Pinball game machine

Abstract

To provide a pinball game machine capable of enhancing interest in a game by a read-ahead performance for suggesting a result of confirmation of a random number of reservation storage before consumption.SOLUTION: A pinball game machine includes a plurality of zone lottery tables having mutually different probabilities for determining whether a read-ahead performance is executed, and is configured so as to determine execution of each read-ahead performance of unconsumed reservation storage stored before satisfaction of a zone start condition and reservation storage stored after satisfaction of the zone start condition in the read-ahead zone mode started by satisfaction of the zone start condition by the different zone lottery tables. By such a configuration, unprecedented interest rich in a change can be generated in a read-ahead performance during a read-ahead zone mode, thus enhancing interest in a game.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pinball game machine that determines whether a game ball has entered a starting hole and, if a game ball has entered a starting hole, executes a predetermined special game operation.

[0002] In pinball gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, a judgment is made as to whether or not a jackpot has been reached by consuming the reserved memory stored based on the entry of a gaming ball into the starting port, and if the judgment result is a jackpot, a special game operation is executed in which the large prize entry port is opened a predetermined number of times. In such pinball gaming machines, when an unconsumed reserved memory is stored, a configuration is known in which the reserved memory is predicted to be a jackpot before consumption and a prediction effect is executed to show the prediction result (for example, Patent Document 1). According to such a conventional configuration, the prediction effect can stimulate the player's expectations and increase the interest in the game. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-115329 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a configuration that executes the above-mentioned look-ahead effect, there is a demand for a configuration that can further increase the interest in the game through this look-ahead effect.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pinball game machine that can increase the enjoyment of the game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a pinball game machine that includes a starting port into which a game ball flowing down a game area can enter, a reserved memory generation means that extracts a random number due to a game ball entering the starting port and generates and stores reserved memories based on the extracted random numbers up to a predetermined upper limit number, a win / loss determination means that consumes the reserved memories stored by the reserved memory generation means and determines whether or not a win has occurred based on the random numbers in the reserved memories, a special game control means that executes a predetermined special game operation when a win has been determined by the win / loss determination means, and a look-ahead performance control means that checks the random number extracted by the reserved memory generation means before it is consumed by the look-ahead performance determination means and executes a look-ahead performance that suggests the confirmation result, wherein the look-ahead performance control means is configured to determine whether or not to execute the look-ahead performance using different probabilities. and a look-ahead zone control process that starts a look-ahead zone mode for determining the execution of the look-ahead performance using the zone lottery table for each reserved memory when a predetermined zone start condition is met based on the generation of reserved memories by the reserved memory generation means, and ends the look-ahead zone mode when a predetermined zone end condition is met after the reserved memories are consumed, wherein the look-ahead zone control process has processing content that determines the execution of each of the look-ahead performances in the look-ahead zone mode using different zone lottery tables for unconsumed reserved memories stored before the zone start condition is met and reserved memories stored after the zone start condition is met.

[0007] Here, the "pre-reading effect" is preferably used to display a pre-reading effect pattern on a pattern display device, generate a pre-reading sound from a speaker, or generate a pre-reading light with a lamp or LED. Specifically, it is possible to apply an effect in which the reserved pattern displayed on the pattern display device is displayed in a display mode different from normal, or an effect in which a specific pattern that is not normally displayed is displayed continuously over multiple consumptions of reserved memory. The "zone start condition" can be, for example, determining the start of the look-ahead zone mode by lottery, the number of reserved memories (or the number of memories consumed) in a mode other than the look-ahead zone mode (hereinafter referred to as the non-look-ahead zone mode) reaching a predetermined value, the elapsed time in the non-look-ahead zone mode reaching a predetermined value, etc. The probability of the lottery or the predetermined value may be configured to vary depending on the confirmation result of checking the random number of the reserved memory. The "zone end condition" can be, for example, determining the end of the look-ahead zone mode by lottery after the reserved memory that triggered the establishment of the zone start condition is consumed, the number of reserved memories (or the number of consumed memories) after the reserved memory is consumed reaching a predetermined value, or the elapsed time after the reserved memory is consumed reaching a predetermined value.

[0008] In this configuration, the probability of executing the look-ahead effect for reserved memory in the look-ahead zone mode differs between reserved memory stored before the zone start condition is met and reserved memory stored after the zone start condition is met, making the execution of the look-ahead effect in the look-ahead zone mode more interesting and varied than ever before. This effectively stimulates the player's emotions as they anticipate the execution of the look-ahead effect in the look-ahead zone mode, and overall improves the enjoyment of the look-ahead zone mode. Therefore, this look-ahead zone mode can dramatically increase the excitement of the game.

[0009] In addition, in the configuration of the present invention, it is preferable to have a configuration that notifies the player that the look-ahead effect determined by the look-ahead zone mode is in a state where it is possible to execute the look-ahead effect. With this configuration, the player's emotions regarding the look-ahead effect of the reserved memory can be more effectively stimulated, thereby further enhancing the effect of increasing the interest in the game as described above. Furthermore, even in the non-lookahead zone mode, the read-ahead effect of the reserved memory may be executable or may not be executable. In an executable configuration, it is preferable to set conditions for executing the read-ahead effect in the non-lookahead zone mode that differ from those in the lookahead zone mode. This configuration is proposed as follows: "The lookahead effect control means includes a non-zone lottery table with a probability different from that of the zone lottery table for determining whether to execute the lookahead effect, and a non-zone lookahead control means that executes the lookahead effect in the non-lookahead zone mode according to the non-zone lottery table each time a lookahead condition is met based on the generation of the reserved memory by the reserved memory generation means." Furthermore, in this configuration, it is preferable that "the non-zone lottery table has a lower probability of executing the lookahead effect than the zone lottery table." With this configuration, even in a configuration in which the readahead effect can be executed in the non-lookahead zone mode, a clear distinction can be made between the lookahead zone mode and the non-lookahead zone mode, emphasizing the excitement of the lookahead zone mode and reliably achieving the aforementioned effects of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 2 of the pachinko machine 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko machine 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram explaining some of the game specifications. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of a main routine. [Figure 6] A flowchart showing the start winning processing. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart 1 showing the pass / fail determination process. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart 2 showing the pass / fail determination process. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart 3 showing the pass / fail determination process. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart 4 showing the pass / fail determination process. [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart 1 showing the jackpot game processing. [Figure 12] 2 is a flowchart showing the jackpot game processing. [Figure 13] 3 is a flowchart showing the jackpot game processing. [Figure 14] This is a diagram showing the display mode of the reserved pattern. [Figure 15] This is a chart showing the selection probability of reserved symbols in each lottery table. [Figure 16] 1 is a flowchart 1 showing a read-ahead control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart 2 showing the read-ahead control process of the first embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart 3 showing the read-ahead control process of the first embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing a zone effect control process. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode of the reserved pattern displayed on the performance pattern display device 6 in Example 1. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode of the reserved pattern displayed on the performance pattern display device 6 in Example 1. [Figure 22] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the display mode of the reserved pattern displayed on the performance pattern display device 6 in Example 1. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart 1 showing a read-ahead control process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart 2 showing the read-ahead control process of the second embodiment. [Figure 25] An explanatory diagram showing the display mode of the reserved pattern displayed on the performance pattern display device 6 in Example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various forms may be adopted as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the following examples and other examples may be combined as appropriate.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment has a structure in which each component is held by an outer frame 51, which forms a vertically long fixed outer holding frame. An inner frame (not shown) is attached to the outer frame 51 via hinges 53 provided on the top and bottom of the left side of the outer frame 51 so that it can be opened and closed relative to the outer frame 51, and a front frame (glass frame) 52 is attached to the front of the inner frame so that it can be opened and closed relative to the inner frame. A glass plate 61 is detachably attached to the front frame 52. A game board 2 (Fig. 2) attached to the inner frame is disposed on the far side (rear side) of the glass plate 61.

[0013] Speakers 66 are provided on the upper left and right sides of the front frame 52, and the game sounds and alarm sounds emitted from the speakers 66 enhance the entertainment value of the game and alert the player. The front frame 52 also has a plurality of frame-side decorative lamps 65 that light up depending on the game status, enhancing the entertainment value of the game through this illumination. Furthermore, an upper tray 55 and a lower tray 63 are integrally provided at the bottom of the front frame 52, and a launch handle 64 is provided to the right of the lower tray 63. When the player rotates the launch handle 64 clockwise, it operates a launching device (not shown) to launch game balls supplied from the upper tray 55 toward the playing area 3 of the game board 2.

[0014] Prize balls and loan balls are paid out to the upper tray 55. The lower tray 63 is configured to receive prize balls that overflow from the upper tray 55, and is equipped with a ball removal lever (not shown) that ejects game balls in the lower tray 63. By operating this ball removal lever, the game balls accumulated in the lower tray 63 can be transferred to a separate box (dollar box).

[0015] The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called CR machine, and is provided adjacent to a prepaid card unit (CR unit) 56 that reads and writes prepaid cards. The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a settlement display device 94 (see FIG. 3) that has a loan button 57, a settlement button 58, and a balance display device 59. In addition, in the center of the upper tray 55, there are provided an effect button 67, a jog dial 68, and a decision switch 69 that can be operated by the player.

[0016] 2 is a front view of the game board 2 of the pachinko machine 1. The game board 2 is provided with a substantially circular game area 3 surrounded by guide rails 2a and 2b, and a large number of game nails (not shown) are planted in the game area 3. A center case 5 is disposed in the center of the game area 3, and an LCD screen of a performance symbol display device 6 (not shown in its entirety) is disposed in the center of the center case 5 so as to be visible from the front. The center case 5 is also provided with a warp entrance, warp passage, stage, etc. (not shown).

[0017] A first starting opening 11 is disposed directly below the center case 5, and a normal symbol activation gate 17 and a second starting opening 12 are disposed one above the other to the right of the center case 5. The first starting opening 11 is configured to allow game balls to enter at all times, while the second starting opening 12 is configured with a normal electric device 13 equipped with openable wings, and is configured to allow game balls to enter only when the wings are open. The normal symbol activation gate 17 is also configured to allow game balls to pass through at all times.

[0018] Furthermore, a large prize opening 14 is disposed to the lower right of the center case 5 (below the normal electric device 13). The large prize opening 14 is composed of a special electric device 15, and the special electric device 15 has an opening / closing piece that is operable to switch between an upright position that closes the large prize opening 14 and a tilted position that tilts it forward from the upright position to open it. When the opening / closing piece is in the upright position, the large prize opening 14 is in a closed state where game balls cannot enter the large prize opening 14, and when the opening / closing piece is in the tilted position, the large prize opening 14 is in an open state where game balls can enter the large prize opening 14. The special electric device 15 has a large prize opening solenoid 14b (see FIG. 3) that operates the opening / closing piece to open and close, and by driving and controlling the large prize opening solenoid 14b, the large prize opening 14 can be switched between the closed state and the open state.

[0019] Furthermore, four general winning holes 31 are provided to the left of the first starting hole 11. These general winning holes 31 are configured to always accept game balls. Furthermore, an outlet hole 16 is provided at the most downstream part of the game area 3, and if a game ball launched into the game area 3 does not enter any of the winning holes or starting holes, it will enter the outlet hole 16.

[0020] At the lower right of the game board 2, 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 reserved number display device 18, and a second special pattern reserved number display device 19, as well as a first special pattern display device 9 and a second special pattern display device 10 consisting of 7-segment display devices.

[0021] 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical wiring of the pachinko machine 1. This block diagram does not show relay boards or power supply boards that simply relay signals. 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 each include a CPU, ROM, RAM, input ports, output ports, etc. The CPU of each of these control devices starts a program stored in each ROM in response to an interrupt signal with a 2 ms cycle, and performs various controls.

[0022] The main control device 80 receives detection signals via the game board relay terminal board 74 from the first start port switch 11a which detects game balls that have entered the first start port 11, the second start port switch 12a which detects game balls that have entered the second start port 12, the normal gate switch 17a which detects game balls that have passed through the normal pattern activation gate 17, the count switch 14a which counts game balls that have entered the big prize port 14, and each general prize port switch 31a which detects game balls that have entered the general prize port 31.

[0023] The main control device 80 operates according to a program stored in its ROM, generates various commands related to the progress of the game based on the above-mentioned detection signals, and outputs these commands to the payout control device 81 and the sub-integrated control device 83. The main control device 80 also controls the display of the first special symbol display device 9, the second special symbol display device 10, and the normal symbol display device 7 via the symbol display device relay terminal board 75, and also controls the lighting of the first special symbol reserved number display device 18, the second special symbol reserved number display device 19, and the normal symbol reserved number display device 8. The main control device 80 is also connected to the special prize opening solenoid 14b and the normal electric solenoid 13a via the game board relay terminal board 74. The main control device 80 controls the opening and closing of the special prize opening 14 by driving and controlling the special prize opening solenoid 14b, and controls the opening and closing of the second starting opening 12 by driving and controlling the normal electric solenoid 13a. In addition, the main control device 80 outputs signals for managing the changes in symbols, jackpots, etc. to the hall computer 87 via the external connection terminal board 78.

[0024] The payout control device 81 is configured to be capable of two-way communication with the main control device 80, and drives the payout motor 90 to pay out prize balls in response to commands sent from the main control device 80. In this embodiment, a detection signal from a payout switch 91 for counting game balls paid out as prize balls is input to 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.

[0025] Furthermore, signals from a full switch 92 and a ball out switch 93 are input to the payout control device 81. The full switch 92 detects when the lower tray 63 is full, and outputs a signal to the payout control device 81 upon detection. The ball out switch 93 detects when the amount of game balls stored in the ball tank (not shown) is low or there is no stored ball, and outputs a signal to the payout control device 81 upon detection. When the payout control device 81 receives signals from the full switch 92 and the ball out switch 93, it stops driving the payout motor 90 and stops the payout operation of prize balls. The full switch 92 and the ball out switch 93 are configured to continue outputting signals until the detected state is resolved, and the payout control device 81 resumes driving the payout motor 90 upon stopping the signal input.

[0026] The payout control device 81 can communicate with the CR unit 56 via the CR unit terminal board 79, and drives the payout motor 90 to pay out loaned balls in response to a loan command. The CR unit terminal board 79 is also connected to the settlement display device 94 for two-way communication, and receives signals from the ball loan switch and settlement switch provided on the settlement display device 94. The ball loan switch detects operation of the loan button 57 and outputs a signal, and the settlement switch detects operation of the settlement button 58 and outputs a signal. The payout control device 81 is also connected to the launch control device 84, and sends a launch stop command to the launch control device 84 at a predetermined timing.

[0027] The launch control device 84 controls the launch motor 97 to launch gaming balls into the gaming area 3. In addition to the payout control device 81 described above, the launch control device 84 also receives a rotation amount signal from the launch handle 64, a touch signal from the touch switch 98, and a launch stop signal from the launch stop switch 99. The rotation amount signal is output when the player rotates the launch handle 64, the touch signal is output when the player touches the launch handle 64, and the launch stop signal is output when the player presses the launch stop switch 99. The launch control device 84 controls so that gaming balls are not launched if a touch signal is not input, and also controls so that gaming balls are not launched when a launch stop signal is input, regardless of the operation of the launch handle 64.

[0028] The sub-integrated control device 83 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, etc. to the effect pattern control device 82, and distributes the sound control and lamp control data to each control section included in itself (functional components serving as sound control devices and lamp control devices).The functional section serving as a sound control device then operates a sound LSI based on the sound control data to control the output of sound from the speaker 66, and the functional section serving as a lamp control device then operates a lamp driver based on the lamp control data to control the emission of various LEDs and lamps 65.

[0029] Furthermore, switches that detect the operation of the effect button 67, jog dial 68, and decision switch 69 are connected to the sub-integrated control device 83, and when each switch detects an operation by the player, the corresponding signal is input. The jog dial 68 may be configured to be connected to the effect symbol control device 82.

[0030] The effect symbol control device 82 performs control based on the data and commands sent from the sub-integrated control device 83, and displays effect images such as special effect symbols on the screen of the effect symbol display device 6. The sub-integrated control device 83 and the main control device 80 are connected via a one-way communication circuit from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83 via an effect relay terminal board, and the sub-integrated control device 83 and the effect symbol control device 82 are connected via a one-way communication circuit from the sub-integrated control device 83 to the effect symbol control device 82.

[0031] The power supply board (not shown) is configured as a DC power supply that generates DC voltage using power supplied from an external AC power source, and supplies power to each component of the pachinko machine 1 by operating a power switch provided on the power supply board. This power supply board is equipped with a backup power supply consisting of a capacitor and the like, and stores power in the backup power supply while power is being supplied from the AC power source. This allows power to be supplied to the main control device 80 (e.g., the RAM of the main control device 80) during a power outage, and data in the RAM of the main control device 80 is retained for a certain period of time even after power supply from the AC power source is stopped. The backup power supply may be provided in the main control device 80 or in a device other than the power supply board. In this case, the power supply board outputs a supply signal to the device equipped with the backup power source while power is being supplied from the AC power source, and outputs a power outage signal to the device equipped with the backup power source when power supply is stopped.

[0032] Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. When a gaming ball launched into the gaming area 3 enters the first starting hole 11 (the first starting hole switch 11a in Fig. 3 detects the gaming ball), the first special symbol begins to change on the first special symbol display device 9, and the random number extracted as a result of the ball entering the game is judged as a win or a loss. Then, when a predetermined time has passed since the start of the change, the first special symbol is displayed in a frozen state, and the result of this judgment is announced. Here, the random number extracted when the ball enters the first starting hole 11 is stored as a first reserved memory, as will be described later. Up to four first reserved memories can be stored, and the number of first reserved memories (hereinafter referred to as the first reserved memory number) is represented by the number of lights on the first special symbol reserved number display device 18. By consuming the first reserved memories stored in this way, the above-mentioned win / loss judgment and the variation of the first special symbol are executed. Note that the first reserved memory number indicates the number of first reserved memories that have not been consumed.

[0033] On the other hand, when the gaming ball launched into the gaming area 3 passes through the normal symbol activation gate 17 (the normal gate switch 17a in FIG. 3 detects the gaming ball), the normal symbol display device 7 starts to display the normal symbol in a variable manner, and the random number extracted due to the ball entering the game is judged as a win or loss. Then, if the normal symbol that stops a predetermined time after the start of the variation is in a predetermined winning state, the wing pieces of the normal electric device 13 are driven, and the gaming ball can enter the second starting hole 12. Here, with one winning normal symbol, the wing pieces of the normal electric device 13 open once for 0.2 seconds in the non-opening extension mode described below, and open three times for 1 second in the open extension mode described below.

[0034] When a gaming ball enters this second starting hole 12 (the second starting hole switch 12a in FIG. 3 detects the gaming ball), the second special symbol display device 10 starts to vary the second special symbol, and the random number extracted as a result of the ball entering the hole is judged as a win or a loss. Then, when a predetermined variation time has elapsed since the start of variation, the second special symbol is displayed in a frozen state, and the result of this judgment is announced. Here, the random number extracted when the ball enters the second starting hole 12 is stored as a second reserved memory, as will be described later. Up to four second reserved memories can be stored, and the number of stored second reserved memories (hereinafter referred to as the second reserved memory number) is represented by the number of lights on the second special symbol reserved number display device 19. By consuming the second reserved memories stored in this way, the above-mentioned win / loss judgment and variation of the second special symbol are executed. Note that the second reserved memory number indicates the number of second reserved memories that have not been consumed.

[0035] In this way, while the first special symbol and the second special symbol are fluctuating, the fluctuations of special effect symbols 101a to 101c (see Figures 21 to 23) linked to the fluctuations of each special symbol are displayed on the effect symbol display device 6. The fluctuation display of the special effect symbols 101a to 101c on this effect symbol display device 6 and the display of the stopping modes of the special effect symbols 101a to 101c enable the player to know the fluctuations of each special symbol and the result of the hit / miss judgment (big hit, small hit, or miss). In this embodiment, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are prioritized for variation regardless of the order in which the balls enter the first starting hole 11 and the second starting hole 12. In other words, if there is an unconsumed second reserved memory (if there is one or more second reserved memories), the second reserved memory is consumed and the variation of the second special symbol begins regardless of whether there is an unconsumed first reserved memory. Then, only when there is no unconsumed second reserved memory, the first reserved memory is consumed and the variation of the first special symbol begins.

[0036] If the result of the hit / miss judgment executed by consuming the first reserved memory is a jackpot, the first special symbol display device 9 stops the first special symbol in a predetermined jackpot symbol pattern, and the effect symbol display device 6 stops and displays the special effect symbols 101a to 101c in a jackpot symbol pattern. This confirms a jackpot. On the other hand, if the result of the hit / miss judgment executed by consuming the second reserved memory is a jackpot, the second special symbol display device 10 stops the second special symbol in a predetermined jackpot symbol pattern, and the effect symbol display device 6 stops and displays the special effect symbols 101a to 101c in a jackpot symbol pattern. This confirms a jackpot.

[0037] When a jackpot is determined by the first special symbol and the second special symbol in this way, a jackpot game is executed to open the jackpot opening 14. In this jackpot game, an opening round to open the jackpot opening 14 is repeatedly executed a predetermined number of times with intervals.

[0038] Furthermore, if the result of the judgment based on the consumption of the second reserved memory is a small win, the second special symbol is stopped in a predetermined small win symbol pattern, and the special effect symbol is displayed in a small win symbol pattern on the effect symbol display device 6. This confirms the small win, and a small win game is executed in which the large prize opening 14 is opened and closed once. The small win game involves opening the large prize opening 14 once for 1.5 seconds. In this small win game, it is more difficult to obtain prize balls than in the jackpot game described above. In this embodiment, a small win or not is judged only when the second reserved memory is consumed. Therefore, the consumption of the first reserved memory only determines whether or not a jackpot or not is reached.

[0039] The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is configured as a probability variation machine. That is, the game according to this configuration is roughly divided into a game in which the large prize opening 14 is closed and the jackpot game in which the large prize opening 14 is opened. The game in which the large prize opening 14 is closed is set to a normal probability state (hereinafter referred to as the normal game state) and a high probability state (hereinafter referred to as the probability variation game state) in which the probability of winning a special symbol is higher than in the normal game state. After the jackpot game ends, the machine transitions to either the normal game state or the probability variation game state. Here, the probability variation game state is executed after the jackpot game ends if the winning pattern of each special symbol is a pattern due to a predetermined probability variation pattern, and the normal game state is executed after the jackpot game ends if the winning pattern of each special symbol is a pattern due to a predetermined non-probability variation pattern.

[0040] In this embodiment, there are provided a normal mode and a probability variable mode in which the winning probability of the special symbol (the probability that the special symbol will stop in a jackpot mode) differs from each other, and the normal mode is active in the normal game state, and the probability variable mode is active in the probability variable game state. Here, the winning probability of the special symbol in the normal mode is set to 1 / 300, and the winning probability of the special symbol in the probability variable mode is set to 1 / 30. In the probability variation game state, the probability of winning the special symbol is set to the probability variation mode, and the variation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol is shortened compared to the normal game state, and the opening time of the normal electric device is extended compared to the normal game state. On the other hand, in the normal game state, the normal mode and the non-opening extension mode are set. This probability variation game state ends when the special symbol becomes a jackpot or when the number of times the special symbol changes reaches a specified number of times (for example, 100 times).

[0041] Furthermore, when a game ball lands in each of the start openings 11 and 12, the large prize opening 14, and the general prize opening 31, a set number of prize balls are paid out for each. Specifically, three prize balls are paid out for each ball that lands in the first start opening 11, five prize balls are paid out for each ball that lands in the second start opening 12, 13 prize balls are paid out for each ball that lands in the large prize opening 14, and five prize balls are paid out for each ball that lands in the general prize opening 31.

[0042] Next, the processing of various programs executed by the main control device 80 will be described. Figure 5 shows a flowchart of the main routine. The main routine consists of the main process from S10 to S80 and the residual process of S85, which is repeated as long as time permits within the time remaining after executing the main process, and is executed periodically by a hardware interrupt every 2 ms. When a hardware interrupt is executed by the microcomputer, it is first determined whether or not it is a normal interrupt (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 may be executed when the processing executed by the microcomputer transitions to the main process.

[0043] If a negative judgment is made in S10 (i.e., it is judged that the interrupt is not normal) (S10: No), the initial setting (S15) is executed, and the remaining process (S85) is performed. In this initial setting, for example, predetermined values ​​are written to predetermined areas of the RAM, and initial values ​​are written to the working area of ​​the RAM, such as setting the first and second special symbols as initial symbols. On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made in S10 (i.e., it is judged to be a normal interrupt) (S10: Yes), each output process (S80) such as update process of the initial value random number (S20), update process of the random number for determining a jackpot (S25), update process of the random number for determining the first jackpot pattern (S30), update process of the random number for determining the second jackpot pattern (S35), update process of the random number for determining the small jackpot pattern (S40), update process of the random number for determining a win (S45), update process of the random number for reaching a win (S50), update process of the random number for determining a variation pattern (S55), win confirmation process (S60), win / lose determination process (S65), special game process (S70), fraud monitoring process (S75), image output process, etc. is performed, and the update process of the initial value random number (S85) is looped within the remaining time until the next interrupt signal is input.

[0044] Next, the start winning process executed by the main control device 80 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 6. This start winning process is one of the subroutines called in the winning confirmation process (S60) of the main routine described above. In the start winning process, in S100, it is determined whether the first start port switch 11a has detected a game ball. If the determination is negative (S100: No), the process proceeds to S120, and if the determination is positive (S100: Yes), the process proceeds to S105. In S105, it is determined whether the number of first reserved memories has reached an upper limit (for example, 4). If the determination is positive (S105: Yes), the process proceeds to S120, and if the determination is negative (S105: No), the process proceeds to S110.

[0045] In S110, a first extracted random number reservation storage process is executed. In this first extracted random number reservation storage process, a random number for determining a first jackpot, a random number for determining a first jackpot symbol, a random number for reaching a win, a random number for determining a variation pattern, etc. are extracted, and these extracted random numbers are stored together as a first reservation memory, and 1 is added to a first reservation number counter indicating the first reservation memory number, and the necessary processing is performed to light up the first special symbol reservation number display device 18 according to the information of the first reservation number counter. After S110, the process proceeds to S115.

[0046] In S115, a look-ahead determination process is executed. In the look-ahead determination process, a process is performed to determine whether the first jackpot determination random number extracted in S110 is a jackpot or not. Here, in the look-ahead determination process, similar to the hit / miss determination process described below, if the probability variable flag is 1, the probability variable table is enabled and the first jackpot determination random number is determined to be a jackpot or not. On the other hand, if the probability variable flag is 0, the normal table is enabled and the first jackpot determination random number is determined to be a jackpot or not. Furthermore, in the look-ahead determination process of this embodiment, if the first jackpot determination random number is determined to be a miss, it is determined whether or not to reach a win using the reach determination random number.

[0047] In S120, it is determined whether the second start switch 12a has detected a game ball. If the determination is negative (S120: No), the process proceeds to S140, and if the determination is positive (S120: Yes), the process proceeds to S125. In S125, it is determined whether the number of second reserved memories has reached an upper limit (for example, 4). If the determination is positive (S125: Yes), the process proceeds to S140, and if the determination is negative (S125: No), the process proceeds to S130.

[0048] In S130, a second extracted random number reserve storage process is executed. In this second extracted random number reserve storage process, a random number for determining a second jackpot, a random number for determining a second jackpot symbol, a random number for reaching a reach, a random number for determining a variation pattern, etc. are extracted, and these extracted random numbers are stored together as a second reserve memory, and 1 is added to the second reserve number counter indicating the second reserve memory number, and the necessary processing is performed to light up the second special symbol reserve number display device 19 according to the information of the second reserve number counter. After S130, the process proceeds to S135.

[0049] In S135, the same pre-reading judgment process as in S115 is executed. That is, the process of judging whether the second jackpot determination random number extracted in S130 is a jackpot or not, and the process of judging whether to reach a win or not in the case of a miss judgment are executed. Here, in the pre-reading judgment process of S135, if the probability variable flag is 1, the probability variable table is enabled, and if the probability variable flag is 0, the normal table is enabled, and it is judged whether the first jackpot determination random number is a jackpot or not.

[0050] In S140, a read-ahead determination command transmission process is executed. In this read-ahead determination command transmission process, a read-ahead command in which the information in the first reserved memory generated in S110 and the information indicating the read-ahead determination result in S115 (information on whether or not it is a jackpot, information on whether or not it will reach a win) are linked, and a read-ahead determination command in which the information in the second reserved memory generated in S130 and the information indicating the read-ahead determination result in S135 (information on whether or not it is a jackpot, information on whether or not it will reach a win) are linked, are transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83.

[0051] Next, the pass / fail determination process executed by the main control device 80 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 7 to 10. The pass / fail determination process is executed from the main routine described above.

[0052] In the win / loss determination process, as shown in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the special electric device is operating (i.e., whether or not a big win game or a small win game is being executed) (S150). If the determination is affirmative (S150: Yes), the win / loss determination process is terminated, and if the determination is negative (S150: No), the process proceeds to S155. In S155, it is determined whether or not the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner. If the determination is affirmative (S155: Yes), the process proceeds to S260 in FIG. 9, and if the determination is negative (S155: No), the process proceeds to S160. In S160, it is determined whether or not the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed in a fixed manner. If the determination is affirmative (S160: Yes), the process proceeds to S300 in FIG. 10, and if the determination is negative (S160: No), the process proceeds to S165.

[0053] In S165, it is determined whether there is any unconsumed second reserved memory, and if the determination is affirmative (S165: Yes), the process proceeds to S170, and if the determination is negative (S165: No), the process proceeds to S175. In S170, the number of second reserved memories is decremented, and the oldest unconsumed second reserved memory (the unconsumed second reserved memory generated earliest) is selected, and the information stored in that second reserved memory (numeric data such as random numbers) is moved to a predetermined buffer for determining whether or not there is a jackpot. In this way, the second reserved memory is consumed.

[0054] In S175, it is determined whether there is any unconsumed first reserved memory, and if the determination is affirmative (S175: Yes), proceed to S180, and if the determination is negative (S175: No), the hit / miss determination process is terminated. In S180, the number of first reserved memories is decremented, and the oldest unconsumed first reserved memory (the first unconsumed first reserved memory generated earliest) is selected, and the information stored in that first reserved memory (numeric data such as random numbers) is moved to a specified buffer for jackpot determination. In this way, the first reserved memory is consumed. In this embodiment, the second reserved memory is given priority over the first reserved memory in the judgment of whether or not the first reserved memory is the target of the judgment of whether or not the first reserved memory is the target of the judgment of whether or not the first reserved memory is the target of the judgment of whether or not the first reserved memory is the target of the judgment of whether or not the second ...

[0055] In S185, it is determined whether the probability variable flag is 1 or not, and if the determination is affirmative (S185: Yes), the process proceeds to S190, and if the determination is negative (S185: No), the process proceeds to S195. Here, probability variable flag = 1 indicates the probability variable game state ("probability variable mode / open extension mode"), and probability variable flag = 0 indicates the normal game state ("normal mode / non-open extension mode").

[0056] In S190, a winning / losing determination table (probability variable table) corresponding to the winning probability of the probability variable mode is selected, and based on the selected probability variable table, the random number for determining a jackpot that has been moved to the buffer for determining a jackpot is determined to be a jackpot or not, and the reserved memory related to the random number for determining a jackpot is consumed. Here, in this embodiment, when the second reserved memory is consumed, based on the selected probability variable table, it is also determined whether the random number for determining a jackpot is a small win or not. After processing this S190, proceed to S200 in FIG. 8.

[0057] On the other hand, in S195, a winning / losing determination table (normal table) corresponding to the winning probability in the normal mode is selected, and based on the selected normal table, the random number for determining a winning jackpot that has been moved to the buffer for determining a winning jackpot is determined to be a winning jackpot or not, and the reserved memory related to the random number for determining a winning jackpot is consumed. Here, in this embodiment, when the second reserved memory is consumed, based on the selected normal table, it is also determined whether the random number for determining a winning jackpot is a small winning jackpot or not. After processing this S195, proceed to S200 in FIG. 8.

[0058] In S200 of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not there is a jackpot based on the determination result of S190 or S195, and if the determination is positive (S200: Yes), the process proceeds to S205, and if the determination is negative (S200: No), the process proceeds to S220. In S205, the jackpot symbol is determined based on the random number for determining the jackpot symbol related to the reserved memory that has been consumed. Then, the process proceeds to S210.

[0059] In the subsequent process of determining the variation pattern at S210, the variation time of the special symbol is determined based on the random numbers for determining the variation pattern and the random numbers for determining the reach related to the consumed reserved memory (the random numbers for determining the variation pattern and the random numbers for determining the reach in the buffer for determining the jackpot, etc.) and the probability variation flag, and the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined according to the variation time. In more detail, the variation time of the selectable special symbols is predetermined according to the probability variable flag, and the variation time of the special symbols is determined according to the above-mentioned variation pattern determination random number and reach determination random number. That is, when the probability variable flag = 0 (normal game state), the mode is the non-open extension mode, so the variation time of the special symbols corresponding to the non-open extension mode can be selected, and the variation time of the special symbols is determined according to the variation pattern determination random number and reach determination random number of the consumed reserved memory. On the other hand, when the probability variable flag = 1 (probability variable game state), the mode is the open extension mode, which shortens the variation time of the special symbols, so the variation time of the special symbols corresponding to the open extension mode can be selected, and the variation time is determined according to the variation pattern determination random number and reach determination random number. The reach determination random number is used to determine whether or not to execute various predetermined reach effects (normal reach effects and special reach effects, which will be described later).

[0060] In the next S215, the number of rounds of the jackpot game, the opening pattern of the big prize opening, the presentation time for the jackpot game, the interval time, and the presentation mode of the jackpot game are set, and the process proceeds to S250.

[0061] On the other hand, in S220, which follows the negative judgment of S200, it is determined whether or not there is a small win based on the judgment result of S190 or S195. Here, if the judgment is positive (S220: Yes), proceed to S225, and if the judgment is negative (S220: No), proceed to S240. In this embodiment, as mentioned above, it is determined whether or not there is a small win only when the second reserved memory is consumed, so if the first reserved memory is consumed, a negative judgment is made in S220 (proceed to S240).

[0062] In S225, the small winning symbol is determined based on the random number for determining the big winning symbol related to the reserved memory that has been consumed, and the process proceeds to S230. In S230, similar to the above-mentioned S210, the special symbol variation time is determined based on the random numbers for reach judgment and variation pattern determination related to the consumed reserved memory and the probability variable flag, and the special symbol variation pattern is determined according to the variation time. After this S230, proceed to S235. In S235, the opening pattern of the large prize opening in the small win game, the presentation time related to the small win game, and the presentation mode of the small win game are set, and proceed to S250.

[0063] Furthermore, in S240 following the negative determination of S220, similar to the above-mentioned S210, the special symbol variation time and variation pattern are determined based on the reach determination random number and variation pattern determination random number etc. related to the consumed reserved memory and the probability variable flag, and prior to this, a process for determining a losing symbol is performed. After this S240, the process proceeds to S245, where a process related to a losing symbol is performed. Then, the process proceeds to S250. Note that in this embodiment, the process for determining a losing symbol is performed in S240, but this is not limited thereto, and a configuration may also be provided in which a process for determining a losing symbol is performed before S240.

[0064] In S250, a reserved number command indicating the first reserved memory number and the second reserved memory number after decrementing in S170 and S180, a command including information on the hit / miss determination result (jackpot, small hit, or miss) determined in S190 and S195, and a fluctuation start command including the jackpot game content, special symbol fluctuation time, special symbol stop mode, etc. determined in S205 are transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83. This fluctuation start command includes information indicating whether the consumed reserved memory is the first reserved memory or the second reserved memory, information on whether various reach effects will be executed, and information on the probability change flag. Furthermore, depending on the consumed reserved memory, the first special symbol display device 9 or the second special symbol display device 10 is driven and controlled to start fluctuating the first special symbol or the second special symbol, and the hit / miss determination process is terminated. When the sub-integrated control device 83 receives such a command, it stores the information indicated in the command (the number of first reserved memories and the number of second reserved memories, the variation time of the special symbols, the presence or absence of various reach effects, the result of the hit / miss judgment, the stopping mode of the special symbols, the content of the big win game, etc.) in a predetermined buffer. Then, the sub-integrated control device 83 transmits a command to the effect symbol control device 82 along with the variation start command, and the effect symbol control device 82 drives and controls the effect symbol display device 6 according to the received command, and starts displaying the special effect symbols 101a to 101c according to the information on the stopping mode and variation pattern of the special symbols.

[0065] 9, which follows the affirmative determination of S155, determines whether the special symbol variation time has elapsed, and if the determination is affirmative (S260: Yes), proceed to S265, and if the determination is negative (S260: No), end the win / loss determination process. In S265, the display of the variation of the special symbol is ended, and the determined special symbol (i.e., the big win symbol determined in S205, the small win symbol determined in S225, or the losing symbol determined in S240) is displayed, and a symbol determination command to execute the determined display of the performance symbol is sent to the sub-integrated control device 83, and end the win / loss determination process.

[0066] 10, which follows the affirmative determination of S160, determines whether the duration of the fixed display of the special symbol has ended. If the determination is affirmative (S300: Yes), the process proceeds to S305. If the determination is negative (S300: No), the win / loss determination process ends. In S305, the fixed display of the special symbol ends, and the process proceeds to S310. In S310, it is determined whether the fixed-displayed special symbol is a symbol that will result in a jackpot. If the determination is affirmative (S310: Yes), the process proceeds to S315. If the determination is negative (S310: No), the process proceeds to S360. In S315, the probability variable flag indicating the state of the probability variable game is referenced, and if the probability variable flag = 1, the probability variable flag is cleared (S320), and the process proceeds to S340. Thereafter, by sequentially executing the state designation command transmission process (S340), the condition device operation start process (S345), the role continuous operation device operation start process (S350), and the jackpot start performance process (S355), the jackpot game is started by transmitting commands indicating the state of the jackpot game and commands instructing the start of the jackpot game to the sub-integrated control device 83, and the win / loss determination process is terminated. Here, in the state designation command transmission process (S340) of this embodiment, when the probability variable flag is cleared (S320), information indicating the end of the probability variable game state is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83.

[0067] On the other hand, in S360, which follows the negative judgment in S310, the probability variable flag is referenced, and if the probability variable flag is 1 (S360: Yes), the remaining number of win / loss judgments that can be performed during the probability variable mode (remaining number of special chart fluctuations) is referenced (S365). Then, if the remaining number of special chart fluctuations is 0 (S365: Yes), the probability variable flag is cleared (S370) and the process proceeds to S390. On the other hand, if the judgment in S365 is negative (S365: No), the process proceeds to S390. Also, if the judgment in S360 is negative (S360: No), the process proceeds to S390.

[0068] In S390, a state designation command transmission process is executed. In the state designation command transmission process (S390) of this embodiment, when the probability variable flag is cleared (S370), information indicating the end of the probability variable game state is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83. In the next S395, it is determined whether the confirmed displayed second special pattern is a pattern that will result in a small win, and if the determination is affirmative (S395: Yes), the process proceeds to S400, where a special electric device activation start process (S400) and a small win start performance process (S405) are executed in sequence, thereby starting the small win game by sending a command indicating the mode of the small win game and a command instructing the start of the small win game to the sub-integrated control device 83, and the win / loss determination process is terminated. Also, if the determination is negative in S395 (S395: No), the win / loss determination process is terminated.

[0069] Next, the jackpot game processing executed by the main control device 80 will be explained using the flowcharts of Figures 11 to 13. This jackpot game processing is a process executed from the special game processing (S70) of the main routine when a jackpot is determined by the hit / miss determination process described above.

[0070] In the jackpot game process, as shown in Fig. 11, it is determined whether or not the accessory continuous operating device is in operation (i.e., whether or not a jackpot game is being played) (S500). If the determination is affirmative (S500: Yes), the process proceeds to S505, and if the determination is negative (S500: No), the jackpot game process is terminated.

[0071] In S505, it is determined whether the big prize opening 14 is open or not, and if the determination is affirmative (S505: Yes), the process proceeds to S550 in FIG. 12, and if the determination is negative (S505: No), the process proceeds to S510.

[0072] In S510, it is determined whether or not the interval between open rounds in the jackpot game is in progress. If the determination is affirmative (S510: Yes), the process proceeds to S570 in FIG. 12, and if the determination is negative (S510: No), the process proceeds to S515. In S515, it is determined whether or not the end presentation of the jackpot game is in progress. If the determination is affirmative (S515: Yes), the process proceeds to S600 in FIG. 13, and if the determination is negative (S515: No), the process proceeds to S520.

[0073] In S520, it is determined whether the start effect time for the jackpot game has elapsed. If the determination is affirmative (S520: Yes), the process proceeds to S525, and if the determination is negative (S520: No), the jackpot game process ends.

[0074] In S525, a special prize opening process is executed to open the special prize opening 14. In this special prize opening process, the opening time (e.g., 30 seconds) preset as the maximum opening time of the special prize opening 14 in the opening round is consumed in synchronization with the start of opening of the special prize opening 14. After this special prize opening process, the special prize opening process ends. The consumption of the opening time is performed by subtracting the opening timer. Specifically, the opening timer is preset with a counter value equivalent to the opening time (30 seconds), and executes a process to subtract the counter value each time the special prize opening process is executed (each time a timer interrupt process is executed), and the opening time is deemed to have elapsed when the counter value reaches 0. Naturally, the means for measuring the opening time is not limited to this subtraction process of the opening timer, and other means can also be used.

[0075] 12, which follows the affirmative determination of S505, a determination is made as to whether the number of game balls entering the jackpot opening 14 has reached 10. If the determination is affirmative (S550: Yes), the process proceeds to S560. If the determination is negative (S550: No), the process proceeds to S555. In S555, a determination is made as to whether the opening time (30 seconds) has elapsed based on the expiration of the opening timer. If the determination is affirmative (S555: Yes), the process proceeds to S560. If the determination is negative (S555: No), the jackpot game processing is terminated. In S560, a jackpot opening closing process is executed to close the jackpot opening 14 (ending the opening round). In the following S565, a jackpot interval process is executed to set the interval between each opening round of the jackpot game, and the jackpot game processing is terminated.

[0076] 12, which follows the affirmative determination of S510, determines whether the jackpot game interval has elapsed. If the determination is affirmative (S570: Yes), the process proceeds to S575, and if the determination is negative (S570: No), the jackpot game process ends. In S575, it is determined whether the final round has ended, and if the determination is affirmative (S575: Yes), the process proceeds to S580, and if the determination is negative (S575: No), the process proceeds to S585. In S580, a jackpot end effect process is executed to perform an effect when the jackpot game ends. After S580, the jackpot game process ends. In S585, the big prize opening process is executed. In this process, the same process as in S525 is executed to open the big prize opening 14 and start the expiration of the opening time (30 seconds).

[0077] In addition, in S600 of FIG. 13, which follows the affirmative determination in S515, it is determined whether the time for the jackpot end presentation has ended. If the determination is affirmative (S600: Yes), the process proceeds to S605, where S605 and S610 are executed sequentially, while if the determination is negative (S600: No), the jackpot game processing is terminated. In S605 and S610, the accessory continuous operation device and the condition device are stopped, and the process proceeds to S615. In S615, it is determined whether or not to transition to the variable probability game state after the jackpot game. Here, if the determination is affirmative (S615: Yes), the number of win / loss determinations that can be performed during the variable probability game state (the upper limit value for the number of special symbol changes) is set (S620), and the variable probability flag is set to 1 (S625). Then, the process proceeds to S640. On the other hand, if the determination is negative in S615 (S615: No), the process proceeds to S640. Here, when transitioning to the special chance game state, the special chance mode and the open extension mode are set, so in S620, the upper limit value of the number of times the special chart can be changed determined in S215 of the success / failure determination process is referenced, and the upper limit value is set to the remaining number of times the special chart can be changed.

[0078] In S640 and S645, a process of sending a jackpot end command to the sub-integrated control device 83 to end the effects related to the jackpot game, and a state designation command sending process are executed, and the jackpot game processing is terminated.

[0079] The essential features of the present invention will be explained in the following Examples 1 and 2. [Example]

[0080] The configuration of Example 1 is to display a first reserved symbol representing the first reserved memory number and a second reserved symbol representing the second reserved memory number on the display screen of the effect symbol display device 6. As shown in Figures 21 to 23, the first reserved symbol is displayed in a first reserved number display area 111 defined in the lower left of the screen of the effect symbol display device 6, and the first reserved memory number is indicated by the number of first reserved symbols displayed in the first reserved number display area 111. The second reserved symbol is displayed in a second reserved number display area 112 defined in the lower right of the screen of the effect symbol display device 6, and the second reserved memory number is indicated by the number of second reserved symbols displayed in the second reserved number display area 112.

[0081] Here, in the configuration of this embodiment, the first reserved symbol is displayed in the first reserved number display area 111 only in the normal game state, while the second reserved symbol is displayed in the second reserved number display area 112 only in the probability variable game state. That is, when the sub-integrated control device 83 receives a command indicating the generation or consumption of a first reserved memory from the main control device 80, if the normal game state, it executes a control process to increase or shift the first reserved symbol in the first reserved number display area 111 of the effect symbol display device 6, but if the probability variable game state, it does not execute the control process for the first reserved symbol. Also, when it receives a command indicating the generation or consumption of a second reserved memory from the main control device 80, if the probability variable game state, it executes a control process to increase or shift the second reserved symbol in the second reserved number display area 112 of the effect symbol display device 6, but if the normal game state, it does not execute the control process for the second reserved symbol.

[0082] In the first reserved number display area 111, first reserved symbols are displayed up to the upper limit number (4) of the first reserved memory number, and in the second reserved number display area 112, second reserved symbols are displayed up to the upper limit number (4) of the second reserved memory number. That is, in the first reserved number display area 111, the first reserved symbols are displayed left-justified each time the first reserved memory increases, while each time the first reserved memory is consumed, the first reserved symbol in the leftmost position is erased and the remaining first reserved symbols are shifted to the left (see Figures 21 to 23). Similarly, in the second reserved number display area 112, the second reserved symbols are displayed right-justified each time the second reserved memory increases, while each time the second reserved memory is consumed, the second reserved symbol in the rightmost position is erased and the remaining second reserved symbols are shifted to the right. For this reason, in the first reserved number display area 111, the first reserved symbol displayed in the leftmost position corresponds to the first reserved memory (the first reserved memory stored earliest) that will be consumed among the unconsumed first reserved memories, the second from the left corresponds to the first reserved memory that will be consumed second, the third from the left corresponds to the first reserved memory that will be consumed third, and the first reserved symbol in the rightmost position corresponds to the first reserved memory that will be consumed fourth. The second reserved symbols displayed in the second reserved number display area 112 correspond to the second reserved memories in the order of consumption, in the opposite order to the first reserved symbols described above, in a line from the rightmost position to the left.

[0083] The first reserved symbol and the second reserved symbol are set with five types of reserved symbols 115 to 119 shown in Figure 14, and are divided into those displayed in a look-ahead zone effect state described later and those displayed in a state other than the look-ahead zone effect state (hereinafter referred to as a non-look-ahead zone effect state). Normal reserved symbol 115, general medium reserved symbol 116, and general high reserved symbol 117 are displayed as the first reserved symbol and the second reserved symbol in the non-look-ahead zone effect state, and the normal reserved symbol 115, zone medium reserved symbol 118, and zone high reserved symbol 119 are displayed as the first reserved symbol and the second reserved symbol in the look-ahead zone effect state. Note that the normal reserved symbol 115 is used in both the non-look-ahead zone effect state and the look-ahead zone effect state.

[0084] The general medium reserved symbol 116, the general high reserved symbol 117, the zone medium reserved symbol 118, and the zone high reserved symbol 119 indicate the degree of expectation that a jackpot will be determined by the hit / miss determination process described above. The expected degree suggested by each reserved symbol 116-119 is determined based on the probability of selecting each reserved symbol 116-119 according to the determination result (pre-reading determination result) in the pre-reading determination process. In the non-pre-reading zone effect state described above, the expected degree of expectation for the general high reserved symbol 117 is the highest, followed by the expected degree of expectation for the general medium reserved symbol 116, and relatively, the expected degree of expectation for the normal reserved symbol 115 is the lowest. Also, in the pre-reading zone effect state described above, the expected degree of expectation for the zone high reserved symbol 119 is the highest, followed by the expected degree of expectation for the zone medium reserved symbol 118, and relatively, the expected degree of expectation for the normal reserved symbol 115 is the lowest.

[0085] Each of the reserved symbols 115-119 is selected according to a predetermined selection probability when a new first reserved memory and a new second reserved memory are generated (stored), and is displayed in the first reserved number display area 111 and the second reserved number display area 112. Here, in this embodiment, a plurality of lottery tables are provided in which the selection probabilities are respectively set, and each of the reserved symbols 115-119 is selected by any one of the lottery tables. As such lottery tables, as shown in FIG. 15, a general reserved lottery table, a first zone lottery table, and a second zone lottery table are provided, and one lottery table is valid depending on the progress of the game and is used to select and determine each of the reserved symbols 115-119.

[0086] The first zone lottery table and the second zone lottery table are valid in the look-ahead zone mode (zone mode flag = 1) described below, while the general reserve lottery table is valid when the look-ahead zone mode is not in effect (zone mode flag = 0). Note that, hereinafter, states other than the look-ahead zone mode will be referred to as non-look-ahead zone mode.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 15, the general reserve lottery table has the selection probabilities for selecting the general high reserve symbol 117, the general medium reserve symbol 116, and the normal reserve symbol 115 set according to the judgment result (pre-read judgment result) in the pre-read judgment process. That is, different selection probabilities are set for when the pre-read judgment result is a jackpot, a miss (with reach), and a miss (without reach). When the pre-read judgment result is a jackpot, the selection probability of the general high reserve symbol 117 is the highest, and when it is a miss, the selection probability of the normal reserve symbol 115 is the highest. By setting the selection probabilities according to the pre-read judgment result in this way, as described above, the expectation level is suggested by each of the general high reserve symbol 117, the general medium reserve symbol 116, and the normal reserve symbol 115. Note that in the general reserve lottery table, the zone medium reserve symbol 118 and the zone high reserve symbol 119 cannot be selected.

[0088] In the first zone lottery table and the second zone lottery table, the selection probabilities for selecting the zone high reserved symbol 119, the zone medium reserved symbol 118, and the normal reserved symbol 115 are set respectively according to the result of the look-ahead determination. In the first and second zone lottery tables of this embodiment, different selection probabilities are set respectively when the look-ahead determination result is a jackpot and when it is a miss. And, when the look-ahead determination result is a jackpot, the selection probability of the zone high reserved symbol 119 is the highest, and when it is a miss, the selection probability of the normal reserved symbol 115 is the highest. Here, when the first zone lottery table and the second zone lottery table are compared, when the result of the look-ahead determination is a jackpot, the first zone lottery table has a high selection probability of the zone high reserved symbol 119 and a low selection probability of the normal reserved symbol 115. On the other hand, when the result of the look-ahead determination is a miss, the second zone lottery table has a higher selection probability of the zone high reserved symbol 119 and the zone medium reserved symbol 118 than the first zone lottery table. By setting such selection probabilities, the first zone lottery table has a higher reliability of the expectation suggested by the zone high reserved symbol 119 and the zone medium reserved symbol 118 than the second zone lottery table, while the second zone lottery table has a higher possibility of displaying the zone high reserved symbol 119 and the zone medium reserved symbol 118 than the first zone lottery table.

[0089] Furthermore, when comparing the first and second zone lottery table with the general reserve lottery table, the expectation level suggested by the zone high reserve symbol 119 is higher than the expectation level of the general high reserve symbol 117, due to the selection probability set in each table. And, the reserved symbols 115, 118, 119 selected by the first and second zone lottery table have higher reliability of the expected level suggested by each than the reserved symbols 115 to 117 selected by the general reserve lottery table. For this reason, in the above-mentioned look-ahead zone presentation state, the reliability of the expected level suggested by the first reserved symbol and the second reserved symbol is higher than in the non-look-ahead zone presentation state, and the player's sense of expectation can be effectively stimulated.

[0090] Next, the above-mentioned look-ahead zone presentation state and the look-ahead zone mode in which the first and second zone lottery tables are enabled will be described. As described above, the look-ahead zone mode is a state in which the display of reserved symbols 115, 118, 119 is determined by the first and second zone lottery tables each time a reserved memory is generated (stored), and is an operation mode related to the internal processing of the machine. On the other hand, the look-ahead zone performance state is a state in which the reserved symbols 115, 118, 119 determined by the first and second zone lottery tables in the look-ahead zone mode are displayed on the performance symbol display device 6, and is an external operation state for notifying the player.

[0091] The look-ahead zone mode is initiated based on the generation (storage) of a first reserved memory and a second reserved memory, and is terminated by generating (storing) a predetermined number of first reserved memories and second reserved memories. In this embodiment, the start conditions for the look-ahead zone mode (hereinafter referred to as zone start conditions) are set as follows: the generation of a first reserved memory and a second reserved memory, the general high reserved symbol 117 and the general medium reserved symbol 116 are not displayed at the time of the generation, the look-ahead zone mode and the look-ahead zone performance state are not in effect, there are no losing reaches among the unconsumed reserved memories, and the start of the look-ahead zone mode is determined by a lottery at the time of the generation. The zone start conditions are established when all of these are satisfied. Here, in this lottery, whether or not the look-ahead zone mode is started is determined according to a probability set according to the look-ahead determination result of the first reserved memory and the second reserved memory by the look-ahead determination process. In this embodiment, the probability of deciding to start the look-ahead zone mode is set to 80% when the look-ahead judgment result includes a jackpot judgment, and is set to 20% when the look-ahead judgment result includes a miss judgment. The look-ahead zone mode ends on the condition that the number of first reserved memories and the number of second reserved memories generated (stored) during the mode reach a predetermined threshold value. In this embodiment, the threshold value is set to four. Furthermore, the look-ahead zone mode ends on the condition that the first and second special symbols are confirmed as a jackpot by consuming the first and second reserved memories during the look-ahead zone mode. In this way, the conditions for ending the look-ahead zone mode (hereinafter referred to as the zone end conditions) are set as the number of reserved memories generated during the look-ahead zone mode reaching the threshold value (four) and the confirmation of a jackpot. When either of these conditions is satisfied, the zone end condition is established and the look-ahead zone mode ends.

[0092] In this embodiment, as described above, only in the normal game state, the first reserved symbol is displayed on the effect symbol display device 6, and only in the probability variable game state, the second reserved symbol is displayed on the effect symbol display device 6. Accordingly, in the configuration of this embodiment, the look-ahead zone mode is executed for the first reserved memory in the normal game state, and the look-ahead zone mode is executed for the second reserved memory in the probability variable game state. That is, in the normal game state, when the generation of the first reserved memory, the non-display of the general high reserved symbol 117 and the general medium reserved symbol 116 in the first reserved number display area 111, the non-look-ahead zone mode, the non-look-ahead zone effect state, and the absence of an unconsumed first reserved memory of the miss reach are all satisfied, the start of the look-ahead zone mode is determined by the lottery, which is the condition for starting the look-ahead zone mode (zone start condition). The look-ahead zone mode in the normal game state ends when the number of first reserved memories generated during the mode reaches the threshold value (four) or when a jackpot is confirmed by the consumption of the first reserved memories (zone end condition). Meanwhile, in the probability variable game state, the conditions for starting the look-ahead zone mode (zone start condition) are determined by the lottery when the following conditions are met: the generation of a second reserved memory; the general high reserved symbol 117 and the general medium reserved symbol 116 are not displayed in the second reserved number display area 112; the non-look-ahead zone mode is in a non-look-ahead zone presentation state; and there are no unconsumed second reserved memories of the miss reach. The look-ahead zone mode in the probability variable game state ends when the number of second reserved memories generated during the mode reaches the threshold value (four) or when a jackpot is confirmed by the consumption of the second reserved memories (zone end condition).

[0093] In such a look-ahead zone mode, as described above, the reserved symbol to be displayed on the effect symbol display device 6 is determined to be the normal reserved symbol 115, the medium zone reserved symbol 118, or the high zone reserved symbol 119 by the first and second zone lottery tables. Specifically, when the look-ahead zone mode is started, the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 are displayed by lottery using the first zone lottery table for the reserved memories that are not consumed at the time of the start of the look-ahead zone mode. At this time, in the lottery using the first zone lottery table, the normal reserved symbol 115, the medium zone reserved symbol 118, or the high zone reserved symbol 119 is determined by the selection probability according to the look-ahead determination result of each reserved memory. Meanwhile, during the look-ahead zone mode, each time a new reserved memory is generated, the reserved symbol 115, 118, and 119 are displayed by lottery using the second zone lottery table for the reserved memory. At this time, in the lottery using the second zone lottery table, the normal reserved symbol 115, the medium zone reserved symbol 118, or the high zone reserved symbol 119 is determined by the selection probability according to the result of the look-ahead judgment of the newly generated reserved memory. In this way, in the look-ahead zone mode, the reserved memories to which the first and second zone lottery tables are applied are separated, and therefore, the meanings of the reserved symbols 115, 118, 119 that represent the reserved memories to which the first zone lottery table is applied and the reserved memories to which the second zone lottery table is applied change. In other words, as mentioned above, the first zone lottery table and the second zone lottery table are set with different selection probabilities depending on the results of the look-ahead judgment, and therefore, for unconsumed reserved memories at the start of the look-ahead zone mode, the first zone lottery table makes it easier for the zone medium reserved pattern 118 and the zone high reserved pattern 119 to be displayed, thereby improving the effect of stimulating the player's sense of anticipation, while for reserved memories newly generated after the start of the look-ahead zone mode, the second zone lottery table makes it more reliable that the degree of expectation suggested by the reserved patterns 115, 118, 119 is displayed.

[0094] Meanwhile, the look-ahead zone presentation state begins when the first and second reserved memories are consumed in the look-ahead zone mode and ends when the special symbols that changed due to the consumption of the last first and second reserved memories generated in the look-ahead zone mode stop changing or when a jackpot is confirmed. Thus, the look-ahead zone presentation state is a state in which the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 determined to be displayed by the first and second zone lottery tables in the look-ahead zone mode are displayed on the presentation symbol display device 6. Here, in the look-ahead zone presentation state in the normal game mode, the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 indicating the unconsumed first reserved memory are displayed only in the first reserved number display area 111 of the presentation symbol display device 6, whereas in the look-ahead zone presentation state in the probability variable game mode, the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 indicating the unconsumed second reserved memory are displayed only in the second reserved number display area 112 of the presentation symbol display device 6.

[0095] Furthermore, in the look-ahead zone presentation state, zone notification symbols 121, 121 indicating the look-ahead zone presentation state are displayed on both the left and right edges of the presentation symbol display device 6. These zone notification symbols 121, 121 are displayed continuously from the start to the end of the look-ahead zone presentation state. As shown in Figures 21 to 23, the zone notification symbols 121 in this embodiment are vertically moving message symbols indicating that the look-ahead zone presentation state is in place in a vertical band-like area along both the left and right edges of the presentation symbol display device 6.

[0096] As mentioned above, the periods of the look-ahead zone mode and the look-ahead zone presentation state in this embodiment do not necessarily coincide. For example, if the look-ahead zone mode is initiated by the generation of a first reserved memory while the first special symbol is changing, the look-ahead zone presentation state is initiated when the next first special symbol starts changing after the first special symbol stops changing. If the look-ahead zone mode ends when the number of generated first reserved memories reaches the threshold value (four), the look-ahead zone presentation state ends when the first special symbol that started changing due to the consumption of the first reserved memory that reached the threshold value stops after the mode ends. If the start of the look-ahead zone mode and the start of the special symbol change overlap, the look-ahead zone mode and the look-ahead zone presentation state start almost simultaneously. Furthermore, if a jackpot is confirmed in the look-ahead zone mode and the look-ahead zone presentation state, the look-ahead zone mode and the look-ahead zone presentation state end simultaneously.

[0097] Next, we will explain the look-ahead control process (Figs. 16-18) and the zone presentation control process (Fig. 19) that control the look-ahead zone mode and look-ahead zone presentation state described above. These look-ahead control process and zone presentation control process are processes that are executed periodically (for example, as a timer interrupt process with a 2 ms cycle) by the sub-integrated control device 83, and are executed according to information sent from the main control device 80 by the start winning process and the win / loss determination process described above.

[0098] Figures 16 to 18 show flowcharts of the look-ahead control processing. In the look-ahead control processing, at S800 in Figure 16, it is determined whether or not a look-ahead determination command has been received from the main control device 80. If the determination is affirmative (S800: Yes), the processing proceeds to S805, and if the determination is negative (S800: No), the look-ahead control processing is terminated. As mentioned above, the look-ahead determination command is sent from the main control device 80 at S140 of the start winning processing.

[0099] In S805, a read-ahead information storage process is executed. In this read-ahead information storage process, information included in the read-ahead determination command received from the main control unit 80 is stored in the order of reception. In this embodiment, the storage device RAM of the sub-integrated control unit 83 is provided with a storage area for first read-ahead information that stores the read-ahead determination command of the first reserved memory, and a storage area for second read-ahead information that stores the read-ahead determination command of the second reserved memory, and the received read-ahead determination command is stored in either storage area depending on whether it is the first reserved memory or the second reserved memory.

[0100] In S807, it is determined whether or not the game is in a normal gaming state. If the determination is affirmative (S807: Yes), the program proceeds to S808, and if the determination is negative (S807: No), the program proceeds to S809. The determination of whether or not the game is in a normal gaming state is made based on the information transmitted from the main control device 80 in the above-mentioned S250, S340, S390, and S645.

[0101] In S808, it is determined whether the look-ahead determination command received and confirmed in S800 is that of the first reserved memory. If the determination is affirmative (S808: Yes), the process proceeds to S810 in FIG. 17, and if the determination is negative (S808: No), the look-ahead control process is terminated. As a result, in the normal game state, the following process (S810 to S940) is executed to display the reserved symbol on the performance symbol display device 6 only when the look-ahead determination command of the first reserved memory is received (when the first reserved memory is generated).

[0102] On the other hand, in S809, it is determined whether the look-ahead determination command received and confirmed in S800 is that of the second reserved memory. If the determination is affirmative (S809: Yes), the process proceeds to S810 in FIG. 17, and if the determination is negative (S809: No), the look-ahead control process is terminated. As a result, in the probability variable game state, the following process (S810 to S940) is executed to display the reserved pattern on the performance pattern display device 6 only when the look-ahead determination command of the second reserved memory is received (when the second reserved memory is generated).

[0103] In S810 of Fig. 17, it is determined whether the zone mode flag is 1. If the determination is affirmative (S810: Yes), the process proceeds to S900 of Fig. 18, and if the determination is negative (S810: No), the process proceeds to S815. Here, the zone mode flag indicates whether the above-mentioned look-ahead zone mode is in effect, with zone mode flag = 1 indicating look-ahead zone mode and zone mode flag = 0 indicating not look-ahead zone mode (in other words, non-look-ahead zone mode).

[0104] In S815, it is determined whether or not the zone effect flag is 1. If the determination is affirmative (S815: Yes), the process proceeds to S940 in Fig. 18, and if the determination is negative (S815: No), the process proceeds to S820. Here, the zone effect flag indicates whether or not the above-mentioned look-ahead zone effect state is in effect, with zone effect flag = 1 indicating a look-ahead zone effect state, and zone effect flag = 0 indicating a state other than a look-ahead zone effect state (in other words, a state of a non-look-ahead zone effect state).

[0105] In S820, it is determined whether the above-mentioned general high reserve pattern 117 and general medium reserve pattern 116 are being displayed on the effect pattern display device 6. In the case of a positive determination (S820: Yes), proceed to S860, and in the case of a negative determination (S820: No), proceed to S825. Here, in the normal game state, it is determined whether the general high reserve pattern 117 and the general medium reserve pattern 116 are displayed in the first reserve number display area 111 of the effect pattern display device 6, while in the probability variable game state, it is determined whether the general high reserve pattern 117 and the general medium reserve pattern 116 are displayed in the second reserve number display area 112 of the effect pattern display device 6. In addition, when in non-prediction zone mode and non-prediction zone presentation state, the first hold pattern and second hold pattern are displayed in the first hold number display area 111 and the second hold number display area 112 using the general high hold pattern 117 and the general medium hold pattern 116, which will be referred to as the hold preview presentation below.

[0106] In S825, it is determined whether or not there is an unconsumed reserved memory that will result in a miss reach among the information of the look-ahead determination command stored in S805. If the determination is affirmative (S825: Yes), the process proceeds to S860, and if the determination is negative (S825: No), the process proceeds to S830. Here, in the normal gaming state, the look-ahead determination command stored in the memory area for the first look-ahead information is examined to determine whether or not there is a look-ahead determination command (unconsumed first reserved memory) that has information on a miss reach, while in the probability variable gaming state, the memory area for the second look-ahead information is examined to determine whether or not there is a look-ahead determination command (unconsumed second reserved memory) that has information on a miss reach.

[0107] In S830, a look-ahead zone lottery process is executed. In this look-ahead zone lottery process, whether or not to start the look-ahead zone mode is determined by lottery. As described above, this lottery determines whether or not to start the look-ahead zone mode according to a preset probability, depending on the judgment result included in the look-ahead judgment command received and confirmed in S800. Here, if the look-ahead judgment result of the look-ahead judgment command includes jackpot judgment information, the look-ahead zone mode is determined to start with an 80% probability, and if the look-ahead judgment result includes loss judgment information, the look-ahead zone mode is determined to start with a 20% probability.

[0108] In S835, it is determined whether or not the start of the look-ahead zone mode was determined in S830. If the determination is affirmative (S835: Yes), the process proceeds to S840, and if the determination is negative (S835: No), the process proceeds to S860. This affirmative determination in S835 means that the zone start condition is met. In other words, a series of processes from S800 to S835 determines whether or not the zone start condition is met.

[0109] In S840, a zone mode setting process is executed. In this zone mode setting process, a process is performed to set information and conditions required in the look-ahead zone mode. Specifically, processes are performed to set the threshold values ​​(four) that are the termination conditions for the look-ahead zone mode, and the reserved memory (look-ahead determination command) that is the target of the look-ahead zone mode. Here, the reserved memory that is the target of the look-ahead zone mode is the first reserved memory (look-ahead determination command including look-ahead determination information) stored in the memory area for the first look-ahead information in the normal gaming state, and the second reserved memory (look-ahead determination command including look-ahead determination information) stored in the memory area for the second look-ahead information in the probability variable gaming state.

[0110] In S845, a previous reserved memory determination process is performed. In the previous reserved memory determination process, the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 indicating each reserved memory are determined for each unconsumed reserved memory using the first zone lottery table, and information on the determined reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 is stored. In this process, since the first zone lottery table is used, the reserved symbols indicating each unconsumed reserved memory are determined to be the normal reserved symbol 115, the medium zone reserved symbol 118, or the high zone reserved symbol 119. Here, as described above, the first zone lottery table is set with a selection probability (see FIG. 15) corresponding to information on whether or not a jackpot has been reached (pre-reading determination information) included in the pre-reading determination command. In S845, the display of the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 is determined according to the selection probability corresponding to the information on each pre-reading determination command. In more detail, in the normal gaming state, the look-ahead determination command stored in the memory area for the first look-ahead information is confirmed, and the reserved symbols 115, 118, 119 are determined by the first zone lottery table according to the information on whether or not a jackpot has been reached, which is included in the look-ahead determination command. On the other hand, in the probability variable gaming state, the look-ahead determination command stored in the memory area for the second look-ahead information is confirmed, and the reserved symbols 115, 118, 119 are determined by the first zone lottery table according to the information on whether or not a jackpot has been reached, which is included in the look-ahead determination command. In this embodiment, in S845, the look-ahead determination commands (corresponding to unconsumed reserved memory) stored in the memory area for the first look-ahead information and the memory area for the second look-ahead information are subject to lottery by the first zone lottery table. As a result, reserved memory that is on hold at the start of the look-ahead zone mode (including reserved memory that triggered the decision to start the look-ahead zone mode) becomes subject to lottery by the first zone lottery table.

[0111] In S850, the zone mode flag is set to 1, and the process proceeds to S855.

[0112] In S855, normal reserve display processing is executed. In this normal reserve display processing, a display command for displaying the normal reserve symbol 115 is sent to the effect symbol control device 82. Here, the display command includes information indicating an increase in the first reserve memory and information indicating the display of the normal reserve symbol 115 if in a normal game state, while it includes information indicating an increase in the second reserve memory and information indicating the display of the normal reserve symbol 115 if in a probability variable game state. By sending such a display command, the sub-integrated control device 83 controls the effect symbol display device 6 to display the first reserve symbol and the second reserve symbol via the effect symbol control device 82. After S855, the look-ahead control processing is terminated. When the effect symbol control device 82 receives the display command from the sub-integrated control device 83, it generates image data for displaying the normal reserved symbol 115 in accordance with the information included in the display command. That is, if the display command includes information indicating an increase in the first reserved memory, it selects data for displaying the normal reserved symbol 115 in the first reserved number memory area 111 from the pre-stored data for reserved symbols, and generates the image data according to this data. Then, it operates and controls the effect symbol display device 6 to play this image data, thereby newly displaying the normal reserved symbol 115 in the first reserved number display area 111. On the other hand, if the display command includes information indicating an increase in the second reserved memory, it selects data for displaying the normal reserved symbol 115 in the second reserved number memory area 112 from the pre-stored data for reserved symbols, and generates the image data according to this data. Then, it operates and controls the effect symbol display device 6 to play this image data, thereby newly displaying the normal reserved symbol 115 in the second reserved number display area 112.

[0113] Further, S860 is a process following the affirmative determination of S820, the affirmative determination of S825, or the negative determination of S835, and executes a hold notice determination process. This hold notice determination process is a process executed when the look-ahead zone mode is not started in the non-look-ahead zone mode (negative determination of S810) and the non-look-ahead zone presentation state (negative determination of S815), and determines the hold symbols 115 to 117 indicating the hold memory of the look-ahead determination command received and confirmed in S800 using the general hold lottery table described above. Here, as described above, the general hold lottery table has a selection probability (see FIG. 15) set according to the information included in the look-ahead determination command (jackpot, reach to miss, no reach to miss), and therefore, in S860, the normal hold symbol 115, the general medium hold symbol 116, or the general high hold symbol 117 is determined according to the selection probability according to the information of the look-ahead determination command received and confirmed in S800.

[0114] In S865, it is determined whether or not the display of the general medium reserved symbol 116 or the general high reserved symbol 117 has been determined in S860. If the determination is affirmative (S865: Yes), proceed to S870, and if the determination is negative (S865: No), proceed to S855.

[0115] In S870, a reserve notice display process is executed. In the reserve notice display process, a display command for displaying the general medium reserve symbol 116 or general high reserve symbol 117 determined in S860 is sent to the effect symbol control device 82. Here, the display command includes, in the normal game state, information indicating an increase in the first reserve memory and information indicating the display of the general medium reserve symbol 116 or general high reserve symbol 117, while in the probability variable game state, information indicating an increase in the second reserve memory and information indicating the display of the general medium reserve symbol 116 or general high reserve symbol 117. By sending such a display command, the sub-integrated control device 83 controls the effect symbol display device 6 via the effect symbol control device 82 to display the first and second reserved symbols. After S870, the look-ahead control process is terminated. When the effect symbol control device 82 receives the display command from the sub-integrated control device 83, it generates image data for displaying the general medium reserve symbol 116 or the general high reserve symbol 117 according to the information included in the display command. Then, by operating and controlling the effect symbol display device 6 and reproducing this image data, the general medium reserve symbol 116 or the general high reserve symbol 117 is newly displayed in the first reserve number display area 111 in the normal game state, while the general medium reserve symbol 116 or the general high reserve symbol 117 is newly displayed in the second reserve number display area 112 in the probability variable game state.

[0116] 18, which follows the affirmative determination of S810, determines whether the termination condition of the look-ahead zone mode (zone termination condition) described above is met. If the determination is affirmative (S900: Yes), the process proceeds to S930. If the determination is negative (S900: No), the process proceeds to S905. Here, the zone termination condition, as described above, is that in the normal game state, the number of first reserved memories generated in the look-ahead zone mode reaches the threshold value (four), or the first special symbol that begins to change due to the consumption of the first reserved memory is determined to be a jackpot; and in the probability variable game state, the number of second reserved memories generated in the look-ahead zone mode reaches the threshold value (four), or the second special symbol that begins to change due to the consumption of the second reserved memory is determined to be a jackpot. The number of first or second reserved memories generated is obtained by counting each time a pre-reading judgment command is received in S800, and information on whether a jackpot has been confirmed is obtained from information received from the main control unit 80 (the pattern confirmation command sent in S265 of the hit / miss judgment process).

[0117] In S905, a later reserved memory determination process is executed. In the later reserved memory determination process, the reserved symbol indicating the reserved memory of the look-ahead determination command received and confirmed in S800 is determined to be the normal reserved symbol 115, the medium zone reserved symbol 118, or the high zone reserved symbol 119 using the second zone lottery table described above. Here, as described above, the second zone lottery table is set with a selection probability (see FIG. 15) according to the information on whether or not a jackpot is to be won (look-ahead determination information) included in the look-ahead determination command, and therefore the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 are determined according to the selection probability according to the information on the look-ahead determination command received and confirmed in S800. Furthermore, in S905, when the zone effect flag is 0, information on the determined reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 is stored.

[0118] In S910, it is determined whether or not it has been decided in S905 to display the zone medium reserved symbol 118 or the zone high reserved symbol 119. If the determination is affirmative (S910: Yes), the process proceeds to S915, and if the determination is negative (S910: No), the process proceeds to S940. Note that displaying the first reserved symbol and the second reserved symbol using the zone medium reserved symbol 118 and the zone high reserved symbol 119 is hereinafter referred to as a zone preview performance.

[0119] In S915, it is determined whether the zone effect flag is 1. If the determination is affirmative (S915: Yes), the process proceeds to S920, and if the determination is negative (S915: No), the process proceeds to S940.

[0120] In S920, a zone preview display process is executed. In the zone preview display process, a display command for displaying the mid-zone reserved symbol 118 or the high-zone reserved symbol 119 determined in S905 is sent to the effect symbol control device 82. Here, the display command includes, in the normal game state, information indicating an increase in the first reserved memory and information indicating the display of the mid-zone reserved symbol 118 or the high-zone reserved symbol 119. Meanwhile, in the probability variable game state, the display command includes information indicating an increase in the second reserved memory and information indicating the display of the mid-zone reserved symbol 118 or the high-zone reserved symbol 119. By sending such a display command, the sub-integrated control device 83 controls the effect symbol display device 6 via the effect symbol control device 82 to display the first reserved symbol and the second reserved symbol. After S920, the look-ahead control process ends. When the effect symbol control device 82 receives the display command from the sub-integrated control device 83, it generates image data for displaying the mid-zone reserved symbol 118 or the high-zone reserved symbol 119 in accordance with the information included in the display command. Then, by operating and controlling the effect symbol display device 6 and reproducing this image data, the mid-zone reserved symbol 118 or the high-zone reserved symbol 119 is newly displayed in the first reserved number display area 111 in the normal game state, while the mid-zone reserved symbol 118 or the high-zone reserved symbol 119 is newly displayed in the second reserved number display area 112 in the probability variable game state.

[0121] In S930, which follows the affirmative determination in S900, the zone mode flag is set to 0, and the process proceeds to S940.

[0122] S940 is a process that continues from the affirmative determination of S815, the negative determination of S910, the negative determination of S915, or S930, and executes the normal hold display process. The normal hold display process is the same process as S855 described above. After S940, the look-ahead control process ends.

[0123] The above-mentioned zone effect control process will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In S1000, the zone performance control process determines whether or not a fluctuation start command has been received from the main control device 80. If the determination is affirmative (S1000: Yes), the process proceeds to S1005, and if the determination is negative (S1000: No), the process proceeds to S1060. As mentioned above, the fluctuation start command is sent from the main control device 80 by S250 of the success / failure determination process.

[0124] In S1005, a reserved display update process is executed. In the reserved display update process, in the normal game state, if the change start command received and confirmed in S1000 indicates the start of the change of the first special symbol (the consumption of the first reserved memory), a process is performed to decrease the first reserved symbol displayed in the first reserved number display area 111 of the effect symbol display device 6. On the other hand, in the high probability game state, if the change start command received and confirmed in S1000 indicates the start of the change of the second special symbol (the consumption of the second reserved memory), a process is performed to decrease the second reserved symbol displayed in the second reserved number display area 112. Specifically, in the normal game state, if the change start command includes information indicating the start of the change of the first special symbol, an update command for executing a shift display of the first reserved symbol is transmitted to the effect symbol control device 82. On the other hand, in the high probability game state, if the change start command includes information indicating the start of the change of the second special symbol, an update command for executing a shift display of the second reserved symbol is transmitted to the effect symbol control device 82. When the effect symbol control device 82 receives the update command from the sub-integrated control device 83, it generates video data for shifting the display in the first reserved number display area 111 or video data for shifting the display in the second reserved number display area 112 in accordance with the update command. Here, the video data for shifting the display in the first reserved number display area 111 is data for erasing the first reserved symbol displayed in the leftmost position of the first reserved number display area 111 and shifting the other first reserved symbols to the right, and the video data for shifting the display in the second reserved number display area 112 is data for erasing the second reserved symbol displayed in the rightmost position of the second reserved number display area 112 and shifting the other second reserved symbols to the right. When such video data is generated, it drives and controls the effect symbol display device 6 to play the video data, thereby shifting the first reserved symbol or the second reserved symbol.

[0125] In S1010, it is determined whether the zone mode flag is 1. If the determination is affirmative (S1010: Yes), the process proceeds to S1015, and if the determination is negative (S1010: No), the process proceeds to S1045.

[0126] In S1015, it is determined whether or not the zone effect flag is 1. If the determination is affirmative (S1015: Yes), the process proceeds to S1045, and if the determination is negative (S1015: No), the process proceeds to S1020.

[0127] In S1020, a zone effect start process is executed. The zone effect start process is a process for displaying the zone notification symbol 121 on the effect symbol display device 6, and a command for executing the display of the zone notification symbol 121 is transmitted to the effect symbol control device 82. When the effect symbol control device 82 receives the command from the sub-integrated control device 83, it follows the command to generate video data for displaying the zone notification symbols 121, 121 on both the left and right edges of the effect symbol display device 6. Then, when this video data is generated, it drives and controls the effect symbol display device 6 to play back the video data, thereby displaying the zone notification symbol 121.

[0128] In S1030, the zone effect flag is set to 1, and the process proceeds to S1035.

[0129] In S1035, it is determined whether there is any pending memory that has been determined to display the zone medium reserved symbol 118 or the zone high reserved symbol 119 in S845 of the above-mentioned look-ahead control process. If the determination is affirmative (S1035: Yes), proceed to S1040, and if the determination is negative (S1035: No), proceed to S1045.

[0130] In S1040, a zone notice display process is executed. The zone notice display process performs a process of converting the reserved symbol (normal reserved symbol 115) being displayed in the first reserved number display area 111 and the second reserved number display area 112 into the middle zone reserved symbol 118 or the high zone reserved symbol 119. In detail, in the normal game state, a display conversion command including information indicating the unconsumed first reserved memory for which the display of the middle zone reserved symbol 118 or the high zone reserved symbol 119 was decided in the above-mentioned S845 and in S905 when the zone effect flag = 0, and information to change the display to the middle zone reserved symbol 118 or the high zone reserved symbol 119 is sent to the effect symbol control device 82. On the other hand, in a probability variable game state, a display conversion command including information indicating the unconsumed second reserved memory that has determined the display of the mid-zone reserved pattern 118 or the high-zone reserved pattern 119, and information to change the display to the mid-zone reserved pattern 118 or the high-zone reserved pattern 119, is transmitted to the effect pattern control device 82. By transmitting such a display conversion command, the sub-integrated control device 83 controls the effect pattern display device 6 to convert the display to the mid-zone reserved pattern 118 and the high-zone reserved pattern 119 via the effect pattern control device 82. After S1040, the process proceeds to S1045. When the effect symbol control device 82 receives the display conversion command from the sub-integrated control device 83, it generates image data for display converting the first reserved symbol and the second reserved symbol from the normal reserved symbol 115 to the zone medium reserved symbol 118 or the zone high reserved symbol 119 in accordance with the information contained in the display conversion command. In other words, if the display conversion command includes information on the first reserved memory to be displayed, it selects data from the pre-stored data for the reserved symbol to display convert the first reserved symbol that is the target of the display conversion from the normal reserved symbol 115 to the zone medium reserved symbol 118 or the zone high reserved symbol 119, and generates the image data according to this data. Here, when multiple first reserved symbols are to be displayed, it generates the image data for display converting all of the target first reserved symbols. On the other hand, if the display conversion command includes information on the second reserved memory to be displayed, data for changing the display of the second reserved pattern that is the target of the display conversion from normal reserved pattern 115 to middle zone reserved pattern 118 or high zone reserved pattern 119 is selected from the data for reserved patterns stored in advance, and the image data is generated according to this data. Here, when multiple second reserved patterns are to be displayed, the image data for display conversion of all target second reserved patterns is generated. By playing such image data, the first reserved pattern and second reserved pattern that are the target of the display conversion are displayed on the performance pattern display device 6, changing the display from normal reserved pattern 115 to middle zone reserved pattern 118 or high zone reserved pattern 119.

[0131] S1045 is a process that follows the negative judgment of S1010, the positive judgment of S1015, the negative judgment of S1035, or S1010, and executes a look-ahead command digestion process. In the look-ahead command digestion process, if the fluctuation start command received and confirmed in S1000 indicates the consumption of the first reserved memory, the earliest one of the look-ahead judgment commands stored in the memory area for the first look-ahead information in S805 of the look-ahead control process is erased from that memory area. On the other hand, if the fluctuation start command received and confirmed in S1000 indicates the consumption of the second reserved memory, the earliest one of the look-ahead judgment commands stored in the memory area for the second look-ahead information in S805 is erased from that memory area. After S1045, the zone performance control process ends.

[0132] In S1060, which follows the negative determination in S1000, it is determined whether or not a symbol determination command has been received from the main control device 80. If the determination is positive (S1060: Yes), the process proceeds to S1065, and if the determination is negative (S1060: No), the zone effect control process is terminated. Note that the symbol determination command is sent from the main control device 80 by S265 of the hit / miss determination process, as described above.

[0133] In S1065, it is determined whether the zone effect flag is 1. If the determination is affirmative (S1065: Yes), the process proceeds to S1070, and if the determination is negative (S1065: No), the zone effect control process ends.

[0134] In S1070, it is determined whether the termination condition for the look-ahead zone presentation state described above is met. If the determination is affirmative (S1070: Yes), the process proceeds to S1075, and if the determination is negative (S1070: No), the zone presentation control process is terminated. Here, the termination condition for the look-ahead zone presentation state is set as described above, that the first reserved memory and the second reserved memory last generated in the look-ahead zone mode are consumed, the fluctuation of the special symbols due to this consumption stops, and the jackpot is confirmed when the fluctuation of the special symbols stops.

[0135] In S1075, a zone effect end process is executed. The zone effect end process is a process for ending the display of the zone notification symbol 121 that started to be displayed in S1020, and a command for ending the display of the zone notification symbol 121 is sent to the effect symbol control device 82. After S1075, the zone effect control process ends. When the effect symbol control device 82 receives the command from the sub-integrated control device 83, it stops the playback of the video data that displays the zone notification symbols 121, 121 on both the left and right side edges of the effect symbol display device 6 in accordance with the command. This ends the display of the zone notification symbol 121.

[0136] Next, the display mode of the reserved symbols in the performance symbol display device 6 will be explained using the following display example. For example, in a normal game state, when a first reserved memory generated by a game ball entering the first starting hole 11 is consumed, the first special symbol begins to change, and the display of the special effect symbols 101a to 101c begins to change on the effect symbol display device 6, as shown in FIG. 20(A). When a game ball enters the first starting hole 11 while the first special symbol is changing, a first reserved memory is generated, and as shown in FIG. 20(A), a first reserved symbol 115 indicating the presence of an unconsumed first reserved memory is displayed in the first reserved number display area 111. When this first reserved memory is generated, if there is no unconsumed first reserved memory, the first reserved symbol 115 is displayed in the leftmost position of the first reserved number display area 111. Note that in a normal game state, even if a second reserved memory is generated, a second reserved symbol indicating an unconsumed second reserved memory is not displayed.

[0137] Here, in the case of the non-pre-read zone mode and the non-pre-read zone performance state, whether or not to start the pre-read zone mode is determined by the pre-read performance process based on the generation of the first reserved memory, and if it is determined not to start (hereinafter referred to as "no start"), one of the three types of reserved symbols 115 to 117 is determined by S860 (lottery process using a general reserved lottery table) of the pre-read control process, and the determined one reserved symbol 115 to 117 is displayed in the first reserved number display area 111. For example, when it is determined that the pre-read zone mode will not start and the display of the normal reserved symbol 115 is determined, the normal reserved symbol 115 is displayed as the first reserved symbol in the first reserved number display area 111.

[0138] Furthermore, when the number of first reserved memories is less than the upper limit (4), and a new first reserved memory is generated by a ball entering the first starting port 11, the first reserved pattern is displayed in the first reserved number display area 111 of the performance pattern display device 6. Here, as described above, when the start of the pre-read zone mode is determined by the pre-read performance processing and the display of the general medium reserved pattern 116 is determined, the general medium reserved pattern 116 is displayed as the first reserved pattern in the first reserved number display area 111, as shown in Figure 20 (B).

[0139] After this, as shown in Figure 20 (C), when the first special symbol stops fluctuating and a miss is confirmed, the unconsumed first reserved memory is consumed. At this time, if there are multiple unconsumed first reserved memories, the unconsumed first reserved memory generated first is consumed. Accordingly, in the performance symbol display device 6, as shown in Figure 20 (D), the first reserved symbol 115 displayed at the leftmost position of the first reserved number display area 111 is erased, and the second first reserved symbol (general medium reserved symbol) 116 from the left is shifted to the leftmost position and displayed.

[0140] In this way, in the normal game state, the first reserved symbol is displayed in the first reserved number display area 111 of the effect symbol display device 6 in an increasing manner as the first reserved memory is generated, and the first reserved symbol is shifted and displayed as the first reserved memory is consumed. And, as described above, in the case of the non-pre-read zone mode and the non-pre-read zone effect state, each time the first reserved memory is generated, it is determined whether or not to start the pre-read zone mode by the pre-read effect processing, and when it is determined that the pre-read zone mode is not started, one reserved symbol 115 to 117 is determined by the lottery processing using the general reserved lottery table described above, and the first reserved symbol is displayed by the determined reserved symbol 115 to 117.

[0141] Furthermore, when the above-mentioned general medium reserved symbol 116 (or general high reserved symbol 117) is displayed in the first reserved number display area 111, even if a new first reserved memory is generated, the zone start condition is not established, so the pre-read zone mode is not entered. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 20(E), the first reserved symbol is displayed by the reserved symbols 115 to 117 determined by the lottery process using the general reserved lottery table each time the first reserved memory is generated. In addition, the general medium reserved pattern 116 displayed in the first reserved number display area 111 has a higher expectation of determining a jackpot compared to the normal reserved pattern 115. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20(F), when the first reserved memory indicated by the general medium reserved pattern 116 is consumed and the special effect patterns 101a to 101c start to vary, the player's emotions can be stimulated as they stop varying the special effect patterns 101a to 101c, hoping that a jackpot will be determined.

[0142] On the other hand, in the normal game state, when the non-predictive zone mode and the non-predictive zone effect state are in effect, and a new first reserved memory is generated, the start of the pre-read zone mode is determined by the pre-read effect process, and one reserved symbol 115, 118, 119 is determined by S845 (lottery process using the first zone lottery table) of the pre-read control process. Here, the condition for determining the start of the pre-read zone mode (zone start condition) is, as described above, the non-pre-read zone mode, the non-pre-read zone effect state, the unconsumed first reserved memory is not performing a reserved notice effect using the general medium reserved symbol 116 or the general high reserved symbol 117, and there is no miss reach among the unconsumed reserved memories, and the start of the pre-read zone mode is determined by lottery in S830 of the pre-read control process. Furthermore, when the start of the pre-read zone mode is determined, one reserved symbol 115, 118, 119 is determined for each unconsumed first reserved memory using the first zone lottery table.

[0143] When the start of such a look-ahead zone mode is decided, if the special effect symbols 101a to 101c are being displayed in a variable manner, the first reserved symbol indicating the first reserved memory that triggered the start decision is displayed by the normal reserved symbol 115. For example, as shown in FIG. 20(F), when two first reserved symbols are displayed by the normal reserved symbol 115 in the first reserved number display area 111 and the special effect symbols 101a to 101c are being changed, if the start of the look-ahead zone mode is decided by the generation of a new first reserved memory, the first reserved symbols indicating the two previously stored unconsumed first reserved memories and the new first reserved memory are decided to be one of the reserved symbols 115, 118, 119 by the first zone lottery table. At this time, although the look-ahead zone mode is started, since it is in a non-look-ahead zone presentation state, in the first reservation number display area 111, as shown in Figure 21 (A), the first reservation pattern indicating the new first reservation memory is displayed by the normal reservation pattern 115, and the other first reservation patterns are maintained as the normal reservation pattern 115. Furthermore, information on the reservation patterns 115, 118, 119 determined by the first zone lottery table is stored in correspondence with each first reservation memory.

[0144] Furthermore, when a new first reserved memory is generated in the above-mentioned look-ahead zone mode without having consumed the first reserved memory, the first reserved symbol indicating the first reserved memory is determined to be one of reserved symbols 115, 118, 119 by the second zone lottery table, and as shown in Figure 21 (B), the first reserved symbol indicating the new first reserved memory is displayed by the normal reserved symbol 115. In this case, too, the reserved symbol 115, 118, 119 information determined by the second zone lottery table is stored in association with the first reserved symbol.

[0145] After this, when the first reserved memory is consumed for the first time in the look-ahead zone mode, as shown in FIG. 21(C), the variable display of special effect symbols 101a-101c begins, and the first reserved symbol is shifted and displayed in the first reserved number display area 111. Then, as the first reserved memory is consumed for the first time in the look-ahead zone mode, the look-ahead zone effect state is entered. Accordingly, each first reserved symbol displayed in the first reserved number display area 111 is displayed by the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 determined by the first and second zone lottery tables in the look-ahead zone mode. Here, if the first zone lottery table determines at the start of the look-ahead zone mode that the first reserved symbol indicating the first reserved memory that triggered the start of the look-ahead zone mode is to be displayed as the zone high reserved symbol 119, the first reserved symbol indicating the first reserved memory is displayed and converted from the normal reserved symbol 115 to the zone high reserved symbol 119. For other first reserved memories, if it has been decided that they should be displayed as the normal reserved symbol 115, they are displayed as the normal reserved symbol 115. Furthermore, when the look-ahead zone performance state is entered, the zone notification symbols 121, 121 are displayed on both the left and right edges of the performance symbol display device 6. These zone notification symbols 121, 121 are continuously displayed until the look-ahead zone performance state ends.

[0146] In this look-ahead zone mode and look-ahead zone presentation state, each time a first reserved memory is generated, reserved patterns 115, 118, 119 are determined by the second zone lottery table, and the first reserved pattern is displayed using the determined reserved patterns 115, 118, 119.

[0147] In the look-ahead zone performance state, when the unconsumed first reserved memory is consumed sequentially, as shown in Figures 21(C) to 21(D), the special performance symbols 101a to 101c are displayed variably and stopped, and the first reserved symbol is displayed in a shift. Then, in the look-ahead zone performance state, since the display mode of the first reserved symbol is determined by the first and second zone lottery tables as described above, the display of the zone high reserved symbol 119 suggests a high degree of expectation. As a result, as shown in Figure 21(E), when the special performance symbols 101a to 101c are displayed variably due to the consumption of the first reserved memory corresponding to this zone high reserved symbol 119, the player's emotions of expecting a jackpot to be confirmed by the stopping of the fluctuation of the special performance symbols 101a to 101c are extremely stimulated. In particular, in this case, the first reserved memory corresponding to the zone high reserved pattern 119 is determined by the first zone lottery table, and therefore is not only more reliable than the general medium reserved pattern 116 and the general high reserved pattern 117 that can be displayed in a non-preview zone performance state, but also more reliable than the first reserved memory (to which the second zone lottery table is applied) generated in the pre-read zone mode. Therefore, as shown in Figure 21 (E), when a reach occurs with the special performance patterns 101a to 101c, it becomes a state in which a jackpot can be most likely to be confirmed (a so-called hot state), and the player's sense of expectation can be most heightened.

[0148] After the reach, as shown in Fig. 21(F), when the special effect symbols 101a to 101c are stopped and the jackpot is confirmed, the look-ahead zone mode and the look-ahead zone effect state are terminated, and the zone notification symbols 121, 121 displayed on the effect symbol display device 6 are terminated. Furthermore, on the effect symbol display device 6, a message symbol 102 indicating the confirmation of the jackpot is displayed.

[0149] Also, in the non-preview zone mode and non-preview zone effect state, when the start of the preview zone mode is determined by the preview effect processing in association with the generation of a new first reserved memory, before the first reserved memory is consumed in the preview zone mode, as shown in Figures 22(A) to (B), each first reserved symbol is displayed as a normal reserved symbol 115. Here, if, at the start of the preview zone mode, the first reserved symbol of the first reserved memory that triggered the decision to start the preview zone mode is determined to be displayed as a zone-in-reserved symbol 118 by the first zone lottery table, when the preview zone effect state is entered, as shown in Figure 22(C), the first reserved symbol indicating the first reserved memory is displayed and converted from the normal reserved symbol 115 to the zone-in-reserved symbol 118. As mentioned above, in the preview zone effect state, the zone notification symbols 121, 121 are displayed on both the left and right edges of the effect symbol display device 6.

[0150] This look-ahead zone mode continues until the number of newly generated first reserved memories reaches the threshold value (four) if a jackpot is not confirmed by the consumption of the first reserved memory. For example, if the first reserved symbol corresponding to the zone reserved symbol 118 is consumed as described above and the special effect symbols 101a-101c that began to change as a result of the consumption are confirmed as a miss, as shown in FIG. 22(D), the look-ahead zone mode continues. Then, when the number of first reserved memories generated during the look-ahead zone mode reaches the threshold value, the look-ahead zone mode ends. On the other hand, if the first reserved memories generated during the look-ahead zone mode are not consumed, the look-ahead zone effect state continues. After this, the last first reserved memory generated in the look-ahead zone mode is consumed, and the special effect symbols 101a-101c that began to change as a result of the consumption are displayed as stopped, as shown in FIG. 22(E), and a miss is confirmed, and the look-ahead zone effect state ends. As a result, as shown in Figure 22 (F), the display of the zone notification symbols 121, 121 is terminated on the effect symbol display device 6. Note that, when the non-pre-read zone mode and non-pre-read zone effect state are entered, as described above, each time the first reserved memory is generated, it is determined whether or not to start the pre-read zone mode by the pre-read effect processing, and if it is determined not to start, the first reserved symbol is displayed by one reserved symbol 115-117 determined by the lottery processing using the general reserved lottery table described above. For example, when it is determined to display the general high reserved symbol 117, as shown in Figure 22 (F), the first reserved symbol is displayed by the general high reserved symbol 117 in the first reserved number memory area 111.

[0151] In Example 1, as described above, the display mode of the first reserved pattern in the normal game state was exemplified, but in the special game state, the second reserved pattern is similarly displayed in the second reserved number display area 112.

[0152] Next, the features of the first embodiment will be described. As described above, the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment starts the look-ahead zone mode when the zone start condition is met based on the generation (storage) of a reserved memory, and the reserved symbols indicating the reserved memories that are not yet consumed at the time of the start are determined to be the normal reserved symbol 115, the mid-zone reserved symbol 118, or the zone high reserved symbol 119 by the first zone lottery table, and the reserved symbols indicating the reserved memories newly generated after the start are determined to be the normal reserved symbol 115, the mid-zone reserved symbol 118, or the zone high reserved symbol 119 by the second zone lottery table. Then, when the reserved memory is consumed for the first time after the look-ahead zone mode starts, the look-ahead zone performance state is entered, and the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 determined in the look-ahead zone mode are displayed. Here, the first zone lottery table sets the selection probability of each reserved symbol 115, 118, and 119 so that the appearance rate of the mid-zone reserved symbol 118 or the zone high reserved symbol 119 is higher than that of the second zone lottery table. Furthermore, the first and second zone lottery tables are set so that the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 displayed in the look-ahead zone mode have higher reliability of expectation than the reserved symbols 115 to 117 displayed in the non-look-ahead zone mode.

[0153] In this configuration, the first and second zone lottery tables that determine the reserved symbols in the look-ahead zone mode have different selection probabilities, so that reserved memories that are not consumed at the start of the look-ahead zone mode and reserved memories that are generated (stored) after the start of the look-ahead zone mode have different meanings for the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 that they represent. In other words, reserved memories that are not consumed at the start of the look-ahead zone mode are more likely to be displayed as the mid-zone reserved symbol 118 and the high-zone reserved symbol 119 by the first zone lottery table, so that by displaying them as the mid-zone reserved symbol 118 or the high-zone reserved symbol 119, the effect of stimulating the player's sense of anticipation can be improved. On the other hand, the reserved memory generated after the start of the look-ahead zone mode is displayed by the second zone lottery table with the reserved symbols 115, 118, 119 having a high reliability of expectation, so if it is displayed with the zone medium reserved symbol 118 or the zone high reserved symbol 119, it can strongly stimulate the player's sense of expectation. Therefore, according to the configuration of this embodiment 1, it is possible to provide unprecedented and varied entertainment to the display of reserved symbols in the look-ahead zone presentation state, thereby dramatically increasing the enjoyment of the game.

[0154] Furthermore, in the configuration of Example 1, one of the zone start conditions for starting the look-ahead zone mode is that there is no losing reach among the pending symbols that have not yet been consumed, so if a reach occurs with the special effect symbols 101a to 101c that are displayed variably in the look-ahead zone effect state, the possibility of a confirmed jackpot becomes extremely high (a so-called hot state). In this way, the value of the reach in the look-ahead zone effect state can be significantly improved compared to the non-look-ahead zone effect state, so that the player's sense of anticipation can be stimulated more effectively.

[0155] Furthermore, the configuration of Example 1 displays the zone notification symbol 121 in the look-ahead zone presentation state in which the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 determined in the look-ahead zone mode are displayed. This allows the player to clearly and easily know whether the reserved symbol displayed on the presentation symbol display device 6 was determined in the look-ahead zone mode. In particular, in Example 1, although the normal reserved symbol 115 common to the look-ahead zone mode and the non-look-ahead zone mode is displayed, the normal reserved symbol 115 determined to be displayed in the look-ahead zone mode is more reliable than the normal reserved symbol 115 determined to be displayed in the non-look-ahead zone mode. Therefore, the player can accurately determine the expected value suggested by the normal reserved symbol 115 depending on whether the zone notification symbol 121 is displayed. Therefore, the display of the zone notification symbol 121 can highlight the effect of the present configuration described above in the look-ahead zone mode (look-ahead zone presentation state), contributing to further improving the effect. [Example]

[0156] In the configuration of Example 2, when the zone start condition of the look-ahead zone mode is met and the look-ahead zone mode is entered, the reserved symbols indicating unconsumed reserved memories are determined by the second zone lottery table, and the reserved symbols indicating newly generated (stored) reserved memories in the look-ahead zone mode are determined by the first lottery table. As a result, the reserved symbols 115, 118, 119 indicating unconsumed reserved memories at the start of the look-ahead zone mode are more reliable in the degree of expectation suggested by each reserved symbol 115, 118, 119 by the second zone lottery table, while the reserved symbols 115, 118, 119 indicating newly generated reserved memories in the look-ahead zone mode are more likely to be displayed as the zone medium reserved symbol 118 and the zone high reserved symbol 119 by the first zone lottery table, thereby improving the effect of stimulating the player's sense of expectation. In this way, in the configuration of Example 2, the meanings of the reserved patterns 115, 118, and 119 indicated by the reserved memories stored before the start of the look-ahead zone mode and the reserved memories stored after the start of the look-ahead zone mode are opposite to those of Example 1 described above.

[0157] Furthermore, in Example 2, the zone start conditions are set as follows: the first reserved memory and the second reserved memory are generated; the pre-read zone mode is not in effect and the pre-read zone display state is not in effect; and the start of the pre-read zone mode is determined by a lottery at the time of generation. The zone start conditions are established when all of these conditions are met. Thus, the zone start conditions of Example 2 do not include the non-display of the general high reserved symbol 117 and the general medium reserved symbol 116. Therefore, in the configuration of Example 2, even if the reserved symbol indicating an unconsumed reserved memory is displayed by the general high reserved symbol 117 and the general medium reserved symbol 116 (during the execution of the above-mentioned reserved notice display), the pre-consumed zone mode is initiated when the zone start conditions are established. Furthermore, the zone start conditions do not include the absence of an unconsumed reserved memory that would result in a miss reach. This is because the reserved memory displayed by the general high reserved symbol 117 and the general medium reserved symbol 116 may be a miss reach (see FIG. 15).

[0158] Here, at the start of the look-ahead zone mode, if there is an unconsumed reserved memory in which the reserved pattern is displayed by the general high reserved pattern 117 and the general medium reserved pattern 116, the lottery is not performed using the second zone lottery table for the reserved memory, and the reserved patterns 115, 118, and 119 are selected using the second zone lottery table only for the unconsumed reserved memory in which the reserved pattern is displayed by the normal reserved pattern 115. As a result, when the look-ahead zone performance state is reached, the general high reserved pattern 117 and the general medium reserved pattern 116, and the zone high reserved pattern 119 and the zone medium reserved pattern 118 may be displayed simultaneously. In this way, in the configuration of Example 2, the reserve notice performance by displaying the general high reserved pattern 117 and the general medium reserved pattern 116 and the zone notice performance by displaying the zone high reserved pattern 119 and the zone medium reserved pattern 118 can be executed simultaneously in parallel.

[0159] The configuration of Example 2 is the same as Example 1 except that the reserved symbols indicating the unconsumed reserved memory at the start of the look-ahead zone mode are determined using the second zone lottery table, and the reserved symbols of the reserved memory generated after the start are determined using the first zone lottery table, and the reserved notice performance and the zone notice performance can be executed simultaneously. Therefore, the explanation of the same components and processes is omitted as appropriate.

[0160] Next, the look-ahead control process in Example 2 will be explained using the flowcharts in Figures 23 and 24. Note that Example 2 is configured to control the look-ahead zone mode and look-ahead zone presentation state by this look-ahead control process and zone presentation control process, and since the zone presentation control process is the same as that of Example 1 described above, its explanation will be omitted. As with Example 1 described above, this look-ahead control process and zone presentation control process are processes that are executed periodically (for example, timer interrupt process with a 2 ms cycle) by the sub-integrated control device 83, and are executed according to information sent from the main control device 80 by the start winning process and win / loss determination process described above. In the zone effect control process used in Example 2, the process numbers of the look-ahead control process used in the explanation are appropriately changed from the process numbers described in the look-ahead control process of Example 1 to the process numbers described in the look-ahead control process of Example 2 described later. For example, in S1040 of the zone effect control process used in Example 2, the display conversion command sent to the effect symbol control device 82 includes information indicating the unconsumed reserved memory for which the display of the zone medium reserved symbol 118 or the zone high reserved symbol 119 has been decided in S1135 of the look-ahead control process and in S1155 when the zone effect flag=0.

[0161] In the read-ahead control process of the second embodiment, the processes of S1100 to S1109 are the same as the processes of S800 to S809 in the read-ahead control process of the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0162] In S1110, which follows the affirmative determination in S1108 and the affirmative determination in S1109, it is determined whether the zone mode flag is 1. If the determination is affirmative (S1110: Yes), the process proceeds to S1150 in Fig. 24, and if the determination is negative (S1110: No), the process proceeds to S1115. The process of S1110 is the same as S810 in the first embodiment.

[0163] In S1115, it is determined whether the zone effect flag is 1. If the determination is affirmative (S1115: Yes), the process proceeds to S1185 in Fig. 24, and if the determination is negative (S1115: No), the process proceeds to S1120. The process of S1115 is the same as S815 in the first embodiment.

[0164] In S1120, a look-ahead zone lottery process is executed. This look-ahead zone lottery process is the same as S830 in the first embodiment, and determines whether to transition to the look-ahead zone mode according to the same probability as in the first embodiment.

[0165] In S1125, it is determined whether or not a transition to the look-ahead zone mode was determined in S1120. If the determination is affirmative (S1125: Yes), the process proceeds to S1130, and if the determination is negative (S1125: No), the process proceeds to S1185 in Figure 24. This affirmative determination in S1125 means that the zone start condition of the second embodiment described above is met. In other words, a series of processes from S1100 to S1125 determines whether or not the zone start condition is met.

[0166] In S1130, a zone mode setting process is executed. This zone mode setting process, like S840 in the first embodiment, performs processes such as setting the termination conditions of the look-ahead zone mode and the look-ahead determination command to be targeted in the look-ahead zone mode. Here, in the zone mode setting process of the second embodiment, it is confirmed whether or not there is any unconsumed reserved memory displayed with the general high reserved symbol 117 or the general medium reserved symbol 116, and if there is a reserved memory displayed with the general high reserved symbol 117 or the general medium reserved symbol 116, the reserved memory is excluded from the target of the look-ahead zone mode. In other words, among the unconsumed reserved memories, only the unconsumed reserved memories displayed with the normal reserved symbol 115 are targeted for the look-ahead zone mode.

[0167] In S1135, a pre-reserved memory determination process is executed. In this pre-reserved memory determination process, the second zone lottery tail section is used to determine the reserved symbols representing the unconsumed reserved memories targeted in the pre-read zone mode in S1130, and information on the determined reserved symbols is stored. That is, in the normal game state, the pre-reading determination command targeted in S1130 is confirmed from among the pre-reading determination commands stored in the memory area for the first pre-reading information, and the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 are determined using the second zone lottery table according to the information on whether or not the pre-reading determination command indicates a jackpot. On the other hand, in the probability variable game state, the pre-reading determination command targeted in S1130 is confirmed from among the pre-reading determination commands stored in the memory area for the second pre-reading information, and the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 are determined using the second zone lottery table according to the information on whether or not the pre-reading determination command indicates a jackpot.

[0168] In S1140, the zone mode flag is set to 1, and the process proceeds to S1145. In S1145, the normal hold display process is executed. This normal hold display process is the same process as S840 in the first embodiment. After S1145, the look-ahead control process ends.

[0169] 24, which follows the affirmative determination of S1110, determines whether the end condition of the look-ahead zone mode (zone end condition) is met. If the determination is affirmative (S1150: Yes), the process proceeds to S1175, and if the determination is negative (S1150: No), the process proceeds to S1155. The process of S1150 is the same as S900 in the first embodiment described above.

[0170] In S1155, a later reserved memory determination process is executed. In the later reserved memory determination process, the first zone lottery table is used to determine the reserved symbol indicating the reserved memory of the pre-reading determination command received and confirmed in S1100 as the normal reserved symbol 115, the middle zone reserved symbol 118, or the high zone reserved symbol 119. Furthermore, if the zone effect flag = 0, information on the determined reserved symbol 115, 118, 119 is stored.

[0171] In S1160, it is determined whether or not the display of the zone medium reserved symbol 118 or the zone high reserved symbol 119 has been decided in the above S1155. If the determination is affirmative (S1160: Yes), the process proceeds to S1165, and if the determination is negative (S1160: No), the process proceeds to the above S1180. In S1165, it is determined whether or not the zone effect flag = 1. If the determination is affirmative (S1165: Yes), the process proceeds to S1170, and if the determination is negative (S1165: No), the process proceeds to the above S1180.

[0172] In S1170, a zone advance notice display process is executed. In the zone advance notice display process, a display command for displaying the zone medium reserved pattern 118 or the zone high reserved pattern 119 determined in S1155 is sent to the effect pattern control device 82, as in S920 of the first embodiment described above. By sending this display command, control is performed to display the first reserved pattern and the second reserved pattern on the effect pattern display device 6 via the effect pattern control device 82. After this S1170, the look-ahead control process is terminated.

[0173] On the other hand, in S1180 following a negative determination in S1160 or a negative determination in S1165, normal hold display processing is executed. This normal hold display processing performs the same processing as S1145 described above. After S1180, the look-ahead control processing ends.

[0174] In S1175 following the affirmative determination in S1150, the zone mode flag is set to 0, and the process proceeds to S1185.

[0175] S1185 is a process that follows the affirmative determination of S1115, the negative determination of S1125, or S1175, and executes a reserved notice determination process. The reserved notice determination process is the same process as S860 in the above-mentioned embodiment, and uses the general reserved lottery table to determine the reserved pattern 115 to 117 that indicates the reserved memory of the pre-reading determination command received and confirmed in S1100.

[0176] S1190 determines whether or not the display of the general medium reserved symbol 116 or the general high reserved symbol 117 has been determined in S1185. If the determination is affirmative (S1190: Yes), proceed to S1195, and if the determination is negative (S1190: No), proceed to S1180.

[0177] In S1195, the hold notice display process is executed. The hold notice display process is the same process as S870 in the above-described embodiment 1. After S1195, the read-ahead control process ends.

[0178] Next, the display mode of the reserved symbols displayed on the performance symbol display device 6 in the configuration of Example 2 will be described. For example, in the normal game state, when the non-pre-read zone mode and the non-pre-read zone effect state are in effect, when a first reserved memory is generated by a game ball entering the first starting port 11, the pre-read zone lottery process is executed by S1120 of the pre-read control process. Then, when it is determined by this pre-read zone lottery process that the pre-read zone mode will not be started (no start), the pre-read control process executes a reserve notice determination process by S1185. In this reserve notice determination process, when the display of the general medium reserve pattern 116 is determined by the general reserve lottery table, as shown in FIG. 25 (A), the general medium reserve pattern 116 is displayed in the first reserve number display area 111 of the effect pattern display device 6.

[0179] In the configuration of Example 2, when a new first reserved memory is generated while the general medium reserved symbol 116 is displayed in the first reserved number display area 111 as described above, the pre-read zone lottery process is executed by S1120 of the above-mentioned pre-read control process. If the pre-read zone lottery process determines that the pre-read zone mode will not be started, the reserve notice determination process is executed, and when the display of the normal reserved symbol 115 is determined by the reserve notice determination process, the normal reserved symbol 115 is displayed in the first reserved number memory area 111 (see FIG. 25(A)).

[0180] When a new first reserved memory is generated while the general medium reserved symbol 116 and the normal reserved symbol 115 are displayed in the first reserved number display area 111, and the start of the pre-read zone mode is determined by the pre-read zone lottery process, the above-mentioned previous reserved memory determination process (S1135) is executed for all reserved memories indicated by the display of the noll reserved symbol 115 among the unconsumed reserved memories. Here, in the previous reserved memory determination process of Example 2, the normal reserved symbol 115, the zone medium reserved symbol 118, or the zone high reserved symbol 119 is determined using the second zone lottery table, and information on the determined reserved symbol 115, 118, 119 is stored. For example, when the display of the zone medium reserved symbol 118 is determined by the second zone lottery table for the first reserved memory that triggered the transition to the pre-read zone mode, the information is stored. Note that the first reserved memory indicated by the general medium reserved symbol 116 is not subject to this previous reserved memory determination process.

[0181] When the look-ahead zone mode starts, the non-look-ahead zone display state (zone display flag = 0) is entered, so as shown in Figure 25 (B), a normal hold pattern 115 is additionally displayed in the first hold number display area 111 of the display pattern display device 6.

[0182] After the start of the look-ahead zone mode, when the first reserved memory stored first is consumed, as shown in FIG. 25(C), the special effect symbols 101a-101c start to be displayed variably, and the first reserved symbol is shifted and displayed in the first reserved number display area 111. Then, as the first reserved memory is consumed, the look-ahead zone effect state starts, and the reserved symbols 115, 118, 119 determined at the start of the look-ahead zone mode are displayed. Here, as described above, if the first reserved memory that triggered the start of the look-ahead zone mode has been determined to display the zone reserved symbol 118 by the previous reserved memory determination process (S1135), the reserved symbol indicating the first reserved memory is displayed and converted from the normal reserved symbol 115 to the zone reserved symbol 118. Furthermore, when the look-ahead zone effect state starts, the effect symbol display device 6 displays the zone notification symbol 121.

[0183] In the configuration of Example 2, in the look-ahead zone mode, when a new first reserved memory is generated (stored), reserved patterns 115, 118, 119 are determined using the first zone lottery table in S1155 (later reserved memory determination process) of the look-ahead control process described above, and the determined reserved patterns 115, 118, 119 are displayed in the first reserved number display area 111 in the look-ahead zone presentation state (not shown). In the configuration of Example 2, the same zone end conditions and end conditions of the look-ahead performance state are set as in Example 1. Since there is a time difference between the end timing of the look-ahead zone mode and the end timing of the look-ahead zone performance state, when a new first reserved memory is generated in the non-look-ahead zone mode and the look-ahead zone performance state, the pattern indicated by the first reserved memory is determined to be the normal reserved pattern 115, the general medium reserved pattern 116, or the general high reserved pattern 117 as the subject of the reserve notice determination process (S1185) and displayed.

[0184] In addition, in Example 2, the display mode of the first reserved pattern in the normal game state is exemplified, but in the special game state, the second reserved pattern is similarly displayed in the second reserved number display area 112.

[0185] Next, the features of the second embodiment will be described. As described above, when the look-ahead zone mode is started, the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment determines the reserved symbol indicating the reserved memory displayed in the normal reserved symbol 115 at the start to be the normal reserved symbol 115, the zone medium reserved symbol 118, or the zone high reserved symbol 119 by the second zone lottery table, and determines the reserved symbol indicating the reserved memory newly generated after the start to be the normal reserved symbol 115, the zone medium reserved symbol 118, or the zone high reserved symbol 119 by the first zone lottery table. In the second embodiment, the zone start condition does not include the non-display of the general high reserved symbol 117 and the general medium reserved symbol 116, so that the reserved notice performance (display of the general medium reserved symbol 116 and the general high reserved symbol 117) and the zone notice performance (display of the zone medium reserved symbol 118 and the zone high reserved symbol 119) can be executed simultaneously in parallel.

[0186] In the configuration of Example 2, similarly to Example 1, the meanings of the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 indicated by the reserved memory that is not consumed at the start of the look-ahead zone mode and the reserved memory that is generated (stored) after the start of the look-ahead zone mode are changed. Here, in Example 2, the reserved memory that is not consumed at the start of the look-ahead zone mode is displayed with the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 that have a high reliability of expectation according to the second zone lottery table, so if the mid-zone reserved symbol 118 or the high-zone reserved symbol 119 is displayed, the player's sense of expectation can be more effectively stimulated. On the other hand, the reserved memory that is generated after the start of the look-ahead zone mode is more likely to be displayed with the mid-zone reserved symbol 118 and the high-zone reserved symbol 119 according to the first zone lottery table, so the effect of stimulating the player's sense of expectation by displaying the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 can be improved. Therefore, according to the configuration of this embodiment 2, as with the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the display of the reserved patterns in the look-ahead zone presentation state can provide unprecedented variety and excitement, thereby dramatically increasing the interest in the game.

[0187] Furthermore, in the configuration of Example 2, the hold preview display and the look-ahead zone mode (look-ahead zone display state) can be executed simultaneously in parallel, so that the effect of stimulating the player's sense of anticipation through the hold preview display and the effect of stimulating the player's sense of anticipation through the look-ahead zone display state can be simultaneously exerted, and the synergistic effect of these can further effectively increase the enjoyment of the game.

[0188] Furthermore, even in the configuration of Example 2, since the zone notification pattern 121 is displayed in the look-ahead zone presentation state, the effect of the above-mentioned configuration in the look-ahead zone mode (look-ahead zone presentation state) can be highlighted, and the effect can be further improved.

[0189] The correspondence between the terms used in the above-described embodiments and the terms described in the claims will be explained below. The pachinko machine 1 corresponds to an example of a pinball game machine according to the present invention. The first starting port 11 and the second starting port 12 correspond to an example of a starting port according to the present invention. The first and second reservation memories correspond to examples of reservation memories according to the present invention. S100 to S110 and S120 to S130 of the start winning process correspond to an example of the reserved memory generating means according to the present invention. The steps S165 to S200 of the pass / fail determination process correspond to an example of the pass / fail determination means according to the present invention. The big win game processing corresponds to an example of a special game control means. The start winning process steps S115, S135, and S140, the look-ahead control process, and the zone presentation control process correspond to an example of the look-ahead presentation control process of the present invention. The judgment results (pre-read judgment results) obtained by S115 and S135 of the start winning process correspond to an example of the confirmation results according to the present invention. The display of the zone medium reserved pattern 118 and the zone high reserved pattern 119 corresponds to an example of the pre-reading performance according to the present invention. The first zone lottery table and the second zone lottery table correspond to an example of a zone lottery table according to the present invention. The look-ahead control process (FIGS. 16 to 18) and the zone effect control process (FIG. 19) in the first embodiment correspond to an example of the look-ahead zone control process according to the present invention. The look-ahead control process (FIGS. 23 and 24) and the zone effect control process (FIG. 19) in the second embodiment correspond to an example of the look-ahead zone control process according to the present invention.

[0190] Below, another example of the first and second embodiments will be described. In the first and second embodiments, the reserved memory stored in S110 and S130 of the start winning process is determined by the look-ahead determination process in S115 and S135, but this is not limiting, and the look-ahead determination process may be executed before the reserved memory is stored. As a specific configuration, when each random number is extracted in S110 and S130 of the start winning process, the look-ahead determination process is executed for the extracted random number, and then the process of storing the random number as reserved memory is executed.

[0191] In the first and second embodiments, the look-ahead determination command sent from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83 includes information indicating the look-ahead determination result, such as information on whether or not a jackpot has been reached and information on whether or not a reach has been reached. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the information on the look-ahead determination result may include information on the fluctuation time (fluctuation pattern) in addition to information on whether or not a jackpot has been reached and information on whether or not a reach has been reached. Alternatively, the information on the look-ahead determination result may include information on whether or not a jackpot has been reached and information on the fluctuation time. Note that such information on the fluctuation time is obtained by determining the random number for determining the fluctuation pattern in S115 and S135 of the start winning process.

[0192] In Examples 1 and 2, the selection probability of each reserved symbol 115, 118, 119 set in the first and second zone lottery table can be changed and set as appropriate. Here, the selection probability of the first and second zone lottery table is preferably set so that the meaning of the selected reserved symbol 115, 118, 119 can be changed, such as by causing a difference in the reliability of the expected degree suggested by each reserved symbol 115, 118, 119, or by causing a difference in the probability of displaying the reserved symbol 118, 119 with a high expected degree, as in Examples 1 and 2.

[0193] In the first embodiment, in the look-ahead zone mode, the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 are selected and determined by the first zone lottery table for reserved memories that are not consumed at the start of the look-ahead zone mode, while the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 are selected and determined by the second zone lottery table for reserved memories that are generated after the start of the look-ahead zone mode. However, this is not limited to this, and a configuration in which a zone lottery table that is targeted at reserved memories that are not consumed at the start and a zone lottery table that is targeted at reserved memories after the start can also be selected and determined. For example, at the start of the look-ahead zone mode, one of the first zone lottery table and the second zone lottery table is selected and determined by lottery to be used to determine the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 for reserved memories that are not consumed at the start, and the other is selected and determined to be used to determine the reserved symbols 115, 118, and 119 for reserved memories that are generated after the start. In addition, in addition to lottery, methods for selecting and determining the first and second zone lottery tables can also be applied, such as determining the tables based on the number of fluctuations in the normal game state, the elapsed time of the normal game state, the number of times the hold notice performance is executed, etc. Similarly, in the second embodiment, the first and second zone lottery tables can be selected and determined.

[0194] In the first and second embodiments, the lottery tables used in the look-ahead zone mode are two, the first and second zone lottery tables, but the present invention is not limited to this and a configuration with three or more zone lottery tables is also possible. In such a configuration, a zone lottery table for unconsumed reserved memory at the start of the look-ahead zone mode and a zone lottery table for reserved memory created after the start of the look-ahead zone mode are selectively determined. For example, a configuration in which the zone lottery table is determined by lottery at the start of the look-ahead zone mode is preferable.

[0195] In the first and second embodiments, the zone start condition for starting the look-ahead zone mode can be changed and set as appropriate. For example, the lottery probability for determining the start of the look-ahead zone mode in the zone start condition can be changed and set as appropriate. Furthermore, the zone start condition in the first embodiment includes the absence of a losing reach in the unconsumed reserved memory, but it may not include this. Furthermore, the zone start condition in the second embodiment may also include the absence of a losing reach in the unconsumed reserved memory. Furthermore, the zone start condition in the first and second embodiments includes determining the start of the look-ahead zone mode by lottery, but instead of this lottery, it may include, for example, the number of fluctuations in each game state or the elapsed time of each game state reaching a predetermined threshold.

[0196] In Examples 1 and 2, the zone termination condition for terminating the look-ahead zone mode is set to four reserved memories (threshold value) and a jackpot being confirmed. However, this is not limited to this, and the zone termination condition can be changed as appropriate. For example, the threshold value may be set to one or three, or to a number exceeding the upper limit of reserved memories (e.g., five). Furthermore, multiple different threshold values ​​may be set in advance, and one threshold value may be determined by lottery or other means at a predetermined timing (e.g., when the zone start condition is met). Different threshold values ​​may also be set depending on the game state (normal game state, probability variable game state, etc.). Alternatively, multiple groups each having multiple threshold values ​​may be set, and one group may be activated depending on the game state, and one threshold value from the activated group may be determined by lottery. Here, it is preferable that the average values ​​of the threshold values ​​for each group differ from each other. In addition, the zone end condition can be set as the generation of reserved memory for executing a reach or the reaching of a predetermined value in reserved memory for selecting and determining the normal reserved symbol 115. Furthermore, it can be set as the elapsed time in the look-ahead zone mode reaching a predetermined value or the determination by lottery each time a reserved memory is generated.

[0197] In the first and second embodiments, the look-ahead zone display state is started on the condition that the reserved memory is first consumed in the look-ahead zone mode, but the condition for starting this look-ahead zone display state can be changed as appropriate. For example, the look-ahead zone display state may be started on the condition that the look-ahead zone mode is started, or it may be started on the condition that a predetermined number of reserved memories (e.g., two) are consumed after the look-ahead zone mode is started. Alternatively, in a configuration in which the look-ahead zone mode can be started during the hold preview display as in the second embodiment, if there is reserved memory during the hold preview display, the look-ahead zone display state may be started on the condition that the reserved memory is consumed.

[0198] In the first and second embodiments, the look-ahead zone presentation state is ended on the condition that the reserved memory last generated in the look-ahead zone mode is consumed and a jackpot is confirmed, but the condition for ending this look-ahead zone presentation state can be changed as appropriate. For example, if all reserved symbols are displayed as normal reserved symbols 115 at the end of the look-ahead zone mode, the look-ahead zone presentation state may be ended.

[0199] In the first and second embodiments, two highly expected zone reserved symbols 118 and 119 can be selected in the look-ahead zone mode, but the number of highly expected reserved symbols can be changed as appropriate. For example, it is possible to select one highly expected zone reserved symbol, or to select five highly expected zone reserved symbols. Similarly, in the non-prediction zone mode, two highly anticipated general medium reserved patterns 116 and general high reserved patterns 117 can be selected, but the number of highly anticipated reserved patterns can be changed and set as appropriate.

[0200] In Examples 1 and 2, the zone medium reserve pattern 118 and the zone high reserve pattern 119 displayed in the look-ahead zone mode are set to a display format different from that of the general medium reserve pattern 116 and the general high reserve pattern 117 displayed in the non-look-ahead zone mode, but this is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use the same display format for highly anticipated reserve patterns in the look-ahead zone mode and the non-look-ahead zone mode. In addition, the display forms of the normal reserve pattern 115, the general medium reserve pattern 116, the general high reserve pattern 117, the zone medium reserve pattern 118, and the zone high reserve pattern 119 can be changed as appropriate.

[0201] In the first and second embodiments, in addition to the zone notice effect that displays the zone medium reserve symbol 118 and the zone high reserve symbol 119 in the look-ahead zone performance state, the hold notice effect that displays the general medium reserve symbol 116 and the general high reserve symbol 117 is executed, but it is not limited to this, and it is also possible to have a configuration that does not execute the hold notice effect. That is, in this configuration, the look-ahead effect that makes the player expect the occurrence of a jackpot is executed only in the look-ahead zone performance state. Alternatively, as a pre-reading effect suggesting the pre-reading judgment result, it is also possible to have a so-called continuous notice effect in which a specific effect pattern or background pattern that is displayed over multiple variations of the special pattern (special effect pattern) is continuously displayed. In the first and second embodiments, instead of the hold notice effect, it is also possible to have a configuration in which this continuous notice effect is executed, or a configuration in which both the hold notice effect and the continuous notice effect are executed. Furthermore, it is also possible to have a configuration in which one of the hold notice effect and the continuous notice effect is selectively executed.

[0202] In Examples 1 and 2, the sub-integrated control device 83 controls the display of the first reserved symbol or the second reserved symbol according to the game status in accordance with the look-ahead determination command (including information on the look-ahead determination result) received from the main control device 80. However, this is not limited to this. The main control device 80 may control whether to send a look-ahead determination command according to the game status, and the sub-integrated control device 83 may display the first reserved symbol or the second reserved symbol upon receiving the look-ahead determination command. For example, in a normal game state, the main control device 80 sends a look-ahead determination command in response to a ball entering the first start hole 11, but does not send a look-ahead determination command even if the ball enters the second start hole 12. Also, in a probability variable game state, the main control device 80 sends a look-ahead determination command in response to a ball entering the second start hole 12, but does not send a look-ahead determination command even if the ball enters the first start hole 11.

[0203] In Examples 1 and 2, the first reserved symbol is displayed in the first reserved number memory area 111 only in the normal game state, and the second reserved symbol is displayed in the second reserved number memory area 112 only in the variable probability game state. However, this is not limited to this, and a configuration in which both the first reserved symbol and the second reserved symbol are displayed regardless of the game state is also possible. Even in such a configuration, as in Examples 1 and 2, a configuration in which the reserved notice effect and the zone notice effect are executed only for the first reserved memory in the normal game state, while the reserved notice effect and the zone notice effect are executed only for the second reserved memory in the variable probability game state is preferable. In addition, as another configuration, for example, in the normal game state, the first reserved symbol is displayed and the memory number of the second reserved memory is displayed relatively small using a predetermined number symbol, and in the variable probability game state, the second reserved symbol is displayed and the memory number of the first reserved memory is displayed relatively small using a predetermined number symbol.

[0204] In Examples 1 and 2, the game is configured to transition to a normal game mode or a variable probability game mode after a jackpot game. However, this is not limiting. A configuration in which a transition to a time-saving game mode ("normal mode / extended open mode") after a jackpot game is possible is also possible. Here, since the time-saving game mode is the extended open mode, the second reserved symbol indicating the second reserved memory is controlled to be displayed in the second reserved number display area 112, similar to the variable probability game mode. Furthermore, the transition to the time-saving game mode may be controlled not only after the end of a jackpot game, but also upon a time-saving hit of a special symbol (special effect symbol), or upon the number of times the special symbol changes during the normal game mode reaching a predetermined value. In a configuration in which a transition from the normal game mode to the time-saving game mode is possible, a configuration in which the end conditions of the look-ahead zone mode and the end conditions of the look-ahead zone effect mode are satisfied upon the transition decision is preferably configured.

[0205] In the first and second embodiments, the hold notice effect and the zone notice effect are executed by the hold symbol displayed on the effect symbol display device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the hold notice effect and the zone notice effect can also be executed by the light-emitting effect of a lamp or an LED, the sound effect of a speaker, etc. Furthermore, the hold notice effect and the zone notice effect can be executed by combining a plurality of such light-emitting effects, sound effects, and the symbol effects displayed on the effect symbol display device.

[0206] In the first and second embodiments, the hold notice effect and the zone notice effect are used to suggest the probability of a big win, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to use a hold notice effect and a zone notice effect that suggest the probability of other advantageous games. For example, it is also possible to use a hold notice effect and a zone notice effect that suggest the probability of transitioning to a probability variable game state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0207] 1. Pachinko machines (pinball machines) 6. Performance pattern display device 11 First starting point 12 Second starting port 118 Zone reserved pattern 119 Zone High Hold Pattern

Claims

[Claim 1] A starting port into which a game ball flowing down the game area can enter; A reserve storage means for extracting random numbers due to the game ball entering the starting hole and reserving and storing the extracted random numbers up to a predetermined upper limit number; A means for determining whether a random number has been received or not based on the reserved random number; A performance means for performing a variation performance of a performance pattern based on the result of the winning / losing judgment; a special game control means for executing a predetermined special game operation based on the fact that the win / loss determination means has determined that a winning has occurred; A reserved symbol display means for displaying reserved symbols corresponding to the reserved stored number; A pre-reading effect control means for checking the reserved memory before the correct / incorrect judgment and executing a pre-reading effect that suggests the confirmation result; In a pinball game machine equipped with The performance means includes a reach performance as the variable performance, The pre-reading effect control means includes, as pre-reading effects, a zone effect that is continuously performed for a predetermined period of time and a hold notice effect, The reserved notice effect is an effect in which the reserved pattern is displayed not as a normal reserved pattern but as a pre-read reserved pattern that suggests the expected degree of winning, and is provided with a plurality of pre-read reserved patterns with different expected degrees, The zone effect is configured to be executable when the zone mode is entered, and starts when the first variable effect starts after the transition to the zone mode; The zone mode is configured to transition to the condition that at least a predetermined confirmation is made as the confirmation result, and that there is no pending memory other than the pending memory for which the predetermined confirmation has been made, in which the result of the hit / miss judgment is a miss but the reach performance is performed, The hold notice performance is configured to display the normal hold symbol for the hold memory that caused the transition to the zone mode when the zone mode is active but the zone performance has not started, and then change to the pre-read hold symbol when the zone performance starts, The zone effect has a different execution probability of the hold notice effect from that of a non-zone effect state, and when the zone effect is executed, the execution probability of the hold notice effect differs between a hold memory that was stored before the hold memory that caused the transition to the zone mode and a hold memory that was stored after the hold memory that caused the transition to the zone mode. A pinball game machine characterized by:

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