Pachinko machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of securing fairness of games.SOLUTION: When a stop operation is performed in a recommended pushing order, an acquisition expecting value of medals (coins) is configured to be lower than when the stop operation is performed in an irregular pushing order. In a normal section, when the stop operation is performed in the irregular pushing order, a specific presentation for urging a stop operation in the recommended pushing order is to be performed. In an advantageous section, during a situation staying in a normal presentation state, when the stop operation is performed in the irregular pushing order, the specific presentation is to be performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 33

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 have been 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 start rotation operation of the player, and controls to stop the plurality of reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon the stop operation of the player. 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 recent years, by providing instruction information for assisting the winning of small winning combinations in which gaming value is paid out upon winning, the winning probability of small winning combinations is varied, and a gaming machine having an instruction function for making it easier to obtain a gaming value such as a medal in an AT state where instruction information can be provided has received favorable reviews.

[0004] In such a gaming machine having an instruction function, a method is known in which a bias is given to the expected value of obtaining a gaming value according to the operation order of the stop operation, thereby providing a large difference in the performance of obtaining a gaming value between a normal game and a game in which instruction information is provided (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, in recent years, when implementing an instruction function, it has been required to provide a non-favorable section and a favorable section, and not to execute the processing related to the instruction function in the non-favorable section, but to design to execute the processing related to the instruction function in the favorable section. For this reason, when there is a bias in the expected value of obtaining a game value according to the operation order of the stop operation, there is an element of strategy to suppress the consumption of the game value by intentionally selecting an operation order with a high expected value of obtaining a game value in the non-favorable section and playing the game, and measures to ensure the fairness of the game are required.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of ensuring the fairness of a game.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] (1) The present invention is a gaming machine having an instruction function capable of setting a non-favorable section and a favorable section and capable of providing instruction information for assisting in winning of a combination, including a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface, internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery for determining whether a combination wins or not, reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels and performing control to stop the rotating reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon a stop operation, and effect control means capable of executing a specific effect for notifying that a stop operation should be performed in a specific operation order in which a specific reel among the plurality of reels is stopped first. When the stop operation is performed in the specific operation order, the expected value of obtaining a game value is lower than when the stop operation is performed in a non-specific operation order in which a reel other than the specific reel stops first. The effect control means executes the specific effect when the stop operation is performed in the non-specific operation order in the non-favorable section, and executes the specific effect when the stop operation is performed in the non-specific operation order in a situation where the provision of the predetermined instruction information is not permitted in the favorable section.

[0009] In the present invention, since the expected value of obtaining a game value in a specific operation sequence is lower than that in a non-specific operation sequence, there is a strategy element that can suppress the consumption of game value by performing a stop operation in a non-specific operation sequence. However, by making it possible to execute a specific effect when a stop operation is performed in a non-specific operation sequence in both the non-favorable section and the favorable section, it is made difficult to distinguish between the non-favorable section and the favorable section. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a game method using a strategy element and ensure the fairness of the game.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0010]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that each of the embodiments described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in each embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0012] (First Embodiment) 1-1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration (excluding the reel unit) of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The gaming machine of the present embodiment is a so-called slot machine or a rotary drum gaming machine, and is a type of gaming machine that plays a game using medals as a gaming medium.

[0014] The gaming machine of this embodiment has a reel unit composed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 (a plurality of reels) housed in a box-shaped housing composed of a storage box BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD. Also, at the lower part of the reel unit storage space PS in the storage box BX, there is a power unit EU incorporating a power supply device and equipped with various switches such as a power switch ES, a setting change key cylinder KS, and a setting change button BS, and a hopper unit HP as a medal payout device is housed. The hopper unit HP includes a medal storage tank MT for storing medals for the game, a payout motor (not shown) composed of a stepping motor, and a rotating disk (not shown) pivotally supported by the payout motor. The rotating disk is configured to be rotationally driven by the payout motor so that medals can be paid out one by one. Also, when the storage amount of medals in the medal storage tank MT reaches a certain level, the surplus medals are sent to the cash box CB in the hopper unit HP. In the housing of the gaming machine of this embodiment, for example, the main board MAIN is attached above the reel unit storage space PS, and the sub-board SUB is attached to the side of the reel unit storage space PS. These control boards (main board MAIN, sub-board SUB) are equipped with a CPU (an example of an arithmetic means), a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM (an example of a temporary storage means), etc., so that the operation of the gaming machine can be controlled. In this embodiment, the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting change button BS are provided in the power unit EU, but they may be provided on the surface of the main board MAIN instead.

[0015] The first reel R1 to the third reel R3 shown in FIG. 1 each have their outer peripheral surfaces partitioned into 20 regions (each region is referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and one of a plurality of types of symbols is arranged in each frame. Further, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are pivotally supported by a stepping motor (reel driving means: not shown), and are each rotationally driven around the axis of the stepping motor. By controlling the number of pulses and the pulse width of the drive pulses of the stepping motor, etc., they are provided so as to be stoppable in frame units (predetermined rotation angle units, predetermined rotation amount units). That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the stepping motor rotationally drives the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 in response to drive pulses supplied from the control board, and when drive pulses of full-phase excitation are supplied from the control board, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 stop as the rotation of the stepping motor stops.

[0016] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are provided so as to be individually openable and closable, and a display window DW is provided in the upper front door UD so that the rotational state and the stopped state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 can be observed. In the stopped state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, among the plurality of types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, three symbols (upper-stage symbol, middle-stage symbol, lower-stage symbol) arranged continuously on the outer peripheral surface can be observed through the display window DW from the front of the gaming machine.

[0017] Also, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, upper, middle, and lower stages are provided for each reel as display positions for observing symbols through the display window DW, and valid lines are set according to combinations of the display positions of the reels. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, so-called the specified insertion number, is set to 3, and when medals corresponding to the specified insertion number are inserted, the valid line L1 composed of the middle stage of the first reel R1, the lower stage of the second reel R2, and the upper stage of the third reel R3 is activated.

[0018] The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the valid lines within the display window DW. When the symbol combination on the valid lines is a symbol combination corresponding to a predetermined winning combination, medals are paid out from the hopper unit HP as if that winning combination has won, etc.

[0019] Also, on the upper front door UD, a game information display section DS and a section indicator SEC are provided. The game information display section DS consists of an LED, a lamp, a 7-segment display, etc., and various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, the total number of medals paid out or won in the BB state, etc. is displayed. Also, the section indicator SEC (an example of a specific notification means) notifies whether it is an advantageous section and whether it is staying in the AT state by the turning off and on of the built-in LED.

[0020] Also, on the upper front door UD, a liquid crystal display LCD for performing game effects is provided. Various videos (or images) for assisting or livening up the game are displayed on this liquid crystal display LCD. Also, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a plurality of speakers SP for performing game effects are provided for the upper front door UD and the lower front door DD. Various sounds for assisting or livening up the game are output from this speaker SP.

[0021] Also, on the lower front door DD, various operating means are provided. As the operating means, a bet button (input operating means) B0 for performing an operation of inputting credited (stored) medals, a start lever (game start operating means) SL for performing an operation that serves as an opportunity to start the game by rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, stop buttons (stop operating means) B1 to B3 for performing an operation that serves as an opportunity to stop each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that is rotationally driven by a stepping motor, etc. are provided.

[0022] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a player inserts medals into the medal insertion port MI or performs an operation of pressing the bet button B0, a preparation state is set in which the rotation control of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 can be started. Then, when the player presses the start lever SL, the control board starts rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by driving a stepping motor, and an internal lottery using a random number value is performed. The pressing operations of the stop buttons B1 to B3 are permitted (enabled) on the condition that the rotation speeds of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have increased to a predetermined speed.

[0023] After that, when the player presses the stop buttons B1 to B3 at an arbitrary timing, stop switches (stop signal output means: for example, photo sensors, conduction sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) built into each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 perform an on-operation, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from an off state to an on state.

[0024] Also, when the player releases the stop buttons B1 to B3 that are in a pressed state at an arbitrary timing, the stop switches corresponding to each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 perform an off-operation, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from an on state to an off state.

[0025] Then, based on the change of the reel stop signal from an off state to an on state, the signal state of which changes according to the pressing timing and release timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3, the control board stops the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 at a stop position according to the result of the internal lottery.

[0026] Also, at the lower part of the lower front door DD, there are provided a medal payout port MO and a medal tray MP, and the number of medals corresponding to the result of the game is paid out from the hopper unit HP through the medal payout port MO to the medal tray MP. When medals are paid out according to the result of the game and medal credit (internal storage) is permitted, a part or all of the payout number of medals is credited up to the credit upper limit number of medals (50 medals in this embodiment), and an operation is performed to change the display value of the credit display formed by the 7-segment display of the game information display unit DS as the credit number of medals changes.

[0027] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0028] The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a game control means (main board MAIN and sub-board SUB) 100. The game control means 100 is activated by power being supplied from the power supply unit EU when the power switch ES is operated, receives input signals from input means such as a medal insertion switch 210, a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change permission switch 250, and a setting change switch 260, performs various calculations for executing the game, and controls the operation of output means such as a reel unit 310, a hopper unit (payout device) HP, a display device 330, and an audio device 340 based on the calculation results. The functions of the game control means 100 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), or RAM, or by software consisting of a given program stored in advance in the ROM, etc.

[0029] The game control means 100 includes a setting change means 103, 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 control means 170, an AT control means 175, a communication control means 177, a performance control means 180, a game information storage means 190a, and a performance information storage means 190b. In this embodiment, the setting change means 103, the bet acceptance means 105, the random number generation means 110, the internal lottery means 120, the reel control means 130, the winning determination means 140, the payout control means 150, the replay processing means 160, the game state control means 170, the AT control means 175, and the communication control means 177 are realized by the CPU of the main board MAIN executing various programs, and the performance control means 180 is realized by the CPU of the sub-board SUB executing various programs. The game information storage means 190a is composed of a main ROM and a main RAM mounted on the main board MAIN, and the performance information storage means 190b is composed of a sub ROM and a sub RAM mounted on the sub-board SUB. Also, various programs executed by the CPU of the main board MAIN are stored in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, and various programs executed by the CPU of the sub-board SUB are stored in the sub ROM of the performance information storage means 190b.

[0030] The setting change means 103 controls to change the setting value stored in the setting value storage area 1913 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In this embodiment, when the game machine is started in the game mode or the setting change mode, it can be switched according to the state of the setting change permission switch 250 at the time of power-on. When a setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting key is rotated clockwise from the initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 becomes the on state. When the power switch ES is operated in this state and power is supplied from the power unit EU, the setting change means 103 starts the gaming machine in the setting change mode. And in this embodiment, the setting value can be selected from six levels of setting values from setting 1 to setting 6, and the winning probability of the internal lottery fluctuates so that the expected value of the payout rate increases in order from setting 1 to setting 6. In this embodiment, the order of setting values is expressed as setting 1 < setting 2 < setting 3 < setting 4 < setting 5 < setting 6 in terms of high and low.

[0031] Also, when the setting change switch 260 is operated by pressing the setting change button BS in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ··· setting 6 → setting 1 → ··· every time it receives an input signal from the setting change switch 260. Based on the game start signal from the start switch 230 operated by pressing the start lever SL, the setting value is determined, and the determined setting value is stored in the setting value storage area 1913. And in this embodiment, by returning the setting key inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS to the initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 can be changed to the off state, and the game machine can be shifted from the setting change mode to the game mode.

[0032] Also, in this embodiment, when the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder KS in the initial position, the gaming machine is started in the gaming mode based on the signal state of the setting change permission switch 260 being off. And in this embodiment, in the gaming mode, gaming can be performed, but the setting values cannot be changed, and in the setting change mode, the setting values can be changed, but gaming cannot be performed.

[0033] Also, the setting change means 103 performs an initialization process of initializing the information stored in a predetermined storage area of the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a in the setting change mode. In particular, in this embodiment, with respect to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, the lottery flag storage area 1915, the game state storage area 1916, the effect state storage area 1918, the high probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 are initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode. More specifically, the storage areas other than the lottery flag storage area 1915, the game state storage area 1916, the effect state storage area 1918, the high probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a are designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in the storage areas other than the information holding areas of the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, in the main RAM, the setting value storage area 1913 and the credit information storage area 1914 are designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is held without being initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode.

[0034] The coin insertion accepting means 105 accepts the insertion of coins for each game, and based on the insertion of coins corresponding to the specified number of insertions (3 coins), performs a process of enabling a game start operation on the start lever SL (game start operation means). In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the first pressing operation of the start lever SL enabled based on the insertion of coins corresponding to the specified number of insertions is accepted as a game start operation, which triggers the start of the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 and also triggers the execution of an internal lottery.

[0035] Also, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot MI, as the coin insertion switch 210 is activated, the coin insertion accepting means 105 sets the inserted coins to the inserted state with the specified number of insertions as the limit. Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, it is possible to credit-store (store and retain) up to 50 coins in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. When the bet button B0 is pressed in a state where coins are credit-stored in the gaming machine, as the bet switch 220 is activated, the coin insertion accepting means 105 sets the coins credit-stored in the credit information storage area 1914 to the inserted state with the specified number of insertions as the limit.

[0036] The random number generation means 110 is means for generating a random number value for lottery. The random number value can be generated, for example, by a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65,536 random number values from 0 to 65,535 without repetition during one cycle. In the present embodiment, the "random number value" includes not only values that are randomly generated in a mathematical sense, but also values that can function substantially as random numbers because their acquisition timing, etc. is irregular even though their generation itself is regular.

[0037] The internal lottery means 120 is means for performing an internal lottery to determine the winning or losing of a combination based on a start signal from a start switch 230 that operates when a player performs a game start operation on the start lever SL (the first pressing operation on the enabled start lever SL), and performs a lottery table selection process, a random number determination process, a lottery flag setting process, and the like.

[0038] In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which of the plurality of internal lottery tables stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a is used for the internal lottery. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables (internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 3) as shown in FIG. 4 are stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910. And in each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replay, minor combination, and bonus, and a loss (non-winning) are associated with each of a plurality of random number values (for example, 65,536 random number values from 0 to 65,535). In the present embodiment, for six levels of setting values, three types of internal lottery tables are prepared for each setting value, and the probability of obtaining some winning modes in the internal lottery varies according to the setting value, and the correspondence between the combination and the random number value is set so that the expected value of the payout rate increases as the setting value increases.

[0039] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, as minor combinations, minor combination 1 to minor combination 38 are prepared, and as winning modes of the minor combinations, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, batting order bell a group (batting order bell a3 to batting order bell a6), batting order bell b group (batting order bell b3 to batting order bell b6), batting order bell c group (batting order bell c3 to batting order bell c6), batting order bell d group (batting order bell d3 to batting order bell d6), special combination a group (special combination 1 to special combination 3), special combination b group (special combination 4 to special combination 11), common bell a, common bell b, common single combination, cherry a, cherry b, JAC1, and JAC2 are set.

[0040] Also, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, as replays, replay 1 to replay 4 are prepared, and as winning modes of the replays, as shown in FIG. 6, replay a and replay b are set.

[0041] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the winning probabilities of minor winning combinations are the same in the internal lottery table 1 and the internal lottery table 2. In the internal lottery table 2, the winning probability of replay is higher than that in the internal lottery table 1. In the internal lottery table 3, replay is not a lottery target. Also, in the internal lottery table 3, the lottery mode of minor winning combinations is different from that in the internal lottery table 1 and the internal lottery table 2, and the winning probability of minor winning combinations is higher than that in the internal lottery table 1 and the internal lottery table 2.

[0042] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, as a bonus, a big bonus (BB) is prepared, and the big bonus (BB) is a lottery target in the internal lottery table 1.

[0043] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, as gaming states, a normal state, a BB establishment state, and a BB state can be set. In the lottery table selection process, according to the gaming state, any one of the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 is selected as the internal lottery table to be used in the internal lottery.

[0044] In the present embodiment, regarding the winning modes of bonuses and replays, the winning probabilities do not fluctuate depending on the set values in some cases. However, regarding minor winning combinations, the winning probabilities of some winning modes fluctuate according to the set values, and the higher the set value, the higher the winning probabilities of JAC1 and JAC2.

[0045] In the random number determination process, based on the start signal from the start switch 230, a random number value (lottery random number) is acquired from the random number generation means 110 for each game, and it is determined whether or not a winning combination is obtained by referring to the internal lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a for the acquired random number value.

[0046] 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-winning state (the first flag state, off state) to the winning state (the second flag state, on state). In the gaming machine 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 winning state. Note that the setting information of the lottery flag is stored in the lottery flag storage area 1915 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0047] Also, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, there are provided a lottery flag (carry-over possible flag) that can carry over the winning state to subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to the non-winning state without carrying over the winning state to subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. As the combination associated with the former carry-over possible flag, there is a big bonus (BB), and small combinations and replays are associated with the latter non-carry-over flag. In the lottery flag setting process, for example, when winning the big bonus (BB) in the internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the winning state of the lottery flag of the big bonus (BB) until the big bonus (BB) wins a prize. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine the winning or losing of small combinations and replays even in games where the winning state of the lottery flag of the big bonus (BB) has been carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game where the winning state of the lottery flag of the bonus associated with the carry-over possible flag has been carried over, if a small combination or replay wins, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of combinations including the lottery flag of the already winning bonus and the lottery flags of the small combination or replay that won in the internal lottery are set to the winning state.

[0048] Based on the start signal from the start switch 230 that is activated by the player's game start operation on the start lever SL, the reel control means 130 starts the rotational drive of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by a stepping motor, and enables the stop operation by pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 (stop operation means) corresponding to the reels that are rotating at a steady speed (about 80 rpm: a rotational speed of about 80 rotations per minute). At the same time, the reel control means 130 performs control to stop the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are rotationally driven by the stepping motor in a manner according to the setting state of the lottery flag (the result of the internal lottery).

[0049] Then, when the stop switch 240 is activated by the player pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 in a state where the stop operation for the stop buttons B1 to B3 is enabled, the reel control means 130 supplies a drive pulse for full-phase excitation to the stepping motor of the reel unit 310 based on the reel stop signal from the stop switch 240, and performs control to stop each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3.

[0050] That is, each time a button among the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed, the reel control means 130 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the pressed button among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and performs control to stop the reel at the determined stop position. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, pressing the stop button B1 corresponds to an operation for stopping the first reel R1, pressing the stop button B2 corresponds to an operation for stopping the second reel R2, and pressing the stop button B3 corresponds to an operation for stopping the third reel R3. That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when the pressing order of the stop buttons B1 to B3 changes, the stop order of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 changes. In the present embodiment, among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, the stop operation corresponding to the reel that stops first is referred to as the first stop operation, the stop operation corresponding to the reel that stops second is referred to as the second stop operation, and the stop operation corresponding to the reel that stops last is referred to as the third stop operation. In some cases, the stop of the reel corresponding to the first stop operation is referred to as the first stop, the stop of the reel corresponding to the second stop operation is referred to as the second stop, and the stop of the reel corresponding to the third stop operation is referred to as the third stop. Further, in the present embodiment, the operation order of the stop operation for first stopping the first reel R1 (an example of a specific reel) is referred to as the recommended batting order (an example of a specific operation order), and the operation order of the stop operation for first stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 may be referred to as an irregular batting order (an example of a non-specific operation order).

[0051] In the gaming machine according to the present embodiment, for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, within 190 ms from the time when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button stops. When stopping the rotating reel within 190 ms from the time of pressing the stop button, the stop position of each rotating reel is determined within the range of 0 frames to 4 frames (predetermined drawing-in range) of the number of frames required from the time of pressing the stop button until the reel stops. Then, the reel control means 130 is configured such that, on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating reel corresponding to the stop button on which the pressing operation has been performed among the stop buttons B1 to B3, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination selected by the internal lottery is located within the range of 0 frames to 4 frames with respect to the display position on the valid line at the time when the pressing operation on the stop button is performed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state is displayed at the display position on the valid line, and controls to stop the rotating reel corresponding to the stop button on which the pressing operation has been performed.

[0052] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 constituting the reel unit 310, there are arranged a red 7 symbol a "red 7a", a red 7 symbol b "red 7b", a BAR symbol a "BARa", a BAR symbol b "BARb", a special symbol "SP", a replay symbol "RP", a bell symbol a "BLa", a bell symbol b "BLb", a watermelon symbol "WM", and a cherry symbol "CH". When drawing in the symbol existing within 4 frames from the pressing detection position onto the valid line, for the symbols arranged at intervals of within 4 frames on the outer peripheral surface of each reel, regardless of the pressing detection position which is the position of the reel at the time of operation of the stop switch 240 (the time when the pressing of the stop button is detected), it can be displayed on the valid line. In the present embodiment, the pressing detection position is the display position at the upper stage of each reel.

[0053] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the reel unit 310 is provided with a reel index 315 composed of a photosensor. The reel control means 130 monitors the current rotation state of the reel by obtaining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation axis of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the frame detected by the reel index 315) based on the reference position signal detected by the reel index 315 every time the reel makes one rotation. That is, the reel control means 130 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop switch 240 is actuated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

[0054] The reel control means 130 also determines the stop position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage area 1911 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0055] Here, in the stop control table, according to the setting state of the lottery flag, the correspondence relationship between the pressing detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time of actuation of the stop switch 240 (the time when the pressing of the stop button is detected), and the actual stop position is set. In the stop control table, according to the setting state of the lottery flag, the correspondence relationship between the pressing detection position and the number of sliding frames indicating the rotation amount from the pressing detection position to the actual stop position may be set.

[0056] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, for minor winning combinations, replay, and bonus, the priority order is determined in the order of "replay > bonus" and "minor winning combination > bonus". The stop control table is set so that the stop position including the symbols constituting the winning form of the winning combination with the higher priority is selected according to the priority order associated with each winning combination.

[0057] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, in the stop control table that is referred to when lottery flags related to a plurality of types of minor winning combinations are set to the winning state in the internal lottery, when the stop position is set according to the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active line (number priority control), and when the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out based on the payout predetermined for the minor winning combination (payout number priority control), when the stop position is set according to the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active line, the stop position closer to the position where the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active line is larger is given higher priority for the stop position relative to the press detection position. When the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out, the stop position closer to the position where the number of medals paid out based on the payout of the minor winning combination corresponding to the symbol displayed at the display position on the active line is larger (the stop position where a minor winning combination with a large payout can be won) is given higher priority for the stop position relative to the press detection position. However, when the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out, for a plurality of stop positions with the same number of medals paid out, the priority levels of the respective stop positions are treated as the same and the stop position relative to the press detection position is set. When the stop position is set according to the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active line, for a plurality of stop positions with the same number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active line, the priority levels of the respective stop positions are treated as the same and the stop position relative to the press detection position is set.

[0058] And in the stop control table that is referred to when a batting bell belonging to any one of batting bells a3 to a6 (an example of a specific winning mode), batting bells b3 to b6 (an example of a specific winning mode), batting bells c3 to c6 (an example of a specific winning mode), or batting bells d3 to d6 (an example of a specific winning mode) wins in the internal lottery, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a correct batting order (an example of a specific operation order, an example of a specific operation mode) is set for each batting bell.

[0059] In the stop control table referred to when any batting order bell is won, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, the stop position with respect to the press detection position is set so that a 9 - tile minor winning combination (an example of the correct minor winning combination) wins. When the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a pressing order different from the correct batting order, the stop position with respect to the press detection position is set so that there are cases where a 1 - tile minor winning combination (an example of an incorrect minor winning combination) wins and cases where no winning combination wins (missing a winning combination). In "1 - tile minor winning combination (1 / 2)" in FIGS. 9 and 10, it means that in that pressing order, a 1 - tile minor winning combination wins with a probability of 1 / 2, and a missing winning combination occurs with a probability of 1 / 2. Also, "1 - tile minor winning combination (1 / 4)" in FIGS. 9 and 10 means that in that pressing order, a 1 - tile minor winning combination wins with a probability of 1 / 4, and a missing winning combination occurs with a probability of 3 / 4.

[0060] Regarding the winning of each batting order bell, in the correct batting order, the symbols constituting the winning pattern of the 9 - tile minor winning combination are preferentially displayed on the active line by payout number priority control, and in a pressing order different from the correct batting order, the symbols constituting the winning pattern of the 1 - tile minor winning combination are preferentially displayed on the active line by number priority control. Thus, the stop position with respect to the press detection position is set in each stop control table.

[0061] In this embodiment, for the batting order bell a group (an example of the first group) and the batting order bell b group (an example of the first group), the correct batting order is valid only when staying in the BB established state. When a batting order bell is won in the normal state, even if the stop operation is performed along the correct batting order, a 1 - tile minor winning combination wins with a probability of 1 / 2, and a missing winning combination occurs with a probability of 1 / 2. That is, in the normal state, for the batting order bell a group and the batting order bell b group, even if the stop operation is performed in a manner that allows the 9 - tile minor winning combination to win in the BB established state, the stop position is determined to avoid the winning of the 9 - tile minor winning combination by number priority control. On the other hand, for the batting order bell c group (an example of the second group) and the batting order bell d group (an example of the second group), the correct batting order is valid in both the normal state and the BB established state, and the stop position is determined so that the winning of the 9 - tile minor winning combination is prioritized by payout number priority control in the correct batting order in any gaming state.

[0062] Also, in the stop control table referred to when a special role belonging to either the special role A group (special roles 1 to 3) or the special role B group (special roles 4 to 11) is selected by an internal lottery, the stop position with respect to the pressing detection position is set so that one minor role wins regardless of the stop operation mode. When the stop operation is performed in the order of first stopping the first reel R1, a unique stop mode corresponding to the type of special role can appear.

[0063] Also, in the stop control table referred to when the common bell A or the common bell B is selected by an internal lottery, the stop position with respect to the pressing detection position is set so that nine minor roles win. When each common bell is selected, nine minor roles will always win regardless of the stop operation mode. However, in the stop control table referred to when the common bell A or the common bell B is selected in the normal state, the winning of nine minor roles is avoided by the number priority control regardless of the stop operation mode, and one minor role will always win. That is, in this embodiment, when the common bell A or the common bell B is selected in the BB establishment state, nine minor roles win, and when the common bell A or the common bell B is selected in the normal state, one minor role wins.

[0064] Also, in the stop control table referred to when the common single role is selected by an internal lottery, the stop position with respect to the pressing detection position is set so that one minor role wins. When the common single role is selected, one minor role will always win regardless of the stop operation mode.

[0065] Also, in the stop control table referred to when the cherry A is selected by an internal lottery, the stop position with respect to the pressing detection position is set so that among the minor roles 14, 32, 33, 36, and 38, which are minor roles, either minor role 14, minor role 32, or minor role 33 wins preferentially. When the cherry A is selected, one minor role will always win regardless of the stop operation mode.

[0066] Also, in the stop control table referred to when cherry b wins in the internal lottery, the stop position with respect to the press detection position is set so that the minor combination 7, which is a 3 - card minor combination, wins preferentially over the minor combination 36, which is a 1 - card minor combination. When cherry b wins, there are cases where the 3 - card minor combination wins and cases where none of the combinations win.

[0067] Also, in the stop control table referred to when JAC1 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position with respect to the press detection position is set so that the 9 - card minor combination always wins. In the stop control table referred to when JAC2 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position with respect to the press detection position is set so that the 1 - card minor combination always wins.

[0068] Also, regarding the winning modes of various replays such as replay a and replay b, the stop position with respect to the press detection position is set so that any replay included in the winning mode always wins regardless of the mode of the stop operation.

[0069] Also, for the big bonus (BB), it is only winning - eligible when the big bonus (BB) wins alone in the normal state. In the BB established state, there is no losing, and the stop position with respect to the press detection position is set in the stop control table so that the big bonus (BB) does not win because a minor combination or replay with a higher priority than the big bonus (BB) wins repeatedly.

[0070] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process for determining whether or not a winning combination has won based on the stop modes of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage area 1912 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the active line when all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have stopped is a predetermined winning combination form. And, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 15, a winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of winning of the big bonus (BB), replay 1 to replay 4, and small winning combinations 1 to 38 can be determined based on the symbol combination displayed on the active line in the state where each reel has stopped.

[0071] And in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, based on the determination result of the winning determination means 140, when a winning combination has won, a winning-time process is executed. As the winning-time process, for example, when a small winning combination has won, medal payout processing is performed by the payout control means 150, when a replay has won, replay processing is performed by the replay processing means 160, and when a bonus has won, a game state transition process for shifting the game state is performed by the game state control means 170.

[0072] The payout control means 150 performs a payout control process regarding the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a small winning combination has won, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on the payout determined in advance for each winning combination, and control is performed to cause the hopper unit HP (payout device) to pay out medals corresponding to the determined payout number.

[0073] The hopper unit HP performs an operation of paying out the number of medals instructed by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit HP is provided with a payout medal detection switch 325 that operates each time one medal is paid out, and the payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit HP based on the input signal from the payout medal detection switch 325.

[0074] When medal credit memory (storage memory) is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper unit HP, a credit addition process is performed to add the payout number to the number of credits (the number of medals with credit stored) stored in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, and a process of virtually paying out medals is performed.

[0075] When a replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs a replay process (re - game process) of setting the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert the medals owned by the player for the next game. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert the number of medals corresponding to the specified insertion number required for the next game without using the medals held by the player (including credit medals), and the game start operation for the next start lever SL is waited for with the valid lines corresponding to the specified insertion number set.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 16, the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition process for transitioning the game state among the normal state, the BB establishment state, and the BB state. In this embodiment, the information indicating the staying game state is stored in the game state storage area 1916 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. The game state transition conditions may be defined by one condition or a plurality of conditions. When a plurality of conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fact that one of the plurality of predefined conditions is satisfied, or all of the plurality of predefined conditions are satisfied.

[0077] The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among multiple types of game states, and it is possible to transition from the normal state to the BB establishment state or the BB state. Specifically, when the big bonus (BB) is won in the normal state but the big bonus (BB) does not win, it transitions to the BB establishment state, and when the big bonus (BB) is won and the big bonus (BB) wins in the normal state, it transitions to the BB state. Also, in the normal state, among the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 4, the internal lottery is conducted with reference to internal lottery table 1 in which the winning probability of replay is set to about 1 / 7.3 or more and the big bonus (BB) is set as the lottery target.

[0078] The BB establishment state is a game state that transitions when the big bonus (BB) is won in the internal lottery in the normal state but the big bonus (BB) does not win. Among the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 4, the internal lottery is conducted with reference to internal lottery table 2 in which the winning probability of replay is higher than that of internal lottery table 1 so that a miss (non-winning) does not occur and the big bonus (BB) is excluded from the lottery target.

[0079] Also, in the BB establishment state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus (BB) is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus (BB) wins. In this embodiment, since the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the big bonus (BB) is not displayed on the effective line in the BB establishment state, once the game state transitions to the BB establishment state, it will not transition to the BB state thereafter.

[0080] The BB state is a game state that transitions when the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the big bonus (BB) is displayed on the effective line. Among the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 4, the internal lottery is conducted with reference to internal lottery table 3 in which the lottery mode of small winning combinations is different from that of internal lottery tables 1 and 2.

[0081] Also, in the BB state, it is determined whether the end condition is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out by the game in the BB state. When it is determined that more than a predetermined number of medals (for example, 83 medals) have been paid out, the game state control means 170 ends the BB state and performs control to return the game state to the normal state. In this embodiment, the count information on the payout number in the BB state is stored in the game state storage area 1916.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 17, the AT control means 175 changes the production state among a plurality of types of production states including the initial production state, the normal production state (an example of the first state), and the AT state (an example of the second state). Under predetermined conditions, the production state is set to the AT state, and it is determined whether the end condition of the AT state is satisfied based on the value of the AT stock number counter 1920 and the value of the AT game number counter 1921, and control is performed to end the AT state when the end condition of the AT state is satisfied. In this embodiment, the information indicating the production state in which the player is staying is stored in the production state storage area 1918 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. Also, in this embodiment, when staying in the AT state, the AT control means 175 displays information (an example of instruction information) corresponding to the correct batting order on the main display 300 composed of a 7-segment display provided in the game information display unit DS when the batting order chance combination or the batting order bell is won, thereby assisting the winning of the 9-card minor combination (minor combination 3 to minor combination 6). At the same time, the production control means 180 displays an image corresponding to the correct batting order on the liquid crystal display LCD when the batting order chance combination or the batting order bell is won, thereby performing a winning assist production to assist the winning of the 9-card minor combination (minor combination 3 to minor combination 6). It is possible to perform an assist time game in which medals are more easily obtained than in games staying in the initial production state or the normal production state. In this embodiment, the function of executing the assist time game in the advantageous section is defined as an instruction function, and the processes that affect the execution of the assist time game are the processes related to the instruction function.

[0083] Also, as shown in FIG. 18, the AT control means 175 can set a normal section (non-favorable section) and a favorable section. In the normal section, the production state is fixed to the initial production state which is the initial state, and a favorable section transition lottery is performed. When winning the favorable section transition lottery, the favorable section is started, and the production state can be set to the AT state on the condition that it is the favorable section.

[0084] Then, in the game in the normal section, when the production state stays in the normal state or the BB establishment state, the favorable section transition lottery is performed. In the normal state, in the internal lottery, based on any winning mode of the special combination a group + BB, special combination b group, batting order bell a group, batting order bell b group, batting order bell c group, batting order bell d group, common bell a, common bell b, cherry a + BB, cherry b, common single combination + BB, and normal replay a, the favorable section transition lottery is performed. In the normal state, there is a case where the big bonus (BB) wins alone, but in that case, the favorable section transition lottery is not performed. Also, in the BB establishment state, in the internal lottery, based on any winning mode of the special combination a group, special combination b group, batting order bell a group, batting order bell b group, batting order bell c group, batting order bell d group, common bell a, common bell b, cherry a, cherry b, common single combination, and normal replay a, the favorable section transition lottery is performed. In the BB establishment state, there is a case where the normal replay b wins, but in that case, the favorable section transition lottery is not performed.

[0085] In the favorable section transition lottery, the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the favorable section transition lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the favorable section transition lottery is won (favorable section win) according to the comparison result. In the favorable section transition lottery table, a win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery corresponding to the winning mode that triggers the execution of the favorable section transition lottery. When the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is associated with the winning mode that triggers the execution of the favorable section transition lottery, and is associated with a win in the favorable section transition lottery table, it is determined that the favorable section transition lottery is won.

[0086] When the AT control means 175 wins the advantageous section transition lottery in the normal section, it performs the advantageous section transition process based on winning the advantageous section transition lottery, starts the advantageous section from the next game of the game that won the advantageous section transition lottery, and sets the effect state to the normal effect state. In the present embodiment, as lottery modes of the AT lottery in the normal effect state, a low probability mode and a high probability mode can be set. When in the normal effect state, it stays in either lottery mode, and when shifting the effect state to the normal effect state, a mode determination lottery is conducted, and the lottery mode is determined according to the result of the mode determination lottery. The mode determination lottery obtains any random value from 0 to 255 in association with the stop operation corresponding to the third stop of the game that shifts the effect state to the normal effect state, and obtains either the low probability mode or the high probability mode associated with these random values as the lottery result. In the present embodiment, the mode determination lottery is conducted in a manner such that the low probability mode is more likely to be selected than the high probability mode. Note that the game that shifts the effect state to the normal effect state refers to the game that won the advantageous section transition lottery or the game in which the AT state ended in the advantageous section. In the game that won the advantageous section transition lottery, the mode determination lottery is conducted as part of the advantageous section transition process, and in the game in which the AT state ended in the advantageous section, the mode determination lottery is conducted as part of the process of returning the effect state to the normal effect state.

[0087] Note that the winning modes of the advantageous section transition lottery may be determined, for example, as two types: low probability winning and high probability winning, to determine whether to shift the lottery mode to either the low probability mode or the high probability mode in the advantageous section transition process. In this case, when the result of the advantageous section transition lottery is low probability winning, the lottery mode can be set to the low probability mode in the advantageous section transition process, and when the result of the advantageous section transition lottery is high probability winning, the lottery mode can be set to the high probability mode in the advantageous section transition process.

[0088] The AT control means 175 performs an AT lottery (an example of the process related to the instruction function) when the game state is in the BB establishment state and the effect state is in the normal effect state in the advantageous section. Specifically, in the internal lottery, the AT lottery is performed based on obtaining any winning mode of the special combination a group, the special combination b group, cherry a, cherry b, common bell a, common bell b, or normal replay a. In the present embodiment, when the game state is in the normal state or the BB state, the AT lottery is not executed. However, it may be configured such that the AT lottery is also executed in at least one of the case where the game state is in the normal state and the case where the game state is in the BB state.

[0089] In the AT lottery, when a winning mode that triggers the execution of the AT lottery is obtained, a random number value in the range of 0 to 255 is acquired, and the acquired random number value is compared with the AT lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether the AT lottery is won according to the comparison result. In the AT lottery table, an AT win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for the AT lottery. When the random number value acquired for the AT lottery corresponds to an AT win in the AT lottery table, it is determined that the AT lottery is won. In the present embodiment, the probability of obtaining an AT win is different between the low probability mode and the high probability mode, and the probability of obtaining an AT win is set higher in the high probability mode than in the low probability mode. However, in the present embodiment, for the special combination a group and the special combination b group, the lottery result of an AT win is always obtained in the AT lottery in both the low probability mode and the high probability mode.

[0090] Also, in the present embodiment, when a winning mode that triggers the execution of the AT lottery other than the batting order bell is obtained, the AT lottery is executed before the stop operation for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 becomes effective. However, for the AT lottery in the case of winning the batting order bell, the AT lottery is executed when a single small winning combination included in the winning batting order bell wins. Therefore, in the game where the batting order bell wins, the AT lottery is not executed when a nine-piece small winning combination wins or when no winning combination wins. Note that when a winning mode other than the batting order bell is obtained at the time of winning the batting order bell, the AT lottery may be executed with the same trigger as described above, and then the result of the AT lottery may be invalidated based on the fact that a single small winning combination did not win. Also, in the present embodiment, when the first stop operation stops the first reel R1 at the time of winning the batting order bell, since a single small winning combination always wins, the AT lottery may be executed when the first stop operation stops the first reel R1. Thus, in the present embodiment, the recommended batting order that stops the first reel R1 first is treated more favorably with respect to the AT lottery than the irregular batting order that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first.

[0091] Also, when in the low probability mode in the normal presentation state, the AT control means 175 performs a process (an example of a process related to the instruction function) of updating the value of the high probability transition counter 1919 when a single small winning combination wins in the game where the batting order bell wins, and the value of the high probability transition counter 1919 is not updated when a nine-piece small winning combination wins or when no winning combination wins even if the batting order bell wins. That is, the recommended batting order that stops the first reel R1 first is treated more favorably with respect to the transition to the high probability mode than the irregular batting order that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first. In the present embodiment, when transitioning to the normal presentation state and the low probability mode, a predetermined value "255" is set in the high probability transition counter 1919, and the AT control means 175 performs a high probability transition subtraction value lottery when the batting order bell wins to determine the subtraction value for updating the high probability transition counter 1919 to either "3" or "29", and subtracts the determined subtraction value from the value of the high probability transition counter 1919.

[0092] In the high-probability transition subtraction value lottery, when a small winning combination of one card is won in the game selected by the batting order bell, any random number value from 0 to 255 is obtained, and either the subtraction value of "3" or "29" pre-associated with these random number values is used as the lottery result.

[0093] Then, based on the fact that the value of the high-probability transition counter 1919 has reached the initial value "0" in the low-probability mode, the AT control means 175 determines that the high-probability transition condition is satisfied and shifts the lottery mode to the high-probability mode. In a situation where it stays in the high-probability mode in the normal presentation state, the AT control means 175 conducts a fall lottery based on the winning of the batting order bell a group, batting order bell b group, batting order bell c group, batting order bell d group, or the common one-card combination. In the fall lottery, the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the fall lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the fall lottery is won according to the comparison result. In the fall lottery table, a fall win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for internal lottery associated with the winning pattern that triggers the execution of the fall lottery. The random number value obtained for the internal lottery is associated with any of the batting order bell a group, batting order bell b group, batting order bell c group, batting order bell d group, or the common one-card combination, and when it is associated with a fall win in the fall lottery table, it is determined that the fall lottery is won. And in this embodiment, based on the fact that the AT control means 175 obtains the lottery result of a fall win in the fall lottery, it determines that the high-probability end condition is satisfied and shifts the lottery mode to the low-probability mode.

[0094] Also, in the present embodiment, when shifting the effect state to the normal effect state, the AT control means 175 sets a predetermined value "1024" in the ceiling counter 1924, and performs a process (an example of a process related to an instruction function) of subtracting a subtraction value corresponding to the result of an internal lottery from the value of the ceiling counter 1924 every time a game in the normal effect state is played. In particular, in the present embodiment, when the batting order bell wins, a process of subtracting the value of the ceiling counter 1924 is performed on the condition that a winning combination of a single small combination is obtained, and when a winning combination of nine small combinations is obtained or when no combination wins, the value of the ceiling counter 1924 is not updated. That is, the recommended batting order for first stopping the first reel R1 is treated more favorably with respect to the update of the ceiling counter 1924 than the irregular batting order for first stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3.

[0095] Then, based on the fact that the result of the AT lottery is an AT win or the value of the ceiling counter 1924 has reached the initial value "0", the AT control means 175 performs control to shift the effect state from the normal effect state to the AT state. Further, based on the fact that the transition to the AT state has been determined, the AT control means 175 adds a fixed value "1" to the AT stock number counter 1920, and when shifting the effect state to the AT state at the end of a game (a game in which the lottery result of an AT win is obtained or a game in which the value of the ceiling counter 1924 has reached the initial value "0") where the transition condition to the AT state is satisfied, a fixed value "1" is subtracted from the AT stock number counter 1920, and a value "30" corresponding to 30, which is the number of games that is the end condition of the AT state, is set in the AT game number counter 1921.

[0096] Then, based on the fact that the effect state is the AT state, the AT control means 175 causes an assist time game to be played, and subtracts a fixed value "1" corresponding to one game from the value of the AT game number counter 1921 every time the assist time game is played. And in the present embodiment, in the AT state, when a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell a group, the batting order bell b group, the batting order bell c group, or the batting order bell d group wins, a correct batting order notification for notifying the correct batting order and a winning assist effect are performed.

[0097] Also, in this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 performs correct batting order notification regarding the batting order bell, the operation instruction numbers corresponding to the correct batting order corresponding to the selected batting order bell ("03" (batting order 3), "04" (batting order 4), "05" (batting order 5), "06" (batting order 6)) are displayed on the main display 300.

[0098] Also, when the production state is in the AT state in the advantageous section, the AT control means 175 performs an additional lottery (an example of the process related to the instruction function) based on the winning of the special combination a group, special combination b group, cherry a, cherry b, common bell a, or common bell b in the internal lottery. In the additional lottery, when the winning mode that triggers the execution of the additional lottery is obtained, a random number value in the range of 0 to 255 is acquired, and the acquired random number value is compared with the additional lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the additional lottery is won according to the comparison result. In the additional lottery table, a winning or losing for the additional lottery is assigned to the random number value for the additional lottery. When the random number value acquired for the additional lottery is associated with a winning in the additional lottery table, it is determined that the additional lottery is won. Note that in the additional lottery performed when a winning mode belonging to either the special combination a group or the special combination b group is obtained, a winning result of the additional lottery is always obtained. And in this embodiment, based on the fact that the AT control means 175 has obtained a winning result of the additional lottery in the additional lottery, a fixed value "1" is added to the AT stock number counter 1920.

[0099] And when the value of the AT game number counter 1921, which is decremented by a fixed value each time the assist time game is performed in the AT state, reaches the initial value "0", if the AT stock number > 0, a fixed value "1" is subtracted from the value of the AT stock number counter 1920, and "30" is reset to the value of the AT game number counter 1921 to continue the AT state. If the AT stock number = 0, it is determined that the end condition is satisfied because the AT game number = 0 and the AT stock number = 0, and the production state is restored to the normal production state.

[0100] Also, in this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the clear counter 1922 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to the initial value "0" in the advantageous section transition process. In the advantageous section, the value of the clear counter 1922 is updated according to the difference in the number of medals in each game, and the value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (for example, when 15 medals are paid out, it is set to "15", and when there is no payout without winning any combination, it is set to "0") is subtracted by the value corresponding to the number of medals inserted for the game (3 medals) to obtain the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals in the game, and this calculation result is added to the value of the clear counter 1922 for the update process. When the value of the clear counter 1922 exceeds the threshold value (for example, 2400), it is determined that the end condition of the advantageous section is satisfied. Note that the value of the clear counter 1922 is controlled so as not to fall below the initial value "0". For example, if the value of the clear counter 1922 at the start of the game is "2", and as a result of the game, there is no payout without winning any combination, the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals in that game is "-3", and adding the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals to the value of the clear counter 1922 will cause it to fall below the initial value "0", but the updated value of the clear counter 1922 is set to count stop with the initial value "0" as the lower limit. Also, when there is a replay win in the game, the difference in the number of medals is obtained by treating the game in which the replay won as if there was a payout of the number of medals corresponding to the specified number of inserted medals in that game, and for the next game provided free of charge due to the replay win, even if no actual medals are inserted, it is treated as if the number of medals corresponding to the specified number of inserted medals in that game was inserted to obtain the difference in the number of medals.

[0101] Also, in the advantageous section, as long as the end condition of the advantageous section is not met, the clear counter 1922 is updated even if there is a transition in the game state or the production state.

[0102] Also, the AT control means 175 performs an initialization process of initializing the information stored in a predetermined storage area of the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a based on the end of the advantageous section. Particularly in this embodiment, regarding the main RAM of the game information storage means 190, the information stored in the effect state storage area 1918, the high-probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 is initialized by the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section. More specifically, a storage area other than the effect state storage area 1918, the high-probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a is designated as an information holding area, and the information stored in the storage area other than the information holding area of the main RAM is initialized. Therefore, when the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section is performed, unlike the case where the initialization process in the setting change mode is performed, in addition to the setting value storage area 1913 and the credit information storage area 1914, the lottery flag storage area 1915 and the game state storage area 1916 are also designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is not initialized but held by the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section. Then, when the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section is performed, the effect state is initialized to the initial effect state, and the values of the high-probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to the initial values (for example, 0) and return to the normal section.

[0103] In this embodiment, since the initialization process is executed with the end of the advantageous section and the system returns to the normal section, when the value of the clear counter 1922 exceeds the threshold value in the situation of staying in the AT state, each AT state is forcibly terminated by the initialization process associated with the end of the advantageous section, and the effect state is initialized to the initial effect state. At the same time, the values of the high-probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to the initial values (for example, 0). Also, when the value of the clear counter 1922 exceeds the threshold value in the situation of staying in other effect states, the currently staying effect state is forcibly terminated by the initialization process associated with the end of the advantageous section, and the effect state is initialized to the initial effect state. At the same time, the values of the high-probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to the initial values (for example, 0). Note that in this embodiment, the effect state is not initialized by turning the power on / off. However, when the system is started in the setting change mode or when the initialization process is performed in the setting change mode, the effect state is initialized to the initial effect state, and the values of the high-probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to the initial values (for example, 0).

[0104] Also, in this embodiment, when the advantageous section is started by winning the advantageous section transition lottery in the normal section and the effect state is set to the AT state under predetermined conditions in the advantageous section to perform the assist time game, the advantageous section is maintained as long as the end condition of the advantageous section is not satisfied even after the AT state ends. That is, in this embodiment, since the advantageous section continues even after the end of the AT state, there are cases where the system stays in the advantageous section even when the effect state transitions to an effect state different from the AT state.

[0105] Also, when in the AT state in the advantageous section, the AT control means 175 lights the LED built in the section indicator SEC to notify that it is staying in the AT state, and performs control to turn off the LED built in the section indicator SEC based on the end of the AT state. And in the present embodiment, when it is a normal section or when it is an effect state different from the AT state in the advantageous section, the LED built in the section indicator SEC is turned off. That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not it is staying in the AT state by checking the lighting state of the section indicator SEC.

[0106] And in the present embodiment, the AT control means 175 starts or ends a specific notification, which is a notification that it is staying in the AT state, based on the effect state staying in the advantageous section. For example, when the effect state transitions to the AT state, the specific notification is started, and when the AT state ends, the specific notification is ended. In particular, in the present embodiment, there are cases where the advantageous section continues even after the AT state ends, but when the AT state ends and the advantageous section ends, not only does the specific notification end, but also when the AT state ends and the advantageous section continues, the specific notification ends.

[0107] Note that the section indicator SEC does not necessarily need to be provided dedicatedly as in the present embodiment, and may be made to serve also as the main indicator 300. For example, by switching the lighting and extinguishing of the dot display section that displays the decimal point etc. of the 7-segment indicator, it may be used to indicate whether or not it is staying in the AT state, and in an effect state different from the AT state, the dot display section is turned off, and in the AT state, the dot display section is turned on to serve as a specific notification. Also, when the AT state is started, the LED built in the section indicator SEC lights up and immediately notifies that it is staying in the AT state, but it may be made into a non-notification section where it does not notify that it is an advantageous section until a predetermined number of game times have elapsed since the start of the AT state, or it may be made into a non-notification section where it does not notify that it is an advantageous section until the first correct batting order notification in the AT state is executed.

[0108] When the production state is the AT state in the advantageous section, the communication control means 177 controls to output a specific external signal to an external device such as the data counter 410 and the whole computer 420. In the present embodiment, the specific external signal is output to the external device by relaying the external centralized terminal board from the main board. Further, the output of the specific external signal is performed based on a game start operation on the start lever SL of the first game (the first game) in each set of the AT state. Note that the specific external signal may be output based on the end of the last game (the 30th game) in each set of the AT state. In the present embodiment, by outputting the specific external signal corresponding to each set of the AT state, the number of completed sets of the AT state can be totaled in the external device.

[0109] The performance control means 180 performs control related to display performances using the display device 330 (an example of a performance device) and acoustic performances using the acoustic device 340 (an example of a performance device) based on the performance data stored in the performance data storage area 1926 provided in the sub-ROM of the performance information storage means 190b. For example, in response to the occurrence of game events such as the insertion of medals, operations on the bet buttons B0, start lever SL, stop buttons B1 to B3, and changes in the game state, lamps or LEDs are turned on or blinked, the display content of the liquid crystal display LCD is changed, or sound is output from the speaker SP, thereby performing execution control of performances for enlivening or assisting the game according to the progress of the game. The content of the performance executed in the game is determined by referring to the performance lottery table stored in the sub-lottery table storage area 1927 provided in the sub-ROM of the performance information storage means 190b according to the game state, performance state, results of internal lotteries, and the like. In this embodiment, image data corresponding to the progress of the game and the like is read from the performance data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into the image buffer 1928 provided in the sub-RAM, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer 1928 is output to the liquid crystal display LCD. Sound data corresponding to the progress of the game and the like is read from the performance data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into the sound buffer 1929 provided in the sub-RAM, and sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer 1929 is output from the speaker SP.

[0110] When the performance state is the AT state, the performance control means 180 performs control to cause the display device 330 or the acoustic device 340 to execute a winning assistance performance that notifies the correct batting order when the batting order bell wins and assists in winning of the 9-card minor winning combinations (minor winning combinations 3 to 6).

[0111] In addition, when a game is being played in the AT state, the presentation control means 180 controls the execution of a remaining number display presentation that displays the remaining number of times to be played until the AT state ends on the display device 330 such as a liquid crystal display LCD. In the remaining number display presentation, when the value of the AT game number counter 1921 is subtracted by playing a game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of times to be played also decreases to reflect the subtraction.

[0112] The effect control means 180 also controls to execute a specific effect that notifies the player that a stop operation should be performed in the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 is stopped first. In particular, in this embodiment, the effect control means 180 executes a specific effect when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first in the normal section, and executes a specific effect when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first in the advantageous section while the player is in the normal performance state. As a specific effect, for example, a warning including a message "left push recommended" can be displayed on the display device 330 such as a liquid crystal display LCD. The specific effect may be executed in response to a first stop operation in an irregular batting order, a second stop operation in an irregular batting order, or a third stop operation in an irregular batting order. The specific effect may be executed in response to an irregular batting order after all reels have stopped. In addition, the trigger for determining whether the order of stop operations is an irregular batting order or not may be different from the trigger for executing a specific effect. For example, the determination of whether the batting order is an irregular batting order may be triggered by a first stop operation, and if it is determined that the batting order is an irregular batting order, the trigger for executing a specific effect may be a third stop operation.

[0113] Note that the functional block configuration of the present embodiment can also be applied to a computer system (including a game system). In these systems, a program that causes a computer to function as the game control means 100 of the present embodiment can be downloaded via a network from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD, or a Web server on the Internet, to realize its function. Further, in the above computer system, the medal insertion switch 210, bet switch 220, start switch 230, stop switch 240, etc. can be realized by virtually assigning their functions to operating means such as a keyboard, pointing device (such as a mouse), touch panel, or controller. Further, in the above computer system, the reel unit 310, hopper unit HP, etc. are not essential components, and these device units can virtually realize their functions by controlling the images displayed on a display (display device 330).

[0114] 1-2. Method of the Present Embodiment In the present embodiment, as winning modes of minor winning combinations, there are a batting order bell a group (batting order bell a3 to batting order bell a6), a batting order bell b group (batting order bell b3 to batting order bell b6), a batting order bell c group (batting order bell c3 to batting order bell c6), and a batting order bell d group (batting order bell d3 to batting order bell d6). In the BB establishment state, for any batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell a group to the batting order bell d group, a 9-card minor winning combination can be won by performing a stop operation along the correct batting order according to the winning mode. However, in the normal state, it is impossible to win a 9-card minor winning combination for the batting order bell a group and the batting order bell b group, and for the batting order bell c group and the batting order bell d group, a 9-card minor winning combination can be won in the same way as in the BB establishment state. In the present embodiment, taking the case where the batting order bell a3 belonging to the batting order bell a group is won as an example, the difference in stop control between the normal state and the BB establishment state will be described.

[0115] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the winning combination when the winning mode of the batting order bell a3 is obtained in the BB establishment state.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 19, when the winning mode of the batting order bell a3 is obtained in the BB established state, small winning combination 3, small winning combination 16, small winning combination 17, small winning combination 24, small winning combination 27, small winning combination 28, and big bonus (BB) are won. When the order of the stop operation is batting order 3 (B2→B1→B3), the small winning combination 3, which is a 9-symbol small winning combination, is set to win.

[0117] Hereinafter, the case where each reel is stopped along batting order 3 when the batting order bell a3 is won in the BB established state will be described.

[0118] When the stop button B2 is pressed while the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are each rotating, and as shown in FIG. 20(A), when the press detection position of the first stop operation for the second reel R2 is 6, since the first stop operation is along the correct batting order, the stop position of the first reel R1 is determined by the payout number priority control.

[0119] Specifically, the symbols existing within the drawing-in range with respect to the 6 press detection position of the second reel R2 are as shown in FIG. 21, and the case where the payout number of medals becomes the largest is when the replay symbol "RP" is displayed on the effective line.

[0120] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20(B), the second reel R2 is stopped so that the 5th replay symbol "RP" is displayed on the effective line. Then, as shown in FIG. 20(C), when the second reel R2 stops, among the small winning combinations included in the batting order bell a3, the winning eligible winning combinations are small winning combination 3, small winning combination 24, and small winning combination 27.

[0121] Subsequently, with the second reel R2 stopped and the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 rotating, when the stop button B1 is pressed, as shown in Fig. 22(A), if the depression detection position of the second stop operation with respect to the first reel R1 is 7, the symbols existing within the drawing-in range with respect to this depression detection position are as shown in Fig. 23, and the symbols capable of displaying the symbol combination indicating the winning pattern of the winning combination are the BAR symbol a "BARa" and the bell symbol a "BLa". Here, since the BAR symbol a "BLa" enables winning of a 1-symbol minor prize and the bell symbol a "BLa" enables winning of a 9-symbol minor prize, the winning of the 9-symbol minor prize is prioritized by the payout number priority control, and as shown in Fig. 22(B), the first reel R1 is stopped so that the 6th bell symbol a "BLa" is displayed on the active line. Then, as shown in Fig. 22(C), when the first reel R1 stops, among the minor prizes included in the batting order bell a3, the only winning combination is the minor prize 3.

[0122] And finally, when stopping the rotating third reel R3, in the third reel R3, since the replay symbol "RP" is arranged in a positional relationship where it can be displayed on the active line regardless of the depression detection position, the minor prize 3 will always win. For example, if the depression detection position of the third reel R3 is 8, as shown in Fig. 22(D), the third reel R3 stops at a position where the 4th replay symbol "RP" is displayed on the active line and the minor prize 3 wins.

[0123] Fig. 24 is a diagram showing the winning combination when the winning mode of the batting order bell a3 is obtained in the normal state.

[0124] As shown in Fig. 24, when the winning mode of the batting order bell a3 is obtained in the normal state, the minor prizes 3, 16, 17, 24, 27, and 28 are winning, and even if the order of the stop operations is the batting order 3 (B2 → B1 → B3), the winning of the 9-symbol minor prize 3 is avoided. Note that the winning of the 9-symbol minor prize is also avoided even if the order of the stop operations is other than the batting order 3.

[0125] The following describes the case where, in the normal state, when the batting order bell a3 is won, each reel is stopped along the batting order 3.

[0126] With each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 rotating, when the stop button B2 is pressed and, as shown in FIG. 20(A), if the depression detection position of the first stop operation for the second reel R2 is 6, since the first stop operation is not the correct batting order, the stop position of the first reel R1 is determined by the number priority control.

[0127] Specifically, the symbols existing within the drawing-in range with respect to the 6th depression detection position of the second reel R2 are as shown in FIG. 25, and the number of symbol combinations indicating the winning forms of the winning roles that can be displayed on the effective line is the largest when the replay symbol "RP" is displayed on the effective line.

[0128] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20(B), the second reel R2 is stopped so that the 5th replay symbol "RP" is displayed on the effective line. Then, as shown in FIG. 20(C), when the second reel R2 stops, among the minor roles included in the batting order bell a3, the winning roles that can win are the minor role 3, the minor role 24, and the minor role 27.

[0129] Thus, in this embodiment, when the first stop operation stops the second reel R2 at the time of winning of the batting order bell a3, the second reel R2 stops in the same manner in both the payout number priority control and the number priority control. This is because even if the first stop operation follows the correct batting order for each batting order bell, the second stop operation may turn into an incorrect batting order, and the stop position is determined so as to draw the symbols common to the 9 - minor role and the 1 - minor role onto the effective line.

[0130] Subsequently, with the second reel R2 stopped and the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 rotating, when the stop button B1 is pressed and, as shown in FIG. 26(A), if the pressing detection position of the second stop operation for the first reel R1 is number 7, the symbols existing within the drawing-in range with respect to this pressing detection position are as shown in FIG. 23, and the symbols capable of displaying a symbol combination indicating the winning pattern of a winning combination are the BAR symbol a "BARa" and the bell symbol a "BLa". Here, the BAR symbol a "BLa" is such that the number of symbol combinations indicating the winning pattern of a winning combination that can be displayed on the effective line is two, and the bell symbol a "BLa" is such that the number of symbol combinations indicating the winning pattern of a winning combination that can be displayed on the effective line is one. Therefore, by number priority control, the display of the BAR symbol a "BARa" is prioritized, and as shown in FIG. 26(B), the first reel R1 is stopped so that the seventh BAR symbol a "BARa" is displayed on the effective line. Then, as shown in FIG. 26(C), when the first reel R1 stops, among the minor winning combinations included in the batting order bell a3, the only winning combination that can win is the minor winning combination 24.

[0131] And finally, when stopping the rotating third reel R3, if the third stop operation is performed at a pressing detection position where the watermelon symbol "WM" of number 2 or the red 7 symbol b "red 7b" of number 7 on the third reel R3 is included within the drawing-in range, the minor winning combination 24 will win. For example, as shown in FIG. 26(D), if the pressing detection position of the third reel R3 is number 8, as shown in FIG. 26(E), the third reel R3 stops at a position where the seventh red 7 symbol b "red 7b" is displayed on the effective line and the minor winning combination 24 wins. If neither the watermelon symbol "WM" of number 2 nor the red 7 symbol b "red 7b" of number 7 is included within the drawing-in range of the pressing detection position of the third stop operation for the third reel R3, the third reel R3 will stop in a manner where no winning combination wins.

[0132] As described above, in this embodiment, if a stop operation is performed in accordance with the batting order 3 in the BB established state, a 9-symbol minor winning combination can be won. However, even if a stop operation is performed in accordance with the batting order 3 in the normal state, winning a 9-symbol minor winning combination is avoided, and a 1-symbol minor winning combination is won or a winning combination is missed. And in this embodiment, regardless of which batting order bell is selected, when the first stop operation is performed, there remains a possibility of falling from the correct batting order to an incorrect batting order. Therefore, the switching of the stop control according to the game state is performed at the time of the second stop operation.

[0133] FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of switching stop control at the time of the second stop operation.

[0134] First, when a batting order bell is selected, stop data for the correct batting order and stop data for the incorrect batting order are set as reference data (step S100). The stop data for the correct batting order is stop data for preferentially displaying the symbols constituting the winning pattern of the 9-symbol minor winning combination on the effective line, and the stop data for the incorrect batting order is stop data for preferentially displaying the symbols constituting the winning pattern of the 1-symbol minor winning combination on the effective line.

[0135] And if it is not at the time of the first stop operation (N in step S101), and if it is not at the time of the third stop operation either (N in step S102), it is checked whether the selected batting order bell belongs to either the batting order bell c group or the batting order bell d group (step S103).

[0136] If the selected batting order bell belongs to the batting order bell c group or the batting order bell d group (Y in step S103), the process of step S104 for determining the game state is skipped and the process after step S105 is advanced.

[0137] Also, if it belongs to either the winning batting bell a group or the batting bell b group (N in step S103), it is checked whether the game state is the normal state (step S104). If the game state is the normal state (Y in step S104), the stop data to be referred to is updated to the stop data for the incorrect batting order (step S107).

[0138] On the other hand, if the game state is the BB establishment state (N in step S104), it is checked whether the second stop operation is in accordance with the correct batting order (step S105). If it is in accordance with the correct batting order (N in step S105), the stop data to be referred to is updated to the stop data for the correct batting order (step S106). If it is not in accordance with the correct batting order (Y in step S105), the stop data to be referred to is updated to the stop data for the incorrect batting order (step S106).

[0139] Thus, in this embodiment, in the winning game of the batting bell, at the time of the second stop operation, the type of the winning batting bell is determined. When it is determined that it belongs to the batting bell a group and the batting bell b group, the determination of the staying game state is made and the process is branched to switch the stop control.

[0140] According to the embodiment described above, for the batting bells belonging to the batting bell a group and the batting bell b group, the 9 - coin minor winning combination cannot be won in the normal state, and the 9 - coin minor winning combination is possible in the BB establishment state. For the batting bells belonging to the batting bell c group and the batting bell d group, the 9 - coin minor winning combination is possible in both the normal state and the BB establishment state. Therefore, it is possible to suitably adjust the medal acquisition performance in each game state.

[0141] FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram comparing the medal acquisition performance (here, the expected value of the payout rate) in each game state in this embodiment.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 28, in the normal state, the batting orders 1 and 2 < the relationship of the batting orders 3 to 6, and even in the BB establishment state, the relationship of the batting orders 1 and 2 < the batting orders 3 to 6 holds. That is, in the normal state and the BB establishment state, the irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first is more advantageous in terms of the expected value of the medal payout rate than the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 is stopped first. Note that for the BB state, there is no bias in the expected value of the medal payout rate depending on the order of the stop operation.

[0143] Also, as shown in FIG. 28, when comparing the differences in the expected values of the medal payout rates between the game states, regarding the batting orders 3 to 6, the normal state < the BB state < the BB establishment state. It can be seen that in the game method where the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first, the expected value of the medal payout rate in the BB state is higher than that in the normal state, and furthermore, the expected value of the medal payout rate in the BB establishment state is higher than that in the BB state.

[0144] In a specification such that the medal acquisition performance of the batting orders 3 to 6 (the game method in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first) is higher than that of the batting orders 1 and 2 (the game method in which the first reel R1 is stopped first) as in the present embodiment, it is necessary to design the expected value of the medal payout rate at a high level for the batting orders 3 to 6 so as not to fall below the lower limit of the range of the medal payout rate defined by the rules.

[0145] And in the present embodiment, by designing the expected value of the medal payout rate in the BB state to be low, even if the expected value of the medal payout rate in the BB establishment state is increased, it does not exceed the upper limit of the range of the medal payout rate defined by the rules, and the degree of freedom in design can be secured by the amount by which the expected value of the medal payout rate in the BB state is lowered. And regarding the BB state, since it is required that the medal acquisition performance in the BB state exceeds the medal acquisition performance in the normal state, in order to lower the expected value of the medal payout rate in the BB state, it is necessary to design the expected value of the medal payout rate in the normal state to be low.

[0146] However, since the comparison of the medal acquisition performance between the normal state and the BB state is a comparison with the gaming method having the highest expected value of the payout rate in the normal state, it is a comparison in batting orders 3 to 6 where the expected value of the payout rate is high, which becomes an obstacle to designing the medal acquisition performance in the BB state to be low.

[0147] Therefore, in order to lower the medal acquisition performance in the normal state, which is an index for designing the medal acquisition performance in the BB state, by making the control rules for the stop control different when the BB establishment state and the batting bell are won in the normal state, it is possible to obtain the desired effect by restricting the winning of small winning combinations with high payouts. However, in the specification where the gaming method of first stopping the first reel R1 in the situation of playing the game in the normal production state in the advantageous section as in the present embodiment, since the gaming method of first stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is disadvantageously treated, it may be required to maintain the magnitude relationship of the expected values of the payout rates in the respective orders of the stop operations in the normal state and the BB establishment state.

[0148] For this reason, in the present embodiment, a batting bell a group and a batting bell b group are provided as batting bell groups with different control rules in the normal state and the BB establishment state, and a batting bell c group and a batting bell d group are provided as batting bell groups with common control rules in the normal state and the BB establishment state. For the batting bell a group and the batting bell b group, by making it impossible to win a 9 - combination small winning combination in the normal state, while maintaining the magnitude relationship of the expected values of the payout rates regarding the order of the stop operations, the expected value of the payout rate in the normal state is lowered. As a result, it is possible to obtain the effect of securing the reduction width of the expected value of the payout rate in the BB state.

[0149] In the present embodiment, the case where the gaming method of first stopping a reel other than the first reel R1 is designed so that the expected values of the payout rates are the same is taken as an example for explanation. However, as long as the difference is only a slight difference, it does not have to be completely the same.

[0150] Also, in this embodiment, when providing a batting order bell group in which the BB establishment state and the control rule of stop control are different in the normal state, and a batting order bell group in which the control rules of stop control are common in the normal state and the BB establishment state, the combination of single-win minor hands is made the same between batting order bell a3 and batting order bell c4, the combination of single-win minor hands is made the same between batting order bell a4 and batting order bell c3, the combination of single-win minor hands is made the same between batting order bell a5 and batting order bell c6, the combination of single-win minor hands is made the same between batting order bell a6 and batting order bell c5, the combination of single-win minor hands is made the same between batting order bell b3 and batting order bell d4, the combination of single-win minor hands is made the same between batting order bell b4 and batting order bell d3, the combination of single-win minor hands is made the same between batting order bell b5 and batting order bell d6, and the combination of single-win minor hands is made the same between batting order bell b6 and batting order bell d5. That is, in the batting order bell a group and the batting order bell c group, the combination of single-win minor hands with overlapping minor hand 3 and the combination of single-win minor hands with overlapping minor hand 4 are swapped, and the combination of single-win minor hands with overlapping minor hand 5 and the combination of single-win minor hands with overlapping minor hand 6 are swapped. The combination of single-win minor hands is also swapped in the same relationship between the batting order bell b group and the batting order bell d group. Thus, according to this embodiment, by devising to swap the combination of single-win minor hands overlapping with 9 minor hands, it is possible to increase the types of batting order bells without increasing the types of single-win minor hands.

[0151] Also, in this embodiment, four types of correct minor hands (minor hands that can win in the correct batting order: 9 minor hands in this embodiment) are provided in the batting order bells, and in each batting order bell, minor hands 3 to 6 do not overlap and win. In the BB state, minor hands 3 to 6 are made to overlap and win in JAC1, so that the BB state has a lower chance of winning the correct minor hand than the BB establishment state, thereby reducing the expected value of the number of balls drawn in the BB state.

[0152] And when adopting a method of reducing the expected value of the number of balls drawn in the BB state as in this embodiment, the effect of reducing the expected value of the number of balls drawn can be further obtained by increasing the types of correct minor hands that win without overlapping in the normal state and the BB establishment state.

[0153] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 29, eight types of winning minor hands (winning minor hand 1 to winning minor hand 8) are provided. Winning minor hand 1 and winning minor hand 5 are set as the winning minor hands dedicated to batting order 3, winning minor hand 2 and winning minor hand 6 are set as the winning minor hands dedicated to batting order 4, winning minor hand 3 and winning minor hand 7 are set as the winning minor hands dedicated to batting order 5, and winning minor hand 4 and winning minor hand 8 are set as the winning minor hands dedicated to batting order 6. Then, batting bell group a and batting bell group b are formed using winning minor hands 1 to 4, and batting bell group c and batting bell group d are formed using winning minor hands 5 to 8. By doing so, compared with the case of the present embodiment described above, the number of types of winning minor hands increases, so that the winning opportunity of the winning minor hands in the BB state can be significantly reduced. As a result, a large reduction width of the expected value of the ball output rate in the BB state can be ensured.

[0154] Also, in the present embodiment, there is no batting bell that designates batting order 1 or batting order 2, which is the order of the stop operation for first stopping the first reel R1, as the correct batting order to win the winning minor hand. However, it may be configured to provide a batting bell in which the correct batting order is set for batting order 1 and batting order 2. In that case, in the batting bell group in which it is impossible to win the winning minor hand in the normal state, a batting bell with batting order 1 as the correct batting order and a batting bell with batting order 2 as the correct batting order can be included.

[0155] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 30, six types of winning minor roles (winning minor role 1 to winning minor role 6) are provided. Winning minor role 1 is set as the winning minor role dedicated to batting order 1, winning minor role 2 is set as the winning minor role dedicated to batting order 2, winning minor role 3 is set as the winning minor role dedicated to batting order 3, winning minor role 4 is set as the winning minor role dedicated to batting order 4, winning minor role 5 is set as the winning minor role dedicated to batting order 5, and winning minor role 6 is set as the winning minor role dedicated to batting order 6. Then, winning minor roles 1 to 6 are used to form batting order bell group a and batting order bell group b, and winning minor roles 3 to 6 are used to form batting order bell group c and batting order bell group d. In this way, even if winning the winning minor role is impossible in the normal state for batting order bell group a and batting order bell group b, it can exert the effect of reducing the expected value of the payout rate without bias in the order of stop operations. Therefore, while maintaining the magnitude relationship of the expected values of the payout rates in each of the stop operation orders in the normal state and the BB establishment state, the effect of reducing the expected value of the payout rate in the normal state can be obtained.

[0156] Regarding batting order bell group c and batting order bell group d, by using different winning minor roles from batting order bell group a and batting order bell group b, it is also possible to increase the types of winning minor roles and ensure the reduction range of the expected value of the payout rate in the BB state. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, as the winning minor roles constituting batting order bell group c and batting order bell group d, a winning minor role 7 dedicated to batting order 3, a winning minor role 8 dedicated to batting order 4, a winning minor role 9 dedicated to batting order 5, and a winning minor role 10 dedicated to batting order 6 may be provided.

[0157] Also, in the present embodiment, as nine minor winning combinations that do not form a batting order bell, minor winning combination 1 and minor winning combination 2 are provided, and they form a common bell a or a common bell b. When the common bell is won, in the BB established state, the nine minor winning combinations win regardless of the order of the stop operations, while in the normal state, the control rule of the stop control is switched so that one minor winning combination wins regardless of the order of the stop operations. That is, according to the present embodiment, also for the common bell a and the common bell b, the control rule of the stop control is switched according to the game state, and the effect of reducing the expected value of the payout rate in the normal state is exhibited. At that time, in order to reduce the expected value of the payout rate without bias in the order of the stop operations, while maintaining the magnitude relationship of the expected values of the payout rates in each of the orders of the stop operations in the normal state and the BB established state, the effect of reducing the expected value of the payout rate in the normal state can be obtained.

[0158] Also, in the present embodiment, only in the batting order bell a group to the batting order bell b group, since there is a possibility that the expected value of the payout rate of a game that is not in the AT state (hereinafter referred to as a non-AT game) may fall below the lower limit of the range of the payout rate defined by the rules, by the existence of the common bell a and the common bell b that can win the nine minor winning combinations regardless of the order of the stop operations in the BB established state, the bottom of the expected value of the payout rate of the non-AT game can be raised.

[0159] Also, in the present embodiment, at the time of winning the batting order bell, although it was determined that it was the correct batting order at the time of the second stop operation, it may be such that it is determined whether it is the correct batting order at the time of the first stop operation.

[0160] Also, in the present embodiment, with respect to the batting order bell a group to the batting order bell d group, when the first stop operation stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 and is different from the correct batting order, the stop control is configured such that there may be a case where a single small winning combination does not win. This is because in designing the high-purity increase specification, the correct batting order is biased towards batting orders 3 to 6 that first stop the second reel R2 or the third reel R3. This is to suppress an increase in the out-ball rate of non-AT games in these operation sequences. In particular, in the present embodiment, even if a stop operation is performed along batting orders 3 to 6 when the batting order bell wins in the normal effect state, there is no penalty in subsequent games. Therefore, considering that if the deviation in the out-ball rate of non-AT games between batting orders 1, 2 and batting orders 3 to 6 is large, it becomes difficult to eliminate the strategy element that it is better to play the game with batting orders 3 to 6 even if one cannot receive an AT lottery. For this reason, when the first stop operation stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 and is different from the correct batting order, the winning rate of a single small winning combination can be lowered to 1 / 4, and an increase in the out-ball rate of non-AT games with batting orders 3 to 6 can be suppressed.

[0161] Also, in this embodiment, when the batting order bell is won, if the stop operation is along the correct batting order, it was always possible to win the 9-card minor prize. However, even if the stop operation is performed along the correct batting order, the specification may be such that the 9-card minor prize does not win unless the stop operation is performed at a specific pressing detection position on any of the reels. In this case, it is sufficient that the stop operation at the specific pressing detection position is required for at least one or more of the first stop operation, the second stop operation, and the third stop operation. It may depend on the order of the stop operations, such as only the first stop operation, that the stop operation at the specific pressing detection position is required. Or, it may be that the stop operation at the specific pressing detection position is required only for a specific reel (the specific reel may be one or two or more) among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. That is, in this application, the fact that the correct minor prize can be won in a specific operation order may mean that the correct minor prize always wins in the specific operation order, or there may be cases where the correct minor prize wins and cases where the correct minor prize does not win even in the specific operation order. Also, in this application, the specific operation mode includes an operation mode in which there is a specification for the order of the stop operation but no specification for the pressing detection position, and an operation mode in which there is a specification for both the order of the stop operation and the pressing detection position.

[0162] Also, when the advantageous section transition lottery is conducted in the normal section, it is also possible to always obtain the lottery result of winning the advantageous section and then transition to the advantageous section. In this embodiment, the advantageous section transition lottery is conducted when a winning mode other than the normal replay b is obtained in the game in the BB established state in the normal section. Therefore, if it is configured to always transition to the advantageous section except when the winning mode of the normal replay b is obtained, the staying period in the normal section can be reduced. Here, in this embodiment, when the first reel R1 is stopped first and when the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first in the BB established state, the expected value of medal acquisition is higher when the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first. The processing related to the transition to the advantageous section in the normal section is executed in association with the result of the internal lottery. Since there is no difference in the degree of advantage regardless of which reel is stopped first, a strategy element occurs that the game method of stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first becomes advantageous when staying in the normal section for a long time. Also, since whether the player is staying in the advantageous section or not can be recognized by the player through the advantageous section notification, it becomes easy to confirm the presence or absence of the advantageous section notification and switch the game method. For this reason, by making the advantageous section transition probability extremely high, it is possible to minimize the situation where it is advantageous to stop the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first. In particular, the method of increasing the advantageous section transition rate described above performs the advantageous section transition process according to the result of the internal lottery, and instead of providing a setting difference in the process related to the provision of the operation instruction information during the advantageous section, the value obtained by dividing the value obtained by adding the number of medals paid out in the BB state and the number of medals paid out by the correct batting order notification in the assist time game by the total number of medals paid out (so-called ratio of the instruction-included accessory) is designed not to exceed 70%. This is suitable for the game specification, and the same game specification is also adopted in this embodiment.

[0163] Also, in this embodiment, when staying in the advantageous section in the BB established state, a ceiling function is installed so as to shift to the AT state at least once before the end of the advantageous section. This can avoid the situation where the advantageous section ends without notifying the correct batting order for winning a 9-card minor prize by reaching the end condition of the advantageous section without shifting to the AT state during a series of advantageous sections. In this embodiment, the value of the ceiling counter is updated when staying in the normal effect state in the advantageous section, and is updated by a certain value each time the game is played. It was originally permitted to update only when a 1-card minor prize was won when the batting order bell was won, but it may be updated with a value according to the result of the internal lottery, or with a value according to the game result such as winning a prize. Regarding the update of the value of the ceiling counter, when the stop operation is performed in the operation order (batting order 1, 2) that first stops the first reel R1, it is allowed to bring the value of the ceiling counter closer to a predetermined value. When the stop operation is performed in the operation order (batting order 3 to batting order 6) that first stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3, it is preferable not to allow the value of the ceiling counter to approach the predetermined value. The reason for providing such a specification that shifts to the AT state at least once during a series of advantageous sections is to minimize the possibility of falling below the lower limit of the range of the medal payout rate in the so-called new medium-term test (1600G). In particular, in this embodiment, the medal acquisition performance in the operation order (batting order 3 to batting order 6) that first stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is higher than the medal acquisition performance in the operation order (batting order 1, 2) that first stops the first reel R1, and the medal acquisition in the operation order (batting order 1, 2) that first stops the first reel R1 is a strict specification. Therefore, if the advantageous section continues for a long time without shifting to the AT state even once, the medal payout rate may become too low. For this reason, while providing the ceiling function, it is preferable to permit the update of the value of the ceiling counter required for activating the ceiling function with respect to the operation order (batting order 1, 2) that first stops the first reel R1.

[0164] Also, in the present embodiment, as a winning mode in which two or more medals are paid out when the stop operation is performed in the operation order (batting order 1, 2) of first stopping the first reel R1 in the BB established state, a common bell a and a common bell b are provided, and the probability of obtaining any of these winning modes is at least 1 / 400 or more.

[0165] In the present embodiment, when the stop operation is performed in the operation order (batting order 1, 2) of first stopping the first reel R1 when a batting bell belonging to any of the batting bell a group to the batting bell d group wins in the BB established state, it is always possible to win a small combination of one medal. However, the lower limit of the range of the medal payout rate in a so-called short-time test is that the number of medals paid out exceeds "1 / 3" of the number of medals inserted, and a payout rate of 33.33333····% is not suitable in the short-time test. For this reason, in the gaming method in which the stop operation is performed in the operation order (batting order 1, 2) of first stopping the first reel R1, it is necessary to provide a winning mode in which two or more medals are paid out at an appropriate frequency.

[0166] Therefore, in the present embodiment, winning modes of the common bell a and the common bell b are prepared so that two or more medals can always be paid out when the stop operation is performed in the operation order (batting order 1, 2) of first stopping the first reel R1. In the present embodiment, the winning probabilities of the common bell a and the common bell b are approximately 1 / 64 (approximately 1 / 32 in the combined probability), and since either common bell can be obtained almost surely at least once during the 400G of the short-time test, a design that can be expected to pass the short-time test is possible.

[0167] Also, in the present embodiment, when the batting order bell is won, the order of stop operations that may result in a win for the nine minor winning combinations is biased towards the operation order of first stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 (batting orders 3 to 6). Therefore, it is preferable that at least during non-AT games, the winning information of the batting order bell is not notified to the sub-board side. In a favorable section where operation instruction information is provided to the player, the winning information of the batting order bell may be notified to the sub-board side, or regardless of whether it is a non-AT game or an AT game, the winning information of the batting order bell may not be notified to the sub-board side at all. Also, even if the winning information of the batting order bell is not notified to the sub-board side, when notifying the correct batting order on the main board side, if the operation instruction information corresponding to the correct batting order is notified to the sub-board side, the sub-board side can execute the winning assistance effect, and it is possible to perform the assist time game smoothly without notifying the winning information of the batting order bell itself. In this way, if at least during non-AT games, the winning information of the batting order bell is not notified to the sub-board side, it is possible to prevent in advance the illegal act of modifying the sub-board to illegally grasp the winning of the batting order bell during non-AT games and suppressing the consumption of medals during non-AT games.

[0168] Also, in the present embodiment, when the effect state transitions to the AT state in the favorable section, specific notification of lighting the section indicator SEC is started. After the end of the AT state, there are cases where the favorable section continues and cases where the favorable section ends. When the AT state ends and the favorable section ends, the section indicator SEC is turned off and the specific notification ends. Even when the AT state ends and the favorable section continues, the section indicator SEC is turned off and the specific notification ends.

[0169] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the relationship among the game section, the effect state, and the state of the section indicator SEC.

[0170] First, in the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 32(A), when the end condition is not satisfied even after the first AT state ends in the advantageous section, specifically, when the value of the clear counter 1992 does not reach the threshold value, the advantageous section continues. Also, as shown in Fig. 32(A), when the end condition is satisfied in the second AT state in the advantageous section, specifically, when the value of the clear counter 1922 reaches the threshold value, the AT state ends and the advantageous section ends, returning to the normal section.

[0171] And in the present embodiment, since the section indicator SEC is turned off both after the end of the first AT state and after the end of the second AT state, when a player change occurs while the section indicator SEC is off, a player who plays the game later cannot determine whether they are staying in the normal section or the advantageous section even by referring to the section indicator SEC.

[0172] On the other hand, conventionally, the section indicator SEC has been used to notify the advantageous section. As shown in Fig. 32(B), in the normal section, the section indicator SEC is off, and when the advantageous section starts, the section indicator SEC lights up, and control is performed to turn off the section indicator SEC when the advantageous section ends. In such a conventional method, it is possible to easily determine whether one is staying in the normal section or the advantageous section by referring to the section indicator SEC. Therefore, in the conventional method, when there is a bias in the expected medal acquisition value according to the order of stop operations, it is not possible to suppress the strategy element of suppressing medal consumption by playing the game in an irregular batting order with a higher expected medal acquisition value than the recommended batting order in the normal section.

[0173] Therefore, in the present embodiment, after the AT state ends in the advantageous section, in both cases where the advantageous section continues and where the advantageous section ends, by ending the specific notification by the section indicator SEC, in a situation where the section indicator SEC is off, since it is not possible to determine whether one is staying in the normal section or the advantageous section, it is possible to suppress the strategy procedure using an irregular batting order with a high expected medal acquisition value and ensure the fairness of the game.

[0174] Also, in the present embodiment, even when the set value is changed, the information related to the game section is initialized and set to the normal section. However, in the configuration in which the advantageous section is notified by the section display SEC of the conventional method, it is grasped that the player is staying in the normal section because the section display SEC is turned off. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in the situation where the section display SEC is turned off, it is impossible to grasp whether the player is staying in the normal section or the advantageous section. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that it is determined whether the set value has been changed.

[0175] Thus, according to the present embodiment, by making it impossible to distinguish between the normal section and the advantageous section by referring to the lighting state of the section display SEC, in the advantageous section transition process performed when transitioning from the normal section to the advantageous section, even if a more advantageous treatment is performed than when obtaining the same internal lottery result in the advantageous section, the fairness of the game can be ensured.

[0176] Also, the method of the present embodiment is to notify by the section display SEC that the player is staying in an arbitrary production state in which instruction information is provided by an instruction function in the advantageous section. Therefore, there may be a plurality of types of production states in which instruction information is provided in the advantageous section.

[0177] In the present embodiment, there is only one type of AT state, but a plurality of types of AT states may be provided. When there are a plurality of types of AT states (production states in which instruction information is provided by an instruction function), the specific notification may be associated with some of the AT states, or the specific notification may be associated with all of the AT states. That is, there may be an AT state in which the specific notification is not executed. For example, there may be a first AT state and a second AT state, and in the first AT state, the specific notification is executed, but in the second AT state, the specific notification is not executed.

[0178] Also, regarding the output of a specific external signal, it is preferably permitted in the AT state where specific notification is performed, and the output of the specific external signal is not performed in the AT state where specific notification is not performed. That is, on the condition that specific notification is being executed, control can be performed to allow the output of a specific external signal to an external device by relaying through an external centralized terminal board.

[0179] Also, regarding the output of a specific external signal to an external device relayed through an external centralized terminal board, it can be output in different modes when transitioning from the normal presentation state to the AT state (so-called first hit) and when re-transitioning from the AT state to the AT state (when digesting the second and subsequent AT states). For example, if a BB signal and an RB signal are prepared as specific external signals, when transitioning from the normal presentation state to the AT state, the BB signal can be output first and then the RB signal, and when re-transitioning from the AT state to the AT state, the RB signal can be output without outputting the BB signal.

[0180] Also, when there are multiple types of AT states, different specific external signals may be output according to the type of AT state. For example, if a BB signal and an RB signal are prepared as specific external signals, and there are a first AT state and a second AT state as AT states, a configuration can be adopted where the BB signal is output corresponding to the first AT state and the RB signal is output corresponding to the second AT state. Note that when there are multiple types of AT states, a common specific external signal may be output corresponding to different AT states.

[0181] Also, when there are multiple types of AT states, a section indicator SEC unique to each AT state may be provided, or one section indicator SEC can be shared among multiple types of AT states. In particular, when one section indicator SEC is shared among multiple types of AT states, the notification mode of the specific notification (the lighting mode of the section indicator SEC) may be made different according to the type of AT state, or the notification mode of the specific notification can be made common regardless of the type of AT state.

[0182] Further, the specific notification may be executed only when shifting from the non-AT state to the AT state in the advantageous section, that is, the section indicator SEC may be lit only when switching between the non-AT state (normal effect state in this embodiment) and the AT state. In this case, in the process of shifting the effect state to the AT state, the section indicator SEC can be lit, and control can be performed to turn off the section indicator SEC in the first game in the AT state. As the timing for turning off the section indicator SEC, any opportunity such as medal insertion, a game start operation on the start lever SL, the start of reel rotation, and the third stop operation can be set.

[0183] Also, in this embodiment, as described above, there is a difference in the expected value of medal acquisition between the recommended batting order that first stops the first reel R1 and the irregular batting order that first stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3, and the expected value of medal acquisition is higher in the irregular batting order than in the recommended batting order. Therefore, if the difference between the normal section and the advantageous section can be easily grasped by the player, it is difficult to suppress a gaming method in which a stop operation is performed in the irregular batting order in the normal section where it has no influence on the degree of advantage of the process related to the instruction function to suppress medal consumption. And in this embodiment, although the normal section and the advantageous section cannot be discriminated depending on the lighting state of the section indicator SEC, when staying in the normal effect state in the advantageous section, if the game is played in the irregular batting order, the process related to the instruction function will be disadvantaged. Therefore, it is desirable to notify the player that they should play in the recommended batting order to arouse their attention.

[0184] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, when the game is played in the irregular batting order, a specific effect is executed to prompt the player to perform a stop operation in the recommended batting order by a warning display including a message "It is recommended to press the left button" on the liquid crystal display LCD.

[0185] Incidentally, in the present embodiment, since being disadvantaged by playing the game with an irregular batting order occurs when in the advantageous section and staying in the normal effect state, if the specific effect can only be executed in the advantageous section, there will be a problem that the normal section can be discriminated by the presence or absence of the occurrence of the specific effect. For example, intentionally playing the game with an irregular batting order after the end of the AT state in the advantageous section, and discriminating whether the advantageous section continues or has returned to the normal section based on the presence or absence of the occurrence of the specific effect, or when a player change occurs, the player who newly starts the game plays the game with an irregular batting order first and discriminates whether it is in the normal section or the advantageous section based on the presence or absence of the occurrence of the specific effect, etc.

[0186] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the specific effect can be executed in both the normal section and the advantageous section. In the normal section, the specific effect is executed based on the stop operation being performed with an irregular batting order, and in the advantageous section, the specific effect is executed based on the stop operation being performed with an irregular batting order in the situation of staying in the normal effect state, so that the normal section and the advantageous section cannot be discriminated by the occurrence situation of the specific effect for the game with an irregular batting order.

[0187] As described above, in the present embodiment, since the expected value of medal acquisition in the recommended batting order is lower than that in the irregular batting order, there is a strategic element that can suppress medal consumption by performing a stop operation with an irregular batting order in the normal section. However, since it is impossible to discriminate whether it is in the normal section or the advantageous section depending on the presence or absence of the occurrence of the specific effect, it is possible to suppress the game method using the strategic element and ensure the fairness of the game.

[0188] In the present embodiment, the case where a warning display is made on the liquid crystal display LCD as the specific effect has been described. However, a warning sound may be output in the specific effect. Also, in the specific effect, instead of displaying a message or the like, the effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD may be darkened, as long as the change in the effect due to playing the game with an irregular batting order can be transmitted to the player.

[0189] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the end condition of the advantageous section was set based on the value of the clear counter 1922 that is updated according to the number of medals inserted and paid out. However, the fact that a predetermined number of games have been played in the advantageous section may be set as an arbitrary end condition for the advantageous section.

[0190] Also, in this embodiment, when the set value is changed, the information related to the game section and the information related to the game state are reset, and immediately after the change of the set value, it will always stay in the normal section and the normal state. Therefore, in a specification that gives advantageous treatment when shifting from the normal section to the advantageous section, it is preferable that there is no advantage when the set value is changed.

[0191] Therefore, except for the case where a winning mode in which the big bonus (BB) wins alone in the normal state is obtained, the advantageous section is won. For the case where a winning mode in which the big bonus (BB) and small winning combinations win simultaneously in the normal state is obtained, a special flag is set, and by referring to the game state and the special flag to adjust the degree of advantage, the advantage when the set value is changed can be eliminated.

[0192] For example, regarding a specific period from after the third stop of a game that has obtained a winning mode in which a transition to the advantageous section occurs until the internal lottery of the next game (the first game in the advantageous section) is performed, more advantageous processing can be performed when the special flag is not set than when the special flag is set.

[0193] Specifically, in a game that has obtained a winning mode in which the big bonus (BB) and small winning combinations overlap in the normal section and the normal state, a process of setting the special flag is performed at least before the third stop.

[0194] When a special flag is set during a specific period, the lottery mode of the AT lottery in the normal effect state is set to the low probability mode, and even when the game state is in the normal state during the specific period, the lottery mode of the AT lottery in the normal effect state is set to the low probability mode. On the other hand, when the special flag is not set during the specific period and the game state is in the BB establishment state, the lottery mode of the AT lottery in the normal effect state is set to the high probability mode.

[0195] In this way, when a transition to an advantageous section occurs in a situation where one stays in the normal section and the normal state, the lottery mode of the AT lottery at the time of the transition to the advantageous section becomes the low probability mode, so that the superiority in the case of a change in the set value can be eliminated. As an adjustment of the degree of advantage, it may be realized by making the transition destination of the effect state different. For example, when the special flag is set during the specific period and when the game state is in the normal state during the specific period, the transition destination of the effect state is set to the normal effect state, and when the special flag is not set during the specific period and the game state is in the BB establishment state, the transition destination of the effect state may be set to an effect state more advantageous than the normal effect state (for example, the AT state, etc.).

[0196] Also, in a situation where one stays in the normal section and the BB establishment state, in the winning pattern where the big bonus (BB) and small winning combinations overlap in the normal state, it is preferable not to win in the advantageous section. For example, in the above embodiment, when obtaining the winning pattern of the common single winning combination or cherry a in the situation where it is the normal section and the BB establishment state, the special flag is not set, and the process related to the transition to the advantageous section can be prevented from being performed.

[0197] As another embodiment for eliminating the superiority in the case of a change in the set value, for all winning patterns in which the big bonus (BB) wins in the normal state, in neither the normal state nor the BB establishment state, it is not won in the advantageous section, and when it is in the BB establishment state, it can also be realized by performing a process more advantageous than when it is in the normal state.

[0198] For example, regarding a specific period from after the third stop of a game in which a winning pattern that results in a transition to a favorable section occurs until the internal lottery for the next game (the first game in the favorable section) is conducted, when the game state is the normal state, the lottery mode of the AT lottery in the normal performance state is set to the low probability mode, and when the game state is the BB establishment state, the lottery mode of the AT lottery in the normal performance state can be set to the high probability mode. By doing so, if a transition to the favorable section occurs in the normal section and the normal state, it will transition to the favorable section while maintaining the normal state, so it is possible to prevent an advantage from occurring when there is a change in the set value. Note that the adjustment of the degree of advantage may be realized by making the transition destination of the performance state different. For example, when the game state is the normal state during a specific period, the transition destination of the performance state is set to the normal performance state, and when the game state is the BB establishment state during a specific period, the transition destination of the performance state may be set to a more advantageous performance state (for example, the AT state, etc.) than the normal performance state.

[0199] Also, in this embodiment, in the favorable section, instruction information was provided in the AT state and not in the normal performance state, but instruction information may also be provided in the normal performance state. Also, the performance states that can be set in the favorable section are not limited to the normal performance state and the AT state. For example, a configuration in which a precursor state (an example of the first state) is provided to stay in during the period from when the right to transition to the AT state is determined until the transition to the AT state in the normal performance state, a configuration in which the right to transition to the AT state is granted under conditions different from the normal performance state, and a chance zone state (an example of the first state) in which it is easier to obtain the right to transition to the AT state than in the normal performance state are provided, a configuration in which when the end condition of the AT state is satisfied, it stays in the end standby state (an example of the first state), and when the condition for returning to the AT state is satisfied in the end standby state, it returns to the AT state, and when the condition for returning to the AT state is not satisfied, it transitions to the normal performance state, a configuration in which after the end of the AT state, the success or failure of an arbitrary end condition of the favorable section is determined in the end standby state, and there are cases where it transitions from the end standby state to the normal performance state and the favorable section continues and cases where the favorable section ends in the end standby state and transitions to the normal section. Various configurations such as these can be adopted.

[0200] Also, in the present embodiment, when it is not in the AT state in the advantageous section, when a stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order in the game selected by the batting order bell, it is more advantageously handled in various processes related to the instruction function than when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order for the game. However, the following mode can also be adopted.

[0201] For example, when a stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order in a situation where the game is in the advantageous section and the normal production state, one specific game is awarded based on the first stop operation, and this fact is recorded in the specific game counter. Specifically, with the initial value of the value of the specific game counter set to 0, when the first stop operation is an operation on the stop button B1, 1 is added to the value of the specific game counter. The value of the specific game counter is subtracted when the game start operation of the game staying in the advantageous section and the normal production state is performed, and 1 is subtracted from the value of the specific game counter after the process related to the instruction function such as the AT lottery is performed. That is, at least one or more processes related to the instruction function are executed with reference to the value of the specific game counter before the subtraction of the value of the specific game counter. When the value of the specific game counter is 1, a more advantageous process is performed than when the value of the specific game counter is 0. For example, when the value of the specific game counter is 1, an AT lottery that can obtain the result of winning the AT with a higher probability than when the value of the specific game counter is 0 can be executed. Also, for example, when the value of the specific game counter is 1, the execution of the AT lottery can be permitted, and when the value of the specific game counter is 0, the execution of the AT lottery can be prohibited. According to these examples, in the game in the advantageous section and the normal production state, when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order, the degree of advantage can be adjusted in the next game of the said game. Therefore, by combining with the method of the above embodiment, in the game where a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order, it is disadvantageously treated in the process related to the instruction function as a penalty for performing the stop operation in the irregular batting order, and in the next game, a specification can be realized in which it is disadvantageously treated in the process related to the instruction function as a penalty for the value of the specific counter being 0. That is, by carrying over the information recording that the stop operation was performed in the recommended batting order to the next game and referring to this information in the next game to perform an advantageous process, the influence of the adjustment of the degree of advantage can be generated in a plurality of games. Note that the game for determining whether to add the value of the specific game counter may be only the game in which the batting order bell has won, or may be the game in which all winning modes including the batting order bell have been obtained.

[0202] Also, in a situation where the game is in the normal performance state in the advantageous section, when a stop operation is performed in a non-standard batting order in the game selected by the batting order bell, until a predetermined release condition is satisfied in subsequent games, control may be performed to make a specific performance less likely to appear, or control may be performed not to cause a specific performance to appear.

[0203] Examples of specific performances include performances that suggest the result of an internal lottery. Specifically, when a winning pattern with a high rarity such as cherry a or cherry b is obtained, an image suggesting that a winning pattern with a high rarity has been won is displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD), or a lamp is lit in a color corresponding to a winning pattern with a high rarity. Also, control to make a specific performance less likely to appear or control not to cause a specific performance to appear can be realized by changing a table for selecting a performance. Also, as a release condition, it can be arbitrarily set, such as the number of game times, obtaining the result of a predetermined internal lottery, conducting a release lottery and winning the release lottery, and so on.

[0204] Here, assume a case where a winning pattern with a high rarity is obtained in an internal lottery in the advantageous section, and in a specification that is favorably handled in the process related to the instruction function, a specific performance that can grasp the fact that a winning pattern with a high rarity has been obtained is executed between the detection of the game start operation and the detection of the first stop operation. In this case, if a specific performance does not occur, since the possibility of a winning pattern with a high rarity is low, a stop operation is performed in a non-standard batting order with a high expected value of medal acquisition. If a specific performance occurs, since the possibility of a winning pattern with a high rarity is high, there will be a strategy element of performing a stop operation in the recommended batting order.

[0205] On the other hand, when a stop operation is performed with an irregular batting order having a high expected value of medal acquisition, by adopting control that restricts the appearance of a specific effect until a predetermined release condition is satisfied (control that reduces the appearance frequency or control that does not allow the appearance), it is possible to suppress a highly strategic game procedure. Note that the determination of whether to perform control that restricts the appearance of a specific effect may be made only when the batting bell wins, or may be made when the batting bell and other than the batting bell win. That is, the determination of whether to perform control that restricts the execution of a specific effect may be made only when a winning mode is obtained in which the degree of advantage is adjusted with respect to the process related to the instruction function when a stop operation is performed with an irregular batting order, or even when a winning mode is obtained in which a stop operation is performed with an irregular batting order and there is no influence on the degree of advantage with respect to the process related to the instruction function, the determination of whether to perform control that restricts the execution of a specific effect may be made.

[0206] In the present embodiment, the gaming machine is configured to insert a game medium such as a medal when playing a game and pay out the game medium when a winning combination is achieved. However, the game may be played by consuming or granting game value as electronic information without using a game medium. For example, it is possible to store information on the game value owned by the player in a gaming machine or an external unit connected to the gaming machine, and replace the insertion of the game medium with the consumption of the game value by subtracting the number of game values, and replace the payout of the game medium with the granting of the game value by adding the number of game values.

[0207] (Second Embodiment) 2-1. Configuration FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration (excluding the reel unit) of the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0208] The gaming machine of the present embodiment is a type of gaming machine that is called a so-called slot machine or a rotary drum gaming machine and plays a game using medals as a game medium.

[0209] The gaming machine of this embodiment has a reel unit composed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 (a plurality of reels) housed in a box-shaped housing composed of a storage box BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD. Also, at the lower part of the reel unit storage space PS in the storage box BX, a power unit EU incorporating a power supply device and equipped with various switches such as a power switch ES, a setting change key cylinder KS, and a setting change button BS, and a hopper unit HP as a medal payout device are housed. The hopper unit HP includes a medal storage tank MT for storing medals for the game, a payout motor (not shown) composed of a stepping motor, and a rotating disk (not shown) pivotally supported by the payout motor. The rotating disk is configured to be rotationally driven by the payout motor so that medals can be paid out one by one. Also, when the storage amount of medals in the medal storage tank MT reaches a certain level, the surplus medals are sent to the cash box CB in the hopper unit HP. Further, in the housing of the gaming machine of this embodiment, for example, the main board MAIN is attached above the reel unit storage space PS, and the sub-board SUB is attached to the side of the reel unit storage space PS. These control boards (main board MAIN, sub-board SUB) are equipped with a CPU (an example of arithmetic means), a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM (an example of temporary storage means), etc., so that the operation of the gaming machine can be controlled. In this embodiment, the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting change button BS are provided in the power unit EU, but the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting change button BS may be provided on the surface of the main board MAIN.

[0210] The first reel R1 to the third reel R3 shown in FIG. 34 each have their outer circumferential surfaces partitioned into 20 regions (each region is referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and one of a plurality of types of symbols is arranged in each frame. Also, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are pivotally supported by a stepping motor (reel driving means: not shown), and are each rotationally driven around the axis of the stepping motor. By controlling the number of pulses and the pulse width of the drive pulses of the stepping motor, etc., they are provided so as to be stoppable in frame units (predetermined rotation angle units, predetermined rotation amount units). That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stepping motor rotationally drives the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 in response to the drive pulses supplied from the control board. When drive pulses for full-phase excitation are supplied from the control board, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 stop as the rotation of the stepping motor stops.

[0211] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are provided so as to be individually openable and closable, and a display window DW is provided in the upper front door UD to enable observation of the rotation state and stop state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. In the stopped state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, among the plurality of types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer circumferential surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 respectively, three symbols (upper-stage symbol, middle-stage symbol, lower-stage symbol) arranged continuously on the outer circumferential surface can be observed through the display window DW from the front of the gaming machine.

[0212] Also, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, for each reel, an upper stage, a middle stage, and a lower stage are provided as display positions for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and valid lines are set according to the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, so-called the specified insertion number, is set to 3. When medals corresponding to the specified insertion number are inserted, the valid line L1 constituted by the upper stage of the first reel R1, the middle stage of the second reel R2, and the lower stage of the third reel R3 is activated.

[0213] The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the valid lines within the display window DW. When the symbol combination on the valid lines is a symbol combination corresponding to a predetermined winning combination, medals are paid out from the hopper unit HP as if that winning combination has won, etc.

[0214] Also, on the upper front door UD, a game information display section DS and an interval indicator SEC are provided. The game information display section DS consists of an LED, a lamp, a 7-segment display, etc., and various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, the total number of medals paid out or won in the BB state, etc. is displayed. Also, the interval indicator SEC notifies whether or not it is staying in the advantageous interval by turning off and on the built-in LED.

[0215] Also, on the upper front door UD, a liquid crystal display LCD for performing game effects is provided. Various videos (or images) for assisting or enlivening the game are displayed on this liquid crystal display LCD. Also, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a plurality of speakers SP for performing game effects are provided for the upper front door UD and the lower front door DD. Various sounds for assisting or enlivening the game are output from this speaker SP.

[0216] Also, on the lower front door DD, various operating means are provided. As the operating means, there are a bet button (input operating means) B0 for performing an operation of inputting the credited (stored) medals, a start lever (game start operating means) SL for performing an operation that becomes an opportunity to start the game by rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and stop buttons (stop operating means) B1 to B3 for performing an operation that becomes an opportunity to stop each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that is rotationally driven by a stepping motor, etc.

[0217] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a player inserts medals into the medal insertion port MI or performs an operation of pressing the bet button B0, a preparation state is set in which the rotation control of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 can be started. Then, when the player presses the start lever SL, the control board starts rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by driving a stepping motor, and an internal lottery using a random number value is performed. The pressing operations of the stop buttons B1 to B3 are permitted (enabled) on the condition that the rotation speeds of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have increased to a predetermined speed.

[0218] After that, when the player presses the stop buttons B1 to B3 at an arbitrary timing, the stop switches (stop signal output means: for example, photo sensors, conduction sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) built in each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 perform an on operation, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from an off state to an on state.

[0219] Also, when the player releases the stop buttons B1 to B3 that are in a pressed state at an arbitrary timing, the stop switches corresponding to each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 perform an off operation, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from an on state to an off state.

[0220] Then, based on the change of the reel stop signal from the off state to the on state, whose signal state changes according to the pressing timing and release timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3, the control board stops the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 at the stop positions corresponding to the results of the internal lottery.

[0221] Also, at the lower part of the lower front door DD, there are provided a medal payout port MO and a medal tray MP. The number of medals corresponding to the result of the game is paid out from the hopper unit HP to the medal tray MP through the medal payout port MO. When medals are paid out according to the result of the game and medal credit (internal storage) is permitted, a part or all of the payout number of medals is credited up to the credit upper limit number (50 medals in this embodiment), and an operation is performed to change the display value of the credit display formed by the 7-segment display of the game information display section DS in accordance with the change in the medal credit number.

[0222] FIG. 36 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0223] The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by gaming control means (main board MAIN and sub-board SUB) 100. The gaming control means 100 is activated by power being supplied from the power unit EU when the power switch ES is operated, receives input signals from input means such as a medal insertion switch 210, a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change permission switch 250, and a setting change switch 260, performs various calculations for executing the game, and controls the operation of output means such as a reel unit 310, a hopper unit (payout device) HP, a display device 330, and an audio device 340 based on the calculation results. The functions of the gaming control means 100 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), or RAM, or by software consisting of a given program stored in advance in the ROM or the like.

[0224] And the game control means 100 includes a setting change means 103, a credit reception 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 control means 170, an AT control means 175, an effect control means 180, a game information storage means 190a, and an effect information storage means 190b. In this embodiment, the setting change means 103, the credit reception means 105, the random number generation means 110, the internal lottery means 120, the reel control means 130, the winning determination means 140, the payout control means 150, the replay processing means 160, the game state transition control means 170, and the AT control means 175 are realized by the CPU of the main board MAIN executing various programs, and the effect control means 180 is realized by the CPU of the sub-board SUB executing various programs. The game information storage means 190a is composed of a main ROM and a main RAM mounted on the main board MAIN, and the effect information storage means 190b is composed of a sub ROM and a sub RAM mounted on the sub-board SUB. Also, various programs executed by the CPU of the main board MAIN are stored in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, and various programs executed by the CPU of the sub-board SUB are stored in the sub ROM of the effect information storage means 190b The setting change means 103 performs control to change the setting values stored in the setting value storage area 1913 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In the present embodiment, depending on the state of the setting change permission switch 250 at power-on, it can be switched between the case of starting in the game mode and the case of starting in the setting change mode. When a setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting key is rotated clockwise from the initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 becomes the on state. When the power switch ES is operated in this state and power is supplied from the power unit EU, the setting change means 103 starts the gaming machine in the setting change mode. And in the present embodiment, it is possible to select a setting value from among six levels of setting values from setting 1 to setting 6, and the winning probability of the internal lottery fluctuates so that the expected value of the ball payout rate increases in order from setting 1 toward setting 6. In the present embodiment, the order of the setting values from low to high is expressed as setting 1 < setting 2 < setting 3 < setting 4 < setting 5 < setting 6.

[0225] Also, when the setting change switch 260 is operated by pressing the setting change button BS in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ··· setting 6 → setting 1 → ··· each time it receives an input signal from the setting change switch 260, determines the setting value based on the game start signal from the start switch 230 operated by pressing the start lever SL, and performs control to store the determined setting value in the setting value storage area 1913. And in the present embodiment, by returning the setting key inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS to the initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 can be changed to the off state and the setting change mode can be shifted to the game mode.

[0226] Also, in the present embodiment, when the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder KS in the initial position, the gaming machine is started in the gaming mode based on the signal state of the setting change permission switch 260 being off. And in the present embodiment, in the gaming mode, gaming can be performed, but the setting values cannot be changed. In the setting change mode, the setting values can be changed, but gaming cannot be performed.

[0227] Also, the setting change means 103 performs an initialization process of initializing the information stored in a predetermined storage area of the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a in the setting change mode. In particular, in the present embodiment, regarding the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, the lottery flag storage area 1915, the game state storage area 1916, the effect state storage area 1917, the AT stock number counter 1918, the AT game number counter 1919, the CZ game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 are initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode. More specifically, storage areas other than the lottery flag storage area 1915, the game state storage area 1916, the effect state storage area 1917, the AT stock number counter 1918, the AT game number counter 1919, the CZ game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a are designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in the storage areas other than the information holding areas of the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, in the main RAM, the setting value storage area 1913 and the credit information storage area 1914 are designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is not initialized but held by the initialization process in the setting change mode.

[0228] The coin insertion accepting means 105 accepts the insertion of coins for each game, and based on the fact that the coins corresponding to the specified number of insertions (3 coins) have been inserted, performs a process of enabling the game start operation on the start lever SL (game start operation means). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first pressing operation of the start lever SL enabled based on the insertion of the coins corresponding to the specified number of insertions is accepted as the game start operation, and it triggers the start of the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 and also triggers the execution of the internal lottery.

[0229] Also, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot MI, along with the activation of the coin insertion switch 210, the coin insertion accepting means 105 sets the inserted coins in the inserted state with the specified number of insertions as the limit. Further, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, it is possible to credit-store (store and retain) up to 50 coins in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. When the bet button B0 is pressed in a state where coins are credit-stored in the gaming machine, along with the activation of the bet switch 220, the coin insertion accepting means 105 sets the coins credit-stored in the credit information storage area 1914 in the inserted state with the specified number of insertions as the limit.

[0230] The random number generating means 110 is means for generating a random number value for lottery. The random number value can be generated, for example, by a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65,536 random number values from 0 to 65,535 without repetition during one cycle. In this embodiment, the "random number value" includes not only values that are randomly generated in a mathematical sense, but also values that can function as random numbers in practice because their acquisition timing, etc. is irregular even though their generation itself is regular.

[0231] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for performing an internal lottery to determine the winning or losing of a combination based on a start signal from a start switch 230 that operates when a player performs a game start operation on the start lever SL (the first pressing operation on the enabled start lever SL), and performs a lottery table selection process, a random number determination process, a lottery flag setting process, and the like.

[0232] In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which internal lottery table among a plurality of internal lottery tables stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a is used to perform the internal lottery. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables (internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 3) as shown in FIG. 37 are stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910. And in each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replay, minor combination, and bonus, and a loss (non-winning) are associated with each of a plurality of random number values (for example, 65,536 random number values from 0 to 65,535). In the present embodiment, for six levels of setting values, three types of internal lottery tables are prepared for each setting value, and the probability of obtaining some winning modes in the internal lottery varies according to the setting value, and the correspondence between the combination and the random number value is set so that the expected value of the payout rate increases as the setting value increases.

[0233] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, minor combinations 1 to 48 are prepared as minor combinations, and as winning modes of the minor combinations, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, a batting order bell a group (batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a6), a batting order bell b group (batting order bell b1 to batting order bell b6), a batting order bell c group (batting order bell c1 to batting order bell c6), a batting order bell d group (batting order bell d1 to batting order bell d6), a batting order bell e group (batting order bell e1 to batting order bell e6), a batting order special combination group (batting order special combination 1 to batting order special combination 16: an example of a specific winning mode), a weak cherry, JAC1, and JAC2 are set.

[0234] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, Replays 1 to 7 are prepared as replays. As the winning modes of the replays, as shown in FIG. 39, normal replay a, normal replay b, watermelon, chance symbol a, chance symbol b, and strong cherry are set.

[0235] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the winning probabilities of minor winning combinations are the same in internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2. In internal lottery table 2, the winning probability of a replay is higher than that in internal lottery table 1. In internal lottery table 3, replays are not subject to lottery, and in internal lottery table 3, the lottery mode of minor winning combinations is different from that in internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, and the winning probability of minor winning combinations is higher than that in internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0236] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, a big bonus (BB) is prepared as a bonus, and the big bonus (BB) is subject to lottery in internal lottery table 1.

[0237] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, as gaming states, a normal state, a BB establishment state, and a BB state can be set. In the lottery table selection process, one of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 is selected as the internal lottery table to be used in internal lottery according to the gaming state.

[0238] In the present embodiment, regarding the winning modes of bonuses and replays, the winning probabilities do not vary depending on the set values in some cases. However, regarding minor winning combinations, the winning probabilities of some winning modes vary according to the set values, and the higher the set value, the higher the winning probabilities of JAC1 and JAC2.

[0239] In the random number determination process, based on the start signal from the start switch 230, a random number value (lottery random number) is acquired from the random number generation means 110 for each game, and it is determined whether or not a winning is obtained by referring to the internal lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a for the acquired random number value.

[0240] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination determined to be a winner is set from the non-winning state (first flag state, off state) to the winning state (second flag state, on state). In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when two or more types of winning combinations overlap and win, the lottery flags corresponding to each of the two or more overlapping winning combinations are set to the winning state. Note that the setting information of the lottery flag is stored in the lottery flag storage area 1915 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0241] Also, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, there are provided a lottery flag (carry-over possible flag) that can carry over the winning state to the next and subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (carry-over impossible flag) that is reset to the non-winning state without carrying over the winning state to the next and subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. As the winning combination associated with the former carry-over possible flag, there is a big bonus (BB), and small winning combinations and replays are associated with the latter carry-over impossible flag. In the lottery flag setting process, for example, when winning the big bonus (BB) in the internal lottery, the process of carrying over the winning state of the lottery flag of the big bonus (BB) until the big bonus (BB) wins is performed. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine the winning or losing of small winning combinations and replays even in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag of the big bonus (BB) is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag of the bonus associated with the carry-over possible flag is carried over, when a small winning combination or a replay wins, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of winning combinations including the lottery flag of the already winning bonus and the lottery flag of the small winning combination or replay that won in the internal lottery are set to the winning state.

[0242] Based on the start signal from the start switch 230 that is activated by the player's game start operation on the start lever SL, the reel control means 130 starts the rotational drive of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by a stepping motor, and enables the stop operation by pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 (stop operation means) corresponding to the reels that are rotating at a steady speed (about 80 rpm: a rotational speed of about 80 rotations per minute) for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. At the same time, the reel control means 130 performs control to stop the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are rotationally driven by the stepping motor in a manner corresponding to the set state of the lottery flag (the result of the internal lottery).

[0243] Then, when the stop switch 240 is activated by the player pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 in a state where the stop operation for the stop buttons B1 to B3 is enabled, the reel control means 130 supplies a drive pulse for full-phase excitation to the stepping motor of the reel unit 310 based on the reel stop signal from the stop switch 240, and performs control to stop each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3.

[0244] That is, every time each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed, the reel control means 130 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the pressed button among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and performs control to stop the reel at the determined stop position. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, pressing the stop button B1 corresponds to the operation for stopping the first reel R1, pressing the stop button B2 corresponds to the operation for stopping the second reel R2, and pressing the stop button B3 corresponds to the operation for stopping the third reel R3. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when the pressing order of the stop buttons B1 to B3 changes, the stop order of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 changes.

[0245] Also, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, within 190 ms from the time when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button stops. And when stopping the rotating reel within 190 ms from the time of pressing the stop button, the stop position of each rotating reel is determined within the range of 0 frames to 4 frames (predetermined drawing-in range) of the number of frames required from the time of pressing the stop button until the reel stops. And the reel control means 130 is such that, on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating reel corresponding to the stop button among the stop buttons B1 to B3 for which a pressing operation has been performed, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination selected by the internal lottery is located within the range of 0 frames to 4 frames with respect to the display position on the valid line at the time when the pressing operation on the stop button is performed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state is displayed at the display position on the valid line, and controls to stop the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button.

[0246] And in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 40, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 constituting the reel unit 310, there are arranged a red 7 symbol "Red 7", a bar symbol "BAR", a special symbol 1 "SP1", a special symbol 2 "SP2", a special symbol 3 "SP3", a replay symbol "RP", a bell symbol 1 "BL1", a bell symbol 2 "BL2", a watermelon symbol "WM", and a cherry symbol "CH". When drawing in the symbol existing within 4 frames from the pressing detection position onto the valid line, for the symbols arranged at intervals within 4 frames on the outer peripheral surface of each reel, regardless of the pressing detection position (an example of an operation detection position), which is the position of the reel at the time of operation of the stop switch 240 (the time when the pressing of the stop button is detected), it can be displayed on the valid line. In this embodiment, the pressing detection position is the upper display position of each reel.

[0247] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the reel unit 310 is provided with a reel index 315 composed of a photosensor. The reel control means 130 monitors the current rotation state of the reel by obtaining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation axis of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the frame detected by the reel index 315) based on the reference position signal detected by the reel index 315 every time the reel makes one rotation. That is, the reel control means 130 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop switch 240 is actuated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

[0248] Further, the reel control means 130 determines the stop position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage area 1911 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0249] Here, in the stop control table, according to the setting state of the lottery flag, the correspondence between the depression detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time of actuation of the stop switch 240 (the time when the depression of the stop button is detected), and the actual stop position is set. Note that in the stop control table, according to the setting state of the lottery flag, the correspondence between the depression detection position and the number of sliding frames indicating the rotation amount from the depression detection position to the actual stop position may be set.

[0250] Also, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, regarding minor winning combinations, replay, and bonus, the priority order is determined in the order of "replay > bonus" and "minor winning combination > bonus", and the stop control table is set so that the stop position including the symbols constituting the winning form of the higher-priority winning combination is selected according to the priority order associated with each winning combination.

[0251] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, in the stop control table that is referred to when lottery flags related to a plurality of types of minor winning combinations are set to the winning state in the internal lottery, when the stop position is set according to the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active lines (number priority control: an example of the second control rule), and when the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out based on the payout determined in advance for the minor winning combination (payout number priority control: an example of the first control rule), when the stop position is set according to the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active lines, the stop position is set with respect to the push detection position so that the stop position where the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active lines is larger is given higher priority. When the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out, the stop position is set with respect to the push detection position so that the stop position where the number of medals paid out based on the payout of the minor winning combination corresponding to the symbol displayed at the display position on the active lines is larger (the stop position where a minor winning combination with a large payout can be won) is given higher priority. However, when the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out, for a plurality of stop positions where the number of medals paid out is the same, the priority levels of the respective stop positions are treated as the same and the stop position with respect to the push detection position is set. When the stop position is set according to the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active lines, for a plurality of stop positions where the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active lines is the same, the priority levels of the respective stop positions are treated as the same and the stop position with respect to the push detection position is set.

[0252] And in the stop control table that is referred to when the batting order bell a group (batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a6), batting order bell b group (batting order bell b1 to batting order bell b6), batting order bell c group (batting order bell c1 to batting order bell c6), batting order bell d group (batting order bell d1 to batting order bell d6), and batting order bell e group (batting order bell e1 to batting order bell e8) are won in the internal lottery, as shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the correct batting order is set for each batting order bell, and a push order different from the correct batting order is treated as an incorrect batting order.

[0253] First, as shown in FIG. 41, in the stop control table referred to when a batting bell belonging to any of the batting bell a group to the batting bell d group is selected, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, so that a 15 - card minor winning combination or a 1 - card minor winning combination wins (there may be cases of omission when batting orders 3 to 6 are the correct batting order), the stop position with respect to the pressing detection position is set. When the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in an incorrect batting order, so that a 1 - card minor winning combination wins (there may be cases of omission when batting orders 3 to 6 are the incorrect batting order), the stop position with respect to the pressing detection position is set.

[0254] Also, in this embodiment, when a stop operation is performed in the correct batting order when a batting bell belonging to any of the batting bell a group to the batting bell d group is selected, whether a 15 - card minor winning combination wins or not is determined by the pressing detection position of the stop operation (hereinafter, the first stop operation) corresponding to the first reel to stop in the correct batting order. Whether a 15 - card minor winning combination wins or not is determined by whether the pressing detection position of the first stop operation is either the first pressing position or the second pressing position shown in FIG. 40. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 41, for the batting bell a group and the batting bell c group, when the correct batting order and the first stop operation is at the second pressing position, a 15 - card minor winning combination wins. Even when the correct batting order, if the first stop operation is at the first pressing position, a 15 - card minor winning combination does not win. For the batting bell b group and the batting bell d group, when the correct batting order and the first stop operation is at the first pressing position, a 15 - card minor winning combination wins. Even when the correct batting order, if the first stop operation is at the second pressing position, a 15 - card minor winning combination does not win.

[0255] Next, as shown in FIG. 42, in the stop control table referred to when a batting bell belonging to the batting bell e group is selected, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, the stop position with respect to the press detection position is set so that a 15-tile minor winning combination is awarded. When the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in an incorrect batting order, the stop position with respect to the press detection position is set so that a 1-tile minor winning combination is awarded (there may be cases of omission when batting orders 3 to 6 are incorrect batting orders). Regarding the batting bell e group, unlike the batting bell a group to the batting bell d group, it is possible to award a 15-tile minor winning combination regardless of the press detection position for the first stop operation in the correct batting order.

[0256] Also, as shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, for all batting bells, in the normal state, the order of all stop operations is treated as an incorrect batting order, and there exist an order of stop operations that is treated as the correct batting order and an order of stop operations that is treated as the incorrect batting order only when in the BB established state. Therefore, in the normal state, even if the stop operation is performed in a manner that enables a 15-tile minor winning combination to be awarded in the BB established state, a 1-tile minor winning combination is awarded.

[0257] Also, regarding the selection of each batting bell, in the correct batting order, the symbols constituting the winning form of the 15-tile minor winning combination are preferentially displayed on the active line by payout number priority control, and in the incorrect batting order, the symbols constituting the winning form of the 1-tile minor winning combination are preferentially displayed on the active line by number priority control. The stop position with respect to the press detection position is set in each stop control table.

[0258] Also, in the stop control table referred to when a batting order special role belonging to the batting order special role group (batting order special role 1 to batting order special role 16) is selected by internal lottery, as shown in FIG. 43, it is a specific batting order (an operation order determined in advance for each batting order special role), and when the pressing detection position of the first stop operation (the stop operation related to the reel to be stopped first in the specific batting order) is at the specific pressing position (a pressing detection position determined in advance for each batting order special role: an example of a specific operation position) and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, the stop position with respect to the pressing detection position is set so that a 15-piece minor winning combination (an example of a specific minor winning combination) wins. When it is a specific batting order and the pressing detection position of the first stop operation is at a non-specific pressing position (a pressing detection position different from the specific pressing position) and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, the stop position with respect to the pressing detection position is set so that a 1-piece minor winning combination wins. When the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a non-specific batting order (an operation order different from the specific batting order), the stop position with respect to the pressing detection position is set so that a 14-piece minor winning combination wins. Also, the specific pressing position shown in FIG. 43 indicates the number of the symbol located in the upper stage when the stop button is pressed. For example, 0 and 16, which are the specific pressing positions of batting order special role 1 shown in FIG. 43, indicate the case where either the 0th cherry symbol "CH" or the 16th watermelon symbol "WM" is located in the upper stage for the pressing detection position of the first reel R1 to be stopped in the specific batting order. In the following, depending on the need, the mode of the stop operation for winning a 15-piece minor winning combination at the time of winning of the batting order special role may be referred to as a specific operation mode.

[0259] Also, regarding the winning of special batting order roles, when it is a specific batting order, for a specific pressing position, symbols that form a winning pattern of 15 low-value hands are preferentially displayed on the valid line with payout priority control, and for a pressing detection position different from the specific pressing position, symbols that form a winning pattern of 1 low-value hand are preferentially displayed on the valid line with quantity priority control. When it is a non-specific batting order, the stop positions for the pressing detection positions are set in each stop control table so that symbols that form a winning pattern of 14 low-value hands are preferentially displayed on the valid line with quantity priority control. That is, regarding the winning of special batting order roles, payout priority control is performed only when it is a specific operation mode, and quantity priority control is performed when it is not a specific operation mode.

[0260] Also, in the stop control table referred to when Weak Cherry 1 wins, the stop positions for the pressing detection positions are set so that low-value hand 48 wins preferentially over low-value hands 29, 32, and 43. In the stop control table referred to when JAC1 wins, the stop positions for the pressing detection positions are set so that one of the 15 low-value hands always wins. In the stop control table referred to when JAC1 wins, the stop positions for the pressing detection positions are set so that one of the 1 low-value hands always wins.

[0261] Also, regarding the winning modes of various replays such as Normal Replay a, Normal Replay b, Watermelon, Chance Eye a, Chance Eye b, and Strong Cherry, the stop positions for the pressing detection positions are set so that any replay included in the winning mode always wins regardless of the mode of the stop operation.

[0262] Also, regarding the Big Bonus (BB), it is only winning when the Big Bonus (BB) wins alone in the normal state. In the BB established state, there is no losing, and the stop positions for the pressing detection positions are set in the stop control table so that the Big Bonus (BB) does not win due to the overlapping winning of low-value hands or replays with a higher priority than the Big Bonus (BB).

[0263] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process for determining whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stop states of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage area 1912 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the active line when all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have stopped is a form of winning for a predetermined winning combination. Then, a winning determination table is prepared such that, as shown in FIGS. 44 to 48, the presence or absence of winning for the big bonus (BB), replay 1 to replay 7, and small winning combinations 1 to 48 can be determined based on the symbol combination displayed on the active line in the state where each reel has stopped.

[0264] And in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, based on the determination result of the winning determination means 140, when a winning combination has been achieved, a winning-time process is executed. As the winning-time process, for example, when a small winning combination has been achieved, medal payout control is performed by the payout control means 150; when a replay has been achieved, a replay process is performed by the replay process means 160; and when a bonus has been achieved, a game state transition process for transitioning the game state is performed by the game state control means 170.

[0265] The payout control means 150 performs a payout control process regarding the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a small winning combination has been achieved, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on the payout predetermined for each winning combination, and control is performed to cause the hopper unit HP (payout device) to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the determined payout number.

[0266] The hopper unit HP performs an operation of paying out the number of medals instructed by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit HP is provided with a payout medal detection switch 325 that operates each time one medal is paid out, and the payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit HP based on the input signal from the payout medal detection switch 325.

[0267] When medal credit storage (reservation storage) is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper unit HP, a credit addition process is performed to add the payout number to the number of credits (the number of medals with credit stored) stored in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, and a process of virtually paying out medals is performed.

[0268] When a replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs a replay process (re - game process) of setting the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert the medals owned by the player for the next game. That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert the number of medals corresponding to the specified insertion number required for the next game without using the medals held by the player (including credit medals), and the game start operation for the next start lever SL is waited for in a state where the valid lines corresponding to the specified insertion number are set.

[0269] As shown in FIG. 49, the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition process for transitioning the game state among the normal state, the BB establishment state, and the BB state. In the present embodiment, the information indicating the staying game state is stored in the game state storage area 1916 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. The game state transition conditions may be defined by one condition or a plurality of conditions. When a plurality of conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fact that one of the plurality of predetermined conditions is satisfied, or all of the plurality of predetermined conditions are satisfied.

[0270] The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among multiple types of game states, and it is possible to transition from the normal state to the BB establishment state or the BB state. Specifically, when the Big Bonus (BB) is won in the normal state but does not win, it transitions to the BB establishment state, and when the Big Bonus (BB) is won and wins in the normal state, it transitions to the BB state. Also, in the normal state, among the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 37, the internal lottery is conducted with reference to internal lottery table 1 in which the winning probability of replay is set to about 1 / 7.3 or more and the Big Bonus (BB) is set as the lottery target.

[0271] The BB establishment state is a game state that transitions when the Big Bonus (BB) is won in the internal lottery in the normal state but does not win. Among the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 37, the internal lottery is conducted with reference to internal lottery table 2 in which the winning probability of replay is higher than that of internal lottery table 1 so that a miss (non-winning) does not occur and the Big Bonus (BB) is excluded from the lottery target.

[0272] Also, in the BB establishment state, the lottery flag corresponding to the Big Bonus (BB) is maintained in the winning state until the Big Bonus (BB) wins. When the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the Big Bonus (BB) is displayed on the effective line, the game state control means 170 transitions the game state from the BB establishment state to the BB state.

[0273] The BB state is a game state that transitions when the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the Big Bonus (BB) is displayed on the effective line. Among the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 37, the internal lottery is conducted with reference to internal lottery table 3 in which the lottery mode of small winning combinations is different from that of internal lottery tables 1 and 2.

[0274] Also, in the BB state, it is determined whether the end condition is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out by the game in the BB state. If it is determined that more than a predetermined number of medals (for example, 200 medals) have been paid out, the game state control means 170 terminates the BB state and performs control to return the game state to the normal state. In this embodiment, the count information regarding the payout number in the BB state is stored in the game state storage area 1916.

[0275] As shown in FIG. 50, the AT control means 175 changes the production state among a plurality of types of production states including the non-AT state, the AT low probability state, the AT state, and the CZ state, sets the production state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions, determines whether the end condition of the AT state is satisfied based on the value of the AT game number counter 1919, and performs control to end the AT state when the end condition of the AT state is satisfied. In this embodiment, the information indicating the production state in which it stays is stored in the production state storage area 1917 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. Also, in this embodiment, when staying in the AT state, the AT control means 175 displays information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the correct batting order, etc. (at least one of the correct batting order and the pressing position) on the main display 300 composed of a 7-segment display provided in the game information display section DS when the batting order bell is won, thereby performing correct batting order notification to assist in winning the 15-chip minor winning combination (minor winning combination 1 to minor winning combination 20). At the same time, the production control means 180 displays an image corresponding to the correct batting order, etc. (at least one of the correct batting order and the pressing position) on the liquid crystal display LCD when the batting order bell is won, thereby performing a winning assistance production to assist in winning the 15-chip minor winning combination (minor winning combination 1 to minor winning combination 20). It is possible to perform an assist time game (an example of an auxiliary game) in which medals can be more easily obtained than in a game staying in the non-AT state.

[0276] Also, as shown in FIG. 51, the AT control means 175 can set a normal section (non-favorable section) and a favorable section. In the normal section, the production state is fixed to the non-AT state which is the initial state, and a favorable section transition lottery is performed. When winning the favorable section transition lottery, the favorable section is started, and the production state can be set to the AT state on the condition that it is the favorable section. And in the game in the normal section, when the game state is the normal state or the BB establishment state, based on obtaining any winning mode of batting order bells 1 to 24, batting order special roles belonging to batting order special role a group to batting order special role d group, weak cherry, normal replay a, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, or strong cherry in the internal lottery, the favorable section transition lottery is performed. In this embodiment, in the normal state or the BB establishment state, when obtaining a winning mode including JAC1, a winning mode including normal replay b, and a winning mode including big bonus (BB), the favorable section transition lottery is not performed.

[0277] In the favorable section transition lottery, the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the favorable section transition lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the favorable section transition lottery is won (favorable section winning) according to the comparison result. In the favorable section transition lottery table, a favorable section win or a miss is assigned to the random number value for internal lottery corresponding to each winning mode that triggers the execution of the favorable section transition lottery. When the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is associated with the winning mode that triggers the execution of the favorable section transition lottery, and in the favorable section transition lottery table it is associated with a favorable section win, it is determined that the favorable section transition lottery is won.

[0278] When the AT control means 175 wins the advantageous section transition lottery in the normal section, it performs the advantageous section transition process based on winning the advantageous section transition lottery, and starts the advantageous section from the next game of the game in which the advantageous section transition lottery was won. In the present embodiment, when the result of the advantageous section transition lottery is a win, the production state is shifted to the AT low probability state in the advantageous section transition process. Note that two or more winning modes of the advantageous section transition lottery may be set, and it may be determined whether to shift the production state to either the AT low probability state or the AT state in the advantageous section transition process.

[0279] And when the production state is the AT low probability state or the CZ state in the advantageous section, the AT control means 175 performs the AT lottery in each game. In the normal state, the AT lottery is performed based on obtaining any winning mode of the batting bell belonging to the batting bell a group to the batting bell e group, the batting special combination belonging to the batting special combination group, the weak cherry, the normal replay a, the normal replay b, the watermelon, the chance eye a, the chance eye b, the strong cherry, JAC1 + big bonus (BB), or the big bonus (BB) in the internal lottery. In the BB establishment state, the AT lottery is performed based on obtaining any winning mode of the batting bell belonging to the batting bell a group to the batting bell e group, the batting special combination belonging to the batting special combination group, the weak cherry, the normal replay a, the normal replay b, the watermelon, the chance eye a, the chance eye b, the strong cherry, or JAC1 in the internal lottery. In the BB state, the AT lottery is performed based on obtaining any winning mode of either JAC1 or JAC2, or based on the result of the internal lottery being a loss (non-winning).

[0280] In the AT lottery, the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the AT lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the AT lottery has been won according to the comparison result. In the AT lottery table, an AT win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery. When the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is associated with an AT win in the AT lottery table, it is determined that the AT lottery has been won. In this embodiment, the probability of winning the AT lottery is different between the AT low probability state and the CZ state, and the probability of winning the AT lottery is set higher in the CZ state than in the AT low probability state. Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 51, the execution of the AT lottery is prohibited in the normal section, and the AT lottery is executed only when staying in the advantageous section.

[0281] Also, the AT control means 170 conducts an AT lottery before the stop operations for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are enabled. Regarding the AT lottery when a special batting order winning combination is won, if the first stop operation is a specific batting order and the detected pressing position of the first stop operation is a non-specific pressing position, the AT lottery is conducted. If the first stop operation is a specific batting order and the detected pressing position of the first stop operation is a specific pressing position, an invalidation process is performed to invalidate the result of the AT lottery as a penalty for the current game. Also, the AT control means 170 performs an invalidation process even when the first stop operation is a non-specific batting order when a special batting order winning combination is won. In the invalidation process, for example, it may be handled as if the AT lottery was not conducted, or the result of the AT lottery may be rewritten as a loss regardless of the actual result, or the process based on the result of the AT lottery after the first stop operation may be canceled. Also, only when a special winning combination is won, the trigger for executing the AT lottery is set after the first stop operation. If the first stop operation is a specific batting order and the detected pressing position of the first stop operation is not a specific pressing position, the AT lottery is conducted. For the case where the first stop operation is a specific batting order and the detected pressing position of the first stop operation is a specific pressing position, and the case where the first stop operation is a non-specific batting order, the AT lottery may not be conducted. Also, not only when a special winning combination is won but also the trigger for executing the AT lottery is set after the first stop operation, and only when a special winning combination is won, the execution of the AT lottery may be determined based on the result of the first stop operation.

[0282] Note that the process related to the AT lottery according to the mode of the stop operation when a special batting order winning combination is won is not limited to the invalidation process, and the degree of advantage of the AT lottery may be different. For example, when the mode of the stop operation enables winning a single small winning combination, a more advantageous AT lottery may be conducted than when the mode of the stop operation enables winning a 14 - small - winning - combination or a 15 - small - winning - combination, or a less advantageous AT lottery may be conducted than when the mode of the stop operation enables winning a 14 - small - winning - combination or a 15 - small - winning - combination. Also, even when a special batting order winning combination is won, an AT lottery with the same degree of advantage may be conducted regardless of the mode of the stop operation.

[0283] And when the result of the AT lottery in the AT low probability state is an AT win, the AT control means 175 performs control to shift the effect state from the AT low probability state to the AT state. Further, based on obtaining the lottery result of the AT win, the AT stock number counter 1918 is incremented by a fixed value "1", and when the effect state is shifted to the AT state with the end of the game, a fixed value "1" is subtracted from the AT stock number counter 1920, and a value "50" corresponding to 50 game times, which is the number of game times serving as the end condition of the AT state, is set in the AT game number counter 1919.

[0284] And the AT control means 175 causes an assist time game to be performed based on the fact that the effect state is the AT state, and subtracts a fixed value "1" corresponding to one game from the value of the AT game number counter 1919 every time the assist time game is performed. And in the present embodiment, in the AT state, when the batting order bells belonging to the batting order bell a group to the batting order bell d group are won, a correct batting order notification and a winning assist effect for notifying the correct batting order and the pressing position related to the first stop operation are performed, and when the batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell e group is won, a correct batting order notification for notifying the correct batting order and a winning assist effect are performed.

[0285] In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 gives the correct batting order notification for the batting order bell a group to the batting order bell d group, information corresponding to the correct batting order and the pressing position related to the first stop operation is displayed on the main display 300. Specifically, an operation instruction number is set for each combination of the correct batting order and the pressing position related to the first stop operation. On the main display 300, "01" (batting order 1 and the second pressing position), "02" (batting order 2 and the second pressing position), "03" (batting order 3 and the second pressing position), "04" (batting order 4 and the second pressing position), "05" (batting order 5 and the second pressing position), "06" (batting order 6 and the second pressing position), "07" (batting order 1 and the first pressing position), "08" (batting order 2 and the first pressing position), "09" (batting order 3 and the first pressing position), "10" (batting order 4 and the first pressing position), "11" (batting order 5 and the first pressing position), "12" (batting order 6 and the first pressing position) are displayed by a 7-segment display so that any one of the operation instruction numbers is displayed.

[0286] In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 gives the correct batting order notification for the batting order bell e group, information corresponding to the correct batting order is displayed on the main display 300. Specifically, an operation instruction number is set for each correct batting order. On the main display 300, "13" (batting order 3), "14" (batting order 4), "15" (batting order 5), "16" (batting order 6) are displayed by a 7-segment display so that any one of the operation instruction numbers is displayed.

[0287] In this embodiment, in the advantageous section, when the production state is not the AT state, when a batting order special role belonging to the batting order special role group is elected, specific batting order notification for notifying a specific batting order and a winning auxiliary production are performed. In this embodiment, in the advantageous section, when the production state is the AT state, the specific batting order notification and the winning auxiliary production related to the batting order special role are not performed. Since no penalty process disadvantageous to the player is performed even if a stop operation is performed in a non-specific batting order in the AT state, even if no notification is given when a batting order special role is elected in the AT state, if a stop operation is performed in a non-specific batting order, 14 small roles can be surely won and the number of medals in hand can be increased.

[0288] Also, in the present embodiment, when the AT control means 175 performs specific batting order notification, information corresponding to the specific batting order is displayed on the main display 300. Specifically, an operation instruction number is set for each specific batting order, and on the main display 300, one of the operation instruction numbers "13" (batting order 3), "14" (batting order 4), "15" (batting order 5), or "16" (batting order 6) is displayed by a 7-segment display. In the present embodiment, for any batting order special role, batting orders 3, 4, 5, and 6 are the specific batting orders, so an arbitrary operation instruction number determined by lottery in the game in which the batting order special role is elected is displayed on the main display 300.

[0289] Also, when the production state is the AT state in the advantageous section, the AT control means 175 performs a bonus lottery based on the winning of a weak cherry, watermelon, chance symbol a, chance symbol b, or strong cherry in the internal lottery. In the bonus lottery, the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the bonus lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the bonus lottery is won according to the comparison result. In the bonus lottery table, a bonus win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for internal lottery corresponding to the winning mode that triggers the execution of the bonus lottery. When the random number value obtained for the internal lottery corresponds to any of a weak cherry, watermelon, chance symbol a, chance symbol b, or strong cherry, and in the bonus lottery table it is associated with a bonus win, it is determined that the bonus lottery is won. And in the present embodiment, based on the fact that the AT control means 175 has obtained the lottery result of a bonus win in the bonus lottery, a fixed value "1" is added to the AT stock number counter 1918.

[0290] Then, each time an assist time game is played, when the value of the AT game number counter 1919, which is decremented by a certain value each time, reaches the initial value "0", the AT control means 175 determines that the end condition of the AT state is satisfied and sets the effect state to the CZ state. In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 shifts the effect state to the CZ state, the number of game times that is the end condition of the CZ state is set to 50, and the value "50" corresponding to the set number of game times of 50 is set in the CZ game number counter 1921.

[0291] Also, in the CZ state in this embodiment, even if the batting order bells belonging to the batting order bell a group to the batting order bell e group are won, no correct batting order notification or winning assist effect is performed. Therefore, the medal acquisition performance is such that the player's held medals gradually decrease (the expected value of the medal appearance rate is less than 100%). Also, in this embodiment, the medal acquisition performance in the AT state is sufficiently higher than that in the CZ state, and the net increase in the number of medals per game is about 8 (the expected value of the medal appearance rate is about 367%).

[0292] Then, each time a game is played in the CZ state, the AT control means 175 subtracts a certain value "1" corresponding to one game from the value of the CZ game number counter 1921. When the value of the CZ game number counter 1921 reaches the initial value "0", the AT control means 175 determines that the end condition of the CZ state is satisfied and determines the transition destination of the effect state based on the value of the AT stock number counter 1918. Specifically, if the value of the AT stock number counter 1918 is greater than the initial value "0", the transition destination effect state is set to the AT state, and if the value of the AT stock number counter 1918 is the initial value "0", the transition destination effect state is set to the AT low probability state.

[0293] In the CZ state, as described above, the AT lottery is conducted. However, even if the lottery result of winning the AT lottery is obtained in this AT lottery, the value of the AT stock number counter 1918 only increases, and in the situation of staying in the advantageous section, there is no transition to other production states until at least the end condition of the CZ state (the value of the CZ game number counter 1921 reaches the initial value "0") is satisfied. However, when winning the AT lottery in the CZ state, the CZ state may be terminated based on winning the AT lottery.

[0294] Also, in the present embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the first clear counter 1922 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to a predetermined value "1" in the advantageous section transition process. In the advantageous section, an incremental update is performed in which a fixed value (for example, 1) corresponding to one game is added to the value of the first clear counter 1922 every time one game is played. When the value of the first clear counter 1922 exceeds the threshold value (for example, 1500) (when the value of the first clear counter 1922 reaches "1501"), it is determined that the end condition of the advantageous section is satisfied. In the present embodiment, the update of the first clear counter 1922 is performed after all the reels in rotation in each game have stopped. However, if it is predetermined in each game, the update of the first clear counter 1922 may be performed at any trigger. For example, the update trigger may be the game start operation for the start lever SL.

[0295] Also, in the present embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the second clear counter 1923 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to the initial value "0" in the advantageous section transition process. In the advantageous section, the value of the second clear counter 1923 is updated according to the difference in the number of medals in each game, and the value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (for example, when 13 medals are paid out, it is "13", and when there is no payout without winning any combination, it is "0") is subtracted by the value corresponding to the number of medals inserted for the game (3) to obtain the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals in the game, and an update process of adding this calculation result to the value of the second clear counter 1923 is performed. When the value of the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold value (for example, 2400), it is determined that the end condition of the advantageous section is satisfied. Note that the value of the second clear counter 1923 is controlled so as not to fall below the initial value "0". For example, if the value of the second clear counter 1923 at the start of the game is "2", and as a result of the game, there is no payout without winning any combination, the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals in the game is "-3", and adding the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals to the value of the second clear counter 1923 will cause it to fall below the initial value "0", but the updated value of the second clear counter 1923 is counted and stopped with the initial value "0" as the lower limit. Also, when there is a replay win in the game, it is handled as if there is a payout of medals corresponding to the specified number of inserted medals in the game where the replay wins, and the difference in the number of medals is obtained. For the next game provided free of charge due to the replay win, even if no actual medals are inserted, it is handled as if medals corresponding to the specified number of inserted medals in the game are inserted, and the difference in the number of medals is obtained.

[0296] Also, in the advantageous section, as long as the end condition of the advantageous section is not met, the first clear counter 1922 and the second clear counter 1923 are updated even if a transition in the game state or the production state occurs.

[0297] Also, the AT control means 175 performs an initialization process of initializing the information stored in a predetermined storage area of the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a based on the end of the advantageous section. In particular, in the present embodiment, regarding the main RAM of the game information storage means 190, the information stored in the effect state storage area 1917, the AT stock number counter 1918, the AT game number counter 1919, the CZ game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 is initialized by the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section. More specifically, the storage areas other than the effect state storage area 1917, the AT stock number counter 1918, the AT game number counter 1919, the CZ game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a are designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in the storage areas other than the information holding areas of the main RAM is initialized. Therefore, when the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section is performed, unlike the case where the initialization process in the setting change mode is performed, in addition to the setting value storage area 1913 and the credit information storage area 1914, the lottery flag storage area 1915 and the game state storage area 1916 are also designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is not initialized but held by the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section. When the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section is performed, the effect state is initialized to the non-AT state, and the values of the AT stock number counter 1918, the AT game number counter 1919, the CZ game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 are initialized to the initial values (for example, 0) and return to the normal section.

[0298] In this embodiment, since the initialization process is executed with the end of the advantageous section and the system returns to the normal section, when the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds the threshold value in the situation of staying in the AT state, the AT state is forcibly terminated by the initialization process associated with the end of the advantageous section, and the production state is initialized to the non-AT state. At the same time, the values of the AT stock number counter 1918, the AT game number counter 1919, the CZ game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 are initialized to the initial values (for example, 0). Also, when the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds the threshold value in the situation of staying in other production states, the current production state is forcibly terminated by the initialization process associated with the end of the advantageous section, and the production state is initialized to the non-AT state. At the same time, the values of the AT stock number counter 1918, the AT game number counter 1919, the CZ game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 are initialized to the initial values (for example, 0). In this embodiment, although the production state is not initialized by turning the power on / off, when the system is started in the setting change mode or when the initialization process is performed in the setting change mode, the production state is initialized to the non-AT state. At the same time, the values of the AT stock number counter 1918, the AT game number counter 1919, the CZ game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 are initialized to the initial values (for example, 0).

[0299] Also, in this embodiment, the advantageous section is started by winning the advantageous section transition lottery in the normal section, and the production state is set to the AT state under predetermined conditions within the advantageous section to perform the assist time game. However, as long as the end condition of the advantageous section is not satisfied even after the AT state ends, the advantageous section is maintained. That is, in this embodiment, since the advantageous section continues even after the AT state ends, there is a case where the advantageous section is stayed in even when the production state transitions from the AT state to a production state different from the AT state.

[0300] Also, the AT control means 175 controls to turn on the LED built in the section indicator SEC based on the start of the advantageous section to notify that the vehicle is staying in the advantageous section, and to turn off the LED built in the section indicator SEC based on the end of the advantageous section. And in this embodiment, since the LED built in the section indicator SEC is turned off in the normal section, it is possible to determine whether the vehicle is staying in the advantageous section by checking the lighting state of the section indicator SEC.

[0301] And in this embodiment, the AT control means 175 starts or ends the advantageous section notification, which is a notification that the vehicle is staying in the advantageous section, based on the value of the first clear counter 1922. For example, when a predetermined value "1" is set in the first clear counter 1922 as the vehicle shifts to the advantageous section, the advantageous section notification is started based on the fact that the value of the first clear counter 1922 has become larger than the initial value "0" (the value of the first clear counter 1922 is not the initial value "0"), and when the value of the first clear counter 1922 is initialized to the initial value "0" as the advantageous section ends and the vehicle shifts to the normal section, the advantageous section notification is ended based on the fact that the value of the first clear counter 1922 has become the initial value "0".

[0302] Note that the section indicator SEC does not necessarily need to be provided dedicatedly as in this embodiment, and may be used in combination with the main indicator 300. For example, it may be configured to indicate whether the vehicle is staying in the advantageous section by switching the lighting and extinguishing of the dot display section that displays the decimal point etc. of the 7-segment display, turning off the dot display section in the normal section, and turning on the dot display section in the advantageous section for the advantageous section notification. Also, although the LED built in the section indicator SEC is turned on when the advantageous section starts and it is immediately notified that the vehicle is staying in the advantageous section, it may be set as a non-notification section where it does not notify that it is in the advantageous section until a predetermined number of game times have elapsed since the start of the advantageous section, or until the first correct batting order notification in the advantageous section is executed.

[0303] The performance control means 180 performs control related to display performances using the display device 330 (an example of a performance device) and acoustic performances using the acoustic device 340 (an example of a performance device) based on the performance data stored in the performance data storage area 1926 provided in the sub-ROM of the performance information storage means 190b. For example, in response to the occurrence of game events such as medal insertion, operations on the bet button B0, start lever SL, stop buttons B1 to B3, and fluctuations in the game state, lamps or LEDs are lit or blinked, the display content of the liquid crystal display LCD is changed, or sound is output from the speaker SP, thereby performing execution control of performances for enlivening the game or assisting the game according to the progress of the game. The content of the performance executed in the game is determined by referring to the performance lottery table stored in the sub-lottery table storage area 1927 provided in the sub-ROM of the performance information storage means 190b according to the game state, performance state, results of internal lottery, etc. In this embodiment, image data corresponding to the progress of the game and the like is read from the performance data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into the image buffer 1928 provided in the sub-RAM, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer 1928 is output to the liquid crystal display LCD. Sound data corresponding to the progress of the game and the like is read from the performance data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into the sound buffer 1929 provided in the sub-RAM, and sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer 1929 is output from the speaker SP.

[0304] Then, when the performance state is the AT state, the performance control means 180 performs control to cause the display device 330 and the acoustic device 340 to execute a winning assistance performance that notifies the correct batting order and the pressing position related to the first stop operation when the batting bells belonging to the batting bell group a to the batting bell group d are won, and assists the winning of the 15-card minor winning combinations (minor winning combination 1 to minor winning combination 20).

[0305] In addition, when the production state is the AT state, the production control means 180 controls the display device 330 and the audio device 340 to execute a winning assistance production that notifies the correct batting order when a batting bell belonging to the batting bell e group is won and assists the winning of 15 - tile minor winning combinations (minor winning combination 3 to minor winning combination 6, minor winning combination 9, minor winning combination 10, minor winning combination 15, minor winning combination 16).

[0306] In addition, when it is an advantageous section and the production state is not the AT state (when staying in the AT low - probability state or the CZ state), the production control means 180 controls the display device 330 and the audio device 340 to execute a winning assistance production that notifies the target of the first stop operation in a specific batting order when a batting special combination belonging to the batting special combination group is won and assists the winning of 15 - tile minor winning combinations (minor winning combination 21).

[0307] In addition, when the game is being played in the AT state or in the CZ state, the production control means 180 controls to execute a remaining number display production that causes the display device 330 such as a liquid crystal display LCD to display the remaining number of game times until the end of the AT state or the CZ state. In the remaining number display production, when the values of the AT game number counter 1919 and the CZ game number counter 1921 are subtracted by playing the game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of game times also decreases to reflect the subtracted amount.

[0308] In addition, when the production control means 180 obtains the lottery result of winning the AT in the AT lottery executed in the CZ state, it withholds the notification regarding having the right to transition to the AT state until the final game of the CZ state (the game in which the value of the CZ game number counter 1921 becomes the initial value "0"), and when the value of the AT stock number counter 1918 is greater than the initial value "0" in the final game of the CZ state, it controls the display device 330 and the audio device 340 to execute an AT confirmation production that notifies having the right to transition to the AT state.

[0309] Note that the functional block configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to a computer system (including a game system). In these systems, a program that causes a computer to function as the game control means 100 of this embodiment can be downloaded via a network from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD, or a web server on the Internet, thereby realizing its functions. Further, in the above computer system, the medal insertion switch 210, bet switch 220, start switch 230, stop switch 240, etc. can be realized by virtually assigning their functions to operation means such as a keyboard, pointing device (mouse, etc.), touch panel, or controller. Further, in the above computer system, the reel unit 310, hopper unit HP, etc. are not essential components, and the functions of these device units can be virtually realized by controlling the images displayed on a display (display device 330).

[0310] 2-2. Method of this Embodiment In this embodiment, as a winning mode of the minor winning combinations, there is a batting order special winning combination group (batting order special winning combination 1 to batting order special winning combination 16). When a batting order special winning combination is won, the stop control mode is changed so that the winning or non-winning of the 15 minor winning combinations included in the batting order special winning combination changes according to whether the pressing detection position of the first stop operation is a specific pressing position predetermined according to the type of the batting order special winning combination. Hereinafter, taking the case where the batting order special winning combination 5 is won as an example, it will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 52 to 55.

[0311] First, the combination of the batting order special winning combination 5 will be described. FIG. 52 is a diagram showing the types of minor winning combinations that make up the batting order special winning combination 5.

[0312] As shown in FIG. 52, the batting order special winning combination 5 is composed of a 15-card minor winning combination (minor winning combination 21), a 14-card minor winning combination (minor winning combination 22), and four types of 1-card minor winning combinations (minor winning combination 23, minor winning combination 29, minor winning combination 46, minor winning combination 47). The specific batting order is set to batting order 3 to batting order 6, and the specific pressing position is set to the 4th.

[0313] FIG. 53 is a diagram for explaining a case where a stop operation is performed in a mode of making the first reel R1 perform a first stop in a game in which the batting order special combination 5 is won.

[0314] First, as shown in FIG. 53(A), regarding the rotating first reel R1, if the stop button B1 is pressed at the pressing detection position where the third replay symbol "RP" is located in the upper stage, the order of the stop operation for making the first reel R1 perform the first stop in the batting order special combination 5 corresponds to a non-specific batting order.

[0315] And in the present embodiment, when the first stop operation is a non-specific batting order at the time of winning of the batting order special combination, the stop position is determined so that the number of combinations of symbols indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the effective line becomes the largest by the number priority control. Among the symbols existing within the drawing-in range for the third pressing detection position, when the bell symbol 1 "BL1" is displayed, the number of symbol combinations is the largest at 7. As shown in FIG. 53(B), the first reel R1 is stopped at the position where the second bell symbol 1 "BL1" is displayed in the upper stage. When this first reel R1 stops, among the minor combinations included in the batting order special combination 5, those with a possibility of winning are the minor combination 22, the minor combination 23, and the minor combination 46.

[0316] Subsequently, when stopping the second reel R2 and the third reel R3, the stop position is determined so that the number of medals paid out becomes the largest by the payout number priority control. For this reason, the winning of the minor combination 22 with the highest payout among the minor combination 22, the minor combination 23, and the minor combination 46 is prioritized. Regarding the symbols constituting the winning form of the minor combination 22, since they are arranged so as to be displayable on the effective line regardless of the pressing detection position in the second reel R2 and the third reel R3, as shown in FIG. 53(C), the second reel R2 and the third reel R3 stop in a mode where the minor combination 22 wins.

[0317] FIG. 54 is a diagram for explaining a case where a stop operation is performed in a mode of making the second reel R2 perform a first stop in a game in which the batting order special combination 5 is won.

[0318] First, as shown in Fig. 54(A), regarding the second reel R2 during rotation, assuming that the stop button B2 is pressed at the pressing detection position where the fourth bar symbol "BAR" is located in the upper stage, the order of the stop operation to stop the second reel R2 as the first stop in the batting order special combination 5 corresponds to a specific batting order.

[0319] And in this embodiment, when the first stop operation is a specific batting order at the time of winning the batting order special combination, the control mode differs depending on whether the pressing detection position of the first stop operation is a specific pressing position. The specific pressing position of the batting order special combination 5 is the fourth one. In the example shown in Fig. 54(A), since the pressing detection position of the first stop operation is the fourth one, it corresponds to the specific pressing position, and the stop position is determined so that the number of medals paid out is the largest by the payout number priority control. Here, among the minor combinations included in the batting order special combination 5, the one with the highest payout is the minor combination 21 of the 15-piece minor combination. As shown in Fig. 54(B), the second reel R2 stops at the position where the third watermelon symbol "WM" is displayed in the middle stage. When this second reel R2 stops, the minor combinations among the minor combinations included in the batting order special combination 5 that have a possibility of winning are the minor combination 21 and the minor combination 46.

[0320] Subsequently, when stopping the first reel R1 and the third reel R3, the stop position is determined so that the number of medals paid out is the largest by the payout number priority control. For this reason, the display of the watermelon symbol "WM" that constitutes the winning form of the minor combination 21, which is the minor combination with the highest payout among the minor combination 21 and the minor combination 46, is prioritized. Regarding the watermelon symbol "WM" that constitutes the winning form of the minor combination 21, since it can be displayed on the effective line regardless of the pressing detection position on the first reel R1 and the third reel R3, as shown in Fig. 54(C), the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 stop in a manner that the minor combination 21 wins.

[0321] Next, as shown in Fig. 54(D), regarding the second reel R2 during rotation, assuming that the stop button B2 is pressed at the pressing detection position where the third watermelon symbol "WM" is located in the upper stage, in this case as well, since the second reel R2 is stopped as the first stop, it corresponds to a specific batting order.

[0322] And in the example shown in FIG. 54(D), since the depression detection position of the first stop operation is 3, it does not correspond to the specific depression position, and the stop position is determined so that the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the effective line is maximized by the number priority control. Among the symbols existing within the pull-in range for the third depression detection position, when the watermelon symbol "WM" is displayed, the number of symbol combinations is maximized at 5. As shown in FIG. 54(E), the second reel R2 is stopped at the position where the third watermelon symbol "WM" is displayed in the middle row. When this second reel R2 stops, among the minor roles included in the batting order special role 5, those with a possibility of winning are the minor role 21 and the minor role 46.

[0323] Subsequently, when stopping the first reel R1 and the third reel R3, the stop position is determined so that the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the effective line is maximized by the number priority control. Therefore, when stopping the first reel R1 at the second position, the display of the bell symbol 1 "BL1" or the bell symbol 2 "BL2" where the number of symbol combinations is 2 is prioritized. When stopping the third reel R3 at the second position, the display of the cherry symbol "CH" or the special symbol 2 "SP2" where the number of symbol combinations is 2 is prioritized. And in the first reel R1, regardless of the depression detection position, it is arranged so that either the bell symbol 1 "BL1" or the bell symbol 2 "BL2" can be displayed on the effective line. In the third reel R3, regardless of the depression detection position, it is arranged so that either the cherry symbol "CH" or the special symbol 2 "SP2" can be displayed on the effective line. Therefore, when either the first reel R1 or the third reel R3 is stopped at the second position, only the minor role 46 can win. As shown in FIG. 54(F), the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 stop in a manner that the minor role 46 wins.

[0324] FIG. 55 is a diagram for explaining the case where the stop operation is performed in such a manner that the third reel R3 is the first stop in a game in which the batting order special role 5 is won.

[0325] First, as shown in Fig. 55(A), regarding the third reel R3 during rotation, assume that the stop button B3 is pressed at the pressing detection position where the fourth bar symbol "BAR" is located in the upper row. Then, in the batting order special combination 5, the order of the stop operation to stop the third reel R3 at the first stop corresponds to a specific batting order.

[0326] And the specific pressing position of the batting order special combination 5 is the fourth one. In the example shown in Fig. 55(A), since the pressing detection position of the first stop operation is the fourth one, it corresponds to the specific pressing position, and the stop position is determined so that the number of medals paid out is maximized by the payout number priority control. Here, among the minor combinations included in the batting order special combination 5, the one with the highest payout is the minor combination 21 of the 15 - medal minor combination. As shown in Fig. 55(B), the third reel R3 stops at the position where the second watermelon symbol "WM" is displayed in the lower row. When this third reel R3 stops, the minor combinations among those included in the batting order special combination 5 that have a possibility of winning are the minor combination 21, the minor combination 22, and the minor combination 47.

[0327] Subsequently, when stopping the first reel R1 and the second reel R2, the stop position is determined so that the number of medals paid out is maximized by the payout number priority control. For this reason, the display of the watermelon symbol "WM" that constitutes the winning form of the minor combination 21, which has the highest payout among the minor combination 21, the minor combination 22, and the minor combination 47, is prioritized. Regarding the watermelon symbol "WM" that constitutes the winning form of the minor combination 21, since it can be displayed on the valid line regardless of the pressing detection position on the first reel R1 and the second reel R2, as shown in Fig. 55(C), the first reel R1 and the second reel R2 stop in a manner that the minor combination 21 wins.

[0328] Next, as shown in Fig. 55(D), regarding the third reel R3 during rotation, assume that the stop button B3 is pressed at the pressing detection position where the second watermelon symbol "WM" is located in the upper row. In this case as well, since the third reel R3 is stopped at the first stop, it corresponds to a specific batting order.

[0329] In the example shown in FIG. 55(D), since the pressing detection position of the first stop operation is 2, it does not correspond to the specific pressing position, and the stop position is determined so that the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the effective line is maximized by the number priority control. Among the symbols existing within the drawing-in range for the pressing detection position of 2, when the watermelon symbol "WM" is displayed, the number of symbol combinations is maximized at 7. As shown in FIG. 55(E), the third reel R3 is stopped at a position where the second watermelon symbol "WM" is displayed at the lower stage. When this third reel R3 stops, among the minor roles included in the batting order special role 5, those with a possibility of winning are minor role 21, minor role 22, and minor role 47.

[0330] Subsequently, when stopping the first reel R1 and the second reel R2, the stop position is determined so that the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the effective line is maximized by the number priority control. Therefore, when stopping the first reel R1 at the second position, the display of the cherry symbol "CH" or the special symbol 2 "SP2" with the number of symbol combinations being 2 is prioritized. When stopping the second reel R2 at the second position, the display of the cherry symbol "CH", the special symbol 2 "SP2", or the replay symbol "RP" with the number of symbol combinations being 2 is prioritized. Note that the replay symbol "RP" on the third reel R3 is a symbol constituting the winning form of minor role 22, which is a 14-card minor role. However, in this embodiment, the winning of minor role 47, which is a 1-card minor role with the same number, is prioritized. And since either the cherry symbol "CH" or the special symbol 2 "SP2" can be arranged to be displayed on the effective line regardless of the pressing detection position on the first reel R1 and the second reel R2, only minor role 47 can win when either the first reel R1 or the second reel R2 stops at the second position. As shown in FIG. 55(F), the first reel R1 and the second reel R2 stop in a manner that minor role 47 wins.

[0331] According to the embodiment described above, in the game in which the batting order special role is elected, when the pressing detection position of the first stop operation is the specific pressing position, the stop position of the reel is determined by the payout number priority control to enable the winning of the 15-symbol minor role. When the pressing detection position of the first stop operation is different from the specific pressing position, the stop position of the reel is determined by the number priority control to avoid the winning of the 15-symbol minor role. Since the availability of winning the 15-symbol minor role in the game in which the batting order special role is elected is affected by the pressing detection position in this way, the winning rate of the 15-symbol minor role can be controlled only by changing the setting mode of the specific pressing position, and the degree of freedom in the design of the gaming machine can be improved.

[0332] Specifically, in this embodiment, specific pressing positions unique to 16 types of batting order special roles are assigned, and there are 16 types of setting modes for the specific pressing positions. And in this embodiment, when the batting order special role is elected in the case where it is not in the AT state in the advantageous section, the specific batting order is notified, but the player cannot know about the specific pressing position. For this reason, in this embodiment, the expected value of the winning rate of the 15-symbol minor role in the specific batting order when the batting order special role is elected can be set to 1 / 16. And the configuration of the setting mode of the specific pressing position can also be made smaller than that of this embodiment. For example, if 10 types of batting order special roles are provided and two specific pressing positions are uniquely assigned to each batting order special role, 10 types of setting modes of the specific pressing positions can be provided. In this way, the expected value of the winning rate of the 15-symbol minor role can be set to 1 / 10. Also, the configuration of the setting mode of the specific pressing position can be made larger than that of this embodiment. For example, if 20 types of batting order special roles are provided and one specific pressing position is uniquely assigned to each batting order special role, 20 types of setting modes of the specific pressing positions can be provided. In this way, the expected value of the winning rate of the 15-symbol minor role can be set to 1 / 20. According to the method of this embodiment in this way, since the expected value of the winning rate can be controlled by the setting mode of the specific pressing position, the degree of freedom in the design of the gaming machine is improved. Also, in this embodiment, since the control rule is switched using the pressing detection position, it also leads to an improvement in the degree of freedom in the design of the outcome (stop mode).

[0333] The method of this embodiment is optimal when the winning combination of symbols that can be drawn regardless of the pressing detection position on any reel is set for the target winning combination whose winning rate is to be controlled. When the stop operation is not performed at the specific pressing position, it is preferable to win with a combination of winning combinations that can draw winning combinations with lower payouts than the target winning combination by the number priority control. Also, when determining the composition of the batting order special winning combination, since the target winning combination whose winning rate is to be controlled and the winning combination that wins when it is not at the specific pressing position can be fixed, it can be realized without unnecessarily increasing the number of winning combinations, which also leads to savings in memory usage.

[0334] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the mode of stop control is changed by determining whether or not it is a specific pressing position on the first stopped reel when the batting order special winning combination is won. However, the mode of stop control may be changed by determining whether or not it is a specific pressing position on the second stopped reel (the reel that stops second) or the third stopped reel (the reel that stops third).

[0335] Also, in this embodiment, it was determined whether or not it is a specific pressing position on the first of the three reels to stop first. However, the mode of stop control may be changed by determining whether or not it is a specific pressing position on two or more reels.

[0336] Also, in this embodiment, an example was described in which the payout number priority control is applied when it is determined that it is a specific pressing position, and the number priority control is applied when it is determined that it is not a specific pressing position. However, the number priority control may be applied when it is determined that it is a specific pressing position, and the payout number priority control may be applied when it is determined that it is not a specific pressing position.

[0337] In the example described in this embodiment, when a special batting order winning is determined, a judgment is also added as to whether the first stop operation is a specific batting order. Specifically, when the first stop operation is a non-specific batting order, payout number priority control is performed. When the first stop operation is a specific batting order, if it is a specific pressing position, payout number priority control is performed, and if it is not a specific pressing position, number priority control is performed. However, as in this embodiment, when performing the first stop operation in a specific batting order, in the case of a specific pressing position and the case of not being a specific pressing position, since the symbols common to the 15-symbol minor winning and the 1-symbol minor winning are displayed on the effective line, for the reels stopped by the first stop operation in the specific batting order, the stop results are the same regardless of which control rule is used. Therefore, when the first stop operation is a non-specific batting order, number priority control is performed for the reels corresponding to the first stop operation. When the first stop operation is a specific batting order, payout number priority control is performed for the reels corresponding to the first stop operation. For the reels stopped after the second stop operation, if the first stop operation is a specific batting order and is a specific pressing position, payout number priority control may be continued, and if the first stop operation is a specific batting order and is not a specific pressing position, it may be switched to number priority control.

[0338] In this embodiment, when a special batting order winning is determined, the specific batting order is notified. However, although the case where the specific pressing position is not notified is taken as an example for explanation, an aspect of notifying the specific pressing position may be adopted. Also, regarding the notification of the specific batting order of the special batting order in the advantageous section, it is performed when not in the AT state, but it may also be performed in the AT state.

[0339] In this embodiment, the case where the number of reels is three is described, but a configuration where the number of reels is four may also be used. In this embodiment, the case where there are 20 frames per reel is described, but there may be 21 frames per reel or less than 20 frames per reel.

[0340] In addition, in the present embodiment, it is a gaming machine configured to insert a gaming medium such as a medal when playing a game and pay out the gaming medium when a winning combination is achieved. However, the game may be played by consuming or awarding gaming value as electronic information without using a gaming medium. For example, it may be configured such that information on the gaming value owned by a player can be stored in a gaming machine or an external unit connected to the gaming machine, and consuming the gaming value by subtracting the number of gaming values is replaced with inserting a gaming medium, and awarding the gaming value by adding the number of gaming values is replaced with paying out a gaming medium.

[0341] Regarding the processing related to the AT lottery, the configuration of the batting order special winning combination, which is different from other winning modes, may be implemented in the manner described below. Hereinafter, the description will be made with reference to FIGS. 56 to 58.

[0342] First, FIG. 56 is a diagram showing the symbol arrangements of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 adopted in this example. Based on this symbol arrangement, the minor winning combinations A to F are configured as shown in FIG. 57. "ANY" in FIG. 57 indicates that any symbol arranged on the reel may be used.

[0343] Then, as shown in FIG. 58(A), batting order special winning combinations a to d are provided, and these batting order special winning combinations are composed of one type out of four types of 13-card minor winning combinations (minor winning combinations A to D) and two types of 1-card minor winning combinations (minor winning combinations E and F).

[0344] The winning combination target for the stop operation corresponding to each batting order special winning combination is as shown in FIG. 58(B). For each batting order special winning combination, a specific batting order (batting order 3 to batting order 6) is set. When a stop operation is performed in accordance with the specific batting order, the 13-card minor winning combination wins, and when a stop operation is performed in accordance with a non-specific batting order (an order of stop operations different from the specific batting order), two types of 1-card minor winning combinations win repeatedly. When two 1-card minor winning combinations win repeatedly, two medals will be paid out.

[0345] And in the case of this example, when the effect state in the advantageous section is different from the AT state, a non-specific batting order is notified to assist in winning a small combination of 1 card, and when the effect state is the AT state, a specific batting order is notified to assist in winning a small combination of 13 cards. By doing so, it is possible to set a game specification in which the winning rate of the small combination of 13 cards when the effect state is different from the AT state is lowered, and the medal acquisition rate in the AT state becomes relatively high. Note that when the effect state in the advantageous section is different from the AT state (when the effect state is the AT low probability state or the CZ state), a specific batting order is notified to assist in winning a small combination of 13 cards, and when the effect state is the AT state, a non-specific batting order is notified to assist in winning a small combination of 1 card.

[0346] Regarding the process related to the AT lottery when a special combination of batting order is won in the AT low probability state or the CZ state, the AT lottery is conducted when a stop operation is performed in the specific batting order, and the AT lottery is not conducted when a stop operation is performed in the non-specific batting order. That is, regarding the winning of a special combination of batting order, the AT lottery is conducted when a small combination of 1 card wins, and the AT lottery is not conducted when a small combination of 13 cards wins. By giving the advantage of performing a stop operation in the specific batting order when the effect state is different from the AT state in this way, it is possible to give an incentive to perform a stop operation along the specific batting order. Note that the AT lottery may not be conducted when a stop operation is performed in the specific batting order (when a small combination of 1 card wins), and the AT lottery may be conducted when a stop operation is performed in the non-specific batting order (when a small combination of 13 cards wins).

Explanation of Signs

[0347] BX storage box, UD front upper door, DD front lower door, DW display window, L1 effective line, DS game information display unit, LCD liquid crystal display, BS setting change button, KS setting change key cylinder, SEC section indicator, EU power unit, ES power switch, SP speaker, PS reel unit storage space, MAIN main board, SUB sub board, HP Hopper Unit, MT Medal Storage Tank, CB Cash Box, R1 First Reel, R2 Second Reel, R3 Third Reel, B0 Bet Button, SL Start Lever, B1 - B3 Stop Buttons, MI Medal Insertion Port, MO Medal Payout Port, MP Medal Tray, 100 Game Control Means, 103 Setting Change Means, 105 Input Reception Means, 110 Random Number Generation Means, 120 Internal Lottery Means, 130 Reel Control Means, 140 Winning Judgment Means, 150 Payout Control Means, 160 Replay Processing Means, 170 Game State Control Means, 175 AT Control Means, 177 Communication Control Means, 180 Effect Control Means, 190a Game Information Storage Means, 1910 Main Lottery Table Storage Area, 1911 Stop Control Table Storage Area, 1912 Winning Judgment Table Storage Area, 1913 Setting Value Storage Area, 1914 Credit Information Storage Area, 1915 Lottery Flag Storage Area, 1916 Game State Storage Area, 1918 Effect State Storage Area, 1919 High Probability Transition Counter, 1920 AT Stock Number Counter, 1921 AT Game Number Counter, 1922 Clear Counter, 1924 Ceiling Counter, 190b Effect Information Storage Means, 1926 Effect Data Storage Area, 1927 Sub - Lottery Table Storage Area, 1928 Image Buffer, 1929 Sound Buffer, 210 Medal Insertion Switch, 220 Bet Switch, 230 Start Switch, 240 Stop Switch, 250 Setting Change Permission Switch, 260 Setting Change Switch, 300 Main Display, 310 Reel Unit, 315 Reel Index, 325 medal ejection detection switch, 330 display device, 340 audio device, 410 data counter, 420 hall computer

Claims

【Claim 1】 A gaming machine having an instruction function capable of setting a non - advantageous section and an advantageous section and providing instruction information for assisting winning in the advantageous section, comprising a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface, a main control unit, and a sub - control unit, wherein the main control unit is capable of performing an internal lottery for determining the winning or losing of a winning combination, rotating the plurality of reels and, upon a stop operation, stopping the rotating reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery, wherein the sub - control unit is capable of executing a specific effect for notifying that a stop operation should be performed in a specific operation order in which a specific reel among the plurality of reels is stopped first, when the stop operation is performed in the specific operation order, the expected value of obtaining a gaming value is lower than when the stop operation is performed in a non - specific operation order in which a reel other than the specific reel stops first, in the advantageous section, there are a specific section where provision of a predetermined instruction information is permitted and a non - specific section where provision of the predetermined instruction information is not permitted, as the non - specific section, there are a first non - specific section from the start of the advantageous section until shifting to the specific section and a second non - specific section when the advantageous section continues even after the end of the specific section, wherein the main control unit is capable of performing control to cause a section notification means to perform a section notification operation for notifying staying in the specific section in the specific section of the advantageous section, and not performing control to cause the section notification means to perform a section notification operation in the non - advantageous section, the first non - specific section, and the second non - specific section of the advantageous section, wherein the sub - control unit is capable of executing the specific effect when the stop operation is performed in the non - specific operation order in the non - advantageous section, and in the advantageous section, executing the specific effect when the stop operation is performed in the non - specific operation order in either the first non - specific section or the second non - specific section, and reducing the execution frequency of a suggestion effect for suggesting the result of the internal lottery until a predetermined release condition is satisfied in the games after the game in which the stop operation is performed. A gaming machine characterized by this.

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