from the non-established state (the first flag state, OFF state) to the established state (the second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when two or more types of winning combinations overlap, the lottery flags corresponding to each of the two or more overlapping winning combinations are set to the established state. Note that in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, there are a lottery flag (carry-over possible flag) that can carry over the established state to subsequent games until winning, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to the non-established state without carrying over the established state to subsequent games regardless of winning. Further, the setting information of the lottery flag is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the storage means 190.

[0034] Based on the start signal being output from the start switch 230 that operates when the player executes a start operation on the start lever SL, the reel control means 130 starts the rotational drive of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and executes reel rotation control for controlling the rotation mode of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Further, when the rotation state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 becomes a rotation state of rotating at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm) in a steady rotation, the reel control means 130 executes control to enable the stop operation detected by the stop switch 240 when the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel are pressed. Then, when a reel stop signal is output from the stop switch 240 that has detected the stop operation, the reel control means 130 performs control (reel stop control) to stop each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stop switch 240 that has detected the stop operation.

[0035] In the following description, regarding the start of the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 by the reel control means 130 and the player pressing the valid stop buttons B1 to B3 respectively, the first pressing operation is also described as the first stop operation, the second pressing operation as the second stop operation, and the third pressing operation as the third stop operation.

[0036] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, until 190 ms, which is a predetermined period, elapses from the time when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed (the time when the stop switch 240 detects a stop operation), the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped. Here, when the rotating reel is stopped within 190 ms from the time of pressing the stop button, the stop positions of the rotating reels are configured to be rotatable up to a maximum of 4 frames from the time of pressing the stop button until the reels stop, based on the diameters and rotation speeds of the respective reels.

[0037] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, a total of 5 frames from the frame displayed on the effective line L1 at the time of pressing the stop button to 4 frames of rotation are within the range (drawing range) where the symbols can be drawn on the effective line L1.

[0038] The reel control means 130 performs a pull-in process for stopping the rotating reel so that the roles with the lottery flag set to the established state can be won as much as possible when executing the reel stop control, a kicking process for stopping the rotating reel so that the roles with the lottery flag set to the non-established state cannot be won, a logic operation process for obtaining the stop position of the rotating reel based on the preset priority order by a logic operation including these, and a table reference process for determining the stop position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the storage means 190, and stops the rotating reel to display the symbols on the effective line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the rotating reel by the reel stop control and displaying the symbols on the effective line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

[0039] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a plurality of types of minor winning combinations are won in the internal lottery, there are two methods for determining the priority of the candidates for the stop positions: a method of determining the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the effective line L1 (number priority control), and a method of determining the priority according to the number of medals paid out based on the payout predetermined for the minor winning combination (number priority control). However, when executing the number priority control, if the same minor winning combination with the same payout wins repeatedly, the priorities of the candidates for the stop positions that can award each minor winning combination are treated as the same.

[0040] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process for determining whether or not a winning combination has won based on the stop states of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage means 195 of the storage means 190, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the effective line L1 when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped is a symbol combination indicating the winning of a predetermined winning combination. And a winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of winning of a bonus, replay, or minor winning combination can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "winning determination") based on the symbol combination displayed on the effective line L1 in the state where each reel has stopped. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, when the winning combination won in the internal lottery wins, the symbol combination indicating the winning is stopped and displayed on the effective line L1. In the following description, the symbol combination indicating the winning of a winning combination is also referred to as a "winning symbol combination".

[0041] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, each process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination means 140 in the winning determination process. As each process executed based on the determination result of the winning combination, for example, when a minor winning combination wins, a process of determining the number of medals to be paid out to the payout control means 150 is performed, and when a replay wins, a process of causing the replay processing means 160 to execute without consuming medals in the next game is performed. When a winning combination that triggers a transition to a game state such as a bonus wins, a process of causing the game state transition control means 170 to transition the game state is performed.

[0042] The payout control means 150 performs a payout process related to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a minor winning combination is hit, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on the payout preset for each winning combination, and control is performed to cause the hopper unit 320 as a payout device to pay out medals corresponding to the determined payout number.

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

[0044] When the replay processing means 160 determines, by the winning determination means 140, that a symbol combination indicating the winning of any one of a plurality of types of replay winning combinations described later has stopped and been displayed on the effective line L1, and the replay has won, a replay process (re - game process) is performed to set the game in a ready state where the game can be executed without the need to insert medals for the next game. That is, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert the specified number of medals without using the medals held by the player (including credit medals), and in a state where the same effective line L1 as the previous game is set, waiting for a start operation for the next start lever SL.

[0045] The game state transition control means 170 performs processing for transitioning the game state among a plurality of game states and processing related to the activation and termination of bonuses. Here, for the transition conditions of each game state, one condition may be defined, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are defined, based on the establishment of any one of the plurality of predetermined conditions or the establishment of all of the plurality of predetermined conditions, the game state can be transitioned to another game state.

[0046] The effect control means 180 performs control related to effects in the game, such as image and video effects using the display device 330 and audio effects using the audio device 340, based on the effect data stored in the effect control data storage means 196 of the storage means 190. Specifically, during the operation of each component of the slot machine 1 by the player, such as the insertion of medals, operation of the max bet button MB, start lever SL, stop buttons B1 to B3, or during the occurrence of game events such as fluctuations in the game state, it executes effects such as the lighting or flashing of lamps and LEDs and the output of sounds from the audio device 340 to liven up the game and control the execution of effects for assisting the game. Also, the effect control means 180 causes each component constituting the effect device 300 to execute effects based on each effect state.

[0047] The AT control means 200 uses the data stored in the AT control data storage means 197 to execute control related to the transition between a favorable section (favorable period), which is a section (period) in which control related to an instruction function including an auxiliary game for displaying a notification for assisting the winning of a specific combination on the main control display device 500 can be executed, and a normal section (non-favorable period, non-favorable section), which is a section (period) in which control related to an auxiliary game (control related to the instruction function) based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, and constitutes an auxiliary game control means for performing control related to the normal section, favorable section, and auxiliary game.

[0048] The AT control data storage means 197 stores data (various flags, counters, etc. that are set to the ON state or OFF state in a predetermined control process) used in various controls related to a plurality of types of effect states including the AT state and the non-AT state executed within the advantageous section.

[0049] The AT control means 200 sets the effect state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions within the advantageous section, and displays information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation modes of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable the winning of the specific role selected on the main control display device 500 composed of a 7-segment display, thereby performing operation notification for assisting the winning of the specific role. Further, in the slot machine 1, when the operation notification by the AT control means 200 is executed, the effect control means 180 described later executes a navigation effect of displaying an index corresponding to the correct hitting order on the display device 330. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, by notifying the operation modes of the stop buttons B1 to B3 by means of operation notification and navigation effect for winning assistance, an advantageous auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) is executed for the player.

[0050] More specifically, when a predetermined end condition for ending the advantageous section, which will be described later, is satisfied, the AT control means 200 executes a predetermined end process for ending the advantageous section and starting the normal section from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process for initializing various flags, numerical values, etc. set within the advantageous section and information related to the advantageous section. Further, when the advantageous section is started and the winning assistance is executed, the AT control means 200 lights up the section notification unit 500A when the expected value of medal acquisition becomes 1 or more. For this reason, even when the advantageous section is started, the AT control means 200 is configured to be able to turn off the section notification unit 500A in an effect state where the winning assistance is not executed.

[0051] In a game where the AT control means 200 starts an advantageous section, every time one game is executed, the AT control means 200 adds a value "1", which is a value corresponding to one game, to the value (stored value) stored in the first advantageous section counter 197a, and executes a game count update process for cumulatively incrementally updating the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a. Also, the AT control means 200 executes a difference count update process for cumulatively recording, in the second advantageous section counter 197b, the value of the difference obtained by subtracting the number of medals paid out from the number of medals inserted since the game where the advantageous section started.

[0052] When the AT control means 200 of the present embodiment is controlling an advantageous section, in any game state, every time one game is executed, the AT control means 200 executes a game count update process for cumulatively adding (updating) by a value "1", which is a value corresponding to one game, to the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a, and a difference count update process for cumulatively updating, in the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b, the value corresponding to the difference in the number of medals.

[0053] Here, in the difference count update process for updating the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b, when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b is subtracted due to the number of medals paid out in the game being less than the specified insertion number and the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes less than the value "0", the AT control means 200 sets the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b to the value "0". Thereby, the AT control means 200 can fix the value when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b reaches the lowest point to the value "0". Therefore, in the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b, it is not necessary to vary the value serving as the determination threshold according to the specific numerical value at the lowest point, and the load of the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b can be reduced.

[0054] When the AT control means 200 executes 3000 games, that is, when the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a becomes the value "3000", or when the player acquires more than 2400 medals from the time when the most medals were consumed in the advantageous section, that is, when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes the value "2401" from the time when it was the lowest value (the lowest point), it determines that a specific end condition, which is a predetermined end condition for ending the advantageous section, is satisfied, ends the advantageous section, and executes a predetermined end process for starting the normal section from the next game.

[0055] In a predetermined initialization process, the AT control means 200 initializes all information used in various control processes in the advantageous section, such as each flag set to the ON state in the advantageous section and the values set in the advantageous section. Note that the AT control means 200 can also end the advantageous section when a predetermined end condition (normal end condition) set in advance other than the specific end condition is satisfied, and executes a predetermined initialization process and a predetermined end process also when the normal end condition is satisfied. Details of the normal end condition set by the AT control means 200 of the present embodiment will be described later.

[0056] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in the present embodiment Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9, details of each configuration included in the slot machine 1 in the present embodiment will be described.

[0057] <Winning area subject to internal lottery> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the winning areas subject to internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, and the winning numbers and winning combinations associated with each winning area.

[0058] Note that in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as a bonus, it has a regular big bonus (hereinafter, the regular big bonus is also referred to as "RBB") as a special effect continuous operation device related to the first type of special effect. Further, in the slot machine 1, as game states controlled by the game state transition control means 170, there are a non-RT state as a general medium state in which the RBB is not set to the established state and the RBB is not operating, a bonus established state as a bonus internal state (internal state) that is shifted to when the RBB is set to the established state and the established state of the RBB is maintained internally until the RBB operates, and a bonus state as a bonus operating state (operating state) that is shifted to when the RBB operates and the RBB is operating.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as winning areas subject to internal lottery, there are winning areas "all small roles", "all single-role", "cherry 1", "cherry 2", "common single-role 1", winning areas "batter's bell 1" to "batter's bell 8", "common bell", "replay 1", "replay 2", "RBB & common single-role 2", and "RBB", and numbers from winning number 1 to winning number 18 are respectively associated therewith. Further, in the slot machine 1, winning number 0 is associated with a non-winning (losing) result of the internal lottery.

[0060] Here, "batter's order" means the order of executing operations on the stop buttons B1 to B3. Further, in the following description, the timing at which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated is also referred to as "operation timing".

[0061] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the batting order, which is the order of pressing the three stop buttons, the stop button B1 to the stop button B3, is composed of six types of batting orders from batting order 1 to batting order 6. Batting order 1 is a batting order called so-called sequential pressing, in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3. Also, batting order 2 is a batting order called so-called scissors hitting, in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2. Also, batting order 3 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Also, batting order 4 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Also, batting order 5 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Also, batting order 6 is a batting order called so-called reverse pressing, in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

[0062] In the internal lottery means 120, in the random number determination process, the winning or losing of each winning area is determined in the order from the winning area associated with the winning number 18 to the non-winning (losing) associated with the winning number 0.

[0063] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as small winning combinations that can be won in the internal lottery, there are small winning combination 1 to small winning combination 30, and as replays that can be won in the internal lottery, there are replay 1 and replay 2. Each small winning combination and each replay are associated with each winning area in the combination shown in FIG. 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1, as a winning area including a bonus and a small winning combination, a winning area "RBB & common single winning combination 2" is set, and as a winning area including only the bonus, a winning area "RBB" is set.

[0064] Here, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the role to which the carry-over possible flag is associated is the RBB, and the minor winning combination and replay are associated with the carry-over impossible flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when winning in the winning area including the RBB in the internal lottery, the process of carrying over the establishment state of the lottery flag of the winning RBB until the RBB wins is performed. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery for determining the success or failure of the minor winning combination and replay even in a game in which the establishment state of the lottery flag of the RBB is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game in which the establishment state of the lottery flag of the RBB is carried over, when the minor winning combination or replay wins, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of roles including the lottery flag of the already winning RBB and the lottery flag of the minor winning combination or replay winning in the internal lottery are set to the established state.

[0065] <Internal lottery table> The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment stores, in the internal lottery table storage means 192, an internal lottery table (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A) used in the non-RT state (general), an internal lottery table (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B) used in the bonus established state (internal), and an internal lottery table (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C) used in the bonus state (in operation), which are lottery tables used in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120. In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, the number of lottery values is associated with each winning area to be the target of the lottery.

[0066] <Random number determination process> In the internal lottery means 120 of this embodiment, in the random number determination process, the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 is sequentially subtracted by the number of lottery values associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192. When the result of the subtraction becomes a negative value, it is determined that the lottery has won in the winning area corresponding to the subtracted number of lottery values. Also, when the result of the subtraction is a positive value at the time when all the lottery values stored in the internal lottery table have been subtracted, it is determined that the lottery has not won any role and is a non-winning lottery.

[0067] Note that the random number generation means 110 of this embodiment is configured to be able to generate a total of 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535 as the random numbers used in the internal lottery. Also, in the internal lottery table A, the total number of lottery values associated with the winning areas from "RBB" to "Normal replay 1" is 65,536. In the internal lottery table B, the total number of lottery values associated with the winning areas from "RBB & single role" to "Normal replay 1" is 65,536. Therefore, in the internal lottery in the non-RT state or the bonus established state, it is configured to win one of the roles and not be a non-winning lottery.

[0068] <Bonus winning determination process> As described above, in the internal lottery means 120 of this embodiment, in the bonus established state, the number of lottery values is set in the winning area "RBB & common single role 2". For this reason, in the internal lottery when the game state is the bonus established state, since there is a possibility that the RBB that has already been established will win again while the RBB is already in the established state, in order not to set the newly won RBB to the established state, it is configured to execute a bonus winning determination process for determining whether or not the winning area for which the winning or losing is determined in the random number determination process is a winning area including the bonus.

[0069] In the bonus winning determination process, when the internal lottery means 120 determines that the winning area including the bonus is to be determined in the random number determination process, if the winning area including the bonus wins and the game state is the bonus establishment state, the process of setting the bonus to the establishment state is skipped. In this way, the slot machine 1 prevents a new RBB from being set to the establishment state when the RBB has already been set to the establishment state.

[0070] <Symbol arrangement> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing each symbol arranged on the circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, on the outer circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, there are arranged a red 7 symbol "Red 7", a BAR symbol "BAR", a replay A symbol "RPA", a replay B symbol "RPB", a bell symbol "BL", a watermelon A symbol "WMA", a watermelon B symbol "WMB", a cherry symbol "CH", a blank A symbol "BKA", and a blank B symbol "BKB". Also, 20 frames of symbols are arranged on the circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 respectively.

[0071] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, in any game state, the priority order for stopping on the effective line L1 in the reel stop control is defined in the order of "replay > small winning combination > bonus". That is, when the bonus and the small winning combination or the bonus and the replay overlap and win, the reel control means 130 executes the stop control to give priority to the small winning combination or the replay to win over the bonus.

[0072] Also, in the slot machine 1, when a small winning combination miss (non-winning) occurs in a state where the bonus and the small winning combination overlap and win, a symbol combination different from any winning symbol combination including the winning symbol combination of the RBB is stopped and displayed on the effective line L1, and the reel stop control is configured to result in a miss (non-winning).

[0073] Also, as described above, since the reel control means 130 is configured to be rotatable up to four frames at most from the time when the stop button is pressed until the reel stops, for the symbols arranged at intervals within four frames among the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, they are configured to be stoppably displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the pressing timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0074] Specifically, for the replay A symbols "RPA" and the bell symbols "BL" of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the reel control means 130 is configured to be stoppable regardless of the pressing timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3 if it is possible to stop on the active line L1. Also, the reel control means 130 can stop even if the symbols are not the same symbols as long as they are arranged at intervals within four frames. For example, when either the watermelon A symbol "WMA" arranged at stop numbers 4, 9, and 19 of the left reel R1 or the blank A symbol "BKA" arranged at stop number 14 can be stopped on the active line L1, the watermelon A symbol "WMA" or the blank A symbol "BKA" is configured to be stoppable regardless of the pressing timing of the stop button B1.

[0075] <Payout of small roles> In this embodiment, the payouts for small roles 1 to 5 are set to the number of payouts (8) which is more than the specified number of insertions (3). Also, the payouts for small roles 6 to 15 are set to the same number of payouts (3) as the specified number of insertions. And the payouts for small roles 16 to 30 are set to the number of payouts (1) which is less than the specified number of insertions.

[0076] <Winning symbol combinations of small roles> FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are diagrams showing winning symbol combinations of minor roles 1 to 30. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the symbols constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor roles 1 to 5 and minor roles 20 to 23 are arranged at intervals within 4 frames on each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Therefore, each of minor roles 1 to 5 and minor roles 20 to 23 is configured to be stopped and displayed on the effective line L1 regardless of the operation timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3 when the reel stop control for enabling stop and display on the effective line L1 is executed.

[0077] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the winning symbol combination "BAR - WMA (WMB) - WMA (CH)" of minor role 6 is stopped and displayed in the middle stage of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 constituting the effective line L1, the cherry symbol "CH" is configured to be stopped and displayed at the lower stage of the left reel R1. Further, when the winning symbol combination "WMA - RPA (CH) - BL" of minor role 7 wins with the watermelon A symbol "WMA" arranged at stop number 9 of the left reel R1 being stopped and displayed in the middle stage of the left reel R1, the cherry symbol "CH" is configured to be stopped and displayed at the upper stage of the left reel R1.

[0078] <Game state transition control means> FIG. 7(A) is a state transition diagram showing the game states that can be transitioned from each game state in the control related to the transition of the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 of the present embodiment.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 7(A), the non - RT state is a game state (initial game state, normal game state) corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of game states, and is a non - bonus state in which the bonus is not activated and established. In the non - RT state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using an internal lottery table A in which the winning probability of replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (about 1 / 7.3).

[0080] The bonus established state is a gaming state that transitions when winning in the internal lottery in the non-RT state in either the winning area "RBB" or the winning area "RBB & 1 winning combination", and when RBB is set to the established state. In the bonus established state, the gaming state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table B in which the winning probability of replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (about 1 / 7.3).

[0081] The bonus state is a gaming state that transitions when RBB wins and RBB activates. In the bonus state, the gaming state transition control means 170 determines whether the end condition of the activated RBB is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out, and when more than a predetermined number of payouts (for example, 100 medals) are paid out, ends the activation of RBB to end the bonus state and transitions the gaming state to the non-bonus state, which is the non-RT state. In the bonus state, the gaming state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C.

[0082] In the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with the winning area "all small winning combinations" that wins all small winning combinations from small winning combination 1 to small winning combination 30, and the winning area "all 1 winning combination" that wins all small winning combinations in which the payouts of small winning combinations 16 to 30 are set to 1.

[0083] The bonus state will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the bonus state where the internal lottery table C is selected, the probability of winning in the winning area "all low hands" or the winning area "all single - card hands" is higher than the probability of winning in any of the winning areas including low hands in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B. That is, the probability of winning a low hand in the bonus state is set to be higher than the probability of winning any low hand in a gaming state other than the bonus state. Also, in the internal lottery table C, the probability of winning in the winning area "all low hands" is set to be the same as the sum of the probability of winning in any two of the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B and the probability of winning in the winning area "common bell".

[0084] Due to such a configuration, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that in the bonus state, the winning probability of all low hands increases, and the winning probability of any low hand is also the same or increases, compared to the non - RT state where the bonus is not activated and the case where the bonus is established.

[0085] Also, the slot machine 1 is configured such that in the bonus state, the probability of winning in the winning area "all low hands" is lower than the probability of winning in any of the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" (the winning probability obtained by summing up the respective winning probabilities of the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8").

[0086] As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a plurality of types of specific winning combinations (minor winning combinations 1 to 4) set to a payout higher than the number of game values required to start a game, and these specific winning combinations do not overlap with each other and overlap and win with other minor winning combinations in a plurality of types of first winning modes (winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 8"), and a plurality of types of specific minor winning combinations overlap and win in a second winning mode (winning area "all minor winning combinations"). The internal lottery means 120 is configured to perform an internal lottery so that a plurality of types of first minor winning combinations exist in the normal game state (non-RT state) and the bonus establishment state, and to perform an internal lottery so that the second minor winning combination exists in the bonus state. Further, in the slot machine 1, the probability of winning the second minor winning combination in the internal lottery in the bonus state is lower than the probability of winning any of the plurality of types of first minor winning combinations in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus establishment state, and the winning probability of each of all the minor winning combinations in the internal lottery in the bonus state is configured to be equal to or higher than the winning probability of each of all the minor winning combinations in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus establishment state.

[0087] Therefore, for the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the bonus state, the expected value of the medal acquisition rate is less than 100%.

[0088] Here, although it will be described in more detail later, when winning in the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 8", since it is configured that the minor winning combinations 1 to 4 cannot be won unless the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order composed of batting orders 3 to 6, the probability of any of the minor winning combinations 1 to 4 winning is limited to the case where the stop buttons B1 to B3 can be operated in the correct batting order from the four types of batting orders. On the other hand, when an auxiliary game in which winning assistance described later is executed is executed, since the correct batting order is notified by winning assistance when winning in the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 8", the probability of any of the minor winning combinations 1 to 4 winning can be increased up to 8 times at most compared to the case where winning assistance is not executed.

[0089] As described above, in this embodiment, four types of minor winning combinations (specific winning combinations), namely minor winning combination 1 to minor winning combination 4, are set as winning combinations that pay out more medals than the specified number of inserted medals that win when the stop operation is performed in the correct batting order. Then, the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific winning combination in the bonus state is compressed to approximately 1 / 4 of the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific winning combination in a gaming state other than the bonus state. By configuring in this way, an internal lottery is performed by providing a mode in which N types of specific winning combinations are won without overlapping each other in a gaming state other than the bonus state, and an internal lottery is performed by providing a mode in which N types of specific winning combinations are won overlappingly in the bonus state. Thus, the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific winning combination in the bonus state can be compressed to approximately 1 / N of the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific winning combination in a gaming state other than the bonus state. As a result, the lower limit of the expected value of the medal acquisition rate in the bonus state can be lowered to less than 100%, and the medal acquisition performance regarding the auxiliary game can be designed. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the slot machine 1 equipped with the AT function can be significantly improved.

[0090] <AT control means> FIG. 7(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of a normal section and an advantageous section controlled by the AT control means 200 of this embodiment, and a production state controlled during the advantageous section.

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

[0092] In the favorable section lottery, the AT control means 200 first acquires from the AT control data storage means 197 a favorable section transition lottery table which is a data table in which "start of favorable section" and "non-winning (losing)" are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers. Then, the AT control means 200 acquires a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the acquired random number with the favorable section transition lottery table, and determines whether to start a favorable section based on the comparison result.

[0093] The AT control means 200 executes the favorable section lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area selected in the internal lottery and the winning probability of "start of favorable section" in the favorable section lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0094] The AT control means 200 of the present embodiment executes the favorable section lottery when winning in the winning areas "Cherry 1", "Cherry 2", "Common 1-card hand 1", "Batting order bell 1" to "Batting order bell 8", "Common bell", and "Replay 1" in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the bonus establishment state, and when winning in the winning areas "RBB & Common 1-card hand 2" and "RBB" in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, and is configured not to execute the favorable section lottery when winning in other winning areas. Also, the AT control means 200 executes the favorable section lottery with a high probability of about 1 / 1.5 of winning in "start of favorable section".

[0095] In the favorable section, the AT control means 200 is configured to refer to the game state controlled by the game state transition control means 170 and determine whether to execute control related to the auxiliary game. The AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured not to execute control related to the auxiliary game even when the favorable section is started when the game state is the non-RT state or the bonus state. On the other hand, the AT control means 200 is configured to be able to execute control related to the auxiliary game when the favorable section is started when the game state is the bonus establishment state.

[0096] Note that, as described above, when the AT control means 200 starts the advantageous section, even if the game state is a non-RT state or a bonus state and control related to the auxiliary game is not executed, every time a game is executed, a value "1" corresponding to one game is added to the value (stored value) stored in the first advantageous section counter 197a, and the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a is incrementally updated cumulatively. The game count update process and the difference count update process in which the difference value (difference number of medals) obtained by subtracting the number of medals paid out from the number of medals inserted from the game that started the advantageous section is cumulatively recorded in the second advantageous section counter 197b are executed, and control related to the advantageous section is performed.

[0097] The AT control means 200 is configured to be able to control a normal state, a CZ state, and an AT state as states related to the instruction function (production state, state related to the auxiliary game) in the advantageous section. Further, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that the staying ratio of the advantageous section in the entire game can be 70% or more.

[0098] The normal state is a production state (normal production state) corresponding to the normal state among a plurality of types of production states set when not transitioning to other production states. When the production state transitions to the normal state, the AT control means 200 executes an incremental update in which the value "1" corresponding to one game is added to the stored value of the normal game count counter (not shown) that counts the number of games in the normal state each time a game is executed. When the stored value of the normal game count counter reaches the value "700", the AT control means 200 determines that the transition condition to the CZ state (CZ transition condition) is satisfied, and transitions the production state from the normal state to the CZ state. Further, the AT control means 200 executes a state transition lottery for lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the CZ state and the AT state when winning the winning area "Cherry 1" and when winning the winning area "Cherry 2" in the internal lottery.

[0099] In the state transition lottery, the AT control means 200 conducts a lottery to determine one of "transition to the AT state", "transition to the CZ state", and "invalid selection (loss)". When the "transition to the CZ state" is selected, it is determined that the CZ transition condition is satisfied, and the presentation state is transitioned from the normal state to the CZ state. When the "transition to the AT state" is selected, it is determined that the transition condition to the AT state (AT transition condition) is satisfied, and the presentation state is transitioned from the normal state to the AT state.

[0100] In the CZ state, as control related to the auxiliary game, when control for determining whether to transition the presentation state to the AT state is executed, it is configured to be able to transition to the AT state with a higher probability than the normal state, and it is a presentation state more advantageous to the player than the normal state. The AT control means 200 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (for example, 10 games) in the CZ game count counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the CZ state, and executes a decrement update to subtract the stored value of the CZ game count counter by a value "1" corresponding to 1 game each time the game is executed.

[0101] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ mid-AT lottery to determine whether to determine a transition to the AT state in each game in the CZ state. When "transition to the AT state" is selected in the CZ mid-AT lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the CZ state to the selected presentation state after 10 games of the game have been executed since the start of the CZ state.

[0102] The AT control means 200 executes a CZ mid-set count carry-over lottery to determine whether to add (carry over) the number of times to execute one set of the AT state for the AT state when transitioning to the AT state after the end of the CZ state in the game until the end of the CZ state when "transition to the AT state" is selected in the CZ mid-AT lottery.

[0103] On the other hand, when 10 games are played in the CZ state without winning the "transition to the AT state" in the AT lottery during CZ, the AT control means 200 ends the CZ state. When the CZ state ends in a state where the AT transition condition is not satisfied, the AT control means 200 determines that the normal end condition among the end conditions of the advantageous section is satisfied, ends the advantageous section, and executes a predetermined end process to start the normal section from the next game.

[0104] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute the lottery related to the auxiliary game executed in the CZ state (the AT lottery during CZ, the lottery for increasing the set number during CZ) regardless of the result of the internal lottery. Further, regarding the lottery related to the auxiliary game executed in the CZ state, when the internal lottery wins in the winning area "Cherry 1" and when it wins in the winning area "Cherry 2", the probability of "losing (non-winning)" is lower than when winning in other winning areas, and it is configured so that the probability of a favorable result for the player (in the case of the AT lottery during CZ, the probability of "transition to the AT state" increases). That is, the CZ state is configured to be able to transition to the AT state after the end of the CZ state with a higher probability than the normal state in which the state transition lottery is executed only when winning in the winning area "Cherry 1" and the winning area "Cherry 2".

[0105] The AT state is a production state more advantageous for the player than the normal state and the CZ state in which the average value of the net increase in the number of medals that can be obtained in one game, which is the difference between the number of medals obtained and the number of medals inserted, is set to about 3.0 medals by executing the winning assistance for the small roles 1 to 4 when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8".

[0106] The AT control means 200 sets an initial value (20 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games to the AT game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the AT state, and each time a game is executed, it performs a decrement update to subtract the stored value of the AT game number counter by a value "1" corresponding to 1 game. Also, in the game in which the AT state is started, the AT control means 200 executes an AT continuation lottery in which "continuation of the AT state" and "non-winning" are set as lottery targets. In the AT continuation lottery, when the AT control means 200 wins the "continuation of the AT state", it stores information related to the execution of one set of the AT state in the AT control data storage means 197. Further, the AT control means 200 executes an in-AT set number addition lottery to determine whether to add (carry over) the number of times of executing one set of the AT state when winning the winning area "rare combination" and when winning the winning area "rare replay" in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0107] When the stored value of the AT game number counter becomes the value "0", if one or more sets of the AT state are stored, the AT control means 200 determines to continue the AT state and starts the next set of the AT state. On the other hand, when the stored value of the AT game number counter becomes the value "0" and no set of the AT state is stored, based on the fact that the end condition of the AT state (AT end condition) is satisfied, it determines that the normal end condition among the end conditions of the advantageous section is satisfied, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process of initializing the information related to the advantageous section at the end of the AT state, and a predetermined end process of ending the advantageous section and starting the normal section from the next game.

[0108] 3. Details of Winning Areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" FIG. 8 is a diagram showing winning combinations that can be won depending on the order of operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 when winning an area (batter order winning mode) in which different winning combinations are available depending on the order of the stop buttons B1 to B3 for the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 8". FIG. 8(A) is a diagram showing game results for each operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 when winning the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 8" in the non-RT state, and FIG. 8(B) is a diagram showing game results for each operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 when winning the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 8" in the bonus established state.

[0109] As shown in FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B), in the slot machine 1, in both the case where the game state is the non-RT state and the case where the bonus is established, when winning the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 8" and operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in the order in which stop button B1 is the first stop operation, a winning combination set for one payout is won with a probability of 1 / 1. Details of the reel stop control when stop button B1 is the first stop operation at the time of winning the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 8" will be described later.

[0110] In the slot machine 1, when winning the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 4" in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, regardless of the order of operation of stop buttons B1 to B3, winning combinations 1 to 4 set for eight payouts do not win, and a winning combination set for one payout can win.

[0111] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when winning in the internal lottery in the non-RT state in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 5" to "Batting Order Bell 8", and when winning in the internal lottery in the bonus established state in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", the batting order (correct batting order) of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable the small winning combinations 1 to 4 set for the eight payouts with a probability of 1 / 1 is set.

[0112] In the slot machine 1, among the batting orders (incorrect batting orders) different from the correct batting order when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", when the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is first stopped, and at the time of the first stop operation, the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order different from the correct batting order (for example, batting order 5, batting order 6, etc. when the stop button B3 is first stopped when winning in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1"), a small winning combination set for one payout can be won with a probability of 1 / 2, and it is configured to result in a miss (non-winning) where no winning combination is won with a probability of 1 / 2.

[0113] 4. Details of the winning areas including small winning combinations Next, the details of the winning areas including the small winning combinations of the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0114] <Reel stop control when winning in the winning area "Cherry 1"> FIG. 9(A) is a diagram showing the symbols constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor roles 6 to 8 and minor role 24, which are set to the established state when winning the winning area "Cherry 1". FIG. 9(B) is a diagram showing the number of symbol combinations of minor roles that can be displayed when, as the timing of the first stop operation of the stop button B1, the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop at the timing when the BAR symbol "BAR" is rotating and displayed on the effective line L1, and the symbols that can be stopped among the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 are stopped and displayed on the effective line L1. FIG. 9(C) is a diagram showing the number of symbol combinations of minor roles that can be displayed when, as the timing of the first stop operation of the stop button B1, the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop at the timing when the replay B symbol "RPB" is rotating and displayed on the effective line L1, and the symbols that can be stopped among the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 are stopped and displayed on the effective line L1.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 9(B), in the slot machine 1, when the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop at the timing when the BAR symbol "BAR" is rotating and displayed on the effective line L1, if the BAR symbol "BAR" is stopped and displayed, five symbol combinations constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor role 6 and minor role 8 can be stopped and displayed on the effective line L1. If the watermelon A symbol "WMA" is stopped and displayed, two symbol combinations constituting the winning symbol combination of minor role 7 can be stopped and displayed on the effective line L1. If the replay A symbol "RPA" is stopped and displayed, two symbol combinations constituting the winning symbol combination of minor role 24 can be stopped and displayed on the effective line L1. If the red 7 symbol "red 7" is stopped and displayed, one symbol combination constituting the winning symbol combination of minor role 8 can be stopped and displayed on the effective line L1.

[0116] Since the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed when the BAR symbol "BAR" is stopped and displayed is the largest, the reel control means 130 preferentially stops and displays the BAR symbol "BAR" on the effective line L1 over other symbols by the number priority control, thereby limiting the winning roles in the game to minor role 6 and minor role 8.

[0117] As a result, in the slot machine 1, the minor winning combination 6 or the minor winning combination 8 wins with a probability of 1 / 1 in the game, and three payouts are executed. Further, in the slot machine 1, when the BAR symbol "BAR" stops and is displayed in the middle stage of the left reel R1, the cherry symbol "CH" stops and is displayed in the lower stage of the left reel R1.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 9(C), in the slot machine 1, when the stop button B1 is first stopped at the timing when the replay B symbol "RPB" is rotationally displayed on the active line L1, and when the watermelon A symbol "WMA" is stopped and displayed, two symbol combinations constituting the winning symbol combination of the minor winning combination 7 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and when the replay A symbol "RPA" is stopped and displayed, two symbol combinations constituting the winning symbol combination of the minor winning combination 24 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1.

[0119] The reel control means 130 has the same number of symbol combinations that can be displayed when the watermelon A symbol "WMA" is stopped and displayed and when the replay A symbol "RPA" is stopped and displayed, and since the priority cannot be set between the minor winning combination 7 and the minor winning combination 24 by the number priority control, by stopping and displaying the watermelon A symbol "WMA" constituting the winning symbol combination of the minor winning combination 7 on the active line L1 according to the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194, the winning combination that can be won in the game is limited to the minor winning combination 7.

[0120] As a result, in the slot machine 1, the minor winning combination 7 wins with a probability of 1 / 1 in the game, and three payouts are executed. Further, in the slot machine 1, when the watermelon A symbol "WMA" stops and is displayed in the middle stage of the left reel R1, the cherry symbol "CH" stops and is displayed in the upper stage of the left reel R1.

[0121] <Reel stop control at the time of winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8"> Regarding the reel stop control that is executed when winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won and the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop, the case where winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" is won will be described as an example. Figure 10(A) is a diagram showing the symbols that constitute the winning symbol combinations of minor winning combinations 1, 16, 21, 22, 25, and 26 that are set to the established state when winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" is won. Figure 10(B) is a diagram showing the number of symbol combinations of minor winning combinations that can be displayed when, as the timing when stop button B1 is operated for the first stop, the symbols that can be stopped among the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 are stopped and displayed on the effective line L1 when stop button B1 is operated for the first stop at the timing when the BAR symbol "BAR" is rotating and displayed on the effective line L1. Figure 10(C) is a diagram showing the number of symbol combinations of minor winning combinations that can be displayed when, as the timing when stop button B1 is operated for the first stop, the symbols that can be stopped among the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 are stopped and displayed on the effective line L1 when stop button B1 is operated for the first stop at the timing when the replay B symbol "RPB" is rotating and displayed on the effective line L1.

[0122] As shown in Figure 10(B), in the slot machine 1, when stop button B1 is operated for the first stop at the timing when the BAR symbol "BAR" is rotating and displayed on the effective line L1, if the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed, one symbol combination that constitutes the winning symbol combination of minor winning combination 1 can be stopped and displayed on the effective line L1. If the BAR symbol "BAR" is stopped and displayed, two symbol combinations that constitute the winning symbol combination of minor winning combination 16 can be stopped and displayed on the effective line L1. If the red 7 symbol "red 7" is stopped and displayed, two symbol combinations that constitute the winning symbol combination of minor winning combination 16 can be stopped and displayed on the effective line L1. If the replay A symbol "RPA" is stopped and displayed, five symbol combinations that constitute the winning symbol combination of minor winning combination 21 and the winning symbol combination of minor winning combination 22 can be stopped and displayed on the effective line L1.

[0123] When the replay A symbol "RPA" is stopped and displayed, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed is the largest. Therefore, by preferentially stopping and displaying the replay A symbol "RPA" on the active line L1 by the number priority control, the winning combinations in the game are limited to the minor winning combination 21 and the minor winning combination 22. As a result, in the slot machine 1, the minor winning combination 21 or the minor winning combination 22 wins with a probability of 1 / 1 in the game, and one payout is executed.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 10(C), in the slot machine 1, when the stop button B1 is first stopped when the replay B symbol "RPB" is rotating and displayed on the active line L1, when the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed, one symbol combination constituting the winning symbol combination of the minor winning combination 1 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1. When the cherry symbol "CH" is stopped and displayed, three symbol combinations constituting the winning symbol combination of the minor winning combination 21 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1. When the replay A symbol "RPA" is stopped and displayed, five symbol combinations constituting the winning symbol combination of the minor winning combination 21 and the winning symbol combination of the minor winning combination 22 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1. When the replay B symbol "RPB" is stopped and displayed, five symbol combinations constituting the winning symbol combination of the minor winning combination 25 and the winning symbol combination of the minor winning combination 26 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1.

[0125] When the replay A symbol "RPA" is stopped and displayed and when the replay B symbol "RPB" is stopped and displayed, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed is the same. Since the number priority control cannot assign a priority order between the minor winning combination 21, the minor winning combination 22, the minor winning combination 25, and the minor winning combination 26, by the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194, the replay B symbol "RPB" constituting the winning symbol combination of the minor winning combination 25 and the minor winning combination 26 is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, so that the winning combinations in the game are limited to the minor winning combination 25 and the minor winning combination 26. As a result, in the slot machine 1, the minor winning combination 25 or the minor winning combination 26 wins with a probability of 1 / 1 in the game, and one payout is executed.

[0126] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when winning the winning area "batter's bell 1" and performing the first stop operation on the stop button B1, and when the replay B symbol "RPB" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed when the replay A symbol "RPA" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 and the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed when the replay B symbol "RPB" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 are configured to be the same.

[0127] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, for the winning areas "batter's bell 2" to "batter's bell 8" as well, when performing the first stop operation on the stop button B1 and when the replay B symbol "RPB" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed when the replay A symbol "RPA" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 and the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed when the replay B symbol "RPB" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 are configured to be the same. When the stop button B1 is operated at the timing when the replay B symbol "RPB" is rotated and displayed on the active line L1, the replay B symbol "RPB" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1. When the stop button B1 is operated at a timing different from the timing when the replay B symbol "RPB" is rotated and displayed on the active line L1, the replay A symbol "RPA" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1.

[0128] <Stop mode of the reels when a small winning combination is selected> As described above, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment has winning areas including minor winning combinations that can be won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the bonus winning state. The winning areas are the winning area "Cherry 1", the winning area "Cherry 2", the winning area "Common Single-Win Combination 1", the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Common Bell", and the winning area "RBB & Common Single-Win Combination 2". Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, in the slot machine 1, when winning in the winning area "Cherry 2", the winning area "Common Single-Win Combination 1", the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Common Bell", and the winning area "RBB & Common Single-Win Combination 2", and the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop, any one of the winning minor winning combinations is surely configured to win.

[0129] On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when winning in the winning area "Cherry 1", if the operation timing of the stop button B1 is the timing at which the symbols constituting the winning symbol combinations of the minor winning combinations 6 to 8 set for the three-coin payout can be stopped and displayed on the effective line L1, any one of the minor winning combinations 6 to 8 set for the three-coin payout can win. However, if the stop button B1 is operated at a timing different from this timing, the replay A symbol "RPA" constituting the winning symbol combination "RPA-CH(BKB)-BAR" of the minor winning combination 24 set for the one-coin payout is stopped and displayed on the effective line L1, and the minor winning combination 24 is configured to win or miss depending on the operation timing of the stop button B3.

[0130] Due to such a configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when executing a game in which the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop, a game always aiming for the winning of the minor winning combinations 6 to 8, that is, a game in which the stop button B1 is operated at the timing when the BAR symbol "BAR" arranged at the stop number 7 to the replay B symbol "RPB" arranged at the stop number 13 on the left reel R1 are rotating and displayed on the effective line L1, three medals can be obtained when winning in the winning area "Cherry 1".

[0131] Also, in the slot machine 1, when a winning occurs in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", if a game is executed aiming to stop and display the BAR symbol "BAR" in the middle row of the left reel R1, the replay A symbol "RPA" will be stopped and displayed in the middle row of the left reel R1. If a game is executed aiming to stop and display the replay B symbol "RPB" in the middle row of the left reel R1, the replay B symbol "RPB" is configured to be stopped and displayed in the middle row of the left reel R1.

[0132] And in the slot machine 1, when a minor winning combination 6 or minor winning combination 8 wins because the BAR symbol "BAR" stops and is displayed on the active line L1 in the left reel R1, the cherry symbol "CH" stops and is displayed in the lower row of the left reel R1. When a minor winning combination 7 wins because the watermelon A symbol "WMA" stops and is displayed on the active line L1, the cherry symbol "CH" stops and is displayed in the upper row of the left reel R1.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 4, on the left reel R1, the replay A symbol "RPA" is arranged at stop number 6, the BAR symbol "BAR" is arranged at stop number 7, the cherry symbol "CH" is arranged at stop number 8, the watermelon A symbol "WMA" is arranged at stop number 9, and the replay B symbol "RPB" is arranged at stop number 13.

[0134] Due to such a configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a game aiming to stop and display the BAR symbol "BAR" in the middle stage of the left reel R1 is executed, if the winning area "Cherry 1" is won, the BAR symbol "BAR" stops and is displayed on the effective line L1 at the timing when the stop button B1 is operated, and the cherry symbol "CH" stops and is displayed at the lower stage of the left reel R1. Also, in the slot machine 1, if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, after the stop button B1 is operated and the BAR symbol "BAR" that was rotating and displayed in the middle stage of the left reel R1 rotates by one frame (slides by one frame), the replay A symbol "RPA" stops and is displayed on the effective line L1, and the cherry symbol "CH" becomes in a state where it cannot be visually recognized from the specific area 330b of the display device 330.

[0135] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, by executing a game aiming to stop the BAR symbol "BAR" in the middle stage of the left reel R1 and stop and display the cherry symbol "CH" at the lower stage of the left reel R1, if the winning area "Cherry 1" is won, the left reel R1 stops at the timing when the stop button B1 is operated. If the winning area "Cherry 1" has not been won and the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" have been won, since the BAR symbol "BAR" rotates to the lower stage of the left reel R1 and then stops from the timing when the stop button B1 is operated, the player can determine whether or not the winning area "Cherry 1" has been won at the time when the first stop operation is executed on the left reel R1.

[0136] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a game is executed aiming for the replay B symbol "RPB" to stop and be displayed in the middle stage of the left reel R1, if the winning area "cherry 1" is won, after the stop button B1 is operated, the replay B symbol "RPB" that was rotating and displayed in the middle stage of the left reel R1 rotates for 4 frames (slides 4 frames), and then the watermelon A symbol "WMA" stops and is displayed on the effective line L1, and the cherry symbol "CH" stops and is displayed in the upper stage of the left reel R1. Further, in the slot machine 1, when the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" are won, the replay B symbol "RPB" stops and is displayed on the effective line L1 at the timing when the stop button B1 is operated, and the cherry symbol "CH" becomes invisible from the specific area 330b of the display device 330.

[0137] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, by executing a game aiming to stop the cherry symbol "CH" and display it in the upper stage of the left reel R1 by operating the stop button B1 at the timing of stopping the replay B symbol "RPB" in the middle stage of the left reel R1, if the winning area "cherry 1" is won, the replay B symbol "RPB" rotates for 4 frames from the timing of operating the stop button B1, and the watermelon A symbol "WMA" arranged at stop number 9 rotates to the middle stage of the left reel R1 and then stops. If the winning area "cherry 1" is not won and the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" are won, the left reel R1 stops at the timing of operating the stop button B1. Therefore, the player can determine whether the winning area "cherry 1" is won or not at the time when the first stop operation is executed on the left reel R1.

[0138] With such a configuration, when the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment wins in the winning area "Cherry 1", it causes small winning combinations 6 to 8 set for three payouts to win, and when the cherry symbol "CH" stops and is displayed on the left reel R1, the player can determine the win in the winning area "Cherry 1" at the time of the first stop operation. As a gaming method, a gaming method in which the left reel R1 stops at the timing of operating the stop button B1, and a gaming method in which the left reel R1 does not stop at the timing of operating the stop button B1 but rotates a predetermined number of frames and then stops. By enabling a plurality of types of gaming methods, a plurality of types of reel stop modes can be realized, and the profit that the player can obtain can be made the same regardless of which gaming method is executed while stopping the reel in a manner according to the player's preference, and the player's interest in the game can be enhanced by the reel stop mode.

[0139] Also, when the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment executes a game using a gaming method in which the left reel R1 stops at the timing of operating the stop button B1 when winning in the winning area "Cherry 1", when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", the left reel R1 rotates one frame and then stops. When executing a game using a gaming method in which the left reel R1 does not stop at the timing of operating the stop button B1 but rotates a predetermined number of frames and then stops when winning in the winning area "Cherry 1", when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", the left reel R1 stops at the timing of operating the stop button B1. Therefore, even when not winning in the winning area "Cherry 1", a plurality of types of reel stop modes can be realized, and the profit that the player can obtain can be made the same regardless of which gaming method is executed while stopping the reel in a manner according to the player's preference, and the player's interest in the game can be enhanced by the reel stop mode.

[0140] In addition, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment has an arrangement of symbols that enables a plurality of types of gaming methods as a gaming method that enables winning of minor prizes 6 to 8 when winning in the winning area "Cherry 1". As the operation timing of the stop button B1 that enables winning of minor prizes 6 to 8, within the range of 7 out of 20 frames from the BAR symbol "BAR" of stop number 7 to the replay B symbol "RPB" of stop number 13, and a range wider than the drawing range capable of drawing one symbol. Therefore, even a player with low skill can easily aim for winning of minor prizes 6 to 8, and the interest of the player in the game can be enhanced.

[0141] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the replay A symbols "RPA" are arranged at intervals within 4 frames on the left reel R1, and are configured as symbols (symbols arranged cyclically) that can be displayed on the effective line L1 regardless of the operation timing of the stop button B1.

[0142] With such a configuration, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment aims to stop and display the BAR symbol "BAR" in the middle stage of the left reel R1, so that when winning in the winning area "Cherry 1", it aims to win a minor prize 6 or minor prize 8, that is, even when a game is executed in which the winning of a minor prize set for one payout when winning in the winning areas "Batter Bell 1" to "Batter Bell 8" is not intended, the replay A symbol "RPA" configured to be able to stop and display on the effective line L1 regardless of the operation timing of the stop button B1 is stopped and displayed on the effective line L1, enabling winning of a minor prize set for one payout, preventing a decrease in the profit that the player can obtain depending on the gaming method selected by the player, and preventing a decrease in the interest of the player in the game.

[0143] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the replay A symbol "RPA" and the replay B symbol "RPB" are configured as symbols having similar design properties. When the stop button B1 is first stopped and operated in the winning areas "batter's bell 1" to "batter's bell 8", and the stop button B1 is operated at the timing when the replay B symbol "RPB" is rotating and displayed on the effective line L1, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed is the same when the replay A symbol "RPA" is stopped and displayed and when the replay B symbol "RPB" is stopped and displayed.

[0144] With such a configuration, when the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment executes a game by a game method in which the left reel R1 stops at the timing when the stop button B1 is operated when winning in the winning area "cherry 1", the symbols stopped and displayed in the middle stage of the left reel R1 when winning in the winning areas "batter's bell 1" to "batter's bell 8", and when executing a game by a game method in which the left reel R1 rotates a predetermined number of frames and then stops without stopping at the timing when the stop button B1 is operated when winning in the winning area "cherry 1", the symbols stopped and displayed in the middle stage of the left reel R1 when winning in the winning areas "batter's bell 1" to "batter's bell 8", are composed of the similar replay A symbol "RPA" and the replay B symbol "RPB". Thus, it is possible to prevent a player from misidentifying that a special combination rather than the winning areas "batter's bell 1" to "batter's bell 8" has been won from the symbols stopped and displayed in the middle stage of the left reel R1, and it is possible to prevent the player's interest in the game from decreasing.

[0145] The specific area 330b of the display device 330 that makes the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 visible constitutes the display window in the present embodiment. The left reel R1 constitutes the specific reel in the present embodiment. The stop button B1 constitutes the specific stop button in the present embodiment. The cherry symbol "CH" constitutes the first symbol in the present embodiment. The BAR symbol "BAR" constitutes the second symbol in the present embodiment. The replay B symbol "RPB" constitutes the third symbol in the present embodiment. The replay A symbol "RPA" constitutes the fourth symbol in the present embodiment. The winning area "Cherry 1" constitutes the first winning mode in the present embodiment. The winning areas "Batting order bell 1" to "Batting order bell 8" constitute the second winning mode in the present embodiment. The lower part of the left reel R1 where the cherry symbol "CH" is stopped and displayed when the BAR symbol "BAR" arranged on the left reel R1 is stopped and displayed on the effective line L1 constitutes the first symbol display position in the present embodiment. The upper part of the left reel R1 where the cherry symbol "CH" is stopped and displayed when the watermelon A symbol "WMA" arranged on the left reel R1 is stopped and displayed on the effective line L1 constitutes the second symbol display position in the present embodiment. The timing when the BAR symbol "BAR" arranged on the left reel R1 is rotationally displayed on the effective line L1 constitutes the first timing in the present embodiment. The timing when the replay B symbol "RPB" arranged on the left reel R1 is rotationally displayed on the effective line L1 constitutes the second timing in the present embodiment.

[0146] 5. Summary of the present embodiment As described above, when the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment wins in the winning area "Cherry 1", it awards small winning combinations 6 to 8 set for three payouts, and when the cherry symbol "CH" stops and is displayed on the left reel R1, the player can determine the win in the winning area "Cherry 1" at the time of the first stop operation. As a gaming method, there are multiple types of gaming methods, such as a gaming method in which the left reel R1 stops at the timing of operating the stop button B1, and a gaming method in which the left reel R1 rotates a predetermined number of frames and then stops without stopping at the timing of operating the stop button B1. By enabling these multiple types of gaming methods, multiple types of reel stop modes can be realized. Regardless of which gaming method is executed while stopping the reel in a manner according to the player's preference, the profit that the player can obtain can be made the same, and the player's interest in the game can be enhanced by the reel stop mode.

[0147] Also, when the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment executes a game using a gaming method in which the left reel R1 stops at the timing of operating the stop button B1 when winning in the winning area "Cherry 1", when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", the left reel R1 rotates one frame and then stops. When executing a game using a gaming method in which the left reel R1 rotates a predetermined number of frames and then stops without stopping at the timing of operating the stop button B1 when winning in the winning area "Cherry 1", when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", the left reel R1 stops at the timing of operating the stop button B1. Therefore, even when not winning in the winning area "Cherry 1", multiple types of reel stop modes can be realized. Regardless of which gaming method is executed while stopping the reel in a manner according to the player's preference, the profit that the player can obtain can be made the same, and the player's interest in the game can be enhanced by the reel stop mode.

[0148] 6. Modification Example In addition, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 has the lower stage of the left reel R1 as the first symbol display position and the upper stage of the left reel R1 as the second symbol display position, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may have frames at different positions within the range visible from the specific area 330b of the display device 330 as the first symbol display position and the second symbol display position, respectively.

[0149] Further, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a cherry symbol "CH" arranged one by one on the left reel R1 as the first symbol, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may be composed of symbols arranged in a plurality on a specific reel for the first symbol that is displayed at the first symbol display position when the specific stop button is operated at the first timing and is displayed at the second symbol display position when the specific stop button is operated at the second timing.

[0150] Further, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a replay A symbol "RPA" arranged so as to be stoppably displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the operation timing of the stop button B1 as the fourth symbol, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may have, as the fourth symbol, a symbol that can be stoppably displayed on the active line L1 when a specific stop button is operated at a specific timing. When configured in this way, it is preferable that the second symbol and the third symbol are arranged within the drawing range of the fourth symbol on the specific reel in the slot machine 1.

[0151] Also, in this embodiment, as a second winning mode, when the order of operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 is the correct order, the slot machine 1 enables winning of a minor winning combination with a payout set to be more than the specified number of insertions. When the order is incorrect, the slot machine 1 has winning areas "order bell 1" to "order bell 8" set to be less than the specified number of insertions but different, but is not limited thereto. As a second winning mode, the slot machine 1 may have a winning area in which the payouts of minor winning combinations that can be won regardless of the order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated are set to the same number (for example, 1).

[0152] Also, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has the left reel R1 as a specific reel and the stop button B1 as a specific stop button, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may have the middle reel R2 as a specific reel and the stop button B2 as a specific stop button, or may have the right reel R3 as a specific reel and the stop button B3 as a specific stop button.

[0153] Also, in this embodiment, the winning determination means 140 is configured to perform a winning determination based on the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the valid line L1, but is not limited thereto. The winning determination means 140 may be configured to perform a winning determination by a method that does not depend on the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the valid line L1, for example, by using information on the rotation angle from the frame serving as a reference for the rotation position of each reel to perform the winning determination.

[0154] Also, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 as a plurality of reels and the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 as a plurality of stop buttons, but is not limited thereto. For example, the slot machine 1 may have a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0155] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a prescribed number of medals. However, it is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the max bet button MB, the slot machine 1 may be configured to have a single bet button for inserting one medal.

[0156] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to insert and pay out medals as game values, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 is, for example, provided outside the slot machine 1 and is configured to be able to record the total number of game values that a player can use for the game by an electromagnetic method. Based on an input signal output from a game value management device (dedicated unit), the slot machine 1 sets the game value to an input state. When paying out the game value, the slot machine 1 outputs a payout signal to the game value management device, and the game value management device may be configured to record the game value corresponding to the payout signal on a predetermined recording medium by an electromagnetic method. That is, the slot machine 1 may be configured as a so-called medal-less gaming machine.

[0157] When configured in this way, the slot machine 1 is configured to have, for example, credit number display means for displaying the number of credits corresponding to the amount of money input by the player into the game value management device. Also, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to credit up to 16,368 medals worth of game values. When more than 16,368 game values are credited, the game control means is set to an error state, and the game value is paid out by a method of being recorded on a predetermined recording medium via the game value management device by an electromagnetic method until the credit number becomes 16,368 or less. The slot machine 1 may be configured to be unplayable (a state in which the game value is not set to the input state and the start operation to the start lever SL is not enabled).

[0158] Also, when configured in this way, the slot machine 1 may be configured not to set an upper limit on the number of playable game times in the advantageous section, and for the specific end condition of the advantageous section, only the upper limit of the difference number of medals may be set.

[0159] Also, in the present embodiment, the upper limit of the number of playable games in the advantageous section is set to 3000 games for the slot machine 1, but it is not limited thereto. For the slot machine 1, for example, the upper limit of the number of playable games in the advantageous section may be set to 4000 games. Further, in such a configuration, the slot machine 1 may not have the section notification unit 500A and may not notify whether it is an advantageous section or whether the expected medal acquisition value is 1 or more.

[0160] Also, in the present embodiment, in the difference number update process for updating the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b by the AT control means 200, when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b is subtracted because the number of medals paid out in the game is less than the specified input number, if the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes less than the value "0", the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b is configured to be set to the value "0", but it is not limited thereto. The AT control means 200 may be configured to store a negative value in the second advantageous section counter 197b when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes less than the value "0" when subtracting the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b in the difference number update process.

[0161] When configured in this way, the AT control means 200 is configured to be able to continue the advantageous section until the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes "2401" or more. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, for example, if the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b is a negative value of "-900" until shifting to an effect state where medals can be acquired, in the effect state where medals can be acquired, a total of 3301 medals, which is 900 medals until the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes "0" and 2401 medals until the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes "2401" or more, can be acquired.

[0162] That is, the slot machine 1 can pay out to the player the medals inserted until the advantageous section starts and the game state shifts to a state where medals can be won, and the medals won until the difference in the number of medals exceeds 2,400 in the game state where medals can be won, and is configured to allow the player to win medals exceeding 2,400 regardless of the number of medals inserted in the advantageous section.

[0163] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set a value as an initial value in the stored values of each counter and storage means, and execute a decrement update that subtracts 1 each time the game is executed, or an increment update that adds 1 each time the game is executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the update method of each counter and storage means may be configured to execute multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited.

Explanation of Signs

[0164] 1 Slot machine (gaming machine) 120 Internal lottery means 130 Reel control means 140 Winning determination means 330b Specific area (display window) B1 Stop button B2 Stop button B3 Stop button R1 Left reel R2 Middle reel R3 Right reel

Claims

【Claim 1】 A plurality of reels, A plurality of stop buttons, A display window for making the plurality of reels visible, Internal lottery means for conducting an internal lottery, Reel control means for controlling the rotation mode and stop mode of the reels, and comprising: When the winning combination corresponding to the winning result of the internal lottery stops and is displayed on the winning line, The plurality of reels includes a specific reel, The plurality of stop buttons includes a specific stop button, The specific stop button corresponds to the specific reel, Inside the display window, When the specific reel stops, there is a first symbol display position where one symbol stops and is displayed, When the specific reel stops, there is a second symbol display position where one symbol stops and is displayed, On the specific reel, a first symbol, a second symbol, a third symbol, and a fourth symbol are arranged, The internal lottery includes a first winning mode and a second winning mode as lottery targets, When winning the first winning mode and the specific stop button is operated at the first timing, the first symbol can be stopped and displayed at the first symbol display position, When winning the first winning mode and the specific stop button is operated at the second timing, the first symbol can be stopped and displayed at the second symbol display position, The first timing is the timing when the second symbol is rotated and displayed on the winning line, The second timing is the timing when the third symbol is rotated and displayed on the winning line, When winning a winning mode including a small winning combination, the reel control means can execute a number priority control for preferentially stopping and displaying, on the winning line, the symbol with the largest number of winning symbol combinations that can be displayed on the winning line over other symbols, The second winning mode is included in a plurality of types of specific winning modes, Each of the plurality of types of specific winning modes is a winning mode including a small winning combination with a first payout and a small winning combination with a second payout, The first payout is higher than the second payout, For each of the plurality of types of specific winning modes, a correct operation mode is set as the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons, The operation mode of operating the specific stop button first is not set as the correct operation mode in any of the specific winning modes, When winning a specific winning mode in the internal lottery, When the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the correct operation mode, the small winning combination with the first payout wins. Among the operation modes different from the correct operation mode, when the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which the specific stop button is operated first, the small winning combination of the second payout wins. Among the operation modes different from the correct operation mode, when the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which a stop button different from the specific stop button is operated first, the small winning combination of the second payout can win with a predetermined probability. Among the operation modes different from the correct operation mode, when the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which a stop button different from the specific stop button is operated first and the small winning combination of the second payout does not win, no winning combination wins. When winning the second winning mode and the specific stop button is operated first, the number of symbol combinations indicating a winning that can be displayed when the third symbol stops and is displayed on the effective line, and the number of symbol combinations indicating a winning that can be displayed when the fourth symbol stops and is displayed on the effective line are the same. When winning the second winning mode and the specific stop button is operated first, if the specific stop button is operated at the first timing, the fourth symbol stops and is displayed on the effective line. When winning the second winning mode and the specific stop button is operated first, if the specific stop button is operated at the second timing, the third symbol stops and is displayed on the effective line. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

Images