gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a pin ball game machine capable of enhancing game amusement.SOLUTION: A game machine executes winning / losing determination when a game ball enters a start port, and executes a small winning game for controlling a big winning port to open on the basis of the fact that the winning / losing determination results in small winning. The game machine executes a big winning game on the basis of the fact that a game ball entering the big winning port controlled to open is guided to a specific area, and executes a performance related to the big winning game. The probability of a game ball being guided to the specific area is higher when small winning is first small winning than when it is second small winning. There are differences between a performance related to a big winning game executed on the basis of an occurrence of the first small winning, and a performance related to a big winning game executed on the basis of an occurrence of the second small winning.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 29

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and in particular, the present invention can be suitably applied to a "pinball gaming machine." [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a pinball game machine (pachinko machine) is equipped with a game board having a start port and a big prize port (big prize device), and a win / loss determination is made based on the winning of the ball into the start port. Then, based on the result of this win / loss determination being a specific win, a specific game is executed to control the opening of a specific big prize port. Furthermore, pinball game machines (hereinafter referred to as gaming machines) have been used in the past that can award a certain profit to a player based on the game ball entering the big prize port controlled to open by the specific game being guided to a specific area.

[0003] For example, in a gaming machine known as a "type 1 / type 2 mixed machine (hereinafter referred to as a mixed machine)," if the result of the win / loss determination is a small win, a specific area (V zone) is provided inside and a small win game is executed that controls the opening of a large prize opening (hereinafter referred to as a predetermined large prize opening). In such a gaming machine, a game ball that enters the large prize opening during a small win game is guided to the specific area, making it possible to execute a large win game that is more advantageous to the player than a small win game.

[0004] Among these mixed machines, there are some that have multiple types of small wins, and in a small win game that is executed based on the occurrence of a predetermined small win, there is a high possibility that a game ball that enters a predetermined large prize opening will be guided to a specific area, and in a small win game that is executed based on the occurrence of another small win, there is a low possibility that a game ball that enters a predetermined large prize opening will be guided to a specific area. In other words, a gaming machine has been proposed in which, in a small win game that is executed based on the occurrence of another small win, a game ball that enters a predetermined large prize opening is almost never guided to a specific area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-206308 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In this type of gaming machine, even in small hit games (small hit games that are executed based on the occurrence of other small hits) that are assumed to be small hit games with a low probability of being directed to a specific area, there are rare cases where the player is directed to a specific area. Furthermore, in a small win game that is rarely guided to a specific area, even if the ball is guided to a specific area and a big win game is played, the player does not even realize that the big win game has started, because it is a rare occurrence. For this reason, even in a rare event, the player can only think that a normal big win game (a big win game that starts as a result of the game ball being guided to a specific area in a small win game that is played based on the occurrence of a predetermined small win) has started. Therefore, even if a player is lucky enough to experience a rare phenomenon in this type of gaming machine and makes a certain profit, it is difficult for the player to increase his interest in the game.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can increase the enjoyment of gaming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The gaming machine of the present invention comprises: a special symbol display means for displaying the result of the hit / miss judgment after executing a hit / miss judgment due to the ball entering the starting hole and then executing a variable display of a special symbol; A small win game execution means for executing a small win game by controlling the opening of a predetermined large winning opening based on the occurrence of a small win as a result of the win / loss determination; Equipped with A game ball that has entered a large prize winning port controlled to open by the small prize game is guided to the specific area among the specific area and a non-specific area different from the specific area, and a big prize game that is more advantageous than the small prize game is executed based on this. A gaming machine capable of executing effects related to the jackpot game, When the result of the hit / miss judgment is a small hit, a selection means for selecting the type of small hit to be generated; An allocation means for allocating the destination of the game ball that has entered the big prize opening to the specific area or the non-specific area; Equipped with The probability that the allocation means will guide the game ball that has entered the large prize opening controlled to open by the small prize game to the specific area is higher when the small prize selected by the selection means is the first small prize than when the selected small prize is the second small prize, A performance related to the big win game that is executed based on the game ball entering the big winning hole that is controlled to open by the small win game that is executed based on the occurrence of the first small win is guided to the specific area, A performance related to the big win game that is executed based on the game ball entering the big winning hole that is controlled to open by the small win game that is executed based on the occurrence of the second small win is guided to the specific area, are characterized by having differences.

[0009] According to the present invention, the opening of a large prize opening having a specific area can be controlled regardless of whether (1) a small prize game executed based on the occurrence of a first small prize or (2) a small prize game executed based on the occurrence of a second small prize is executed. However, (3) there is a high probability that a game ball entering a large prize opening controlled to open in a small prize game executed based on the occurrence of a first small prize will be guided to a specific area (hereinafter referred to as the first case), and (4) there is a low probability that a game ball entering a large prize opening controlled to open in a small prize game executed based on the occurrence of a second small prize will be guided to a specific area (hereinafter referred to as the second case). For example, in the second case, a game ball entering a large prize opening controlled to open in a small prize game will only rarely be guided to a specific area.

[0010] In both the first case and the second case, a jackpot game is executed and an effect related to this jackpot game is executed, but there is a difference between the effect executed based on the occurrence of the first case and the effect executed based on the occurrence of the second case. Therefore, according to the present invention, it becomes easier for the player to notice that a jackpot game has started based on the occurrence of the second case (the player has started a jackpot game despite the low probability (for example, a rare state)). In other words, it becomes easier for the player to notice that a rare jackpot game has started, rather than a jackpot game (a normal jackpot game) that is executed based on the occurrence of the first case, which has a high probability of starting a jackpot game. For this reason, according to the present invention, the player feels lucky when a rare jackpot game is executed. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to make the player happy or sad, and increase the player's interest in the game.

[0011] The effects related to jackpot play are effects executed in relation to jackpot play, and examples include one or more of the following: (1) a jackpot play start effect that is executed before the jackpot play (round play described below) begins; (2) a jackpot play in-play effect that is executed during the jackpot play (round play); and (3) a jackpot play end effect that is executed when the jackpot play ends (after the final round play has ended).

[0012] An example of a gaming machine to which the present invention can be suitably applied is the so-called "type 1 / type 2 mixed gaming machine (mixed machine)" shown in Example 1 described later. Here, the mixed machine has a starting hole and a jackpot hole with a specific area, and executes a win / loss determination based on a ball entering the starting hole, and if the result of the win / loss determination is a jackpot (hereinafter referred to as a symbol jackpot), a jackpot game (hereinafter referred to as a "symbol jackpot game") is executed. Furthermore, if the result of the hit / miss judgment is a small hit, a small hit game is executed in which the opening of a large winning port in which a specific area is provided is controlled, and based on the game ball that has entered the large winning port through the small hit game being guided to the specific area (specific winning), a big hit (hereinafter referred to as a "special hit") is generated, and the big hit game (hereinafter referred to as a "special hit game") is executed.

[0013] In addition, inventions that are generic concepts of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as related inventions) can also be exemplified. "When a hit / miss judgment is executed due to a ball entering the starting hole, a special symbol display means displays the result of the hit / miss judgment after executing a variable display of a special symbol; a specific game execution means for executing a specific game by controlling the opening of a predetermined big prize opening based on the result of the win / loss determination being a specific win; Equipped with A gaming machine capable of executing a special game based on a game ball entering a large prize opening controlled by the specific game being guided to the specific area among a specific area and a non-specific area different from the specific area, a selection means for selecting a type of specific win to be generated when the result of the win / loss determination is the specific win; An allocation means for allocating the destination of the game ball that has entered the big prize opening to the specific area or the non-specific area; Equipped with The probability that the allocating means will guide the game ball that has entered the big winning port controlled to open by the specific game to the specific area is higher when the specific win selected by the selecting means is the first specific win than when the specific win selected is the second specific win, An effect that is executed based on the game ball entering the big prize opening controlled to open based on the occurrence of the first specific win being guided to the specific area; An effect that is executed based on the game ball entering the big winning hole that is controlled to open based on the occurrence of the second specific winning being guided to the specific area; "A gaming machine characterized by having a difference" can also be exemplified.

[0014] In this related invention, a "specific win" may be (a) only a big win, or (b) in addition to a big win, it may also include a small win that may occur when the result of the judgment is not a big win. In the former case (a), a big win game is executed as a winning game, and in the latter case (b), a big win game and a small win game that is less advantageous than a big win game are executed as winning games. The "special game" referred to in this related invention may be (1) a jackpot game in which the opening of the large prize opening is controlled in a predetermined manner, or (2) a game that is likely to result in a jackpot game, that is, a game (game state) in which the hit / miss judgment (hit / miss judgment regarding the special pattern) can be performed in a state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state.

[0015] Examples of the latter (2) include a state in which at least one of the following is activated: (a) a probability variation means for varying the probability that the result of the hit / miss determination will be a jackpot from the normal probability to a higher probability (high probability) than the normal probability; and (b) a hit / miss determination frequency improvement means for increasing the frequency of hit / miss determinations. Examples of the hit / miss determination frequency improvement means of (b) include a state in which at least one of the following is activated: (1) an opening extension means for extending the opening time when the "second starting hole" changes from a closed state in which it is difficult or impossible for the game ball to enter the hole to an open state in which it is easier for the game ball to enter the hole than the closed state, and (2) a variation shortening means for shortening the variation time of the special symbol. In this specification, a state in which both the opening extension means and the variation shortening means are activated is referred to as a "time-shortening state." [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the gaming machine of the present invention can increase the interest in gaming. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] Front view of the game board 1. [Figure 3]10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams of a specific device 100. [Figure 4] 1 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 50. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko machine 50. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing the operation of pachinko machine 50. [Figure 7] (a) to (c) are time charts showing the content of the small win game executed by the pachinko machine 50 and the shutter driving mode, and (d) is a diagram showing the relationship between the type of small win and the selection rate. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a main routine executed by a main control device 80 of a pachinko machine 50. [Figure 9] Flowchart of the start winning confirmation process. [Figure 10] 10 is a first flowchart of the process for determining whether a special symbol is a winning or losing symbol. [Figure 11] 20 is a second flowchart of the process for determining whether a special symbol is a winning or losing symbol. [Figure 12] 3 is a third flowchart of the process for determining whether a special symbol is a winning combination or not. [Figure 13] 10 is a first flowchart showing the contents of the winning game processing. [Figure 14] 10 is a second flowchart showing the contents of the winning game processing. [Figure 15] 10 is a third flowchart showing the contents of the winning game processing. [Figure 16] 4 is a fourth flowchart showing the contents of the winning game processing. [Figure 17] 5 is a fifth flowchart showing the contents of the winning game processing. [Figure 18] 6 is a sixth flowchart showing the contents of the winning game processing. [Figure 19] 7 is a seventh flowchart showing the contents of the winning game processing. [Figure 20] 10A is a flowchart of the count SW signal detection process, and FIG. 10B is a flowchart of the winning port SW signal detection process (a modified example of the first embodiment). [Figure 21] An explanatory diagram to explain the symbol jackpot. [Figure 22] An explanatory diagram to explain the special jackpot. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating button effects and the like. [Figure 24] An explanatory diagram for explaining the pattern jackpot game presentation and the first role jackpot game presentation. [Figure 25] An explanatory diagram to explain the second role jackpot game presentation. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart showing the performance start processing executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart showing a button effect process. [Figure 28] (a) is a diagram showing an example of a variation pattern table, (b) and (c) are diagrams showing specific examples of a performance pattern table, and (d) is a flowchart showing the performance stop processing executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. [Figure 29] 10 is a flowchart showing the jackpot game effect setting process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. [Figure 30] 10 is a flowchart showing a count information receiving process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. [Figure 31] 10A is a flowchart showing the jackpot game presentation ending process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83, and FIG. 10B is a flowchart showing the time-saving number cut command receiving process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. [Figure 32] 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment. [Figure 33] (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the content of the jackpot game performed by the pachinko machine 50 of Example 2, and (c) to (e) are time charts showing the driving mode of the shutter provided at the second jackpot opening of Example 2. [Figure 34] Flowchart 1 showing the contents of the jackpot game processing in Example 2. [Figure 35] Flowchart 2 showing the contents of the jackpot game processing in Example 2. [Figure 36] Flowchart 3 showing the contents of the jackpot game processing in Example 2. [Figure 37]Flowchart 4 showing the contents of the jackpot game processing in Example 2. [Figure 38] An explanatory diagram for explaining the big win game presentation etc. in Example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0019] (1) Example 1 As shown in Figure 1, a pachinko machine 50, which is a type of pinball game machine, has a structure in which each component is held by an outer frame 51, which forms a vertically long fixed outer holding frame. Hinges 53 are provided on the top and bottom left sides of the outer frame 51, and an inner frame 70 (see Figure 4) is attached to the other side of the hinge 53, and the inner frame 70 is configured to be able to open and close relative to the outer frame 51. A glass plate 61 is provided in the front frame 52 so that it can be removed, and behind the glass plate 61, a game board 1 shown in Figure 2 is attached to the inner frame 70.

[0020] Speakers 66 are provided on the upper left and right sides of the front frame 52 and on the lower left and right sides of the outer frame 51, and output game sounds generated by the pachinko machine 50, enhancing the player's enjoyment. In addition, to enhance the player's enjoyment, the front frame 52 is also provided with a plurality of frame-side decorative lamps 65 that light up depending on the game status. An upper tray 55 and a lower tray 63 are integrally formed below the front frame 52. A launch handle 64 is attached to the right side of the lower tray 63, and by rotating the launch handle 64 clockwise, a launch device (not shown) is operated, and game balls supplied from the upper tray 55 are launched toward the game board 1.

[0021] On the left side of the bottom tray 63, there is provided an effect button 67 that can be operated by the player, and when the player operates the effect button 67 during a predetermined period, the content displayed on the effect symbol display device 6, which will be described later, changes, and the game sounds output from the speaker 66 change. In addition, this pachinko machine 50 is a so-called CR machine, and is equipped with a prepaid card unit (CR unit) 56 for reading and writing prepaid cards, and the pachinko machine 50 is equipped with a CR adjustment display device having a loan button 57, an adjustment button 58, and a balance display 59.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 1 of the pachinko machine of this embodiment. 2, a game board 1 is provided with a substantially circular game area 3 surrounded by well-known guide rails 2a and 2b. A large number of game nails 4 are hammered into this game area 3. For convenience, this gaming area 3 can be divided into a first gaming area (left-hand hitting area 3L) and a second gaming area (right-hand hitting area 3R) with a center case 5 located approximately in the center as the boundary.

[0023] A center case 5 is located in the approximate center of the game area 3. The center case 5, like known cases, is equipped with a warp entrance, a warp passage, a stage, and a window overlooking the screen of a performance symbol display device 6 (a liquid crystal display device that displays performance symbols). A first starting hole 11, into which game balls can always enter, is disposed directly below the center case 5. A specific device 100 is disposed below the first starting hole 11, the details of which will be described later.

[0024] Also, to the right of the center case 5, there is disposed a composite winning device in which the normal symbol activation gate 17 and the second start opening 12 are unitized. The second start opening 12 is equipped with a normal electric device 12A having a pair of wing pieces 12t that can be opened and closed, and unless the pair of wing pieces 12t are opened, a gaming ball that has reached the vicinity of the normal electric device 12A is obstructed by the restricting member 12a and cannot enter the second start opening 12. In this embodiment, the second start opening 12 is driven by the wing pieces 12t, and unless the second start opening 12 is in an open state, a gaming ball cannot enter the opening, but it may be configured so that it is merely difficult to enter but is still possible.

[0025] In other words, the second starting gate 12 is a variable starting gate that can be changed from a closed state where the gaming ball cannot enter to an open state where the gaming ball can enter more easily than in this closed state. When the gaming ball passes through the normal symbol activation gate 17, multiple types of random numbers for the lottery to determine whether the normal symbol is a hit or a miss are sampled, and a determination of whether the normal symbol is a hit or a miss (normal symbol lottery) is made based on the sampled random numbers.

[0026] In addition, the second starting hole 12 configured as a normal electric device is opened for a predetermined time when a normal symbol is selected (normal symbol lottery). Unlike this embodiment, the second starting hole 12 may be opened even when closed, and may be opened to allow balls to enter the hole more easily than when closed.

[0027] Below the combined winning device are arranged attacker-type first large winning opening 14 and second large winning opening 15 (second large winning opening 15 is on the upper side). Also, to the left of first starting opening 11 are first left winning opening 31, second left winning opening 32, and third left winning opening 33, and to the right of second large winning opening 15 is right winning opening 34. These first left winning opening 31, second left winning opening 32, third left winning opening 33, and right winning opening 34 are general winning openings whose winning rate does not change at all times.

[0028] At the bottom right of the first large prize opening 14, there are arranged a normal pattern display device 7 consisting of multiple LEDs, a normal pattern reserved number display device 8, a first special pattern display device 9, a first special pattern reserved number display device 18, a second special pattern display device 10, and a second special pattern reserved number display device 19.

[0029] In the game area 3, the right-hand hitting area 3R on the right side of the center case 5 is provided with a first large winning opening 14, a second large winning opening 15, a normal operation gate 17, and a second starting opening 12. Due to the game nails 4 planted in the game board 1 and the molded shape of the center case 5, only game balls that have flowed down the right-hand hitting area 3R can enter these areas. In other words, if the launch strength of the game ball is less than a predetermined value, the game ball will flow down the left-hand hitting area 3L, and if the launch strength of the game ball is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the game ball is more likely to flow down the right-hand hitting area 3R.

[0030] The first starting hole 11 is provided directly below the center case 5, and the arrangement of the game nails 4 increases the possibility that a game ball flowing down the left hitting area 3L on the left side of the center case 5 will enter the hole. Furthermore, the above-mentioned special device 100 is arranged below the first starting hole 11.

[0031] Next, the above-mentioned special device 100 will be explained with reference to FIG. A warp exit 101 is provided at the top inside of this special device 100, and all game balls that enter the second large winning opening 15 flow into the special device 100 from the warp exit 101. In other words, a tubular or gutter-like warp path 15K is provided that runs from the warp entrance provided inside the second large winning opening 15 to the back side of the game board 1 and then reaches the front side of the game board 1 at the warp exit 101 (see Figure 2).

[0032] Then, the gaming balls flowing out from the warp exit 101 reach the mortar-shaped crane 102, circle around the crane 102 several times, drop through a hole (not shown), and flow out from the distribution port 103. A pair of distribution blades 105 are provided below the distribution port 103. When the distribution blades 105 are open (the state of FIG. 3(b)), the gaming balls flowing out from the distribution port 103 enter the specific area 106, and when this is detected by the specific ball entry port switch (specific area switch) 106a (see also FIG. 5), a jackpot (a jackpot with special features) occurs. When the distribution blades 105 are closed (the state of FIG. 3(a)), the gaming balls flowing out from the distribution port 103 reach the loss port 104, and no jackpot occurs.

[0033] Here, when the sorting blades 105 (shutter) are closed, a gaming ball that has entered the second large winning opening 15 during a small win game is guided to the losing opening 104 by the sorting blades 105 (shutter) in this closed state (see FIG. 3(a)). In other words, when the sorting blades 105 (shutter) are closed, the gaming ball that has entered the second large winning opening 15 is prevented from advancing toward the specific area 106, and is guided to the losing opening 104. Then, the gaming ball that has been guided to the losing opening 104 is guided to a non-specific area and is discharged outside the pachinko machine 50. On the other hand, a game ball that enters the second large winning opening 15 during a small win game is guided to the specific area 106 when the distribution blade 105 (shutter) is in an open state (a state in which the specific area 106 is open to allow the game ball that entered the second large winning opening 15 to enter).

[0034] This entering game ball is detected by the specific area detection switch 106a (a detection means for detecting that the game ball is being guided into a specific area), and a jackpot (a special jackpot) is generated, making it possible to play a jackpot game (a special jackpot). However, in this embodiment, the probability that a gaming ball that has entered the specific role 100 will be guided to the specific area 106 differs depending on the type of small win that occurs, as will be described later. In other words, the manner in which the distribution blades 105 are opened is changed depending on the content of the small win that occurs (the small win symbol that is fixed and displayed (described later)), and the probability that a gaming ball that has entered the specific role 100 will reach the specific area 106 differs. Specifically, the driving manner of the distribution blades 105 is selected depending on the type of small win symbol that is fixed and displayed, and there are cases where there is a high possibility of transitioning to a role jackpot and cases where there is a low possibility of transitioning to a role jackpot (described later).

[0035] The pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment is provided with a first special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as the first special symbol) that changes based on a ball entering the first starting hole 11, and a second special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as the second special symbol) that changes based on a ball entering the second starting hole 12. When a gaming ball enters the first starting hole 11, multiple types of random numbers corresponding to the first special symbol are extracted and stored as a first reserved memory (extracted information), and when a gaming ball enters the second starting hole 12, multiple types of random numbers corresponding to the second special symbol are extracted and stored as a second reserved memory (extracted information). Here, the first reserved memory (extracted information) constitutes a specific example of first numerical data, and the second reserved memory (extracted information) constitutes a specific example of second numerical data.

[0036] The first major winning opening (first major winning device) 14 is closed when a jackpot game is not being played, and does not allow game balls to enter. Also, during a jackpot game (including a jackpot game after a bonus jackpot has occurred), it opens in a jackpot opening pattern, and allows game balls to enter. In addition, the second large winning port 15 described above is opened in an opening pattern for a small win during a small win game.

[0037] By configuring the game board 1 as described above, when a game ball enters the first start hole 11 (the first start hole switch 11a (see Figure 5) detects the game ball), the first special pattern (first special pattern) begins to change in the first special pattern display device 9 and stops after a predetermined time. Furthermore, when the game ball is caused to flow down into the right-hand hitting area 3R (so-called right-hand hitting) and enters the normal symbol activation gate 17 (the normal symbol activation switch 17a (see Figure 5) detects the game ball), the normal symbol (hereinafter also referred to as the normal symbol) begins to change and change on the normal symbol display device 7, and the normal electric solenoid 12b (see Figure 5) described below is driven depending on the state of the normal symbol that has stopped after a predetermined time.

[0038] When the normal electric solenoid 12b is driven, a pair of wing pieces 12t provided on the normal electric device 16 opens almost synchronously, allowing the ball to enter the second start hole 12 (detection by the second start hole switch 12a (see Figure 5)). When a game ball enters the second start hole 12, the second special symbol starts to be displayed variably on the second special symbol display device 10 and stops after a predetermined time.

[0039] While the first special symbol (first special symbol) and the second special symbol (second special symbol) are changing, the symbol display device 6 displays a display mode (changing display) linked to the change of each special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as the special symbol). In addition, the first special symbol and the second special symbol do not change at the same time, and the change of the second special symbol (winning / losing determination) is carried out with priority regardless of the order of balls entering the first starting hole and the second starting hole. Specifically, if there is a reserved memory of the first special symbol, the change of the second special symbol stops, and the state becomes one in which there is no reserved memory of the second special symbol, and the change of the reserved memory of the first special symbol begins.

[0040] Depending on the state of the confirmed display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol, first large prize opening solenoid 14b (see FIG. 5) or second large prize opening solenoid 15b (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, is driven. When first large prize opening solenoid 14b is driven (during a jackpot game), the door member of first large prize opening 14 opens almost synchronously, allowing a game ball to enter first large prize opening 14 (first count switch 14a (see FIG. 5) detects the game ball). Also, when second large prize opening solenoid 15b is driven (during a small prize game), the door member of second large prize opening 15 opens almost synchronously, allowing a game ball to enter second large prize opening 15 (second count switch 15a (see FIG. 5) detects the game ball).

[0041] The second starting port 12, the first large winning port 14, and the second large winning port 15 are located in the right-hand hitting area 3R (to the right of the center case 5), so when the game state transitions to the open extension state (time-shortened state), when it transitions to a big win game, or when it transitions to a small win game, the amount of rotation of the launch handle 6E is adjusted so that all of the launched game balls reach the right-hand hitting area 3R.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, the back of the pachinko machine 50 has an inner frame 70, to which the aforementioned game board 1 is detachably attached, housed in the aforementioned outer frame 51. This inner frame 70 is provided with, from above, a ball tank 71, a tank rail 72, and a payout device 73. With this configuration, if a game ball enters a winning hole on the game board 1, a predetermined number of game balls can be discharged from the ball tank 71 via the tank rail 72 by the payout device 73 into the aforementioned upper tray 55. Also, on the back of the pachinko machine 50 (see also Figure 5), a main control device 80, a payout control device 81, a performance symbol control device 82, a sub-integrated control device 83, a launch control device 84, and a power supply board 85 are provided.

[0043] The main control device 80, the effect symbol control device 82, and the sub-integrated control device 83 are mounted on the gaming board 1, while the payout control device 81, the launch control device 84, and the power supply board 85 are mounted on the inner frame 70. Although the launch control device 84 is not shown in FIG. 4, it is mounted below the payout control device 81. An external connection terminal 78 is mounted on the right side of the ball tank 71, and signals indicating game status and game results are sent from this external connection terminal 78 to a hall computer (not shown). Conventionally, two types of external connection terminals 78 are used to transmit signals to the hall computer: one for the board (a terminal for outputting signals output from the gaming board to the hall computer) and one for the frame (a terminal for outputting signals output from the frame side (front frame 52, inner frame 70, outer frame 51) to the hall computer). However, in this embodiment, signals indicating game status and game results are transmitted to the hall computer via a single external connection terminal 78.

[0044] The electrical configuration of this pachinko machine 50 is centered around the main control device 80, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 5. Note that this block diagram does not show so-called relay boards and power supply circuits, etc., which are used simply to relay signals. Also, although detailed illustrations are omitted, the main control device 80, payout control device 81, performance symbol control device 82, and sub-integrated control device 83 all have a CPU, ROM, RAM, input ports, output ports, etc., but in this embodiment, the launch control device 84 does not have a CPU, ROM, or RAM. However, this is not limited to this, and the launch control device 84 may also have a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.

[0045] The main control device 80 includes a first start port switch 11a for detecting a game ball that has entered the first start port 11, a second start port switch 12a for detecting a game ball that has entered the second start port 12, a normal symbol activation switch 17a for detecting a game ball that has entered the gate 17 that activates a normal symbol, a count switch 14a for counting game balls that have entered the first large prize port 14, and a count switch 14b for counting game balls that have entered the second large prize port 15. 15a, detection signals are input from the first left prize entry port switch 31a which detects game balls that have entered the first left prize entry port 31, the second left prize entry port switch 32a which detects game balls that have entered the second left prize entry port 32, the third left prize entry port switch 33a which detects game balls that have entered the third left prize entry port 33, the right prize entry port switch 34a which detects game balls that have entered the right prize entry port 34, and the specific area detection switch 106a which detects game balls that have entered the specific area 106.

[0046] The main control unit 80 operates according to the installed program, and generates various commands related to the progress of the game based on the above-mentioned detection signals, etc., and outputs them to the payout control unit 81 and the sub-integrated control unit 83. The main control device 80 also controls the display of the first special pattern display device 9, the second special pattern display device 10, the normal pattern display device 7, which are connected via the pattern display device relay terminal board 90, and the lighting of the first special pattern reserved number display device 18, the second special pattern reserved number display device 19, and the normal pattern reserved number display device 8.

[0047] Furthermore, the main control device 80 controls the opening and closing of the first major prize opening 14 by controlling the first large prize opening solenoid 14b, the opening and closing of the second major prize opening 15 by controlling the second large prize opening solenoid 15b, and the opening and closing of the second starting opening 12 by controlling the normal electric role solenoid (indicated as normal electric role solenoid in FIG. 5) 12b. Also, the main control device 80 controls the distribution blade solenoid 105a to open the distribution blade 105 for a certain period of time. The output signal from the main control device 80 is also output to the test signal terminal, and signals for managing symbol fluctuations, jackpots, etc. are output to the external connection terminal 78 and sent to the hall's main computer 87. The main control device 80 and the payout control device 81 are capable of two-way communication.

[0048] The payout control device 81 operates the payout motor 20 to pay out prize balls in response to commands sent from the main control device 80. In this embodiment, a detection signal from the payout switch 21 for counting the game balls paid out as prize balls is input to the payout control device 81, and the payout control device 81 counts the prize balls. Alternatively, a configuration may be used in which the detection signal from the payout switch 21 is input to both the main control device 80 and the payout control device 81, and the counting of prize balls is performed by both the main control device 80 and the payout control device 81.

[0049] The payout control device 81 receives signals from the glass frame opening switch 16a, inner frame opening switch 16b, full switch 22, and out-of-ball switch 23, and when the full switch 22 receives a signal indicating that the lower tray 63 is full, or when the out-of-ball switch 23 receives a signal indicating that there are few or no game balls in the ball tank, it stops the payout motor 20 and stops the payout operation of prize balls. The full switch 22 and out-of-ball switch 23 are also configured to continue outputting signals until the condition is resolved, and the payout control device 81 resumes driving the payout motor 20 when the signals are no longer output.

[0050] The payout control device 81 also communicates with the CR unit 56 via the CR unit terminal board 24 to activate the payout motor 20 and dispense the dispensed balls. The dispensed balls are detected by the payout switch 21, and the detection signal is input to the payout control device 81. The CR unit terminal board 24 is also connected to the settlement display board 25 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally, and the settlement display board 25 is connected to a ball lending button for requesting the loan of game balls, a return button for requesting settlement, and a balance display.

[0051] In addition, the payout control device 81 transmits information regarding winning balls, information indicating the open / closed status of the frames (inner frame, front frame), etc. to the hall computer via the external connection terminal 78, and also transmits a launch stop signal to the launch control device 84. Although this embodiment is configured to pay out game balls, it may also be configured to store game balls generated in response to winning a prize, without paying them out.

[0052] The launch control device 84 controls the launch motor 30 to launch gaming balls into the game area 3. In addition to the payout control device 81, the launch control device 84 also receives a rotation amount signal from the launch handle, a touch signal from the touch switch 28, and a launch stop signal from the launch stop switch 29. The rotation amount signal is output when the player operates the launch handle, the touch signal is output when the player touches the launch handle, and the launch stop switch signal is output when the player presses the launch stop switch 29. If a touch signal is not input to the launch control device 84, the gaming balls cannot be launched, and if the launch stop switch signal is input, the gaming balls cannot be launched even if the player is touching the launch handle.

[0053] The sub-integrated control device 83 corresponds to a sub-control device, and receives data and commands sent from the main control device 80, sorts them into data for effect display control, sound control, and lamp control, sends the effect display control commands to the effect symbol control device 82, and distributes the sound control and lamp control commands to each control section contained in itself (functional sections serving as an audio control device and a lamp control device). The functional section serving as an audio control device controls the audio output from the speaker 66 by activating a sound LSI based on the audio control data, and the functional section serving as a lamp control device controls various LEDs and lamps 26 by activating a lamp driver based on the lamp control data. In addition, an effect button 67 is connected to the sub-integrated control device 83, and when a player operates the button 67, the signal is input to the sub-integrated control device 83.

[0054] Two-way communication is possible between the sub-integrated control device 83 and the effect symbol control device 82. The effect symbol control device 82 controls the effect symbol display device 6 based on the data and commands received from the sub-integrated control device 83 (both of which are sent from the main control device 80 and generated by the sub-integrated control device 83), and displays effect images such as effect symbols on the screen 6a of the effect symbol display device 6.

[0055] Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 50 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the diagram of Fig. 6. The pachinko machine 50 of the first embodiment has a non-open extended state and an open extended state as game states. When the extension function is not activated (non-extended state), the normal electric device (second starting hole 12) is set to perform a 0.2-second opening operation once for one normal symbol hit. On the other hand, when the extension function is activated (extended state), the normal electric device (second starting hole 12) is set to perform a 2-second opening operation once for one normal symbol hit.

[0056] The pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment is provided with a first special pattern that changes when a win / loss determination (hereinafter referred to as the first win / loss determination) is made based on a win in the first starting port 11, and a second special pattern that changes when a win / loss determination (hereinafter referred to as the second win / loss determination) is made based on a win in the second starting port 12, as special patterns. In addition, in an extended opening state in which the extended opening function is activated, the average fluctuation time of the special symbols tends to be shorter than in a non-extended opening state in which the extended opening function is not activated.

[0057] In addition, the probability of winning a jackpot in the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment is 1 / 100, and the machine does not have a probability fluctuation function for determining whether or not a special symbol has been won. Then, a win / loss determination is made based on the winning of the first start port 11 or the second start port 12, and if the result of the win / loss determination is a jackpot, a "symbol jackpot game" is executed.

[0058] However, if the result of the hit / miss judgment (first hit / miss judgment) regarding the first special symbol is a hit, a hit game (i.e., a symbol hit game) is executed in which the first large winning opening 14 performs an opening operation for 26.0 seconds a total of six times with a predetermined interval in between. Also, if the result of the hit / miss judgment (second hit / miss judgment) regarding the second special symbol is a hit, a hit game (symbol hit game) is executed in which the first large winning opening 14 performs an opening operation for 26.0 seconds a total of ten times with a predetermined interval in between. In other words, the symbol jackpot game that is executed based on making the second hit / miss judgment is a more advantageous jackpot game for the player than the symbol jackpot game that is executed based on making the first hit / miss judgment.

[0059] In this pachinko machine 50, when a gaming ball enters the first starting slot 11, a small win occurs with a probability of 1 / 150. Also, when a gaming ball enters the second starting slot 12, a small win occurs with a probability of 1 / 3. When a small win occurs, a small win game is executed in which the second large winning slot 15 performs a single opening operation for 1.8 seconds. During a small win game, if a game ball that has entered the second large winning opening 15 is guided to the specific area 106 within the valid period (within the guidance valid period described below), a big win game (i.e., a bonus big win game) is executed. Hereinafter, "guiding a game ball that has entered the second large winning opening 15 to the specific area 106 within the valid period (the game ball being detected by the specific area detection SW)" will be referred to as "specific win (or V win)."

[0060] In this embodiment, the probability that the result of the second hit / miss judgment will be a small hit (for example, 1 / 3) is higher than the probability that the result of the first hit / miss judgment will be a small hit (for example, 1 / 150), but the probabilities that the result of the first hit / miss judgment and the second hit / miss judgment will be a small hit may be equal. Also, in this embodiment, a small hit occurs whether the first hit / miss judgment or the second hit / miss judgment is made, but a small hit occurs when the second hit / miss judgment is made, but a small hit may not occur even when the first hit / miss judgment is made.

[0061] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(d), when the result of the hit / miss judgment is a small hit, the type of small hit (the type of small hit symbol to be stopped and displayed) that occurs is determined by random number lottery. In other words, the type of small hit is determined to be a first small hit or a second small hit. However, in this embodiment, the occurrence rate of the first small hit and the second small hit is different when the result of the first hit / miss judgment is a small hit and when the result of the second hit / miss judgment is a small hit. Specifically, when the result of the first hit / miss judgment is a small hit, the probability that the second small hit (second small hit symbol) is selected as the type of small hit (type of small hit symbol) is higher than the probability that the first small hit (first small hit symbol) is selected. In addition, if the result of the second hit / miss judgment is a small hit, the probability that the first small hit (first small hit pattern) will be selected as the type of small hit (type of small hit pattern) is higher than the probability that the second small hit (second small hit pattern) will be selected.

[0062] In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, the opening and closing pattern of the distribution blade (shutter) 105 differs depending on the type of small win that occurs (the type of small win selected), creating differences in the difficulty of the ball entering the specific area 106.

[0063] In other words, when the result of the hit / miss judgment is the first small hit, the first opening / closing pattern that makes it easier for the ball to enter the specific area 106 is selected as the opening / closing pattern for the distribution blade (shutter) 105. This first opening / closing pattern is an opening / closing pattern in which, after the second large winning opening 15 starts to open and the first predetermined time (0.5 seconds) has passed, the shutter 105 opens for a second predetermined time (0.5 seconds), then closes for 0.5 seconds, opens for a third predetermined time (3 seconds), and then closes.

[0064] Furthermore, if the result of the hit / miss judgment is a second small hit, a second opening / closing pattern that makes it difficult for the ball to enter the specific area 106 is selected as the opening / closing pattern for the distribution blades (shutter) 105. This second opening / closing pattern is an opening / closing pattern in which, after the second large winning opening 15 starts to open and a first predetermined time (0.5 seconds) has elapsed, the shutter 105 remains open for a first predetermined time (0.5 seconds), and then remains closed, as shown in Figure 7(c). In this embodiment, the difficulty of guiding (scoring) the ball into the specific area 106 is set based on the opening and closing pattern of the distribution blade (shutter) 105, but it is also possible to set the difficulty of guiding (scoring) the ball into the specific area 106 based on the opening and closing pattern of the second large winning opening 15.

[0065] Returning to Figure 6 for further explanation, when the gaming state is in the non-open extension state (non-time-shortening state), the opening time of the normal electric device 12A is set to the normal time (opens once every 0.2 seconds), making it difficult to win the second starting hole 12, so the first win / loss judgment is mainly executed to judge whether the special symbol has been won or not. On the other hand, when the gaming state is in the open extension state (time-shortening state), the opening time of the normal electric device 12A is extended (opens once every 2 seconds), making it easier to win the second starting hole 12, so the second win / loss judgment is mainly executed to judge whether the special symbol has been won or not.

[0066] In addition, the "gimmick jackpot game" is a jackpot game in which the first large winning port 14 performs an opening operation of 26.0 seconds multiple times (10 times in total) with a predetermined interval in between. In this embodiment, the "pattern jackpot game" and the "functional jackpot game" are played using the same large prize opening (first large prize opening 14), but the large prize opening for the "pattern jackpot game" and the large prize opening for the "functional jackpot game" may be different.

[0067] Furthermore, in the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, after the "symbol jackpot game" is executed, the opening extension function is activated at a predetermined rate (for example, at a rate of "50%"). In other words, if the result of the hit / miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a jackpot, a random number lottery is executed to determine the jackpot symbol (type of jackpot), and the jackpot symbol (type of jackpot) to be displayed on the special symbol display means 9 is determined. At this time, if the jackpot symbol is determined to be a specific jackpot symbol, the game state becomes an open extended state after the "symbol jackpot game" is executed. Also, if the jackpot symbol is determined to be a non-specific jackpot symbol, the game state becomes a non-open extended state after the "symbol jackpot game" is executed.

[0068] In addition, a "specific jackpot pattern" is a jackpot pattern whose confirmed display will trigger the game state to transition to an extended open state after a jackpot pattern game is played, and a "non-specific jackpot pattern" is a jackpot pattern whose confirmed display will not trigger the game state to transition to an extended open state after a jackpot pattern game is played. In addition, after the "giant jackpot game" is played, the extension function is activated and the game state becomes the extension state (time-shortened state). However, after the "giant jackpot game" is played, the extension function may be activated at a predetermined rate (for example, 80%).

[0069] After performing a "pattern jackpot game" or a "feature jackpot game," if the game state transitions to an extended open state (time-shortened state), the extended open state (time-shortened state) will end when the number of hit / miss judgments reaches four or the result of the hit / miss judgment is a jackpot.

[0070] Next, the main routine executed by the main control device 80 will be described with reference to Figure 8. The main routine is executed periodically by a hardware interrupt approximately every 2 ms. In this embodiment, the processing from S10 to S75, which is executed only once, is referred to as "main processing," and the processing of S80, which is executed repeatedly as long as time permits within the time remaining after executing this main processing, is referred to as "residual processing." The "main processing" is executed periodically by the above interrupt.

[0071] When a hardware interrupt is executed by the microcomputer, it is first determined whether or not the interrupt is normal (S10). This determination process is performed by determining whether or not a value in a predetermined area of RAM (memory) is equal to a predetermined value, and is intended to determine whether or not normal processing can be executed when the processing executed by the microcomputer transitions to this processing. Possible cases of an abnormal interrupt include microcomputer runaway due to power-on or noise, but microcomputer runaway is considered to be almost uncommon due to recent technological improvements, so most cases occur when the power is turned on. When the power is turned on, the value in a predetermined area of RAM is different from the predetermined value.

[0072] If S10 returns a negative judgment, i.e., if it is determined that the interrupt is not normal (S10: no), initial settings (for example, writing a predetermined value to a predetermined area of the memory, writing each initial value to the working area of the memory, etc., setting the special pattern and normal pattern as the initial pattern, etc.) are made (S15), and the remaining processing (initial random number update processing (S80)) is performed. If a positive judgment of normal interruption is made (S10: yes), the following processes are performed: initial value random number update process (S20), random number update process for determining a jackpot (S25), random number 1 update process for determining a jackpot pattern (S30), random number 2 update process for determining a jackpot pattern (S35), random number update process for determining a minor jackpot pattern (S40), random number update process for determining a win (S45), random number update process for reaching a reach (S50), and random number update process for determining a variation pattern (S55).

[0073] In the subsequent winning confirmation process (S60), winnings at the first start port 11, the second start port 12, winnings at the first large winning port 14, the second large winning port 15, winnings at the general winning ports 31 to 34, and guidance (ball entry) to the normal pattern activation gate 17 and the specific area 106 are confirmed, and input processing is performed for each switch provided in the pachinko machine 50 and connected to the main control unit 80.

[0074] The winning (ball entry) confirmation process (start winning process) for each start gate 11, 12 will be described later with reference to FIG. 9. The winning (ball entry) confirmation process for the normal symbol operation gate 17 is not shown in the figure.

[0075] Next, the correct / incorrect determination process (S65), various output processes such as image output process (S70), and fraud monitoring process (S75) are performed, and the initial random number update process (S80) is looped during the remaining time until the next interrupt signal is input.

[0076] Next, the "special symbol start winning confirmation process (special symbol start winning confirmation process)" executed by the main control device 80 will be described with reference to Figure 9. This process is one of the subroutines of the winning confirmation process (S60) shown in Figure 8 (including reserved memory means, pre-reading determination means, reserved memory number transmission means, and winning signal transmission means). Hereinafter, the reserved memory stored when a gaming ball enters the first start port 11 will be referred to as the first reserved memory, the reserved memory stored when a gaming ball enters the second start port 12 will be referred to as the second reserved memory, and the reserved memory stored when a gaming ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 17 will be referred to as the normal symbol reserved memory. In this embodiment, the upper limit number of first reserved memories is four, the upper limit number of second reserved memories is four, and the upper limit number of normal symbol reserved memories is four.

[0077] When this process starts, it is determined whether the first start switch 11a has detected a game ball (S100). If the determination is affirmative (S100: yes), it is determined whether the number of first reserved memories already stored in the main control device 80 is less than the upper limit number (four in this embodiment) (S105). If the determination is affirmative (S105: yes), various random number values such as win / loss random numbers (random number for determining a jackpot, random numbers 1 and 2 for determining a jackpot pattern, random number for determining a small win pattern, random number for reaching a reach, random number for determining a variation pattern, etc.) are extracted and stored as first reserved memories in a memory area corresponding to the number of reserved memories in the main control device 80, and 1 is added to the first reserved memory counter indicating the number of first reserved memories (S110).

[0078] Following S110, a pre-reading judgment of the stored first reserved memory is performed (S115). Specifically, it is confirmed whether the value of the random number for determining a jackpot is a value that will cause a jackpot, and if it is a jackpot value, the type of jackpot symbol is confirmed. If the jackpot judgment is a miss, it is confirmed whether it is a value that will cause a small win, and if it is a small win value, the type of small win symbol is confirmed. If it is a miss that is neither a jackpot nor a small win, the type of the miss symbol is confirmed (pre-reading judgment means).

[0079] Next, a first pre-reading determination command is generated based on the pre-reading determination result of S115 and transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S120), and a first hold number instruction command indicating the value of the first hold memory counter incremented in S110 is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S125). In this embodiment, the first pre-reading determination command and the first hold number instruction command are transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83 as separate commands, but a configuration in which the contents of these two commands are generated into one command and transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83 is also conceivable.

[0080] Following the processing of S125 or a negative determination of S100 or S105 (S100: no, S105: no), it is determined whether the second start switch 12a has detected a game ball (S130). If the determination is negative (S130: no), the process returns. If the determination is positive (S130: yes), it is determined whether the number of second reserved memories stored in the main control device 80 is less than the upper limit number (four in this embodiment) (S135). If the judgment is negative (S135: no), the process returns. If the judgment is positive (S135: yes), various random number values such as hit / miss random numbers (random number for determining a jackpot, random numbers 1 and 2 for determining a jackpot pattern, random number for determining a small hit pattern, random number for determining a reach, random number for determining a variation pattern, etc.) are extracted and stored as second reserved memories in a memory area corresponding to the number of reserved memories in the main control unit 80, 1 is added to the second reserved memory counter indicating the number of second reserved memories (S140), and a pre-reading judgment is made of the stored second reserved memories in the same manner as S115 (S145).

[0081] Next, based on the judgment result of S145, a second pre-read judgment command is generated and sent to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S150), and a second hold number instruction command indicating the value of the second hold memory counter added in S140 is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S155), and then returns.

[0082] When the sub-integrated control device 83 receives the first reserved memory number instruction command or the second reserved memory number instruction command, it sends an instruction signal to the performance pattern control device 82 to change the number of reserved memories displayed on the performance pattern display device 6 according to the number of reserved memories indicated by the received command. Also, in this embodiment, the number of reserved memories of normal patterns is not displayed on the performance pattern display device 6, but it may be configured to display it in response to receiving a normal reserved memory number instruction command.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the extracted random number storage process (S110, S140) is performed before the look-ahead determination process (S115, S145). That is, when the first start port switch 11a or the second start port switch 12a detects a game ball and performs reserved storage, a configuration is adopted in which the reserved and stored random number (already stored random number) is pre-determined. However, unlike this embodiment, the look-ahead determination process (S115, S145) may be performed before the reserved storage process (S110, S140). In this case, for example, after a positive determination is made in the process of S115 shown in FIG. 9, the extracted random number may be temporarily stored and a look-ahead determination may be made, and then the temporarily stored random number may be pre-determined as the first reserved memory. Similarly, after a positive determination is made in the process of S135 shown in FIG. 9, the extracted random number may be temporarily stored and a look-ahead determination may be made, and then the temporarily stored random number may be pre-determined as the second reserved memory.

[0084] Next, the hit / miss determination process (special symbol hit / miss determination process) executed by the main control device 80 will be explained using the flowcharts shown in Figures 10 to 12. This process is a process for determining whether the first reserved memory and the second reserved memory are hit / miss, selecting the variable display time of the first special symbol or the second special symbol according to the result of the hit / miss determination, selecting the fixed symbol, setting the contents of the big hit game, and setting the game status after the big hit game ends, and includes a small hit determination means for determining whether the result of the hit / miss determination is a small hit or not.

[0085] When this process starts, it is determined whether the condition device is operating, i.e., whether the big prize opening is operating (S200), and if the determination is affirmative (S200: yes), it returns, and if the determination is negative (S200: no), it is determined whether the first or second special symbol is changing (S205). Then, if it is not changing (S205: no), it is determined whether the fixed symbol of the first or second special symbol is being displayed (S210), and if it is not being displayed (S210: no), it is determined whether there is a second reserved memory (S215). If the determination in S215 is negative (S215: no), it is determined whether or not there is a first reserved memory (S220), and if the determination is negative (S220: no), the process returns. If the determination in S215 or S220 is affirmative, the process proceeds to S230. This "determination order of S215 and S220" indicates that when the first reserved memory and the second reserved memory are stored in this pachinko machine 50, the second reserved memory is processed first (to determine whether it is a hit or a miss).

[0086] In the process of S230, a shift process of the reserved memory is performed (S230). As a result, the oldest (the longest time has passed since it was reserved) first or second reserved memory is used for the judgment of correctness, and 1 is subtracted from the reserved memory counter that indicates the corresponding reserved memory. Following the process of S230, a random number comparison process for determining whether or not a jackpot has been determined is executed in the process of S245. In this random number comparison process for determining whether or not a jackpot has been determined, the random number for determining whether or not a jackpot has been determined in the reserved memory is compared with a predetermined hit / miss determination table to determine whether or not the value of the random number for determining whether or not a jackpot has been determined matches the determination value in the hit / miss determination table (S245).

[0087] In the process of S250 following the process of S245, it is determined whether the result of S245 is a jackpot (same as the jackpot determination value). If the determination in the process of S250 is affirmative (S250: yes), a symbol mode setting process is performed (S255). In this symbol mode setting process of S255, a symbol mode that determines the content of the jackpot game and the game state after the jackpot game ends is set based on the jackpot symbol determination random number 1 in the first or second reserved memory that is the subject of determination. In other words, a symbol mode that determines the content of the symbol jackpot game (number of jackpot rounds) and the game state after the symbol jackpot game is set.

[0088] In the process of S260 following the process of S255, a jackpot symbol selection process is performed (S260) based on the type of symbol mode that has been set and the random number 2 for determining the jackpot symbol. This is a process for determining the jackpot symbol to be displayed from the group of symbols set for each type of symbol mode in order to notify the type of jackpot game determined by the setting of the symbol mode using the jackpot symbol.

[0089] In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, if the result of the hit / miss determination is a jackpot (S250: yes), the jackpot symbol is determined by random number lottery. In this embodiment, the "processing of S255 and the processing of S260" may be integrated. In other words, if the determination in the processing of S250 is affirmative, the jackpot symbol to be displayed is determined by random number lottery using the random number for determining the jackpot symbol. Then, depending on the determined jackpot symbol, the content of the jackpot symbol game to be executed and the game status after the jackpot symbol game may be determined (set).

[0090] Next, a mode buffer setting process is performed based on the symbol mode set in S255 (S265). The mode buffer is a device that stores the game state after the end of the jackpot game, which was determined at the time of the win / loss judgment, until the end of the jackpot game when the game state is set (because the time-saving flag that sets the game state must be cleared during the jackpot game). The mode buffer is configured not to store specific game content, but to store values corresponding to specific game content.

[0091] Next, in the process of S280 to which the process proceeds via the process of S265, an opening pattern setting process of the first large winning opening 14, which is the content of the jackpot game (symbol jackpot game), is performed based on the symbol mode set in the process of S255. In the process of S280, an opening pattern is set in which the opening operation of opening the first large winning opening 14 for 26 seconds is performed a total of 6 times (if the result of the first hit / miss judgment is a jackpot) or a total of 10 times (if the result of the second hit / miss judgment is a jackpot), with a predetermined interval in between. After a positive judgment in the processing of S250, and the processing of S255 to S265 and S280, the processing proceeds to S290, where a fluctuation pattern selection process is performed to select a fluctuation pattern that specifies the fluctuation time of the patterns to be displayed on the first special pattern display device 9 or the second special pattern display device 10, and the performance pattern display device 6, based on the random number for determining the reach and the random number for determining the fluctuation pattern in the first or second reserved memory that was the subject of the hit / miss judgment (S290).

[0092] If the processing of S250 is judged to be positive, and processing of S255 to S265, S280, and S290 is performed, the processing proceeds to S292, and information on the reserved memory after the correct / incorrect judgment (for example, information indicating a decrease in the reserved memory after the correct / incorrect judgment is performed) is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S292). Then, after executing the process of S292, the process proceeds to the process of S296. In the process of S296 after the affirmative determination of the process of S250, the information of the selected jackpot symbol and variation pattern is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83 as a variation instruction command (S296).

[0093] Based on instructions from the sub-integrated control device 83 that has received this information, the effect symbol control device 82 controls the effect symbol display device 6 and starts displaying the effect variations of the effect symbols based on the information on the jackpot symbol and variation pattern of the first or second special symbol. Almost simultaneously with the transmission to the sub-integrated control device 83, the main control device 80 directly controls the first special symbol display device 9 or the second special symbol display device 10 to start varying the special symbols.

[0094] If the result of the S250 process is negative (S250: no), it is determined whether the result of the comparison process of S245 is a small win or not (S270). In other words, it is determined whether the result of the win / loss determination regarding the special symbol is a small win or not (S270). Here, in this embodiment, the probability of a small win for the first special symbol is set to "1 / 150", and the probability of a small win for the second special symbol is set to "1 / 3" (see Figure 6). In other words, if the result of the second hit / miss judgment is not a big hit, there is a high probability that the result of the hit / miss judgment will be a small hit. In addition, the probability that the result of the second hit / miss judgment will be a small hit may be even higher (for example, 198 / 199, winning an approximately small hit).

[0095] If the determination in S270 is affirmative (S270: yes), the process proceeds to S275. In this S275 process, a process of selecting a small win symbol is performed based on the small win symbol determination random number acquired (stored) in the process of S110 or S140 in FIG. 9 (S275).

[0096] That is, in the processing of S275, the first small win symbol or the second small win symbol is selected as the small win symbol (the first small win symbol or the second small win symbol is determined), and the process proceeds to S280. Here, the first small win symbol is a small win symbol that generates the first small win based on its stopped display. In a small win game that is executed based on this first small win symbol being stopped and displayed, the distribution blade (shutter) 105 is opened according to the first opening and closing pattern, and it becomes easy to generate a specific win with the game ball that enters the second large win opening 15.

[0097] In addition, the second small win symbol is a small win symbol that generates a second small win based on its stopped display. In a small win game that is executed based on the second small win symbol being stopped and displayed, the shutter 105 is opened according to the second opening and closing pattern, making it difficult for a game ball that has entered the second large winning hole 15 to generate a specific win. In other words, when the first small win occurs, the probability of a specific win occurring due to the game ball entering the second large winning hole 15 is higher than when the second small win occurs.

[0098] After the processing of S275, the process proceeds to S280, and the process of setting the opening pattern of the second large winning port 15 in the small win game is performed based on the type of small win symbol selected in the processing of S275 (S280). Here, in this embodiment, the opening pattern for the small win game is set to a pattern in which the second large winning slot 15 is opened once for 1.8 seconds regardless of the small win pattern selected in the processing of S275 (see Figure 6).

[0099] After a positive judgment in the processing of S270 and the processing of S275 and S280, the processing proceeds to S290, where a fluctuation pattern selection process is performed to select a fluctuation pattern that specifies the fluctuation time of the patterns displayed on the first special pattern display device 9 or the second special pattern display device 10, and the performance pattern display device 6, based on the random number for determining the reach and the random number for determining the fluctuation pattern in the first or second reserved memory that was the subject of the hit / miss judgment (S290). Then, after passing through the positive judgment of the processing of S270, the processing of S275, S280, and S290, the process proceeds to the processing of S292, and after the processing of transmitting the information of the reserved memory after the hit / miss judgment to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S292), the process proceeds to the processing of S296. In the processing of S296 after passing through the positive judgment of the processing of S270, the information of the selected small hit symbol and the variation pattern is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83 as a variation instruction command (S296).

[0100] Based on instructions from the sub-integrated control device 83 that has received this information, the effect symbol control device 82 controls the effect symbol display device 6 and starts varying the effect symbol corresponding to the first or second special symbol based on the information on the small win symbol and variation pattern. Almost simultaneously with the transmission to the sub-integrated control device 83, the main control device 80 directly controls the first special symbol display device 9 or the second special symbol display device 10 to start varying the special symbol.

[0101] If the processing of S270 is judged negative (S270: no), a losing symbol is selected (S285), and then the processing proceeds to S290, where a variable pattern setting process corresponding to the losing symbol is performed (S290). After this, the processing proceeds to S292, and after the process of transmitting the information of the reserved memory after the winning / losing judgment to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S292), the processing proceeds to S296. In the processing of S296 after the negative judgment of the processing of S270, the information of the losing symbol and the variable pattern is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83 as a variable instruction command (S296).

[0102] Based on instructions from the sub-integrated control device 83 that has received this information, the effect symbol control device 82 controls the effect symbol display device 6 and starts varying the effect symbol corresponding to the first or second special symbol based on the information on the losing symbol and the variation pattern. Almost simultaneously with the transmission to the sub-integrated control device 83, the main control device 80 directly controls the first special symbol display device 9 or the second special symbol display device 10 to start varying the special symbol. In this embodiment, if a positive judgment is made in the processing of S250 or S270, a reach display and the subsequent reach display are uniformly executed in the display of the change in the display pattern (display change display).

[0103] On the other hand, if the result of the hit / miss judgment is neither a big hit nor a small hit, there are two cases: (1) the reach display and the subsequent reach performance are not executed (hereinafter referred to as a simple miss case), and (2) the reach display and the subsequent reach performance are executed (hereinafter referred to as a reach miss case). For this reason, in S290, which is transitioned to after a negative judgment in S270, first, a reach execution judgment is made by random number lottery based on the reach judgment random number obtained in S110 or S140, and whether or not to execute the "reach display and reach performance" is determined. Then, if a negative judgment is made in the reach execution judgment, a fluctuation pattern for a simple miss (for non-reach, that is, when the reach display and reach performance are not executed) is determined using the fluctuation pattern table for a simple miss (for non-reach) and the fluctuation pattern determination random number obtained in S110 or S140. On the other hand, if the reach execution determination is positive, the reach fluctuation pattern is determined using the fluctuation pattern table for reach (when reach display and reach performance are performed) and the fluctuation pattern determination random number obtained in S110 or S140. Therefore, when the result of the hit / miss determination is neither a big hit nor a small hit, the sub-integrated control device 83 can determine whether to set a presentation pattern for a simple miss case or a presentation pattern for a reach miss based on the change instruction command (including a command specifying the change pattern) it receives (depending on whether it has received a change pattern for a simple miss or a change pattern for a reach miss).

[0104] Next, if S205 is judged to be positive, i.e., if the special symbol is changing (S205: yes), the flow proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. 11, and it is determined whether the time for the special symbol to change (based on the change pattern selected in the S290 processing) has elapsed (S300). If the processing of S300 makes a negative judgment (S300: no), the process returns; if the processing of S300 makes a positive judgment (S300: yes), a confirmation command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83, and the first special pattern display device 9 or the second special pattern display device 10 is controlled to confirm and display the pattern selected in S290 (the result pattern indicating the result of the pass / fail judgment) (S305). Then, the sub-integrated control device 83 that has received the confirmation command transmits an instruction signal to the effect symbol control device 82 to confirm and display the pseudo symbol that has been selected in advance, and the effect symbol control device 82 controls the effect symbol display device 6 in response to the signal to confirm and display the effect symbol. As a result, the start and end of the variation of the first or second special symbol and the pseudo symbol are synchronized (synchronized).

[0105] Following S305, it is determined whether the first or second special symbol displayed by the first special symbol display device 9 or the second special symbol display device 10 is a jackpot symbol (S310), and if the determination is affirmative (S310: yes), a display setting process for the determined symbol (setting of the time for displaying the determined symbol) is performed (S315). Then, it is determined whether the time-saving flag is 1 (S320), and if the determination is affirmative (S320: yes), the time-saving flag is set to 0 (S325). In other words, the time-saving flag is cleared. Then, when S325 is processed or a negative judgment is made in S320 (S320: no), a jackpot game is started by performing a condition device operation start process (S330), a bonus item continuous operation device operation start process (S335), and a process of setting the jackpot flag to 1 (S340). Then, a jackpot start effect process is executed (S345), and the process proceeds to S390.

[0106] Here, in the jackpot start presentation processing (S345), a command indicating the start of the jackpot game (jackpot start presentation instruction command) and information related to the jackpot game that is about to start (jackpot opening time, opening pattern, jackpot ending time, type of jackpot that was judged positive in S250, etc.) are sent to the sub-integrated control device 83. On the other hand, if S310 makes a negative judgment, i.e., if the confirmed pattern is not a jackpot (S310: no), the display setting process for the confirmed pattern (setting the time for which the confirmed pattern is to be displayed) is performed (S350), and it is determined whether the time-saving flag is 1 or not (S355). If the determination in S355 is affirmative (S355: yes), the value of the time-saving counter is decremented by "1" (S360), and it is determined whether the counter has reached "0" (S365). If the determination in S365 is affirmative (S365: yes), the time-shortening flag is set to "0" in S370, and the process proceeds to S375. If a negative determination is made in S355 (S355: no) or if a negative determination is made in S365 (S365: no), the process proceeds directly to S375.

[0107] In S375, it is determined whether the special symbol that has been confirmed and displayed is a small winning symbol (S375). If the determination in S375 is negative (S375: no), the process returns via S390. On the other hand, if the result of the processing of S375 is affirmative (S375: yes), the operation of the special electric device is started (S380), and the small win flag is set to "1" (S382). Then, in S385, the small win start performance processing (S385) is performed, and the process returns via the processing of S390. In the small hit start performance processing (S385), a command indicating the start of small hit game and information related to the small hit game that is about to start (small hit opening time, opening pattern, small hit ending time, type of small hit that was judged positive in S375, etc.) are sent to the sub-integrated control device 83.

[0108] Furthermore, when the variable display (variable display of special symbols) that started in the time-saving state (the value of the time-saving flag is "1") is confirmed and displayed as a missing symbol (S310: no), the value of the time-saving flag is set to "0" through the affirmative determination of S355, the processing of S360, and the affirmative determination of S365. This is because, in this embodiment, when the time-saving flag is set (when the value of the time-saving flag is set to "1"), the value of the time-saving counter is set to "1". For this reason, when the small win symbol is displayed as confirmed, regardless of whether the game state when the variable display (variable display of the special symbol) started was the time-shortened state or the non-time-shortened state, in S390, a state designation command specifying that the game state is the normal state (non-time-shortened state) is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83. Then, the small win game is executed in the normal state (non-time-shortened state), and after the small win game is executed, the game state becomes the time-shortened state.

[0109] Returning to Fig. 10, if S210 is judged as positive, that is, if the fixed symbol is being displayed (S210: yes), the process proceeds to the flowchart of Fig. 12, and it is judged whether or not the fixed symbol display time has elapsed (S392). If the judgment is negative (S392: no), the process returns, and if the judgment is positive (S392: yes), a fixed symbol display end process (S396) is performed, the first special symbol display device 9 or the second special symbol display device 10 is controlled to end the fixed display of the special symbol, and an instruction is given to the sub-integrated control device 83 to end the fixed display of the performance symbol (pseudo symbol).

[0110] Next, the winning game processing executed by the main control device 80 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in Fig. 13, when the winning game process starts, it is determined whether the value of the big win flag is 0 (S500). If the determination is affirmative (S500: yes), it is determined whether the value of the small win flag is "0" (S505). If the result of the S505 process is affirmative (S505: yes), the winning game process is returned. On the other hand, if the result of the S505 process is negative (S505: no), that is, if a small winning game is being played (S505: no), the process proceeds to S510 in FIG.

[0111] In the process of S510, it is determined whether or not the small win start interval is in progress (S510). If the determination in the process of S510 is negative (S510: no), it is determined whether or not the second large winning port 15 is open (S515). If the result of the process at S515 is negative (S515: no), the process proceeds to S525, where it is determined whether the specific area 106 is valid (whether it is a period in which the device for continuously operating the role is activated when a gaming ball is detected) (S525).

[0112] If the result of the process of S525 is negative (S525: no), it is determined whether or not the small win end effect is in progress (S530). If the result is positive (S530: yes), it is determined whether or not the small win end effect end time has elapsed (S535). If the result of the S535 process is affirmative (S535: yes), the operation of the condition device is terminated, the small win flag is set to 0 (S540), and the specific area valid flag is set to 0 (S545) before returning. Also, if the result of the S535 process is negative (S535: no), the process returns in the same way.

[0113] If the processing of S530 is judged to be negative (S530: no), the small win start interval start processing is performed (S580), a small win start command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83, and the process returns. If the processing of S525 is judged to be positive (S525: yes), the process proceeds directly to the processing of S600 in FIG. If the determination in S510 is affirmative (S510: yes), the process proceeds to S560, where it is determined whether the small win start interval time has ended (S560). If the determination in S560 is affirmative (S560: yes), the process of opening the second large prize opening 15 (second large prize opening process) is performed (S565), and then the process of activating the specific area 106 (activation process) is performed (S570). If the determination in S570 is negative (S560: no), or if the process in S560 is negative, the process returns.

[0114] In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, the specific area 106 is activated at the timing when the second large winning opening 15 is opened, but the timing when the specific area 106 is activated is not limited to this.

[0115] If the determination in S515 is affirmative, i.e., if the second large prize opening 15 is open (S515: yes), the process proceeds to S585 in Fig. 15, where it is determined whether the number of prizes (number of balls entered) into the second large prize opening 15 is less than the upper limit (the specified number of balls entered, 10) (S585). If the determination is affirmative (S585: yes), it is determined whether the opening limit time for the second large prize opening 15 in the small prize game (1.8 seconds in this embodiment) has expired (S590).

[0116] If the determination in the process of S590 is affirmative (S590: yes), or if the determination in the process of S585 is negative (S585: no), the second large winning port 15 is closed (S595), and the process returns.

[0117] If a negative determination is made in the process of S590 (S590: no), the process proceeds to S600 in FIG. 16, where it is determined whether or not the specific area switch 106a has detected a gaming ball (S600). If the processing of S600 makes a negative judgment (S600: no), it is judged whether or not the specific area activation period has ended (S660), and if the judgment is affirmative (S660: yes), a small win end effect process is performed (S665). In this small win end effect process, a small win end command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83. On the sub-integrated control device 83 side that has received the small win end command, an effect (for example, content informing that a role-related jackpot has not occurred and that the small win game has ended) is displayed on the effect pattern display device 6 under the control of the effect pattern control device 82. The end time of the specific area activation period can be, for example, a predetermined time (in this embodiment, after 7 seconds have elapsed) after the end of the opening limit time of the second large winning port 15 in the small win game.

[0118] If the determination in S600 is affirmative (S600: yes), that is, if the gaming ball enters the specific area 106 (S600: yes), operation start processing for the device for continuously operating the bonus item is performed (S610). Then, it is determined whether the second large prize opening 15 is open (S615), and if the determination is affirmative (S615: yes), processing to close the second large prize opening 15 (second large prize opening closing processing) is performed (S620). When the process of S620 is executed or the process of S615 is judged negative (S615: no), the small win symbol set in the process of S275 of Fig. 10 is referenced, and a symbol mode that determines the content of the jackpot game (a special jackpot game) and the game state after the jackpot game ends (a non-open extended state, an open extended state) is set based on the type of the referenced small win symbol (S630). Then, a mode buffer setting process (similar to S265 of Fig. 10) is performed based on the symbol mode set in the process of S630 (S635), and a process that sets the opening pattern of the first large winning port 14, which becomes the content of the jackpot game (a special jackpot game), is performed based on the symbol mode set in the process of S630 (S640).

[0119] Following the processing of S640, a specific area invalidation process is performed (S645), and then a jackpot start effect instruction command (a command indicating the start of a jackpot game) is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S650). Then, the jackpot flag is set to 1 (S655), and the game shifts to a bonus jackpot game.

[0120] Here, the jackpot start effect instruction command (a command indicating the start of a jackpot game) transmitted in S650 includes information specifying whether the jackpot game is to be executed based on the first small win or the second small win, based on the information about the small win referenced in S625. As a result, the sub-integrated control device 83 that has received the jackpot start effect instruction command (a command indicating the start of a jackpot game) can detect whether the jackpot game to be executed based on the first small win or the second small win will start.

[0121] When the process of S655 or S665 is executed, or when a negative judgment is made in the process of S660 (S660: no), the small win flag is set to 0 (S670) and the process returns. The above is the processing configuration related to the small win game. Returning to the flowchart of Fig. 13, if the determination in the process of S500 is negative, that is, if the value of the jackpot flag is "1" (S500: no), the process proceeds to the flowchart of Fig. 17, where it is determined whether the first big prize opening 14 is open or not (S700). Then, if the determination is negative (S700: no), it is determined whether the inter-opening interval is in progress (S705). If the result of the processing of S705 is negative (S705: no), it is determined whether or not the big win end presentation is in progress (S710), and if the result is negative (S710: no), it is determined whether or not the big win start presentation is in progress (S715).

[0122] If the processing of S715 makes a positive judgment (S715: yes), it is determined whether the jackpot start presentation time has elapsed (S720), and if the judgment is negative (S720: no), the process returns; if the judgment is positive (S720: yes), the process of opening the first jackpot opening 14 is performed (S725), and the process returns. If the determination in the process of S705 is affirmative (S705: yes), it is determined whether the interval time has ended (S730). If the determination in the process of S730 is negative (S730: no), the process returns, and if the determination is affirmative (S730: yes), the process opens the first big winning port 14 (S735) and returns. If the result of the process of S715 is negative (S715: no), the jackpot start effect process is performed (S740), and the process returns. In the jackpot start effect process (S740), a jackpot start command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83.

[0123] If the determination in S700 is affirmative (S700: yes), the process proceeds to the flowchart of Fig. 18, where it is determined whether or not the number of wins into the first major prize slot 14 has reached the specified number of 10 (S750). If the determination is negative (S750: no), it is determined whether or not the opening time of the first major prize slot 14 has ended (S755). If the determination in the process of S755 is negative (S755: no), the process returns. If the determination is affirmative (S755: yes) or if the determination in the process of S750 is affirmative (S750: yes), the process of closing the first big winning port 14 is performed (S760). After the process of S760 is executed, the process proceeds to S765, where it is determined whether or not the final round of the big win game has ended (S765). If the result of the S765 process is affirmative (S765: yes), the jackpot end effect process is performed (S770) and the process returns. On the other hand, if the result of the S765 process is negative (S765: no), the process for the interval between openings is performed (S775) and the process returns.

[0124] In the jackpot end effect processing (S770), a jackpot end effect instruction command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83, and in the interval processing between releases (S775), an interval command is similarly sent to the sub-integrated control device 83. On the sub-integrated control device 83 side that has received the jackpot end effect instruction command or the interval command, an effect is displayed on the effect pattern display device 6 under the control of the effect pattern control device 82.

[0125] Returning to Figure 17, if the processing of S710 makes a positive judgment (S710: yes), that is, if the jackpot end presentation is in progress (S710: yes), proceed to the flowchart of Figure 19, where it is determined whether the end time of the jackpot end presentation has passed (S800), and if a negative judgment is made (S800: no), return. On the other hand, if the processing of S800 makes a positive judgment (S800: yes), the process of stopping the continuous operation device of the reel (S805) and the process of stopping the operation of the condition device (S810) are performed, and the set mode buffer is referenced (S815).

[0126] Then, based on the contents of the referenced mode buffer, it is determined whether or not to transition to a time-shortened state (extended opening state) after executing a jackpot game (symbol jackpot game, bonus jackpot game) (S818). In other words, (1) after executing a symbol jackpot game based on a "specific symbol jackpot," and (2) after executing a bonus jackpot game executed by a specific prize (V prize) in a minor prize game, the game state transitions to a time-shortened state (extended opening state), so the determination is affirmative in the processing of S818. Then, the time-shortened flag and the time-shortened counter are set (S820, S825), and the process proceeds to S830. Furthermore, after executing a pattern jackpot game based on a "non-specific pattern jackpot," the game state does not transition to a time-shortened state (open extension state).

[0127] Here, in this embodiment, (1) after a pattern jackpot game based on a "specific pattern jackpot" is executed, and (2) after a special jackpot game that is executed by a specific win (V win) in a small win game is executed, the time-saving counter is set to "4" in S825. On the other hand, after executing a symbol jackpot game based on a "non-specific symbol jackpot", the game state does not transition to the time-saving state, so the determination is negative in the processing of S818. In this case, when the processing of S818 is performed, the process proceeds to S830.

[0128] In S830, the mode buffer is cleared. After that, an end command and a state designation command indicating the game state after the big win game is completed are sent to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S835, S840). Furthermore, the big win flag is set to 0 (S845), and the process returns.

[0129] Next, the count SW signal detection process will be described with reference to Figure 20(a). Here, the count SW signal detection process is a process performed by the CPU of the main control device 80 as a subroutine of the winning confirmation process (S60) shown in Figure 8. This count SW signal detection process is a process in which, each time a gaming ball enters the first large prize opening 14, "information indicating that a gaming ball has entered the first large prize opening 14 (hereinafter referred to as count information)" is sent from the main control unit 80 to the sub-integrated control unit 83.

[0130] When the count SW signal detection process of FIG. 20(a) is started, it is determined whether or not a detection signal from the count switch 14a has been detected (S900). If the determination in S900 is negative (S900: no), the count SW signal detection process is returned. On the other hand, if the determination in S900 is affirmative (S900: yes), the count information is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83 (S910), and then the count SW signal detection process is returned.

[0131] Here, when the first large winning opening 14 changes from a closed state to an open state during execution of a jackpot game, it becomes possible for game balls to enter, and every time the count switch 14a detects a game ball entering the first large winning opening 14, a detection signal is input to the main control device 80. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, every time a ball enters the first large winning opening 14, "8 game balls" are paid out. Therefore, every time count information is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83, the sub-integrated control device 83 can detect that "8 game balls" are being paid out.

[0132] Next, the effect control and the like executed in the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the pachinko machine 50 of this embodiment, the sub-integrated control device 83 controls the performance pattern control device 82, etc. based on each command sent from the main control device 80, performs display performances on the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6, controls the sound effects generated from the speaker 66, and controls the light emission mode of the LED lamp 26 for electric decoration.

[0133] 21, the screen 6a of the effect symbol display device 6 has a main display area 6H for displaying the variation and stop display of the effect symbols, a related matter display section 6F for displaying related effects, a first reserved memory count display section 6A, and a second reserved memory count display section 6B. The related matter display section 6F may use, for example, characters, videos, live action images, etc. to perform related effects to enhance the variation and stop display of the effect symbols, or may display comments, warnings, etc. to the player. For example, an effect suggesting the "result of the hit / fail judgment regarding the special symbol" (a battle effect in which a friendly character and an enemy character fight, and the outcome of the battle, etc., corresponds to the "result of the hit / fail judgment") may be performed.

[0134] Based on the execution of the special symbol win / loss determination, the special symbol begins to change in the first special symbol display device 9 or the second special symbol display device 10. In addition, in response to the start of the special symbol change, the left, right, and center effect symbols begin to change vertically (scroll change) in the main display area 6H of the effect symbol display device 6. Then, in the main display area 6H, after the change time (special symbol change time) specified by the aforementioned change pattern has elapsed, the combination indicating the result of the win / loss determination stops. In this embodiment, the effect symbol changes by displaying three-digit component symbols in the main display area 6H, but the number of component symbols is not particularly important, and may be one or a number other than three, and the scrolling direction may be horizontal. Here, in the main display area 6H, the component symbol displayed on the left side is called the left effect symbol 6L, the component symbol displayed on the right side is called the right effect symbol 6R, and the component symbol displayed in the center is called the center effect symbol 6C.

[0135] The first reserved memory count display area 6A appears on the left edge of the screen 6a and displays the number of reserved memories in the first reserved memory as the number of reserved symbols a1 displayed. The second reserved memory count display area 6B appears on the right edge of the screen 6a and displays the number of reserved memories in the second reserved memory as the number of reserved symbols (reserved symbols similar to reserved symbol a1; hereinafter, the reserved symbol corresponding to the second reserved memory will be referred to as reserved symbol b1). In FIG. 21, a "black circle" indicates that a reserved symbol is displayed in the reserved memory count display areas 6A and 6B, and a "white circle" indicates that a reserved symbol is not displayed. Furthermore, in this pachinko machine 50, when a player fires a game ball aiming at the left-hand hitting area 3L, the first reserved memory is accumulated, but the second reserved memory is difficult to accumulate. On the other hand, when a player fires a game ball aiming at the right-hand hitting area 3R, the second reserved memory is accumulated, but the first reserved memory is difficult to accumulate.

[0136] 21(a) shows a case where the number of memories in the first reserved memory is "3" and the number of memories in the second reserved memory is "1". In other words, the reserved memory number display area 6A corresponding to the first reserved memory displays "3" reserved symbols, and the reserved memory number display area 6B corresponding to the second reserved memory displays "1" reserved symbol.

[0137] If the result of the judgment regarding the special symbol is a jackpot, a change (hereinafter referred to as a jackpot change effect) is executed in the main display area 6H to display the jackpot symbol of the effect pattern in a definite manner. In the jackpot variation presentation, when the sub-integrated control device 83 receives a variation start command, it starts to vary the left presentation pattern 6L, the center presentation pattern 6C, and the right presentation pattern 6R, as shown in Figure 21(a).

[0138] When it is time to execute the reach display, the left effect symbol 6L and the right effect symbol 6R are stopped and displayed with the same numbers, as shown in Figure 21(b). At this time, the word "reach" is displayed on the screen 6a, and the reach display (the excitement display such as the battle display described above) begins.

[0139] Also, when the execution time of the jackpot variation effect has elapsed, as shown in Figure 21 (c), the changing center effect pattern 6C is stopped and displayed with the same numbers as the left effect pattern 6L and the right effect pattern 6R, and the fixed display of the jackpot pattern is executed. The fixed display of this jackpot pattern notifies the occurrence of a pattern jackpot, and the jackpot game (pattern jackpot game) is executed. After a jackpot game (a symbol jackpot game) is played, the game may or may not transition to an extended open state. In this case, the probability of transitioning to the open extended state is set to 50%, and the probability of not transitioning to the extended state is set to 50%.

[0140] In this case, the jackpot pattern displayed in a stopped state in the main display area 6H of the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6 is an effect pattern whose display is controlled by the sub-integrated control device 83 based on the change start command (change instruction command) sent from the main control device 80.

[0141] If the result of the judgment regarding the special pattern is a small win, a change (hereinafter referred to as a small win change effect) is executed in the main display area 6H to confirm and display the small win pattern of the effect effect. In the small win variation performance, when the sub-integrated control device 83 receives a variation start command (variation instruction command), as shown in Figure 22 (a), it starts the variation of the left performance pattern 6L, the center performance pattern 6C, and the right performance pattern 6R. Then, as shown in Figure 22 (b), when it is time to execute the reach display, the left performance pattern 6L and the right performance pattern 6R are stopped and displayed as the same small win pattern (performance pattern) to execute the reach display.

[0142] Here, as shown in Figure 22 (b), a pattern composed of "alphabetical characters" is exemplified as a mode of the small winning pattern (performance pattern), but the mode of the small winning pattern (performance pattern) is not limited to this. For example, the small winning pattern (performance pattern) may be composed of Arabic numerals, etc.

[0143] Furthermore, when the execution time of the small win has elapsed, as shown in Figure 22 (c), the changing middle performance symbol 6C is stopped and displayed with the same symbol (same small win symbol) as the left performance symbol 6L and the right performance symbol 6R, and the confirmation display of the small win symbol is executed. This confirmation display of the small win symbol causes a small win, and the occurrence of the small win is announced.

[0144] In this case, the small winning pattern displayed in a stopped state in the main display area 6H of the screen 6a of the performance pattern display device 6 is a performance pattern whose display is controlled by the sub-integrated control device 83 based on the change start command (change instruction command) sent from the main control device 80. In contrast, a special symbol indicating the occurrence of a small win is displayed in a stopped state on the special symbol display device (first special symbol display device 9 or second special symbol display device 10), which is display-controlled by the main control device 80. In this embodiment, the first small win symbol and the second small win symbol are provided as small win symbols of the special symbol indicating the occurrence of a small win, and the first small win symbol and the second small win symbol are distinguishable as stopped symbols of the special symbol. In other words, in each special symbol display device 9, 10, an LED indicating that the first small win symbol has been stopped and an LED indicating that the second small win symbol has been stopped are lit in a distinguishable state.

[0145] When a small hit occurs, as shown in Figure 22 (d), a presentation announcing the start of the small hit game (small hit game start presentation) is displayed, and then the small hit game begins as shown in Figure 22 (e). This small win game is a game in which the second large winning port 15 is opened once for 1.8 seconds.

[0146] During a small win game (when the second large winning opening 15 performs a single 1.8-second opening operation), if the game ball that has entered the second large winning opening 15 passes through the specific area 106 within the effective guidance period, a "V entry" occurs (Figure 22(f)), and after announcing a transition to a special jackpot game, the game transitions to the "special jackpot game" (Figure 22(g)). Here, the notification is made by displaying that fact on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6, but it is not particularly important whether the type of special feature jackpot game to be transitioned to (whether it is a special feature jackpot game based on the first small win or a special feature jackpot game based on the second small win) is also notified.

[0147] On the other hand, if the game ball that enters the second large winning slot 15 is not guided to the specific area 106 within the effective guidance period, a "specific winning (V winning)" will not occur, and the state will become one in which the variable display of the special pattern can be executed. In this pachinko machine 50, the opening time (1.8 seconds) of the second large winning opening 15 during a small win game is sufficient time for the game ball to enter the second large winning opening 15. Moreover, the effective guidance period ends later than the opening time of the second large winning opening 15.

[0148] In this case, the possibility that the gaming ball that has entered the second large winning hole 15 will be guided to the specific area 106 varies depending on the type of small win that occurs. That is, in a small win game that is executed based on the occurrence of a first small win, the distributing blade (shutter) 105 opens and closes according to the first opening and closing pattern, and there is a high possibility that the ball will be guided to the specific area 106. On the other hand, in a small win game that is executed based on the occurrence of a second small win, the distributing blade (shutter) 105 opens and closes according to the second opening and closing pattern, and there is a low possibility that the ball will be guided to the specific area 106.

[0149] Then, after a jackpot game (a bonus jackpot game) is played, the state shifts to an extended open state. In this case, the probability of shifting to the extended open state is set to 100%. In addition, if the result of the hit / miss judgment regarding the special symbol is a miss (other than a big hit or a small hit), a change (hereinafter referred to as a miss change effect) is executed in the main display area 6H to display the miss symbol of the effect symbol. In this case, the hit game (a big hit game or a small hit game) will not be started in this pachinko machine 50.

[0150] Next, we will explain the effect display that can be accompanied by a button effect using Fig. 23. Note that even in the effect display shown in Fig. 20 (the effect display that stops and displays a big win symbol) and the effect display shown in Fig. 21 (the effect display that stops and displays a small win symbol), if the execution time of the effect display is sufficient (for example, if the execution time is 30 seconds or more), it will be an effect display that can be accompanied by a button effect.

[0151] FIG. 23(a) shows a state in which the effect display that can accompany the button effect has started. Then, as shown in FIG. 23(b), when a predetermined time has passed after the start of the fluctuation, a "button operation display (operable information)" indicating that the effect button 67 can be operated appears on the screen 6a, and the valid period begins. For example, a "character display B1 indicating the button 67" and "text information B2 indicating that the button 67 can be operated" appear.

[0152] When the effect button 67 is pressed within the valid period, "rush mode related information" such as the ranking of balls dispensed in past rush modes is displayed on the screen 6a as shown in FIG. 23(c). Here, the rush mode begins when a symbol jackpot occurs in the normal game state and the game transitions to the extended open state (time-saving state). The rush mode then ends when the state in which the win / loss determination can be performed in the extended open state (time-saving state) is terminated. That is, the rush mode ends when a positive determination is made in S365 of FIG. 11 and the value of the time-saving flag becomes "0" in S370 (hereinafter referred to as "time-saving count cut-off"). Also, in FIG. 11, in the processing of S390 performed after the processing of S370, a command indicating that the time-saving game state (extended open state) will transition to the normal game state (non-extended open state) is transmitted, i.e., information (command) indicating that the time-saving game state (extended open state) will end based on "the time-saving count cut-off (the result of the win / loss determination in the time-saving game state is not a jackpot)" is transmitted.

[0153] In addition, when processing the remaining reserves (reserved information regarding the second special symbol stored at the end of the time-saving game state (extended open state)) that were stored when the time-saving game state (extended open state) ended (when processing such as the hit / miss judgment regarding the remaining reserves is performed in the normal game state), this can also be included in rush mode. And, if a symbol jackpot occurs in the hit / miss judgment regarding the remaining reserves, and after playing the symbol jackpot game, the game transitions back to the extended open state (when a so-called "time-saving pullback" occurs), rush mode will continue even in the extended open state to which the game has been transitioned again. In addition, if a hit / miss judgment regarding the remaining reserves results in a small hit, a specific win occurs during the small hit game, and after playing the jackpot game, the game transitions back to the extended open state, rush mode will also continue even in the extended open state to which the game has been transitioned again.

[0154] Furthermore, examples of "rush mode related information" include, for example, information such as a ranking of the number of prize balls paid out in each rush mode executed in the past in the pachinko machine 50 (total balls won in each rush mode). In this embodiment, this "rush mode related information" can be confirmed by pressing the effect button during the valid period. Note that this "rush mode related information" may be cleared when the pachinko hall opens for business, or may be saved for a predetermined period (e.g., one week). In the latter case, when the effect button 67 is operated, a ranking of "total balls won in rush mode" during the predetermined period may be displayed.

[0155] Thus, in this embodiment, when the effect button 67 is pressed within the valid period, "rush mode related information," that is, "information regarding the number of balls won (total number of balls won) accompanying a jackpot game in rush mode," is displayed. However, in this embodiment, the execution of a jackpot game based on the occurrence of a second small win is displayed with a "star." Here, a jackpot game based on the occurrence of a second small win (hereinafter referred to as a second jackpot game) is a jackpot game that is less likely to be executed than a jackpot game based on the occurrence of a first small win (hereinafter referred to as a first jackpot game).

[0156] In this embodiment, the possibility of a specific win based on the occurrence of a second small win is lower than the possibility of a specific win based on the occurrence of a first small win. For this reason, the second jackpot game can be said to be a jackpot game that is rarely executed. Therefore, along with the display of the total number of balls won in each rush mode, a "special display (star mark)" is displayed to notify that a second jackpot game has been executed, making it easier for the player to notice that they have executed a rare jackpot game (second jackpot game). Therefore, by making the "special display (star symbol)" appear, it is possible to give the player a sense of satisfaction, make them happy or sad, and increase their interest. Here, the "x1" attached to the "star symbol" in Figure 23(c) indicates that the second jackpot game has been executed once.

[0157] In this embodiment, the execution of a rare feature jackpot game (second feature jackpot game) is indicated by a special display (star mark), but unlike this embodiment, the execution of a normal (expected) feature jackpot game (first feature jackpot game) may also be indicated by a special display (star mark). In other words, by distinguishably displaying the execution of a rare feature jackpot game (second feature jackpot game) and the execution of an expected feature jackpot game (first feature jackpot game) in the display of the "rush mode related information," it becomes easier for the player to notice that he or she has executed a rare feature jackpot game (second feature jackpot game).

[0158] When the "Rush Mode Related Information" is displayed, the valid period ends and the operable information is erased from the screen 6a as shown in Fig. 23(d). After this, the effect display continues until the execution time has elapsed. Then, when the execution time for the effect display has elapsed, the effect pattern (big win pattern, small win pattern, or miss pattern) showing the result of the win / loss judgment is displayed as a confirmed pattern as shown in Fig. 23(g). On the other hand, if the button 67 is not pressed within the valid period, the above-mentioned "Rush Mode Related Information" will not be displayed on the screen 6a, as shown in Fig. 23(e). Then, as shown in Fig. 23(f), when the valid period ends, the "Button Operation Display (Operational Information)" is erased from the screen 6a, and the effect display continues until the execution time has elapsed. Then, when the execution time for the effect display has elapsed, the effect pattern indicating the result of the win / loss judgment is displayed as a confirmed result, as shown in Fig. 23(g).

[0159] Next, with reference to FIG. 24, the effects relating to the "symbol jackpot game" and the "first role jackpot game" will be described. In the "symbol jackpot game" or "first role jackpot game," when the sub-integrated control device 83 receives a jackpot start effect instruction command indicating the start of the jackpot game (see S345 in FIG. 11 and S650 in FIG. 16), it executes the jackpot start effect (FIG. 24(a)). Here, the "symbol jackpot game" or the "first role jackpot game" is referred to as a general type jackpot game, and the "second role jackpot game" is referred to as a rare type jackpot game.

[0160] Also, when a jackpot start effect is executed in rush mode, a jackpot game history display section (also called a jackpot game history icon) 6T appears on the screen 6a of the effect symbol display device 6 until the jackpot game effect ends. Figure 24(a) shows that the history display 6t1 corresponding to the jackpot game that is about to start is a normal type jackpot game. Here, a "circle" in the jackpot history display section 6T indicates the execution of a normal type jackpot game, and a "star" indicates the execution of a rare type jackpot game.

[0161] In addition, in the jackpot game history display section 6T shown in Figure 24(a), the history display 6t2 corresponding to the last jackpot game execution indicates the execution of a rare type jackpot game, and the history display 6t3 corresponding to the jackpot game execution executed two times before last indicates the execution of a general type jackpot game.

[0162] Then, when the jackpot start effect ends, a round game starts to open the first large prize opening 14. This round game is played multiple times (6 times or 10 times for the "symbol jackpot game", and 10 times for the first accessory jackpot game") with a predetermined interval (1 second) in between (Fig. 24(b) and (c)). In both the "symbol jackpot game" and the "first feature jackpot game," the round game in which the first large prize opening 14 is opened ends when the opening time of the first large prize opening 14 reaches 26 seconds or when the number of balls entering the first large prize opening 14 reaches 10.

[0163] During this round play, a round effect (FIG. 24(b)) is executed, and during the interval, an interval effect (FIG. 24(c)) is executed. During a round of play, an "acquired ball addition display section 6Q" appears on the screen 6a of the effect symbol display device 6 to add up and display the acquired balls. Here, every time a gaming ball enters the first big winning opening 14, eight gaming balls are paid out from the payout device 73 (see FIG. 4) under the control of the payout control device 81 (see FIG. 5).

[0164] In this embodiment, the "number of won balls" in the "won ball addition display unit 6Q" is a "count value based on game balls entering first major prize opening 14" that starts counting from the start of the rush. In other words, each time a game ball enters first major prize opening 14 from the start of the rush, the "number of prize balls (8 balls) based on one game ball entering first major prize opening 14" is added and displayed in the won ball addition display unit 6Q, and sequentially, each time a game ball enters first major prize opening 14, the display in the won ball addition display unit 6Q is updated by adding "8 balls". However, unlike this embodiment, the count value shown in the "acquired ball addition display unit 6Q" may be initialized each time a jackpot game is completed during a rush, and the count value calculated for each jackpot game may be displayed on the "acquired ball addition display unit 6Q".

[0165] In this embodiment, the number of rounds of the "functional jackpot game" is counted after the "functional jackpot game" has started, and a round display (for example, the first round is "1 round (1R)") is executed. However, unlike this embodiment, the round play of the small jackpot game, which is the prerequisite for the "functional jackpot", is counted as the "1st round", and the effect pattern display device 6 displays that "1 round" is being executed during that round play. Then, after transitioning to the "functional jackpot game", it may be displayed sequentially that "2 rounds to 10 rounds" are being executed during each round effect that opens the first large winning slot 14.

[0166] Furthermore, when the final round of play is completed, the big win game ends and a big win end effect is executed (FIG. 24(d)). In this embodiment, a character 6P depicting a fish or shellfish is displayed in the effect accompanying a normal type jackpot game, and a character 6R depicting a land creature (see FIG. 25) is displayed in the effect accompanying a rare type jackpot game. In other words, different types of characters are displayed in the effect accompanying a normal type jackpot game and the effect accompanying a rare type jackpot game, so the player can easily tell whether a normal type jackpot game or a rare type jackpot game is being played.

[0167] Next, the effects related to the "second bonus big win game" will be described with reference to FIG. In the "second feature jackpot game (rare type jackpot game)", when the sub-integrated control device 83 receives a jackpot start performance instruction command indicating the start of the jackpot game (see S650 in Figure 16), it executes the jackpot start performance (Figure 25(a)). Moreover, the jackpot game history display section 6T shown in FIG. 25(a) indicates that the history display 6t1 corresponding to the jackpot game to be started this time will execute a rare type jackpot game.

[0168] Then, when the jackpot start effect ends, a round game starts to open the first big prize opening 14. This round game is played multiple times (10 times in the "second feature jackpot game") with a predetermined interval (1 second) in between (FIGS. 25(b) and 25(c)). In either "second feature jackpot game," the round game to open the first large prize opening 14 ends when the opening time of the first large prize opening 14 reaches 26 seconds or when the number of balls entering the first large prize opening 14 reaches 10.

[0169] During this round play, a round effect (FIG. 25(b)) is executed, and during the interval, an interval effect (FIG. 25(c)) is executed. However, during a round of play in the "second feature jackpot game (rare type jackpot game)," the "acquired ball addition display section 6Q" does not appear on the screen 6a of the effect symbol display device 6. Therefore, the player can easily determine whether a normal type jackpot game or a rare type jackpot game is being played, based on whether the "acquired ball addition display section 6Q" appears or not. Furthermore, in any of the "second feature jackpot games," when the final round of play ends, the jackpot game ends and a jackpot end presentation is executed (FIG. 25(d)).

[0170] Next, the effect start process executed by the sub integrated control device 83 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 26. This process is executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub integrated control device 83. When the sub-integrated control device 83 starts the effect start process, it determines whether or not a change start command (change instruction command) has been received (S1000). If a negative determination is made (S1000: no), the effect start process ends. If a positive determination is made (S1000: yes), the process proceeds to S1005, where an allocation random number used to allocate effect patterns is obtained, and then the process proceeds to S1010, where a process for selecting an effect pattern is performed. The process of S1010 will be briefly described below.

[0171] In other words, the variation start command (variation instruction command) is a command sent from the main control device 80 when starting the variation of the special symbol (see S296 in Fig. 10), and the variation start command (variation instruction command) is data indicating a variation pattern, and includes data that specifies (corresponds to) the game state at the time of the hit / miss judgment of the special symbol and the result of the hit / miss judgment (big hit, small hit, miss). Then, in the processing of S1010, a presentation pattern (pattern of presentation display) is selected using the distribution random number obtained in the processing of S1005, while referring to a presentation pattern selection table that takes into consideration the result of the hit / miss judgment (contents of the variation start command) and the game state at that time (open extension state, non-open extension state).

[0172] Here, the fluctuation start command (fluctuation instruction command) when the result of the hit / miss judgment is a big hit includes a symbol designation command that specifies the big hit symbol (specific symbol winning symbol, non-specific symbol winning symbol), that is, data that indicates the type of big hit). Also, the fluctuation start command when the result of the hit / miss judgment is a small hit includes a symbol designation command that specifies the small hit symbol (data that specifies the first small hit symbol, the second small hit symbol, that is, data that indicates the type of small hit). Furthermore, in the performance display corresponding to the big hit variation pattern when the result of the hit / miss judgment of the special symbol is a big hit or a small hit, the reach performance is a reach variation pattern that uniformly performs a reach performance.

[0173] In addition, when the result of the judgment of whether the special symbol is a hit or miss is a miss, the fluctuation patterns are distinguished into a miss-reach fluctuation pattern in which a reach effect is performed in the corresponding effect display, and a simple miss fluctuation pattern in which a reach effect is not performed in the corresponding effect display.

[0174] Furthermore, in this pachinko machine 50, regardless of the game state (open extended state, non-open extended state) or the result of the hit / miss judgment (jackpot, small hit, miss), the button effect can be executed if the fluctuation time specified by the fluctuation pattern is sufficient (for example, 30 seconds or more). Note that the sub-integrated control device 83 is provided with a plurality of effect pattern determination tables corresponding to the game state and the result of the hit / miss judgment. Furthermore, the effect pattern determination tables are provided corresponding to each of the fluctuation patterns, and each effect pattern determination table stores a plurality of effect patterns corresponding to a random number.

[0175] Here, the relationship between the variation pattern table and the presentation pattern determination table will be briefly explained. The variation pattern table is stored in a memory means (ROM) mounted on the main control device 80. Then, every time the main control device 80 performs a hit / miss determination, it refers to the variation pattern table corresponding to the game state of the pachinko machine 50 at that time (whether it is in the extended open state or the non-extended open state) and the result of the hit / miss determination (big hit, small hit, or miss), and determines the variation pattern by random number lottery using a variation pattern determination random number. However, if the result of the hit / miss determination is a miss, it refers to different variation pattern tables depending on whether it is assumed that a reach effect will be performed (when it is determined that a reach will be performed based on the reach determination random number extracted in S110 or S140) or whether it is assumed that a reach effect will not be performed (when it is determined that a reach will not be performed based on the reach determination random number extracted in S110 or S140).

[0176] A large number of effect pattern determination tables are stored in a memory means (ROM) mounted on the sub-integrated control device 83, and each effect pattern table is provided corresponding to each variation pattern. Also, each effect pattern determination table stores a predetermined number of effect patterns each associated with an allocation random number (see Figure 28(b)(c)). As described above, each time the sub-integrated control device 83 receives a fluctuation start command (fluctuation instruction command), it refers to the effect pattern table that takes into consideration the gaming state of the pachinko machine 50 and the result of the hit / miss judgment (whether or not there is a reach in the case of a miss), and selects an effect pattern by random number lottery using the distribution random number acquired in the processing of S1005. A specific example will be explained below.

[0177] The fluctuation pattern table in Fig. 28(a) is a fluctuation pattern table that is referenced when the game state is in the non-open extended state, the result of the win / loss judgment is a miss, and the miss is judged to be a reach miss. This fluctuation pattern table stores a plurality of (for example, 30) fluctuation patterns B1 to B30 that correspond to random numbers for determining fluctuation patterns ("0" to "1020"). Then, the main control device 80 determines a fluctuation pattern by random number lottery using the fluctuation pattern table and the random number for determining fluctuation patterns each time it executes a win / loss judgment.

[0178] Also, Figure 28(b) is a presentation pattern table 1 corresponding to the variation pattern B1, and this presentation pattern table 1 stores presentation patterns that can execute button presentations (indicated as "button presentation available" in Figure 28(b)). Also, Figure 28(c) is a presentation pattern table 2 corresponding to variation pattern B2, and this presentation pattern table 2 stores presentation patterns that cannot execute button presentations (indicated as "no button presentation" in Figure 28(c)). Although not shown, the effect pattern table corresponding to the variation pattern B15 and the effect pattern table corresponding to the variation pattern B30 are also effect pattern tables that store effect patterns that can execute button effects. Note that the "circles" in Figure 28(a) indicate fluctuation patterns that specify sufficient fluctuation times. The effect pattern table corresponding to the fluctuation patterns that specify sufficient fluctuation times stores effect patterns that can execute button effects. The start time of the valid period, etc., is then specified by the effect pattern that can execute this button effect.

[0179] In this embodiment, since the button effect is executed during the reach effect, only the effect patterns in which the button effect cannot be executed are stored in the effect pattern table that is referenced when the result of the hit / miss determination is a simple miss. However, unlike this embodiment, the button effect may also be executed in an effect pattern that does not involve the reach effect. In addition, the presentation pattern table to be referenced when the result of the hit / miss judgment is a big hit or a small hit may be a "presentation pattern table storing presentation patterns that can execute button presentations" at a predetermined rate.

[0180] In S1015, which follows S1010, it is determined whether or not the effect pattern set in S1010 is "an effect pattern in which a button effect can be executed in response to the operation of the effect button 67 (hereinafter referred to as an effect button effect pattern)" (S1015). In other words, if the fluctuation start command is a command that specifies a predetermined fluctuation pattern (a fluctuation pattern that specifies a fluctuation time of a sufficient period of 30 seconds or more), an effect button operation effect pattern is set (selected) in S1010.

[0181] If a negative determination is made in S1015 (S1015: no), the process proceeds directly to S1030. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in S1015 (S1015: yes), the value of the button effect flag is set to "1" in S1025 (S1025), and the process proceeds to S1030. Here, the button effect flag is a flag that indicates that the effect button 67 can be operated during the valid period (the operation of the effect button 67 can be reflected in the effect), and if the value of the button effect flag is "1" in the started effect, the effect button 67 can be operated during the valid period.

[0182] In S1030, a process for setting the stop pattern of the effect pattern is performed. For example, if the confirmed display is a big win pattern, a "pattern consisting of three digits of the same number" is set, if it is a small win pattern, a "pattern consisting of three alphabetical characters of the same number" is set, and if it is a losing pattern, a "pattern consisting of three digits of different numbers" is set.

[0183] Then, the effect starts (S1035), and the effect start process is returned. Next, a button effect process executed by the sub integrated control device 83 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 27. This process is executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub integrated control device 83. This process is a process in which the sub-integrated control device 83 sends a signal (hereinafter referred to as a rush mode related information display instruction signal) to the performance pattern control device 82 instructing it to display "rush mode related information" on the performance pattern display device 6. Note that this rush mode related information display instruction signal is sent from the sub-integrated control device 83 to the performance pattern control device 82 when the sub-integrated control device 83 receives a performance button switch signal (a signal output by a switch that detects that the performance button has been pressed) within the valid period while the value of the button performance flag is "1".

[0184] When the sub-integrated control device 83 starts this process, it determines whether the value of the effect-in-progress flag is "1" (S1100). If a negative determination is made in S1100 (S1100: no), this process is returned. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in S1100 (S1100: yes), the process proceeds to S1105, where it determines whether the valid period (the valid period during which operation of the effect button 67 is valid) has started (S1105).

[0185] Then, in the case of a negative determination in S1105 (S1105: no), this process is returned, and in the case of a positive determination (S1105: yes), it is determined whether or not an operation instruction display for the effect button 67 (a display indicating that the effect button 67 can be operated) is being executed on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6 (S1115). For example, the operation instruction display is executed by displaying an illustration showing the effect button 67 and text information indicating that the effect button 67 can be operated on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6.

[0186] If the determination in S1115 is negative (S1115: no), an "instruction signal to start displaying operation instructions for the effect button 67 on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6" is sent to the effect pattern control device 82 (S1120), and the process proceeds to S1125. This starts displaying operation instructions for the effect button 67 on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6. On the other hand, if the determination in S1115 is positive (S1115: yes), the process proceeds directly to S1125.

[0187] In S1125, the sub integrated control device 83 determines whether or not it has received a signal from the effect button switch (a signal indicating that it has been pressed) (S1125). Then, if the determination in S1125 is affirmative (S1125: yes), the process proceeds to S1130, where an instruction signal to end the operation instruction display of the effect button on the effect pattern display device 6 is sent to the effect pattern control device 82 (S1130). This ends the valid period during which the operation of the effect button 67 is valid. After that, an instruction signal is sent to the effect pattern control device 82 to display "rush mode related information" on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6 (S1135). This causes "rush mode related information" to be displayed on the screen 6a of the effect pattern display device 6. After this, the process proceeds to S1150, where the value of the button effect flag is set to "0" (S1150), and the process returns.

[0188] Furthermore, if reception of a signal from the effect button switch cannot be confirmed in S1125 (S1125: no), the process proceeds to S1140, where it is determined whether the valid period has elapsed (S1140). If a negative determination is made in S1140 (S1140: no), the process returns. If a positive determination is made in S1125 while repeatedly executing the process, the process goes through S1130, S1135, and S1150, and then ends (returns) the process. On the other hand, if a positive judgment is not obtained in S1125 before the validity period has elapsed (S1125: no, S1140: yes), an instruction signal to terminate the display of operation instructions for the effect button on the effect pattern display device 6 is sent to the effect pattern control device 82 (S1145).

[0189] Then, the button effect flag is set to 0 (S1150), and this process ends. In this case, the effect starts according to the effect pattern that can be executed by operating the effect button, but the "rush mode related information" is not executed.

[0190] Next, a description will be given of the effect stop processing executed by the sub-integrated control device 83, using the flowchart in Figure 28(d). Note that this processing is executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub-integrated control device 83. When the effect stop process is started, the sub-integrated control device 83 determines whether or not it has received a variation stop command (S1200). Here, the variation stop command is a command sent from the main control device 80 when the variation of the special symbol is stopped and the fixed symbol is displayed (see the process of S396 in FIG. 12).

[0191] If the result is negative (S1200: no), the effect stop process is terminated. On the other hand, if the result is positive (S1200: yes), a process of transmitting a performance symbol confirmation display signal to the performance symbol control device 82 (i.e., a process of displaying the performance symbol confirmation) is performed (S1205), and the effect stop process is terminated.

[0192] Next, the big win game effect setting process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 29. This process is executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub-integrated control device 83. This big win game performance setting process is a performance that is executed when a big win game (a symbol big win game, a first role big win game, a second role big win game) starts.

[0193] When the jackpot game effect setting process is started, the sub-integrated control device 83 determines whether or not it has received a jackpot start command (S1300). Here, the jackpot start command is a command sent from the main control device 80 when starting a jackpot game (see the process of S345 in FIG. 11 and the process of S650 in FIG. 16). If the determination is negative (S1300: no), the jackpot game effect setting process is terminated, and if the determination is positive (S1300: yes), the process proceeds to S1305.

[0194] In the process of S1305, it is determined whether or not the game to be started is a special jackpot game (S1305). Here, the type of jackpot game to be started can be identified based on whether the command received when the jackpot game is started is (1) a jackpot start command received when starting a symbol jackpot game (a jackpot start command sent from the main control device 80 in the jackpot start effect processing of S345 in FIG. 11), or (2) a jackpot start command received when starting a special jackpot game (a jackpot start command sent from the main control device 80 in the jackpot start effect (instruction) command sending processing of S650 in FIG. 16). However, the "type of jackpot game to be started" to be determined in S1305 can also be determined by the "variation start command (see S1000 in Figure 26)" that was received when the presentation display started.

[0195] If a negative judgment is made in S1305 (S1305: no), a symbol jackpot game effect is set as the jackpot game effect (S1330), and the process proceeds to S1340. That is, when a symbol jackpot game is started, a jackpot game presentation for a symbol jackpot game is set as a jackpot game presentation (S1330), and the process proceeds to S1340.

[0196] On the other hand, if the determination in S1305 is affirmative (S1305: yes), the process proceeds to S1310, where it is determined whether the bonus jackpot game to be started is the "first bonus jackpot game" (S1310).

[0197] Here, in S1310, it can be determined whether the jackpot start command transmitted from the main control device 80 in the jackpot start effect (instruction) command transmission process of S650 in Fig. 16 is a jackpot start command that specifies the start of a role jackpot game based on a first small win (first role jackpot game), or a jackpot start command that specifies the start of a role jackpot game based on a second small win (second role jackpot game). Note that when performing the process of S650 in Fig. 16, the main control device 80 can determine whether the jackpot game to start is a first role jackpot game or a second role jackpot game based on the type of small win symbol referenced in the process of S625 (whether the generated small win is a first small win or a second small win).

[0198] If the determination in S1310 is affirmative (S1310: yes), the jackpot game presentation for the first role jackpot game is set as the jackpot game presentation (S1315), and the process proceeds to S1340. If the result of S1310 is negative (S1310: no), the jackpot game presentation for the second role jackpot game is set as the jackpot game presentation (S1320), and then the value of the non-display flag is set to "1", and the process proceeds to S1340. Here, the non-display flag is a flag indicating that the "acquired balls addition display section 6Q" will not be displayed during the jackpot game presentation, and when the value of the non-display flag is "1", the sub-integrated control device 83 will not display the "acquired balls addition display section 6Q" shown below.

[0199] Here, the effect for the symbol jackpot game set in S1330 and the jackpot game effect for the first role jackpot game set in S1315 are effects associated with the general type of jackpot game, and as mentioned above, the character 6P depicting fish and shellfish is displayed on the screen 6a of the effect symbol display device 6. Then, during the round game, the above-mentioned "acquired ball addition display section 6Q" appears on the screen 6a of the effect symbol display device 6.

[0200] Furthermore, the jackpot game effect for the second role jackpot game set in S1320 is an effect associated with a rare type jackpot game, and a character 6R depicting a land creature is displayed on the screen 6a of the effect symbol display device 6. Then, during a round game, the "acquired ball addition display section 6Q" does not appear on the screen 6a of the effect symbol display device 6.

[0201] In S1340, a process is performed to set the value of the jackpot game performance flag to "1". Then, when the process of S1340 is performed, the jackpot game performance setting process is terminated. Note that the jackpot game performance flag is a flag indicating that a jackpot game performance is being executed, and when a jackpot game performance is being executed, the value of the jackpot game performance flag is set to "1".

[0202] Next, a count information reception process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 30. This process is executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub-integrated control device 83. This count information reception process is executed every time count information transmitted from the main control device 80 (see FIG. 20(a)) is received.

[0203] When the count information receiving process is started, it is determined whether the value of the big win game effect flag is "1" (S1400). If a negative determination is made in S1400 (S1400: no), the count information reception process is terminated. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in S1400 (S1400: yes), it is determined whether or not count information has been received (S1405). In other words, it is determined whether or not information indicating that a gaming ball has entered the first special winning slot has been transmitted from the main control device 80 (S1405).

[0204] If the determination in S1405 is negative (S1405: no), the count information reception process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in S1405 is positive (S1405: yes), the process proceeds to S1410, where the number of times count information was received during the rush hour is updated, and then the process proceeds to S1415.

[0205] In other words, the sub-integrated control device 83 updates (increments) the number of receptions each time it receives count information, and can use this number of receptions to determine the number of prize balls associated with balls entering the first large prize slot 11 during a rush. For example, if the number of receptions of count information during a rush is "100 times," then "8 balls x 100 times = 800 balls" will be paid out.

[0206] When the rush ends, the total number of times the count information was received during the rush is stored and initialized (set to 0). The number of winning balls that enter the first major winning slot 11 during each rush can be determined based on the number of times total count information is received during this rush.

[0207] In S1415, it is determined whether the value of the non-display flag is "0." If the determination in S1415 is negative (S1415: no), the process of displaying the prize ball addition information is performed (S1430), and then the count information receiving process is returned. That is, the "acquired ball addition display section 6Q" displays the number of prize balls that are awarded in association with the balls that enter the first major prize slot 11 after the start of the jackpot game. As a result, during the jackpot game, the number of prize balls is added and displayed each time a ball enters the first major prize slot 11. Note that, unlike this embodiment, the prize ball addition information in S1430 may display "8 balls acquired!" each time a ball enters the first major prize slot 11.

[0208] Also, if the determination in S1415 is affirmative (S1415: yes), the count information receiving process is returned as is (without performing the process of displaying the prize ball addition information). In other words, in the second role jackpot game, no processing is performed to display the prize ball addition information.

[0209] Next, using the flowchart of Figure 31 (a), we will explain the big win game effect end processing executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. Note that this processing is a processing executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub-integrated control device 83.

[0210] When the jackpot game effect end process is started, the sub-integrated control device 83 determines whether or not it has received a jackpot end effect command (S1500). Here, the jackpot end effect command is a command transmitted from the main control device 80 when the jackpot game is ended (see the process of S835 in FIG. 19). If the result is negative (S1500: no), the big win game presentation end process is terminated, and if the result is positive (S1500: yes), the process proceeds to S1505.

[0211] In the processing of S1505, the value of the jackpot game effect flag is set to "0". After the processing of S1505 is performed, it is determined in S1510 whether the value of the non-display flag is "1". If the result of the determination in S1510 is negative (S1510: no), the jackpot game effect end process is terminated. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is positive (S1510: yes), the value of the non-display flag is set to "0" in S1515, and the jackpot game effect end process is terminated.

[0212] Next, using the flowchart in Figure 31 (b), we will explain the time-saving cutoff command reception process executed by the sub-integrated control device 83. Note that this process is a process that is executed periodically (for example, every 2 ms) by the sub-integrated control device 83.

[0213] When the time-saving number-of-times-cut command reception process is started, the sub-integrated control device 83 determines whether or not it has received a time-saving number-of-times cut command (S1550). Here, the time-saving number-of-times cut command is a command sent from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83 when "the number of hit / miss determinations executed without the result of the hit / miss determination being a jackpot reaches the time-saving number (in this embodiment, "4 times" is exemplified)." Specifically, after the affirmative determination of S365 in Fig. 11 is made and the process of S370 is performed, the "state designation command" sent from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83 by the process of S390 corresponds to the number-of-times cut command.

[0214] If a negative judgment is made in S1550 (S1550: no), the time-saving number cut command reception process ends. On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made in S1550 (S1550: yes), the process of S1555 is executed, and then the time-saving number cut command reception process ends.

[0215] Here, in the processing of S1555, the number of times count information was received during the rush (total number of times received) is stored, and then initialization processing is performed. When displaying the above-mentioned "rush mode related information", the sub-integrated control device 83 refers to this stored "total number of times count information was received during the rush" and obtains information regarding the number of prize balls paid out based on game balls entering the first large prize opening 14 in rushes that have ended in the past. Then, based on this acquisition, the above-mentioned "rush mode related information" can be displayed.

[0216] According to the pachinko machine 50 of Example 1, (1) there is a high probability that a game ball that enters a large prize opening that is controlled to open in a small prize game that is executed based on the occurrence of a first small prize will be guided to a specific area (i.e., a case in which the first special feature jackpot game is executed), and (2) there is a low probability that a game ball that enters a large prize opening that is controlled to open in a small prize game that is executed based on the occurrence of a second small prize will be guided to a specific area (i.e., a case in which the second special feature jackpot game is executed).

[0217] The content of the presentation executed in relation to the jackpot game differs between the case where the first role jackpot game is executed and the case where the second role jackpot game is executed. Therefore, according to the pachinko machine 50 of the first embodiment, the player can easily notice that a jackpot game has started, even though the probability is low (for example, rare). In other words, the player can easily notice that a rare jackpot game has started, rather than the first jackpot game. For this reason, according to the first embodiment, the player feels lucky when a "rare jackpot game (second jackpot game)" is executed. Therefore, the pachinko machine 50 of the first embodiment can make the player feel happy or sad, and can increase the player's interest in the game.

[0218] Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, an example is given of a mode in which, during a jackpot game (a symbol jackpot game and a first accessory jackpot game), an "acquired balls addition display" is performed based on balls entering the first winning slot 14. However, during a jackpot game (a symbol jackpot game and a first accessory jackpot game), an "acquired balls addition display" may be performed based on balls entering all winning slots that can receive balls (the first winning slot 14, the first starting slot 11, the second starting slot 12, the first left winning slot 31, the second left winning slot 32, the third left winning slot 33, and the right winning slot 34).

[0219] This modified example is the same as the first embodiment except that the winning port SW signal detection process of FIG. 20(b) is performed instead of the count SW signal detection process of FIG. 20(a). The winning port SW signal detection process is a process performed by the CPU of the main control device 80 as a subroutine of the winning confirmation process (S60) shown in FIG. This winning port SW signal detection process is a process in which, during a jackpot game, each time a game ball enters any of the winning ports that can be entered (first winning port 14, first starting port 11, second starting port 12, first left winning port 31, second left winning port 32, third left winning port 33, right winning port 34), ``information indicating that a game ball has entered a winning port (hereinafter referred to as winning port SW information)'' is sent from the main control unit 80 to the sub-integrated control unit 83.

[0220] When the winning port SW signal detection process of FIG. 20(b) is started, it is determined whether the value of the big hit flag is "1" (S920). If the result of S920 is negative (S920: no), the winning port SW signal detection process is returned. On the other hand, if the result of S920 is positive (S920: yes), it is determined whether or not a winning port SW signal has been detected (S925). That is, it is determined whether or not any of the following has been detected (S925): (1) a detection signal from the count switch 14a, (2) a detection signal from the first starting port switch 11a, (3) a detection signal from the second starting port switch 12a, (4) a detection signal from the left winning port switch 31a, (5) a detection signal from the left winning port switch 32a, (6) a detection signal from the left winning port switch 33a, or (7) a detection signal from the right winning port switch 34a.

[0221] If the result of S925 is negative (S925: no), the winning port SW signal detection process is returned. On the other hand, if the result of S925 is affirmative (S925: yes), the prize slot SW signal corresponding to the target prize slot (the prize slot into which the ball entered) is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83, and then the prize slot SW signal detection process is returned.

[0222] Here, as shown in Figure 6, eight game balls are paid out each time a ball enters the first large prize slot 14, three game balls are paid out each time a ball enters the starting slots 11 and 12, and ten game balls are paid out each time a ball enters the first left prize slot 31, the second left prize slot 32, the third left prize slot 33 or the right prize slot 34. Then, each time the winning port SW signal is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83, the sub-integrated control device 83 pays out a game ball corresponding to the winning port into which the ball entered, and the number of won balls is added up and displayed on the "winning ball addition display unit 6Q." In this modification, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0223] (2) Example 2 Next, a pachinko machine 50 according to a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is an example of application to a so-called "V Challenge machine."

[0224] First, the operation and specifications of the pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and the description thereof can be used as they are for the pachinko machine 50 of Example 2. However, the pachinko machine 50 of Example 2 is provided with a symbol jackpot game as a jackpot game, but is not provided with a bonus jackpot game.

[0225] In the pachinko machine 50 of Example 2, during a jackpot game (a pattern jackpot game), a game ball enters the second large prize opening 15, and when the game ball is guided to a specific area 106 (also called a special jackpot opening in Example 2) within the specific device 100, it is detected by the specific area detection switch 106a (also called a special jackpot opening switch 106a).

[0226] The pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment has a probability variable function, unlike the pachinko machine 50 of the first embodiment. Note that the pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment generates a big win or a miss based on the hit / miss determination, but does not generate a small win. However, the pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment may generate a big win, a small win, or a miss based on the hit / miss determination.

[0227] In the pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment, when a game ball that has entered the second winning slot 15 and further entered the specific role device 100 is detected by the specific area detection switch 106a (probability variable slot switch 106a), the probability variable function is activated. Then, the game state after the jackpot game becomes a state (hereinafter referred to as the probability variable state) in which the result of the hit / miss judgment regarding the special symbol (first special symbol judgment, second special symbol judgment) is a high probability of a jackpot (jackpot probability).

[0228] Here, in Example 2, the probability variable state continues until the number of times the special symbol changes (the number of times the hit / miss judgment is executed) reaches 100 or the result of the hit / miss judgment is a jackpot. Also, the time-saving state (open extension state) continues until the number of times the special symbol changes (the number of times the hit / miss judgment is executed) reaches 100 or the result of the hit / miss judgment is a jackpot.

[0229] In addition, in a jackpot game (a symbol jackpot game), an opening pattern is executed in which the second major prize opening 15 is opened in the first round, and the first major prize opening 14 is opened from the second round onwards. Therefore, in this pachinko machine 50, technically, the probability variable function may be activated in all jackpots, and the nominal probability variable rate is constant (100%) regardless of the type of special symbol (whether it is the first special symbol or the second special symbol) that was the target of the hit / miss judgment that caused the jackpot, or the form of the jackpot symbol (see symbols 11 to 14 in Figure 33(a), symbols 21 to 23 in Figure 33(b), and Figures 33(c) to 33(e)).

[0230] In this embodiment, regardless of the type of special symbol and the type of jackpot symbol, the second major prize opening 15 is opened for a maximum of 26 seconds in the first round (hereinafter referred to as the specific round), and the first major prize opening 14 is opened for a maximum of 26 seconds in the second round and thereafter. However, the opening and closing pattern of the distribution blade (shutter) 105 differs depending on the type of special symbol and the type of jackpot symbol, so that a difference in difficulty is created in guiding a game ball that has entered the second major prize opening 15 to a specific area 106 (probable variable opening 106).

[0231] In other words, if the result of the hit / miss judgment (first hit / miss judgment) regarding the first special pattern is a jackpot, the opening and closing pattern of the distribution blade (shutter) 105 in the first round will be selected at a rate of 50% each from the second opening pattern which makes it difficult to guide (score) the ball into the specific area 106 (also called the special area opening 106) (the first opening pattern which makes it easy to guide (score) the ball) (see Figure 33(a)). If the result of the hit / miss judgment (second hit / miss judgment) regarding the second special pattern is a jackpot, the opening and closing pattern of the distribution blade (shutter 105) in the first round will be selected at a rate of 90% as the first opening and closing pattern that makes it easy to guide the ball to the specific area 106 (probable hit opening 106), and at a rate of 10% as the second opening and closing pattern that makes it difficult to guide the ball to the specific area 106 (probable hit opening 106).

[0232] In this way, when the result of the hit / miss judgment regarding the second special symbol (second hit / miss judgment) is a jackpot, there is a higher possibility that the special function will be activated after a jackpot game than when the result of the hit / miss judgment regarding the first special symbol (first hit / miss judgment) is a jackpot. In this embodiment, the first opening and closing pattern and the second opening and closing pattern are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0233] Thus, in Example 2, the difficulty of activating the variable probability function was adjusted based on the opening and closing pattern of the distribution blade (shutter 105). However, the difficulty of activating the variable probability function may also be adjusted based on the opening and closing pattern of the second large prize opening 15. For example, when a specific round (a round that determines whether or not to activate the variable probability function, but is not limited to the first round as shown in Example 2 and may be another round (e.g., the fifth round)) begins, after a predetermined time (0.5 seconds) has elapsed, the distribution blade (shutter 105) remains open until the specific round ends. However, in the specific round, the opening time of the second large prize opening 15 may be adjusted so that a short opening time of the second large prize opening 15 makes it difficult to guide the player to the specific area 106 (variable probability opening 106), and a long opening time of the second large prize opening 15 makes it easier to guide the player to the specific area 106 (variable probability opening 106).

[0234] In the pachinko machine 50 of Example 2, as shown in FIG. 32, the probability of a jackpot occurring under normal probability (also called low probability) is 1 / 200 for both the first special symbol (first special pattern) and the second special symbol (second special pattern), and in the high probability state, it is 1 / 50 for both the first special symbol and the second special symbol. The rate at which the game state immediately after a jackpot occurs is in the high probability state (called the high probability state entry rate or probability of special bonus award rate) is 50% for the first special symbol and 90% for the second special symbol. Also, immediately after a jackpot occurs, a time-saving function is activated regardless of the first or second special symbol. In the time-saving state (i.e., the extended opening state) in which this time-saving function is activated, when a normal symbol lottery is won (the winning probability in the time-saving state: 199 / 200), the second start slot 12 is opened twice for one second, and the variable display time on the normal symbol display device 7 when the normal symbol lottery is held is one second. In addition, in the normal game state (non-opening extended state, referred to as non-time-saving state in FIG. 32), the normal symbols fluctuate for an average of 5 seconds, and a winning probability is 10 / 200 (winning probability in non-time-saving state: 10 / 200), and the second starting slot 12 is opened once for 0.3 seconds. In this time-saving state, it is easy to win at the second starting slot 12, so it is also called an easy-to-win state or electric support.

[0235] In addition, the variation time of the first special symbol is shortened in the time-saving mode, just like the normal symbol, but the variation time of the second special symbol is lengthened in the normal game mode. Therefore, in the normal game mode, the game efficiency (time efficiency) is higher when the game ball enters the first starting hole 11 than when the game ball enters the second starting hole 12. Therefore, in the normal game mode, the player will mainly hit the ball with the left hand, aiming to enter the first starting hole 11.

[0236] In Example 2, if the result of the hit / miss judgment (first hit / miss judgment) regarding the first special chart (first special pattern) is a jackpot, the jackpot pattern for the first special chart is determined to be one of patterns 11 to 14 by a random number lottery using a random number for pattern determination, as shown in Figure 33(a). Among these, the symbols 11 and 12 are symbols with normal time reduction, and even if the symbols 11 and 12 are displayed, it is difficult to guide to the specific area 106 (probability variable opening 106) in a jackpot game. For this reason, even if the symbols with normal time reduction are displayed, after a jackpot game is played, the time reduction function (opening extension function) is activated, and it is highly likely that the probability variable function will not be activated (hereinafter referred to as the normal probability / time reduction state). The symbols 13 and 14 are symbols with specific time-saving functions, and when the symbols 13 and 14 are displayed, it becomes easy to guide the player to the specific area 106 (probability variable port 106) during a jackpot game. Therefore, when the symbols with specific time-saving functions are displayed, there is a high possibility that the player will enter a state in which the probability variable function and the time-saving function are activated (hereinafter referred to as a high probability / time-saving state) after a jackpot game is played. Here, the state in which the probability variable function is activated (high probability state) constitutes a specific example of a special game state (i.e., a state in which a special game is played).

[0237] In Example 2, if the result of the hit / miss judgment (second hit / miss judgment) regarding the second special chart (second special pattern) is a jackpot, the jackpot pattern for the second special chart is determined to be one of patterns 21 to 23 by a random number lottery using a random number for pattern determination, as shown in Figure 33(b). Of these, the pattern 21 is a pattern with normal time reduction, and even if the pattern 21 is displayed as a confirmed pattern, it is difficult to guide the player to the specific area 106 (probability change port 106) in a jackpot game, and there is a high possibility that the player will enter a normal probability / time reduction state after a jackpot game is played. Moreover, the symbols 22 and 23 are symbols with specific time reduction, and when the symbols 23 and 23 are displayed, there is a high possibility that a high probability time reduction state will occur after a big win game is played.

[0238] However, even if the specific time-saving symbols (symbols 13, 14, 23, 23) are displayed and the corresponding jackpot game is started, if it takes time to notice that the large prize slot (second large prize slot 15) has already been opened, the possibility of entering the high probability time-saving state after the jackpot game is executed disappears. In other words, if the game ball cannot be placed in the second large prize slot 15 while the distribution blade (shutter 105) is open, the normal probability time-saving state will be entered after the jackpot game is executed.

[0239] The normal probability / time-saving state continues until the number of times the special symbol changes after a jackpot game reaches 100 or until the next jackpot occurs. Also, when the number of times the special symbol changes after a jackpot game reaches 100, the time-saving state ends and the game returns to normal game mode (normal probability / non-time-saving state). The high probability / time-saving state will also continue until the number of times the special symbol changes after a jackpot game reaches 100 or until the next jackpot occurs. Also, when the number of times the special symbol changes after a jackpot game reaches 100, the high probability / time-saving state ends and the game returns to normal game mode (normal probability / non-time-saving state).

[0240] In addition, the above "Pattern 11, Pattern 13" is a "6R jackpot" where the number of rounds in the jackpot round when playing a jackpot is "6", the above "Pattern 12, Pattern 14, Pattern 22" is an "8R jackpot" where the number of rounds in the jackpot round when playing a jackpot is "8", and the above "Pattern 21, Pattern 23" is a "10R jackpot" where the number of rounds in the jackpot round when playing a jackpot is "10". In this embodiment, the more rounds there are during a jackpot game, the more likely the number of prize balls is to increase, so the number of prize balls that can be won in a jackpot game is more likely to be greater when the result of the second special pattern determination is a jackpot than when the result of the first special pattern determination is a jackpot.

[0241] In the pachinko machine 50, the game progresses, for example, as follows. When the game state of the pachinko machine 50 is the normal game state (such as at the start of play), the opening extension function is not activated (non-time-shortened state). In the pachinko machine 50 of Example 2, the ball will not enter the second starting hole 12 unless the normal symbol lottery is won, and in a state in which the opening extension function is not activated (non-time-shortened state), the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery is low (10 / 200), and even if the normal symbol lottery is won, the opening time of the second starting hole 12 is short (see Figure 32), etc., so the possibility of the ball entering the second starting hole 12 is low. Therefore, the player mainly hits with the left side, aiming at the first starting hole 11, and the goal is for the result of the "first hit / miss determination" to be a jackpot. If the result of the "first special pattern determination" is a jackpot, then after the jackpot game, there is a 50 / 50 chance that one of the following will occur: (1) the special feature and the time-saving feature (extended opening feature) will be activated, and (2) the special feature will not be activated but the time-saving feature (extended opening feature) will be activated (see Figure 33).

[0242] On the other hand, if the result of the "first hit / miss determination" or "second hit / miss determination" is a jackpot, the extension function is activated after the jackpot game is played. When the extension function is activated, the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery increases (199 / 200), and the opening time of the second starting hole 12 is extended when the normal symbol lottery is won, making it easier to get the game ball to enter the second starting hole 12 (see Figure 32). For this reason, the player will exclusively hit the ball to the right, aiming for the second starting hole 12, so that the result of the "second hit / miss determination" will be a jackpot. Furthermore, if the result of the "second hit / miss determination" is a jackpot, there is a high probability (90%) that the probability variable function and time-saving function will be activated after the jackpot game, and a low probability (10%) that the probability variable function will not be activated but the time-saving function (extension function) will be activated.

[0243] The start winning process of the second embodiment is also carried out according to Fig. 9. Moreover, the winning / losing determination is carried out based on Figs. However, in the second embodiment, the processing in FIGS. 10 and 11 is different from that in the first embodiment.

[0244] The pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment differs from the pachinko machine 50 of the first embodiment in that it has a probability variable function, and therefore has the following differences. That is, in S245 of Fig. 10, first, it is determined whether or not the probability variable flag is set (i.e., 1). Here, the probability variable flag is a flag indicating that the current pachinko machine 50 is in a high probability game state (a state in which the probability variable function is activated). If the probability variable flag is set (the value of the probability variable flag is "1"), the random number for determining a jackpot read in the process of S110 or S140 in Fig. 9 is compared with the winning value recorded in the probability variable table. On the other hand, if the judgment is negative, the random number for determining a jackpot read in the process of S110 or S140 in Fig. 9 is compared with the winning value recorded in the normal table.

[0245] 11, after the processing of S315, the process of determining whether the probability variable flag is 1 or not is different. If the result of this process is affirmative, the probability variable flag is set to 0 and the process proceeds to S320, and if the result is negative, the process proceeds to S320 as is. Similarly, if a negative judgment is made in S310, after the processing of S350, a process is performed to determine whether or not the probability variable flag is 1. Then, if a positive judgment is made in this process, the probability variable number is incremented by "-1", and then it is determined whether or not the probability variable number is 0. In other words, it is determined whether or not the remaining number of times that can be executed while maintaining the probability variable function has become "0".

[0246] If the number of chance changes is 0, the chance change flag is set to 0 and the process proceeds to S355, and if the chance change flag is not 1 or the number of chance changes is not 0, the process proceeds directly to S355. In the pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment, the result of the hit / miss determination will never be a small hit, so S375 to S385 are not applied.

[0247] Next, the big win game process for executing the big win game in the pachinko machine of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. As shown in FIG. 34, when the big win game process is started, first, in S500a, it is determined whether or not the accessory continuous operating device is in operation, that is, whether or not a big win game is being executed.

[0248] If the determination is affirmative (S500a: yes), the process proceeds to S502a, and if the determination is negative (S500a: no), the process ends (returns). In S502a, it is determined whether the second major winning port 15 is open or not, and if the determination is affirmative (S502a: yes), the process proceeds to S520a in Fig. 35. On the other hand, if the determination is negative (S502a: no) in S502a, the process proceeds to S504a. Then, in S504a, it is determined whether the first major winning port 14 is open or not, and if the determination is affirmative (S504a: yes), the process proceeds to S540a in Fig. 35. If the determination is negative (S504a: no) in this S504a, the process proceeds to S506a.

[0249] In S506a, it is determined whether or not it is during the interval between rounds in the jackpot game, and if the determination is affirmative (S506a: yes), the process proceeds to S560a in Fig. 36. If the determination is negative (S506a: no) in this S506a, the process proceeds to S508a. Then, in S508a, it is determined whether or not the end presentation of the jackpot game is in progress, and if the determination is affirmative (S508a: yes), the process proceeds to S580a in Fig. 37. On the other hand, if the determination is negative (S508a: no) in S508a, the process proceeds to S510a.

[0250] In S510a, after the result of the judgment regarding the special symbol is a jackpot, it is judged whether the presentation time for the jackpot start presentation that is performed before the jackpot game starts has elapsed. If the judgment in S510a is negative (S510a: no), the process ends, and if the judgment is positive (S510a: yes), the process proceeds to S512a. In S512a, a second large prize opening process is executed to open the second large prize opening 15 according to the opening pattern corresponding to the type of the selected big prize game. Next, in S514a, an opening counter indicating the number of rounds is incremented (S514a), and the process is terminated.

[0251] Here, S512a is a process for starting a specific round, which is a round for determining whether or not a win / loss judgment regarding a special symbol will be performed with a high probability after the current jackpot game is executed. Then, at the timing when the specific round starts (at the timing when the second large prize opening 15 is opened), the distribution blade (shutter 105) performs an opening / closing operation in the second opening / closing pattern (an opening / closing pattern that makes it difficult to guide to the specific area 106) or the first opening / closing pattern (an opening / closing pattern that makes it easy to guide to the specific area 106) (see FIG. 33).

[0252] In S520a (FIG. 35), which is entered while the second large prize opening 15 is open, a signal from the specific area SW 106a is used to determine whether guidance to the specific area 106 has occurred. If the determination is affirmative (S520a: yes), a specific area guidance flag is set (S522a), and the process proceeds to S524a. On the other hand, if the determination is negative in S520a (S520a: no), the process proceeds directly to S524a.

[0253] In S524a, it is determined whether the number of game balls that have entered the second major winning port 15 has reached 10. If the determination is affirmative (S524a: yes), the process proceeds to S528a, and if the determination is negative (S524a: no), the process proceeds to S526a. In S526a, it is determined whether the opening time of the second major prize opening 15 has ended, and if the determination is negative (S526a: no), the process ends. On the other hand, if the determination is positive (S526a: yes), the process proceeds to S528a, and a second major prize opening closing process is executed to close the second major prize opening 15.

[0254] In this second large prize opening closing process, a command (closing command) indicating that the second large prize opening 15 has been closed is also sent to the sub-integrated control device 83. In the following S530a, a jackpot interval process is executed to set the interval between each round of the jackpot game, and this process is terminated. In addition, in S530a, a jackpot interval process is executed from the end of the first jackpot round to the start of the second jackpot round.

[0255] On the other hand, in S540a, which is performed while the first major winning opening 14 is open, it is determined whether the number of game balls that have entered the first major winning opening 14 has reached 10. If the determination is affirmative (S540a: yes), the process proceeds to S546a, and if the determination is negative (S540a: no), the process proceeds to S544a. In S544a, it is determined whether the opening time of the first major prize opening 14 has ended, and if the determination is negative, this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination is positive in S544a (S544a: yes), the process proceeds to S546a, and a first major prize opening closing process is executed to close the first major prize opening 14. In the first large prize opening closing process, a command (closing command) indicating that the first large prize opening 14 has been closed is also transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83. In the following S548a, a large prize interval process is executed to set the interval between each round of the large prize game, and then this process is terminated.

[0256] If it is determined in S506a of Fig. 34 that an interval is in progress (S506a: yes), the process proceeds to S560a of Fig. 36. In this S560a, it is determined whether or not the interval time for the jackpot game has elapsed (S560a). If the determination is negative (S560a: no), the process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in S560a is affirmative (S560a: yes), the process proceeds to S562a, where it is determined whether the opening counter has reached the number of jackpot rounds. For example, if the jackpot game is based on an 8R jackpot, it is determined whether the opening counter is 8, and if the jackpot game is based on a 10R jackpot, it is determined whether the opening counter is 10.

[0257] If the determination in S562a is affirmative (S562a: yes), the process proceeds to S564a, and if the determination in S562a is negative (S562a: no), the process proceeds to S572a. In S564a, a jackpot end effect process is executed to perform an effect when the jackpot game ends. Then, in the following S566a, the open counter is cleared (S566a), and this process ends. On the other hand, in S572a, a first major prize opening process is executed to open the first major prize opening 14. Then, in the following S574a, the opening counter is incremented (S574s), and the process ends.

[0258] If it is determined in S508a of FIG. 34 that the end presentation of the big win game is in progress (S508a: yes), the process proceeds to S580a of FIG. In S580a, it is determined whether or not the time for the end effect of the big win game has ended, and if the determination is negative (S580a: no), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination in S580a is affirmative (S580a: yes), the process proceeds to S582a, where the accessory continuous operation device is stopped, and the condition device is stopped in the following S584a, and the process proceeds to S586a. Here, in S584a, the value of the jackpot flag is set to "0".

[0259] In S586a, it is determined whether the value of the specific area guidance flag is "1" (a flag indicating that the gaming ball has been guided to the specific area 106 is set). If the determination in S586a is affirmative (S586a: yes), the process proceeds to S588a, where the number of chances and the number of time-saving times previously determined according to the winning symbol are set. In this embodiment, regardless of the winning symbol, the number of chances and the number of time-saving times are set to "100". Next, after setting the probability change flag and the time-saving flag (S590a), the process proceeds to step 592a.

[0260] In S592a, it is determined whether the confirmed jackpot symbol displayed is a "normal time-saving symbol (symbol 11, symbol 12, symbol 21)" (S592a). If the determination in S592a is affirmative (S592a: yes), a rare occurrence command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83 in S594a, and then the process proceeds to S596a. On the other hand, if the determination in S592a is negative (S592a: no), the process proceeds directly to S596a. Then, in S596a, the guidance flag is cleared (S596a), and then the process proceeds to S606a.

[0261] If the result of the determination in S586a is negative, then in S600a, it is determined whether or not the time-shortening state will be entered after the end of the big win game (S600a). If the result of S600a is negative (S600a: no), the process proceeds directly to S606a. On the other hand, if the result of S600a is positive (S600a: yes), the process proceeds to S602a, where the number of time-saving times previously determined according to the winning symbol is set. In this embodiment, regardless of the winning symbol, the number of time-saving times is set to "100" in S602a.

[0262] Following S602a, the time-shortening flag is set in S604a (S604a). After S604a is executed, the process proceeds to S606a. In S606a, a jackpot end command to end the effects related to the jackpot game is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83. In the following S608a, a state designation command to notify the game state after the jackpot game ends is sent, and this process is terminated.

[0263] Next, the characteristics of the effects executed in the pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In the pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment, when the sub-integrated control device 83 receives the big win end performance instruction command, it starts the big win end performance as shown in FIG. 38(a).

[0264] If the sub-integrated control device 83 does not receive a rare command, as shown in Figure 38(b), after the normal mode, a performance indicating that the probability variable function will be activated after the jackpot game (a performance in which the characters "Probability Variable GET!" are displayed together with a fish and shellfish character) 6V is executed, and then the jackpot end performance ends, and as shown in Figure 38(d), the state becomes one in which the pattern change can be executed. In this case, since the probability variable function is activated, character information 6X indicating "Probability Variable Transition" is displayed on the screen 6a.

[0265] On the other hand, when the sub-integrated control device 83 receives a rare command, as shown in Figure 38(c), a special effect is executed to indicate that the special function will be activated after a jackpot game (an effect in which the words "Super lucky!" are displayed along with a terrestrial creature character) 6W, and then the jackpot end effect ends, and the game enters a state in which pattern variation can be performed, as shown in Figure 38(d).

[0266] According to the pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment, when a jackpot occurs that is not almost guided to the specific area 106, the presentation of the end of the jackpot game is changed so that the player realizes that a rare transition to a special game state has occurred. Therefore, the player feels lucky that a rare transition to a special game state has occurred. Therefore, the pachinko machine 50 of the second embodiment can also make the player feel happy or sad, and can increase the player's interest in the game. As a modification of the second embodiment, the pachinko machine 50 may be exemplified as one that, when guided to the specific area 106, executes a jackpot game and then transitions to a time-shortened state (open extension state). In this case, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0267] In addition, in Example 2, it is determined whether or not a "rare command" has been received at the end of a jackpot game, and if a rare command has been received, an effect is executed indicating that the probability variable function will be activated after the jackpot game (a transition to a special game state). However, in Example 2, as in Example 1, it may also be indicated that the probability variable function will be activated after the jackpot game (a transition to a special game state) depending on the content of the effect during the jackpot game (for example, during a round game or during an interval effect).

[0268] For example, when a game ball is guided to a specific area 106 in a specific round (when a positive judgment is made at S520a in Figure 35), the main control unit 80 determines whether the ongoing jackpot game has started based on the confirmed display of the ``normal time-saving pattern (pattern 11, pattern 12, pattern 21)'', and if a positive judgment is made, it sends a ``rare command'' to the sub-integrated control unit 83. On the other hand, when the sub-integrated control device 83 receives this "rare command," it executes a presentation that differs from the normal case (when the rare command is not received) during rounds of play after the specific round (for example, the second round or later) in the ongoing jackpot game or during interval presentations.

[0269] Specifically, in normal cases (when no rarity command is received), during round play after the specific round or during interval performance, the "acquired ball addition display unit 6Q" is made to appear, and a predetermined character is made to appear as a character to be displayed on the screen 6a. On the other hand, when a rarity command is received, during round play after the specific round or during interval performance, the "acquired ball addition display unit 6Q" is not made to appear, and a character different from the predetermined character is made to appear as a character to be displayed on the screen 6a. By doing this, the player feels lucky when a rare chance change occurs (a change to a special game state occurs), which makes the player feel happy and sad, and increases the player's interest in the game.

[0270] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be exemplified within the scope of the present invention.

[0271] That is, in Example 1, when the result of the hit / miss judgment is a small hit, a random number lottery is conducted to determine whether a first small hit or a second small hit will occur. Then, when the result of the hit / miss judgment (first hit / miss judgment) regarding the first special symbol is a small hit, the probability that the type of small hit will be a second small hit (the small hit symbol that is stopped and displayed is the second small hit symbol) is higher than the probability that the type of small hit will be a first small hit (the small hit symbol that is stopped and displayed is the first small hit symbol). Also, when the result of the hit / miss judgment (second hit / miss judgment) regarding the second special symbol is a small hit, the probability that the type of small hit will be a first small hit (the small hit symbol that is stopped and displayed is the first small hit symbol) is higher than the probability that the type of small hit will be a second small hit (the small hit symbol that is stopped and displayed is the second small hit symbol).

[0272] In other words, in the second hit / miss judgment that is mainly executed in the time-shortening state (open extended state), the type of small hit that occurs is more likely to be the first small hit than the second small hit, and in the first hit / miss judgment that is mainly executed in the non-time-shortening state (non-open extended state), the type of small hit that occurs is more likely to be the second small hit than the first small hit. However, unlike Example 1, the same effect as Example 1 can be obtained even if only the second small hit occurs as a small hit in the first hit / miss judgment and only the first small hit occurs as a small hit in the second hit / miss judgment.

[0273] In addition, in Example 1, in the jackpot game history display section (jackpot game history icon) 6T, the display regarding rare jackpot games (second feature jackpot games) is displayed in a special manner (star symbol) different from the display (circle symbol) regarding general type jackpot games (pattern jackpot games, first feature jackpot games), but the following modified examples can also be exemplified.

[0274] In other words, in the jackpot game history display section (jackpot game history icon) 6T, it is possible to display nothing about rare jackpot games (second feature jackpot games) or not add them to the jackpot count display. The second feature jackpot game is a jackpot game that is different from the expected (normal) jackpot game, and not displaying it lets you know that you have hit a rare jackpot. In other words, the jackpot game history display section (jackpot game history icon) 6T can display jackpot games that are only in the normal (expected) flow of jackpot games (pattern jackpot game, first feature jackpot game).

[0275] In addition, in this embodiment, the timing at which the "Rush Mode Related Information" is displayed is exemplified as the timing at which the player presses the effect button 67 while the special pattern is changing (while the effect is being displayed), but other timings can also be exemplified as the timing at which the "Rush Mode Related Information" is displayed. Normally, in a pachinko machine 50, if the variation of the special symbol (effect display) is not executed for a certain period of time, a demo display is started on the screen 6a of the effect symbol display device 6. Generally, the demo display displays advertisements for the pachinko parlor, playing techniques for the pachinko machine 50, etc., but "rush mode related information" may also be displayed as this demo display. Alternatively, the "rush mode related information" may be automatically displayed at a predetermined timing different from the timing when the effect button 67 is pressed or the demo display (for example, at the timing when a predetermined number of variable displays end). Specifically, the "rush mode related information" may be displayed on an end screen indicating that the effect display has ended every time the effect display has ended "five times."

[0276] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ranking of past balls won (prize balls won in past rushes) is displayed as "rush mode related information." However, the content of the "rush mode related information" is not limited to this, and for example, it may be possible to check the total number of balls won up to a predetermined number of times.

[0277] In addition, in Example 1, an example was given in which the degree of advantage is the same in the first jackpot game (jackpot game based on the occurrence of the first small win) and the second jackpot game (jackpot game based on the occurrence of the second small win). In other words, except for providing differences in the presentation related to the jackpot game (except for providing differences in the presentation related to the jackpot game), no difference was made in the number of prize balls based on the jackpot game or the degree of advantage (number of time-shortening times) of the game state that transitions to the jackpot game.

[0278] In other words, in Example 1, the same benefits are given in the first feature jackpot game and the second feature jackpot game, while different displays in the effects associated with the feature jackpot game let the player know that a rare jackpot game is being played.

[0279] However, unlike this embodiment, the advantage of the first jackpot game may be higher than the advantage of the second jackpot game. In this case, if it is recognized that a rare jackpot game (second jackpot game) is being played in the performance related to the jackpot game, it can be recognized that a not-so-good benefit will be given to the player.

[0280] On the other hand, unlike this, the advantage of the second role jackpot game may be made higher than the advantage of the first role jackpot game. In this case, if it is recognized that a rare jackpot game is being played in the performance related to the jackpot game, it can be recognized that a better benefit will be given to the player.

[0281] Furthermore, as a small hit game that is difficult to lead to a specific area (a small hit game that is more difficult to lead to a specific area than a small hit game based on a first small hit), in addition to the small hit game based on the second small hit, there may be multiple small hit games with different difficulty levels for leading to a specific area. In this case, among the small hit games that are difficult to lead to a specific area, the second small hit game may be the most difficult to lead to a specific area, and only in the presentation related to the device small hit game based on the second small hit game (second device small hit game) may it have differences from the presentation related to the device small hit game based on the first small hit game (first device small hit game).

[0282] In the first embodiment, the acquired balls are not added in the "acquired ball addition display unit 6Q" in the case of the second jackpot game, and the acquired balls are not displayed, but they are added internally. In other words, if a rush is in progress, the balls are added internally (see the case where a negative judgment is made at S1415 in FIG. 30). Then, the next time a symbol jackpot game or a second jackpot game is played, the game starts from a state where the addition result during the rush is reflected. In this case, the display of the "acquired ball addition display section 6Q" may or may not add up the number of acquired balls acquired in conjunction with the execution of the second role jackpot game.

[0283] Furthermore, the gaming machine of the present invention may be a so-called "enclosed gaming machine" or a "non-enclosed gaming machine."

[0284] [Correspondence to claims] Next, the correspondence between the terms used in the description of the above embodiments (examples) and the terms used in the claims will be shown. The "pachinko machine 50" corresponds to an example of the "gaming machine." The first special symbol display device 9 and the second special symbol display device 10 shown in Figs. 2 and 5 correspond to an example of a special symbol display means.

[0285] The specific device 100 in FIG. 3 corresponds to an example of a distribution means. The processes from S215 to S250 and S270 in FIG. 10 correspond to an example of a pass / fail determination execution means. The process of S275 in FIG. 10 corresponds to an example of the selecting means. The information (information about acquired balls) displayed in the "acquired balls addition display section 6Q" in FIG. 24 corresponds to an example of "effect information." [Explanation of symbols]

[0286] 1; game board, 3; game area, 3L: left-hand hitting area, 3R: right-hand hitting area, 6; performance pattern display device, 11; first start port, 12; second start port, 14; first large prize port, 15; second large prize port, 80; main control device, 82; performance pattern control device, 83; sub-integrated control device.

Claims

[Claim 1] a special symbol display means for displaying the result of the hit / miss judgment after executing a hit / miss judgment due to the ball entering the starting hole and then executing a variable display of a special symbol; A small win game execution means for executing a small win game by controlling the opening of a predetermined large winning opening based on the occurrence of a small win as a result of the win / loss determination; a game state transition means for transitioning a game state to a special game state different from a normal game state when a transition condition is satisfied and until a transition termination condition is satisfied; A performance display device that displays a performance based on the result of the pass / fail judgment; Equipped with A game ball that has entered a large prize winning port controlled to open by the small prize game is guided to the specific area among the specific area and a non-specific area different from the specific area, and a big prize game that is more advantageous than the small prize game is executed based on this. Execute a jackpot game performance from the start of the jackpot game to the end of the jackpot game; In the jackpot game performance, a performance related to the jackpot game and a jackpot game start performance can be executed at the start of the jackpot game, A selection means for selecting a type of small win based on the result of the hit / miss judgment; An allocation means for allocating the destination of the game ball that has entered the big prize opening to the specific area or the non-specific area; Equipped with The special game state allows the hit / miss judgment to be executed with the same probability of hit / miss judgment as the normal state, and the hit / miss judgment and the small hit game can be executed in the special game state, The probability that the allocation means will guide the game ball that has entered the large prize opening controlled to open by the small prize game to the specific area is higher when the small prize selected by the selection means is the first small prize than when the selected small prize is the second small prize, From the transition to the special game state until the predetermined transition end condition is established, a predetermined jackpot history display based on the jackpot game is displayed from the jackpot game start effect to the end of the jackpot game effect every time the jackpot game is executed, and the jackpot history display is additionally displayed every time the jackpot game is played, A performance related to a first big win game that is executed based on the game ball entering a big winning hole that is controlled to open by a small win game that is executed based on the occurrence of the first small win, and being guided to the specific area; The difference is that the second small win is generated, and the second big win is executed based on the game ball entering the big winning hole, which is controlled to open by the small win game, is guided to the specific area. As a performance related to the jackpot game, the gaming machine is characterized in that even if the degree of advantage in the first jackpot game and the second jackpot game is the same, the jackpot history display that differs between the first jackpot game and the second jackpot game is displayed.

Images