gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of maintaining a degree of design freedom of the game machine and attracting a player's interest.SOLUTION: Winning areas "hitting order bell A1" to "hitting order bell A8" include a small winning combination set to 15 dividends and a small winning combination set to one dividend, and operation modes not including hitting order 1 and hitting order 2 are set as operation modes for permitting winning of a small winning combination of 15 dividends, respectively. Winning areas "hitting order bell B1" to "hitting order bell B8" include a small winning combination set to 10 dividends and a small winning combination set to one dividend, and operation modes not including hitting order 1 and hitting order 2 are set as operation modes for permitting winning of a small winning combination of 10 dividends, respectively. In a second AT state, an auxiliary game can be more easily executed than in a first AT state, and the number of net increased tokens is set to a larger value than in the first AT state in execution of a game following the auxiliary game.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines (slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with symbols arranged on their outer peripheries have been known. These types of gaming machines assign a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals or pachinko balls, and players play to acquire these gaming media. Furthermore, these types of gaming machines perform an internal lottery and start the rotation of the multiple reels when the player initiates a spin operation, and stop the multiple reels in a manner corresponding to the results of the internal lottery when the player initiates a stop operation. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on a winning determination line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals or other items are paid out according to the game result.

[0003] In the gaming machine described above, a configuration is known in which a different specified input number is set for each gaming state, thereby varying the probability of winning a bonus or a small winning combination and making it easier to acquire gaming value (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-183133 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, when a preset symbol combination is displayed stopped on an active line in a gaming state after a bonus has ended, a replay time state is initiated, which is set to a prescribed number of insertions different from other gaming states, and in the replay time state, the probability of winning a bonus or a small win is set to be different from that in gaming states when no bonus has been won, so that it is configured to attract the interest of players. However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, in order to change the ease of acquiring gaming value, configurations such as changing the winning mode of replays, which are subject to strict restrictions under the rules, and changing the prescribed number of insertions are used, which impose many design constraints and make it difficult to attract the interest of players while maintaining the design freedom of the gaming machine.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can attract the interest of players while maintaining the degree of freedom in designing the gaming machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a reel system including: a plurality of stop buttons respectively corresponding to the plurality of reels; an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery; and auxiliary game control means for controlling the auxiliary game. In the internal lottery, the success or failure of multiple winning patterns is determined, The plurality of winning modes includes a plurality of first winning modes and a plurality of second winning modes, The plurality of first winning modes are respectively associated with overlapping wins of a small win of a first payout and a small win of a second payout, The plurality of types of second winning modes are respectively associated with overlapping wins of a small win of a third payout and a small win of a fourth payout, The first dividend is higher than the second dividend, the third dividend is lower than the first dividend and higher than the fourth dividend; In the plurality of types of first winning modes, a first operation mode is set as an operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons that enables a small combination of the first payout to be won, In the plurality of types of second winning modes, second operation modes are respectively set as operation modes of the plurality of stop buttons that enable the winning of the small combination of the third payout, the plurality of reels includes a first reel, a second reel, and a third reel; the plurality of stop buttons include a first stop button, a second stop button, and a third stop button; the first operation mode and the second operation mode do not include an operation mode in which the first stop button is operated first, When the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which the first stop button is operated first, the small combination of the second payout is won regardless of which of the first winning modes is won, When the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which the first stop button is operated first, even if any of the second winning modes is won, the fourth payout small combination is won, The auxiliary game control means Controlling a first state and a second state as states in which the auxiliary game is executed; In the second state, the auxiliary game is more likely to be executed than in the first state, The second state is characterized in that, when a game according to an auxiliary game is executed, the average number of game values ​​acquired in one game is set to a value greater than that in the first state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can attract the interest of players while maintaining the degree of freedom in designing the gaming machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing winning areas that can be won by an internal lottery in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, winning combinations included in each winning area, and the number of lottery values ​​associated with each winning area. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations and payouts for 15 bells A to D, 10 bells A to E, 3 bells, and special small symbols in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of 1-piece roles A to H and payouts in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of 1-coin roles I to P and payouts in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and (B) is a transition diagram relating to the normal area and advantageous area controlled by the AT control means, and the presentation state during the advantageous area. [Figure 9] This figure shows the winning combinations that can be won in each batting order when winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8", winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8", winning area "Batting Order Bell C", and winning area "Batting Order Bell D" are won in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 10] (A) is a diagram showing the winning combinations that are obtained when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1", "Batting Order Bell A2", "Batting Order Bell A5", "Batting Order Bell A6", "Batting Order Bell B1", "Batting Order Bell B2", "Batting Order Bell B5", and "Batting Order Bell B6" are won in an gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention, and when the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop, and (B) is a diagram showing the winning combinations that are obtained when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A3", "Batting Order Bell A4", "Batting Order Bell A7", "Batting Order Bell A8", "Batting Order Bell B3", "Batting Order Bell B4", "Batting Order Bell B7", and "Batting Order Bell B8" are won, and when the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop. [Figure 11](A) is a diagram showing the winning symbol combinations of the minor winning symbols that are won when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" is won in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and the payouts; (B) is a diagram showing the stop symbols that can be displayed when the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, and the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol is displayed. [Figure 12] (A) is a diagram showing the stop symbols that can be displayed when the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" is won in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol is displayed in a stopped state, and the payout of minor prizes corresponding to each pattern combination; (B) is a diagram showing the stop symbols that can be displayed when the stop button B1 is operated to the second stop, the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol is displayed in a stopped state, and the payout of minor prizes corresponding to each pattern combination; (C) is a diagram showing the stop symbols that can be displayed when the stop button B3 is operated to the second stop, and the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol is displayed in a stopped state. [Figure 13] (A) is a diagram showing the stop patterns that can be displayed when the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop when the winning area ``Batting Order Bell A1'' is won in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop pattern is displayed in a stopped state; (B) is a diagram showing the stop timing of the stop patterns on the left reel; and (C) is a diagram showing the stop timing of the stop patterns on the center reel. [Figure 14] (A) is a diagram showing the winning symbol combinations of the minor winning symbols that are won when the winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" is won in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and the payouts; (B) is a diagram showing the stop symbols that can be displayed when the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, and the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol is displayed. [Figure 15](A) is a diagram showing the stop symbols that can be displayed when the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop when the winning area "batting order bell B1" is won in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol is displayed in a stopped state, and the payout of minor prizes corresponding to each pattern combination; (B) is a diagram showing the stop symbols that can be displayed when the stop button B1 is operated to the second stop, the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol is displayed in a stopped state, and the payout of minor prizes corresponding to each pattern combination; (C) is a diagram showing the stop symbols that can be displayed when the stop button B3 is operated to the second stop, and the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol is displayed in a stopped state. [Figure 16] This figure shows the stop symbols that can be displayed when the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop when the winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" is won in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol is displayed in a stopped state. [Figure 17] A diagram showing the payout rate for each game method in each game state in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 18] This is a diagram showing the net increase in the number of coins for each playing method in the first AT state and the second AT state in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to a modified example of the present invention. [Figure 20] A diagram explaining the dimensions of the max bet button, game information LED, stop button, and lower panel portion in a gaming machine of a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0011] 1. Overview of the gaming machine configuration 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called slot machine, which is a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as gaming media.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is housed in a box-shaped housing made up of a housing BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD, and houses a reel unit 310 (see FIG. 2) made up of a plurality of reels, namely a left reel R1 to a right reel R3. A hopper unit 320 (see FIG. 2) serving as a medal dispensing device is housed below the reel unit 310 in the housing. The housing of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment also houses a control board equipped with a CPU, ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM, etc., for controlling the operation of the slot machine 1.

[0013] The outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to right reel R3 shown in Figure 1 is divided into 20 areas (hereinafter, each area will be referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and one of several types of patterns is arranged in each frame.

[0014] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are provided so that they can be opened and closed separately. The upper front door UD is provided with a display device 330 as a display means for displaying effects consisting of various videos and images to assist and enhance the game. The display device 330 has a display area 330a for displaying images, and a specific area 330b facing the left reels R1 to R3 is made up of a transparent liquid crystal display, so that the spinning and stopped states of the left reels R1 to R3 can be observed through the display device 330. When the left reels R1 to R3 are stopped, three consecutive symbols (top, middle, and bottom symbols) among the multiple types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the left reels R1 to R3 can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display device 330.

[0015] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower row as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 330, and an activated line L1 is set for an activated line formed by a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called specified insertion number, is set to three in any game state, and when medals equivalent to the specified insertion number are inserted, the activated line L1 formed by the middle row of the left reel R1 and the lower row of the center reel R2 and right reel R3 is activated.

[0016] The game result is determined by the symbol combination that stops and is displayed on the valid line L1 (valid line), and if the symbol combination on the valid line L1 is a symbol combination that corresponds to a predetermined role, that role is considered to have won and medals are paid out from the hopper unit 320.

[0017] The upper front door UD is provided with a game information display unit DS. The game information display unit DS is made up of LEDs, lamps, 7-segment displays, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, the total number of medals paid out or won in bonus mode, information on the winning combination in this game, and information suggesting how to press stop buttons B1, B2, and B3 related to the payout of medals.

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

[0019] The main control display device 500 is also provided with an interval notification section 500A, which is a dot on a 7-segment display and lights up when an advantageous interval is started by the AT control means 200 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, and the expected medal acquisition value is 1 or more due to the support of winning a small prize. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of sound devices 340 for producing sound effects are provided on the front lower door DD. The sound devices 340 output various sounds to support and liven up the game.

[0020] The front lower door DD is provided with various operating means, such as a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of medals as inserting operation means for inserting credited (stored) medals, a start lever SL for starting a game as a game start operation means for allowing a player to perform a start operation that triggers the spinning of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to start a game, stop buttons B1 to B3 for stopping the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are driven to rotate by a stepping motor as a stop operation means for allowing a player to perform a stop operation that triggers the stop of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and a settlement button BS for settling credited medals.

[0021] In addition, a medal payout outlet MO and a medal tray MP are provided at the bottom of the front lower door DD, and medals in a number corresponding to the results of a game are paid out from the medal payout outlet MO to the medal tray MP. In addition, when the settlement button BS is pressed while credited medals are stored in the gaming machine, pressing the settlement button BS executes a settlement process in which medals in a number corresponding to the number of credits (number of credited medals) are paid out from the hopper unit 320, and the medals are paid out from the medal payout outlet MO to the medal tray MP.

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

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

[0024] The setting change means 100 controls (controls setting change) changing the setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the storage means 190. When the setting change permission switch 250 is in the ON state and setting change is permitted, the setting change means 100 cyclically changes the setting value in the order of Setting 1 → Setting 2 → . . . → Setting 6 → Setting 1 → . . . each time it receives an input signal output from a reset switch 260 provided in the power supply, and determines the setting value when it receives a start signal output from the start switch 230 in response to operation of the start lever SL. In the slot machine 1, the winning probability of some winning areas among the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value determined in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to be able to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the winning probability of a winning combination in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0025] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100, the control relating to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control relating to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 200 are configured to be initialized, the game state is set to a non-replay time (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT") state described later, and the control relating to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 200 before the setting change is also initialized and a normal zone is set. Meanwhile, in the slot machine 1, when the supply of power to the game control means 10 is cut off (power interruption) and then the supply of power is resumed, the control relating to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control relating to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 200 are configured to be resumed from the state before the power interruption, and the control relating to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 200 before the power interruption is also configured to be maintained in the state before the power interruption.

[0026] When a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot MI (see Figure 1) and the medal insertion switch 210 is activated during the insertion acceptance period for accepting the insertion of medals, the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the inserted medal to an inserted state, and when the bet switch 220 is activated, in which a bet operation is performed by pressing the max bet button MB when the medals are credited, the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the credited medals to an inserted state up to the specified insertion number (3 medals), and performs processing to enable the game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that medals equivalent to the specified insertion number have been set to the inserted state.

[0027] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the first pressing of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a specified number of medals, is accepted as the player's operation to start the game, and serves as an opportunity to start the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, as well as an opportunity for the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to execute an internal lottery.

[0028] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for lotteries. In this embodiment, the term "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that may be generated regularly but whose acquisition timing is irregular, and therefore may function as random numbers.

[0029] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on the start signal output when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 230 detects the start operation, and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0030] In the lottery table selection process, an internal lottery table to be used for the internal lottery is selected based on the current game state from among the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the storage means 190. In each internal lottery table, various roles such as replay, small role, and bonus, and non-win (loss) are associated with each of multiple random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535).

[0031] In the following description, a bonus means a role that activates a reel or a reel continuous operation device when won, a bonus being activated means that a bonus is won and activates a reel or a reel continuous operation device, and a bonus state means that the reel or reel continuous operation device is activated.

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

[0033] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to a established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are simultaneously won, the lottery flags corresponding to the two or more types of combinations are set to an established state. Note that the slot machine 1 of this embodiment provides a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over its established state to the next game or thereafter until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to an unestablished state without carrying over its established state to the next game or thereafter regardless of whether a prize is won or not. In addition, the setting information of the lottery flag is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the storage means 190.

[0034] The reel control means 130 executes reel rotation control, which starts the rotation of the left reels R1 to R3 and controls the rotation patterns of the left reels R1 to R3, based on a start signal output from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL. Furthermore, when the left reels R1 to R3 are rotating at a steady speed at a predetermined speed (e.g., approximately 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 executes control to validate a stop operation detected by the stop switch 240 when the stop button B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel is pressed. When a reel stop signal is output from the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation, the reel control means 130 executes control to stop each of the left reels R1 to R3 corresponding to the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation (reel stop control).

[0035] In the following description, when the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and the player presses each of the active stop buttons B1 to B3, the first press operation will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second press operation will be referred to as the second stop operation, and the third press operation will be referred to as the third stop operation.

[0036] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the reel currently spinning corresponding to the stop button pressed (left reel R1 to right reel R3) is stopped within a predetermined period of 190 ms from the time when the stop button B1 to B3 is pressed (the time when the stop switch 240 detects the stop operation). Here, when the spinning reel is stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each spinning reel is configured to be able to rotate a maximum of four frames from the time when the stop button is pressed until the reel stops, depending on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel.

[0037] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, a total of five frames, from the frame displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until four frames have rotated, constitute the range (pull-in range) in which the pattern can be pulled onto the active line L1.

[0038] When executing reel stop control, the reel control means 130 performs a logic calculation process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel based on a predetermined priority by logic calculation including a pull-in process to stop the spinning reel so that a combination with a lottery flag set to a hit state can be won as much as possible, and a kick-off process to stop the spinning reel so that a combination with a lottery flag set to a non-hit state cannot be won, and a table reference process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the storage means 190, thereby stopping the spinning reel and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the spinning reel by reel stop control and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

[0039] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when multiple types of small winning combinations are won in the internal lottery, there are two methods for determining the priority of the candidate stop positions: a method for determining the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the activated line L1 (number priority control), and a method for determining the priority according to the number of medals paid out based on the payout predetermined for the small winning combination (number priority control). However, when the number priority control is executed, if multiple small winning combinations with the same payout are won, the priority of the candidate stop positions that can win each small winning combination is treated as being the same.

[0040] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, by referring to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage means 195 of the storage means 190, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped is a winning form for each predetermined winning combination. The winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of a bonus, replay, or small winning combination can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "winning determination") based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 when each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combination that indicates the winning form of a winning combination will also be referred to as the "winning symbol combination."

[0041] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination process by the winning determination means 140. As each process executed based on the determination result of the winning combination, for example, when a small combination is won, a process is executed to determine the number of medals to be paid out by the payout control means 150, when a replay is won, a process is executed to make the replay processing means 160 execute a process to execute the next game without consuming medals when a replay is won, and when a combination that triggers a transition of the game state, such as a bonus, is won, a process is executed to make the game state transition control means 170 transition the game state.

[0042] The payout control means 150 performs a payout process for paying out medals according to the game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the payout control means 150 determines the number of medals to be paid out in the game based on the payout amount predetermined for each combination, and controls the hopper unit 320 as a payout device to pay out medals corresponding to the determined number of medals to be paid out.

[0043] The hopper unit 320 performs an operation of paying out the number of medals to be paid out instructed by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit 320 is provided with a payout medal detection switch 325 that is activated each time a medal is paid out. The payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit 320 based on an input signal from the payout medal detection switch 325. Note that when medal credit is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals using the hopper unit 320, a credit addition process is performed in which the payout number is added to the number of credits (number of credited medals) stored in a credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means 190, and medals are virtually paid out.

[0044] When the winning determination means 140 determines that a symbol combination indicating a winning replay among a plurality of types of replay roles described later has been stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, and the replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs replay processing (replay processing) to set the machine to a ready state in which the next game can be played without inserting medals. That is, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert a specified number of medals without using medals (including credit medals) held by the player, and the machine waits for the start operation of the start lever SL for the next game, with the same pay line L1 as in the previous game set.

[0045] The game state transition control means 170 performs a process for transitioning game states between multiple game states and a process for activation and termination of bonuses. Here, the transition condition for each game state may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state when any one of the multiple predetermined conditions is met, or when all of the multiple predetermined conditions are met.

[0046] The effect control means 180 controls effects related to the game, such as image and video effects using the display device 330 and sound effects using the sound device 340, based on the effect data stored in the effect control data storage means 196 of the storage means 190. Specifically, when a player operates each component of the slot machine 1, such as inserting a medal or operating the max bet button MB, start lever SL, or stop buttons B1 to B3, or when a game event such as a change in the game state occurs, the effect control means 180 controls the execution of effects to liven up the game or to assist the game by executing effects such as lighting or blinking of lamps and LEDs and sound output from the sound device 340. In addition, the effect control means 180 causes each component of the effect device 300 to execute effects based on each effect state.

[0047] The AT control means 200 uses data stored in the AT control data storage means 197 to control the transition between an advantageous zone (advantageous period), which is a zone (period) in which control related to instruction functions including auxiliary games that can execute winning assistance to assist in winning specific roles, can be executed, and a normal zone (non-advantageous period), which is a zone (period) in which control related to auxiliary games (control related to instruction functions) based on the results of internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, and constitutes an auxiliary game control means that performs control related to the normal zone, advantageous zone, and auxiliary games.

[0048] The AT control data storage means 197 stores data (various flags, counters, etc. that are set to ON or OFF by specified control processing) used in various controls related to multiple types of presentation states, including AT states and non-AT states, that are executed within the advantageous zone.

[0049] The AT control means 200 sets the presentation state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions in the advantageous zone, and displays information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation order (correct batting order) of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that makes it possible to win the specific winning combination on the main control display device 500 consisting of a 7-segment display, thereby performing a winning assistance (announcement of correct batting order) that assists in the winning of the specific combination. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when the winning assistance by the AT control means 200 is executed, the presentation control means 180, which will be described later, executes a winning assistance effect that displays an indicator corresponding to the correct batting order on the display device 330. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is notified by the winning assistance, thereby executing an auxiliary game (AT game, announcement game) that is advantageous to the player.

[0050] More specifically, when a predetermined termination condition for terminating the advantageous zone, which will be described later, is met, the AT control means 200 executes a predetermined termination process for terminating the advantageous zone and starting the normal zone from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process for initializing information related to the advantageous zone, such as various flags and numerical values ​​set within the advantageous zone. Furthermore, the AT control means 200 turns on the zone notification unit 500A when the advantageous zone starts and the winning support is executed, so that the expected medal acquisition value is 1 or more. For this reason, the AT control means 200 is configured to be able to turn off the zone notification unit 500A when the advantageous zone has started but the effect is such that the winning support is not executed.

[0051] The AT control means 200 executes a game number update process in which, in a game that has started an advantageous zone, the value "1", which is a value corresponding to one game, is added to the value (stored value) stored in the first advantageous zone counter 197a each time a game is played, and cumulatively increments and updates the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 197a. Also, the AT control means 200 executes a difference number update process in which the difference value (difference number of medals) obtained by subtracting the number of medals inserted from the number of medals paid out from the game that has started an advantageous zone is cumulatively recorded in the second advantageous zone counter 197b.

[0052] When the AT control means 200 of this embodiment is controlling in the advantageous zone, regardless of the game state, it executes a game number update process that cumulatively adds (updates) the value "1", which corresponds to one game, to the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 197a each time a game is played, and a difference number update process that cumulatively updates the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b with a value corresponding to the difference in the number of medals.

[0053] Here, in the difference number update process for updating the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b, if the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b becomes less than the value "0" when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b is subtracted because the number of medals paid out in the game is less than the specified number of medals inserted, the AT control means 200 sets the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b to the value "0." This allows the AT control means 200 to fix the value when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b is at its lowest point to the value "0," so that in the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b, it is not necessary to vary the value that serves as the judgment threshold depending on the specific numerical value at the lowest point, and the load of the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b can be reduced.

[0054] When 1500 games have been played, that is, when the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 197a becomes the first value "0", or when the player has acquired more than 2400 medals from the point at which the most medals were consumed in the advantageous zone, that is, when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b becomes the value "2401" from the point at which it was the lowest value (lowest point), the AT control means 200 determines that a specific termination condition has been met as a predetermined termination condition for terminating the advantageous zone, and executes a predetermined termination process that ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

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

[0056] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in this embodiment Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 18, details of each component included in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0057] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> Figure 3 is a diagram showing the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning numbers and winning roles associated with each winning area, and the number of lottery values ​​associated with each winning area in each game state, namely the number of lottery values ​​when the setting is 1 and the number of lottery values ​​when the setting is 6.

[0058] In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has, as a bonus, a regular big bonus (hereinafter, the regular big bonus will also be referred to as "RBB") as a device for continuously operating a special feature related to a first-class special feature. In addition, the slot machine 1 has, as game states controlled by the game state transition control means 170, a non-RT state as a normal state in which the RBB is not set to an established state and the RBB is not operating, a bonus established state as a bonus internal state (internal state) to which the system is transitioned when the RBB is set to an established state and in which the RBB established state is maintained inside until the RBB operates, and a bonus state as a bonus operating state (operating) to which the system is transitioned when the RBB operates and in which the RBB is operating.

[0059] 3, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery include the winning area "all small roles", the winning area "all 10-coin bell roles", the winning area "all 1-coin roles", the winning area "normal replay 1", the winning area "normal replay 2", the winning area "missed role", the winning area "batting order bell A1" to the winning area "batting order bell A8", the winning area "batting order bell B1" to the winning area "batting order bell B8", the winning area "batting order bell C", the winning area "batting order bell D", the winning area "RBB & special small role", the winning area "RBB & 1-coin role", and the winning area "RBB", and the winning numbers 1 to 27 are associated with these winning areas, respectively. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with a non-winning (losing) result as a result of the internal lottery.

[0060] Here, "batting order" refers to the order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. In the following description, the timing at which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed will also be referred to as "press timing."

[0061] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the batting order, which is the order in which the three stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, is comprised of six types of batting orders, batting order 1 to batting order 6. Batting order 1 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3, which is called a "sequential pressing" batting order. Batting order 2 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2, which is called a "scissors hitting" batting order. Batting order 3 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Batting order 4 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Batting order 5 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Batting order 6 is a batting order called reverse pressing, in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

[0062] In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is a winner in order from the winning area associated with winning number 27 to the non-winning area associated with winning number 0.

[0063] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the small roles that can be won when the internal lottery is won include 15-coin bell A to 15-coin bell D, 10-coin bell A to 10-coin bell E, 3-coin bell, 1-coin role A to 1-coin role P, and special small roles, and the replays that can be won when the internal lottery is won include Replay A and Replay B. Each small role and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combination shown in FIG.

[0064] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1, the winning areas "RBB & special small role" and "RBB & 1-piece role" are set as winning areas that include bonuses and small roles, and the winning area "RBB" is set as a winning area that includes only bonuses.

[0065] 3, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the number of lottery values ​​for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell C" and "Batting Order Bell D", which are set as the target of the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the bonus established state, vary depending on the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191. Details of the number of lottery values ​​for each setting value for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell C" and "Batting Order Bell D" will be described later.

[0066] Here, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the role associated with the carryover flag is RBB, and the small role and replay are associated with the non-carryover flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a winning area including RBB is won in the internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the established state of the lottery flag of the winning RBB until the RBB is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether the small role and replay will be won or not, even in a game in which the established state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small role or replay is won in a game in which the established state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over, lottery flags corresponding to two or more roles consisting of the lottery flag of the already-won RBB and the lottery flag of the small role or replay won in the internal lottery are set to an established state.

[0067] <Internal lottery table> The slot machine 1 of this embodiment stores, as internal lottery tables used in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, an internal lottery table used in the non-RT state (normal state) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A), an internal lottery table used in the bonus establishment state (internal state) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the bonus state (in operation) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C) in the internal lottery table storage means 192. In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value number is associated with each winning area that is the subject of the lottery.

[0068] <Random number determination process> In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 of this embodiment sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the lottery value numbers associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table obtained from the internal lottery table storage means 192, and when the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it determines that the winning area corresponding to the subtracted lottery value number has been won. Also, when the result of the subtraction is a positive value after completing the subtraction of all the lottery value numbers stored in the internal lottery table, it determines that no winning combination has been won, that is, that the player has not won.

[0069] The random number generation means 110 of this embodiment is configured to be able to generate a total of 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535 as random numbers to be used in the internal lottery. In the internal lottery table A, the total number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB" to the winning area "Normal Replay 1" is 65,536, and in the internal lottery table B, the total number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB & 1-piece role" to the winning area "Normal Replay 1" is 65,536. Therefore, in the internal lottery in the non-RT state or the bonus established state, one of the roles will be won, and there will be no non-winning roles.

[0070] <Bonus winning determination process> As described above, in the internal lottery means 120 of this embodiment, in the bonus formation state, lottery values ​​are set for the winning area "RBB & special small role" and the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role". Therefore, in the internal lottery when the gaming state is the bonus formation state, there is a possibility that RBB will be won again when RBB has already been set to the formation state, so the internal lottery means 120 is configured to execute a bonus win determination process to determine whether or not the winning area whose win or loss is determined by the random number determination process is a winning area including a bonus.

[0071] In the bonus win determination process, when the random number determination process determines that the winning area including the bonus is the target for determining whether it is a win or a loss, if the winning area including the bonus is won and the gaming state is a bonus establishment state, the internal lottery means 120 executes a process to skip the process of setting the bonus to an establishment state. In this way, the slot machine 1 prevents a new RBB from being set to an establishment state when an RBB is already set to an establishment state.

[0072] <Arrangement of designs> 4 is a diagram showing the symbols arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", a black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR", a red BAR symbol "RED BAR", a white BAR symbol "WHITE BAR", a replay symbol "RP", a bell A symbol "BLA", a bell B symbol "BLB", a cherry symbol "CH", a watermelon symbol "WM", and a blank symbol "BK" are arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. In addition, 20 symbols are arranged on each of the peripheries of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0073] In this embodiment, the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" and the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" have a width wider than the other symbols when viewed from the front, and are configured as symbols that are more visible than the other symbols while the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are spinning. Also, in this embodiment, the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" is configured as a red image, and the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" is configured as a white image.

[0074] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in any game state, the priority order of the winning combinations to be stopped on the pay line L1 in the reel stop control is determined in the order of "replay > small combination > bonus." In other words, when a bonus and a small combination or a bonus and a replay are both won, the reel control means 130 executes stop control to give priority to the bonus and win the small combination or replay.

[0075] Furthermore, as described above, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to rotate the reels a maximum of four frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reels stop, and is therefore configured to be able to stop and display the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are arranged at intervals of four frames or less on the activated line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0076] Specifically, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to stop the replay symbol "RP", bell A symbol "BLA", and watermelon symbol "WM" on the left reel R1, the replay symbol "RP", bell A symbol "BLA", and bell B symbol "BLB" on the center reel R2, and the replay symbol "RP", bell A symbol "BLA", and watermelon symbol "WM" on the right reel R3, regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3, if they can be stopped on the activated line L1.

[0077] Furthermore, the reel control means 130 is capable of stopping symbols that are not the same as each other as long as they are arranged at intervals of four frames or less. For example, if either the cherry symbol "CH" arranged at stop number 3 and stop number 18 on the middle reel R2 or the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 8 and stop number 13 can be stopped on the active line L1, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to stop the cherry symbol "CH" or the watermelon symbol "WM" regardless of the timing of pressing the stop button B2.

[0078] <Small win payout> In this embodiment, the payouts for 15-coin bells A to D are set to a payout number (15 coins) that is greater than the specified input number (3 coins). Also, the payouts for 10-coin bells A to E are set to a payout number (10 coins) that is greater than the specified input number. Also, the payouts for 3-coin bells are set to a payout number (3 coins) that is the same as the specified input number. And, the payouts for 1-coin roles A to P and special small roles are set to a payout number (1 coin) that is less than the specified input number.

[0079] <Small winning combinations> 5 to 7 are diagrams showing winning symbol combinations of 15-coin bell A to 15-coin bell D, 10-coin bell A to 10-coin bell E, 3-coin bell, special small role, and 1-coin role A to 1-coin role P.

[0080] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the symbols that make up the winning combinations of 15-coin bells A to D, 10-coin bells A to E, 3-coin bells, and special small wins are arranged at intervals of four frames or less on each of the left reel R1 to right reel R3. Therefore, when reel stop control is executed to enable the 15-coin bells A to D, 10-coin bells A to E, 3-coin bells, and special small wins to be stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, the 15-coin bells A to D, 10-coin bells A to E, 3-coin bells, and special small wins are configured to be stopped and displayed on the pay line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3. Details of the reel stop control that stops and displays the symbols that make up the winning combinations of 15-coin bells A to D and 10-coin bells A to E will be described later.

[0081] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the symbols that make up the winning combinations of 1-piece roles A to D are configured such that the pull-in range of the symbols on the left reel R1 and the symbols on the center reel R2 is set to 10 frames out of 20 frames, and the symbols on the right reel R3 are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less. Also, the symbols that make up the winning combinations of 1-piece roles E to H are configured such that the pull-in range of the symbols on the left reel R1 and the symbols on the right reel R3 is set to 10 frames out of 20 frames, and the symbols on the center reel R2 are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less.

[0082] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the symbols constituting the winning combinations of 1-coin I, 1-coin J, 1-coin N, and 1-coin O are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less on each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. The symbols constituting the winning combinations of 1-coin K and 1-coin L are arranged such that the pull-in range of the center reel R2 is set to 10 frames out of 20 frames, and the symbols on the left reel R1 and the right reel R3 are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less. The symbols constituting the winning combinations of 1-coin M and 1-coin P are arranged such that the pull-in range of the right reel R3 is set to 10 frames out of 20 frames, and the symbols on the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2 are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less.

[0083] <Game state transition control means> FIG. 8(A) is a state transition diagram showing game states to which transition can be made from each game state in the control relating to transition of game states executed by the game state transition control means 170 of this embodiment.

[0084] 8(A), the non-RT state is a gaming state (initial gaming state, normal gaming state) that corresponds to the initial state among multiple gaming states, and is a non-bonus state in which a bonus is not activated or established. In the non-RT state, the gaming state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table A in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0085] The bonus formation state is a gaming state to which the game enters when the winning area "RBB", the winning area "RBB & special small win", or the winning area "RBB & 1 coin win" is won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, and the RBB is set to the formation state. In the bonus formation state, the gaming state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table B, in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0086] The bonus state is a gaming state to which the game is transitioned when an RBB is won and the RBB is activated. In the bonus state, the gaming state transition control means 170 determines whether the termination condition of the activated RBB is met based on the total number of medals paid out, and when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined payout number (for example, 100 medals), it terminates the operation of the RBB, thereby terminating the bonus state and transitioning the gaming state to a non-RT state, which is a non-bonus state. In the bonus state, the gaming state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using an internal lottery table C.

[0087] As shown in Figure 3, in the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with the winning area "All Small Roles" which wins all of the small roles of 15-coin Bell A to 15-coin Bell D, 10-coin Bell A to 10-coin Bell E, 3-coin bell, 1-coin role A to 1-coin role P, and special small roles, the winning area "All 10-coin Bell Roles" which wins all of the 10-coin bells of 10-coin Bell A to 10-coin Bell E and 3-coin bells, and the winning area "All 1-coin Roles" which wins all small roles with the payout of 1-coin roles A to 1-coin role P and special small roles set to 1 coin.

[0088] The bonus state will be described in detail with reference to Figure 3. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the bonus state in which the internal lottery table C is selected, the probability of winning the winning area "all small roles", the winning area "all 10-coin bell role", or the winning area "all 1-coin role" is higher than the probability of winning any of the winning areas including a small role in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B. In other words, the probability of winning a small role in the bonus state is set to be higher than the probability of winning any of the small roles in a game state other than the bonus state. Also, in the internal lottery table C, the probability of winning the winning area "all small roles" is set to be the same as the sum of the probabilities of winning any one of the winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A4" and any one of the winning areas "batting order bell A5" to "batting order bell A8" in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B. In addition, in internal lottery table C, the sum of the probability of winning the winning area ``All small roles'' and the probability of winning the winning area ``All 10 bell roles'' is set to the same probability as the sum of the probability of winning any one of the winning areas ``Batting order bell B1'' to ``Batting order bell B4'' and any one of the winning areas ``Batting order bell B5'' to ``Batting order bell B8'' in internal lottery table A and internal lottery table B.

[0089] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that in the bonus state, the probability of winning all small prizes is higher than in the non-RT state when the bonus is not activated or in the bonus established state, and the probability of winning any of the small prizes is the same or higher.

[0090] In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured so that in the bonus state, the probability of winning the winning area "All Small Roles" is lower than the probability of winning any of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" (the winning probability obtained by combining the winning probabilities of each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8").

[0091] In this way, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has multiple types of first winning modes (winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell A8") in which multiple types of specific roles (15-piece Bell A to 15-piece Bell D) set to payouts greater than the amount of game value required to start playing do not overlap with each other but overlap with other small roles, and a second winning mode (winning area "All Small Roles") in which multiple types of specific small roles overlap and win, and the internal lottery means 120 is configured to conduct an internal lottery so that multiple types of first winning modes exist in the normal game state (non-RT state) and bonus formation state, and to conduct an internal lottery so that the second winning mode exists in the bonus state. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the probability of winning the second winning mode in the internal lottery in the bonus state is lower than the probability of winning one of the multiple types of first winning modes in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus establishment state, and the winning probability of each of all small roles in the internal lottery in the bonus state is configured to be equal to or higher than the winning probability of each of all small roles in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus establishment state.

[0092] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the expected rate of medal acquisition is less than 100% in the bonus state.

[0093] Here, in the bonus formation state, as will be described in more detail later, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won, 15 Bells A to 15 Bells D cannot be won unless stop button B1 to stop button B3 are pressed in the correct batting order consisting of batting order 3 to 6 and the first stop operation is executed at the timing when the patterns of 10 of the 20 frames set in each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are displayed in rotation, and therefore the probability of winning one of 15 Bells A to 15 Bells D is limited to when stop button B1 to stop button B3 are pressed in the correct batting order from the four types of batting orders and at the timing when the patterns of 10 of the 20 frames are displayed in rotation. On the other hand, when an auxiliary game is executed in which winning assistance is provided by the AT control means 200 described below, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won, the correct batting order is announced by the winning assistance provided by the AT control means 200 and the winning assistance presentation provided by the presentation control means 180, so the probability of any of the 15 bells A to 15 bells D winning can be increased by up to eight times compared to when the winning assistance is not provided.

[0094] As described above, in the present embodiment, as winning combinations (specific combinations) that pay out more medals than the specified number of inserted medals for winning when a stop operation is performed in the correct batting order and the pressing timing of the first stop operation is appropriate, four types of 15-bell A to 15-bell D are set. And the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in the bonus state is compressed to about 1 / 4 of the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in a game state other than the bonus state. By configuring in this way, an internal lottery is performed by providing a mode in which N types of specific combinations are elected without overlapping each other in a game state other than the bonus state, and an internal lottery is performed by providing a mode in which N types of specific combinations are elected repeatedly in the bonus state. Thus, the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in the bonus state can be compressed to about 1 / N of the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in a game state other than the bonus state. As a result, since the lower limit of the expected value of the medal acquisition rate in the bonus state can be lowered to less than 100% and then the medal acquisition performance regarding the auxiliary game can be designed, the degree of freedom in designing the slot machine 1 equipped with the AT function can be dramatically improved.

[0095] <AT control means> FIG. 8(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of the normal section and the advantageous section controlled by the AT control means 200 of the present embodiment, and the effect state controlled during the advantageous section.

[0096] As described above, the normal section is a period in which control regarding the auxiliary game based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. The AT control means 200 executes an advantageous section lottery, which is a lottery for determining whether to end the normal section and start the advantageous section based on the winning area won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 in the game within the normal section.

[0097] In the advantageous zone lottery, the AT control means 200 first acquires an advantageous zone transition lottery table, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous zone" and "miss (non-winning)" are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers, from the AT control data storage means 197. Then, the AT control means 200 acquires a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the acquired random number with the advantageous zone transition lottery table, and determines whether or not to start an advantageous zone based on the comparison result.

[0098] The AT control means 200 executes the advantageous zone lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area selected in the internal lottery by the winning probability of the "start of the advantageous zone" in the advantageous zone lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0099] The AT control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to execute a lottery for a favorable zone when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell A8," the winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell B8," the winning area "Batting Order Bell C," the winning area "Batting Order Bell D," the winning area "Missed Role," or the winning area "Normal Replay 2" is won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the bonus establishment state, and when the winning area "RBB & Special Small Role," the winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Role," or the winning area "RBB" is won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, but not when the winning area is won in another winning area. The AT control means 200 also executes a lottery for a favorable zone with a high probability of winning the "start of the favorable zone," approximately 1 / 1.5.

[0100] In the advantageous zone, the AT control means 200 has a normal state, a CZ state, a first AT state, and a second AT state as states (presentation states) related to the instruction function. In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the proportion of players staying in the advantageous zone during the entire game can be 70% or more.

[0101] The normal state is a presentation state (normal presentation state) that corresponds to the normal state among multiple presentation states and is set when there is no transition to another presentation state. When the presentation state transitions to the normal state, the AT control means 200 performs an incremental update to a non-AT game number counter (not shown), which counts the number of games played in the normal state, by adding a value "1" corresponding to one game to the stored value of the non-AT game number counter each time a game is played. When the stored value of the non-AT game number counter reaches the value "700," the AT control means 200 determines that the transition condition to the CZ state (CZ transition condition) has been met and transitions the presentation state from the normal state to the CZ state. In addition, when the winning area "miss role" is won in the internal lottery, the AT control means 200 performs a state transition lottery to determine whether to transition to the CZ state, the first AT state, or the second AT state.

[0102] In the state transition lottery, the AT control means 200 conducts a lottery to determine either ``transition to second AT state,'' ``transition to first AT state,'' ``transition to CZ state,'' or ``no win,'' and if ``transition to CZ state'' is won, it determines that the CZ transition condition has been met and the presentation state transitions from the normal state to the CZ state; if ``transition to first AT state'' is won, it determines that the transition condition to the first AT state (first AT transition condition) has been met and the presentation state transitions from the normal state to the first AT state; and if ``transition to second AT state'' is won, it determines that the transition condition to the second AT state (second AT transition condition) has been met and the presentation state transitions from the normal state to the second AT state.

[0103] The CZ state is configured to transition to the first AT state or the second AT state with a higher probability than the normal state when control for transitioning the presentation state to the first AT state or the second AT state is executed as control related to auxiliary games, and is a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. At the start of the CZ state, the AT control means 200 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (e.g., 10 games) to the CZ game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197, and executes a decrement update each time a game is executed, subtracting the value stored in the CZ game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game.

[0104] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ AT lottery for each game played in the CZ state, which determines whether or not to transition to the first AT state or the second AT state. If the CZ AT lottery results in a win for "transition to the first AT state" or "transition to the second AT state," the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the CZ state to the winning presentation state after 10 games have been played since the start of the CZ state.

[0105] The AT control means 200 executes a CZ promotion lottery to determine whether or not to change (promote) the presentation state to be transitioned to after the CZ state ends from the first AT state to the second AT state in a game in which "transition to the first AT state" is won in the CZ AT lottery and the CZ state ends. Also, the AT control means 200 executes a CZ set number addition lottery to determine whether or not to add (add) the number of times one set of the second AT state is executed in a game in which "transition to the second AT state" is won in the CZ AT lottery or CZ promotion lottery and the CZ state ends.

[0106] On the other hand, if 10 games are played in the CZ state without winning either "transition to the first AT state" or "transition to the second AT state" in the AT lottery during the CZ, the AT control means 200 ends the CZ state. If the CZ state is ended without the first AT transition condition and the second AT transition condition being met, the AT control means 200 determines that the normal termination condition among the termination conditions for the advantageous zone has been met, and executes a predetermined termination process that ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0107] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute lotteries related to auxiliary games executed in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, promotion lottery during CZ, and set number addition lottery during CZ) regardless of the result of the internal lottery. Furthermore, the AT control means 200 is configured so that, for lotteries related to auxiliary games executed in the CZ state, if the winning area "miss role" is won in the internal lottery, the probability of a "miss (non-win)" is lower than when other winning areas are won, and the probability of a result advantageous to the player ("transition to the second AT state" in the case of the AT lottery during CZ) is higher. In other words, the CZ state is configured so that transition to the first AT state or the second AT state can be made after the end of the CZ state with a higher probability than in the normal state, in which the state transition lottery is executed only when the winning area "miss role" is won.

[0108] The first AT state is a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state, as winning assistance of 10 bells A to 10 bells D is executed when winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" and winning area "Batting Order Bell C" are won.

[0109] In the first AT state, the AT control means 200 counts a value relating to the difference in number, which is the difference obtained by subtracting the number of medals paid out by the number of medals inserted, using the first AT difference number counter 197c of the AT control data storage means 197. The first AT difference number counter 197c is set to a value of "100" as an initial value. The AT control means 200 determines that the condition for terminating the first AT state has been met when the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c becomes the value "0".

[0110] When the winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell B8" or winning area "Batting Order Bell C" is won, the AT control means 200 executes the winning assistance, which allows 10 bells A to 10 bells D to be won, and therefore subtracts the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c by the value "7", which is the payout (10) set for 10 bells A to 10 bells D minus the specified number of insertions (3). Also, when the winning area "Missed Role" is won, the AT control means 200 maintains the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c, because 3 bells, which are set to the same payout as the specified number of insertions, can be won. In addition, when a small role with a payout set to less than the specified number of coins is won, or when no role is won and the player misses the prize, the AT control means 200 subtracts the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c by a negative value obtained by subtracting the specified number of coins from the result of the game (the value "-2" when a 1-coin role A to 1-coin role P with a payout of 1 coin or a special small role is won, and the value "-3" when the prize is missed).

[0111] In addition, when the winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A8" are won, the AT control means 200 executes processing related to updating the first AT difference number counter 197c according to the result of the game. When 15 bells A to D win, the AT control means 200 subtracts the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c by the value "12" obtained by subtracting the specified number of insertions from the payout (15) set for 15 bells A to D, and subtracts the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c by the negative value obtained by subtracting the specified number of insertions from the result of the game when 1-piece role A to 1-piece role L, 1-piece role N, which are set to a payout of 1, win, or when none of the roles win.

[0112] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a second AT transition lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the second AT state in a game in which the first AT state has started. The AT control means 200 is configured to determine by lottery in the second AT transition lottery one of "transition to the second AT state", "continuation of the first AT state", and "end of the first AT state".

[0113] If the "transition to the second AT state" is selected in the second AT transition lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the first AT state to the second AT state after the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c becomes the value "0". Also, if the "continuation of the first AT state" is selected in the second AT transition lottery, the AT control means 200 determines that one set of the first AT state has been executed after the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c becomes the value "0", and starts the next set of the first AT state by setting the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c to the value "0". Then, if the "end of the first AT state" is selected in the second AT transition lottery, the AT control means 200 ends the first AT state after the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c becomes the value "0". When the first AT state ends, the AT control means 200 determines that the normal termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous zone has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process of initializing information related to the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0114] The AT control means 200 executes a lottery for adding the number of sets during the first AT to determine whether or not to add (add) the number of times one set of the second AT state is executed, when the winning area "miss role" is won in the second AT transition lottery and in the game until the end of the first AT state. Also, the AT control means 200 executes a lottery for adding (adding) the number of times one set of the second AT state is executed, when the winning area "miss role" is won in the second AT transition lottery and in the game until the end of the first AT state. Then, when the "end of the first AT state" is won in the second AT transition lottery and the winning area "missed role" is won in the play until the end of the first AT state, the AT control means 200 executes a first AT continuation lottery to determine whether or not to change to continue the first AT state by starting the next set of the first AT state after the end of one set of the first AT state.

[0115] In addition, the AT control means 200 is configured to transition the presentation state from the first AT state to the second AT state after the end of the fourth set of the first AT state as a bonus based on the execution of multiple sets of the first AT state during a series of advantageous periods when the fourth set of the first AT state is initiated while the advantageous period continues and the second AT transition lottery or the first AT continuation lottery is won for "continuation of the first AT state."

[0116] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that the longer the period during which the first AT state continues, the higher the probability that control related to an auxiliary game that is advantageous to the player will be executed.

[0117] The second AT state is a more advantageous presentation state for players than the normal state, as it provides assistance for winning 15 bells A to 15 bells D when winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won, and assistance for winning 10 bells A to 10 bells D when winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" and winning area "Batting Order Bell C" are won.

[0118] In the second AT state, the AT control means 200 counts a value relating to the difference in number of medals, which is the difference obtained by subtracting the number of medals paid out by the number of medals inserted, using the second AT difference number counter 197d in the AT control data storage means 197. From the start of the second AT state until a predetermined number of games (e.g., five games) have been played, the AT control means 200 executes an initial difference number addition lottery to determine a value to be added to the stored value of the second AT difference number counter 197d, and adds the value determined by the lottery. Also, in the second AT state, the AT control means 200 executes an addition lottery to determine whether or not to add a value to the stored value of the second AT difference number counter 197d, and if it is determined in the addition lottery to add a value to the stored value of the second AT difference number counter 197d, it adds the determined value to the stored value of the second AT difference number counter 197d.

[0119] When the stored value of the second AT difference number counter 197d becomes "0," the AT control means 200 executes a second AT continuation lottery to determine whether to continue the second AT state. If the AT control means 200 wins the "continuation of the second AT state" lottery in the second AT continuation lottery, it executes an initial difference number addition lottery for each game played until a predetermined number of games (e.g., five games) have been played, and adds the value determined by the lottery. On the other hand, if the AT control means 200 wins the "end of the second AT state" lottery in the second AT continuation lottery, it ends the second AT state. When the AT control means 200 ends the second AT state, it determines that the normal end condition, one of the end conditions for the advantageous zone, has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process, which is a process of initializing information about the advantageous zone, and a predetermined end process, which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0120] In addition, when the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 197a reaches the value "1500" in the first AT state or the second AT state, or when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b exceeds the value "2400" in the first AT state or the second AT state, the AT control means 200 determines that the AT termination condition has been met, terminates the first AT state or the second AT state, and determines that a specific termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous zone has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process of initializing information related to the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0121] 3. Details of the winning batting order As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has winning areas (batting order winning patterns) in which the small winning combinations that can be won may differ depending on the batting order, such as winning area "batting order bell A1" to winning area "batting order bell A8", winning area "batting order bell B1" to winning area "batting order bell B8", and winning area "batting order bell C", and is configured so that the winning combinations that can be won differ depending on the game status.

[0122] <Small wins that can be won for each batting order when the batting order winning pattern is won> Figure 9 is a diagram showing the winning combinations that can be won depending on the batting order of stop button B1 to stop button B3 when winning in the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell A8", winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell B8", winning area "Batting Order Bell C", or winning area "Batting Order Bell D" in non-bonus state.

[0123] As shown in Figure 9, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell A1" to winning area "batting order bell A8" are selected by the internal lottery in the non-bonus state, a batting order (correct batting order) that allows 15 bells A to 15 bells D to be won is set for each winning area, and a batting order (correct batting order) that allows 10 bells A to 10 bells D to be won is set for each winning area when the winning area "batting order bell B1" to winning area "batting order bell B8" are selected, and each batting order is set to batting order 3 to batting order 6, that is, the batting order in which the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated for the first stop. In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell C" is selected, any of the 10 bells A to 10 bells D will be won regardless of the batting order of batting order 3 to batting order 6 in which the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are operated.

[0124] Also, as shown in Figure 9, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell A8", the winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell B8", or the winning area "Batting Order Bell C" is won in the internal lottery in the non-bonus state, and when stop button B1 to stop button B3 are pressed in batting order 1 or batting order 2 where stop button B1 is operated to perform the first stop, a small winning combination set to a payout of one coin will be won.

[0125] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for example, for the winning area "batting order bell A1," if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 3 and the timing of pressing stop button B2, which is the first stop operation, is a preset timing, a 15-piece bell A can be won, and if stop button B2 is pressed at a timing different from the preset timing, a 1-piece role I can be won.

[0126] Figure 10(A) is a diagram showing the small winning combinations that can be won depending on the timing of pressing the stop button B2 in the winning areas where batting order 3 and batting order 4 are set as the correct batting order, among the winning areas from "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" and from "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8". Figure 10(B) is a diagram showing the small winning combinations that can be won depending on the timing of pressing the stop button B3 in the winning areas where batting order 5 and batting order 6 are set as the correct batting order, among the winning areas from "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" and from "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8".

[0127] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 10(A), when the winning areas "batting order bell A1", "batting order bell A2", "batting order bell B1", and "batting order bell B2" are won, the reel control means 130 controls the stop button B2 to operate the first stop operation at the timing when the symbols in the range from the bell A symbol "BLA" at stop number 0 to the black BAR symbol "black BAR" at stop number 9, including the red BAR symbol "red BAR" at stop number 4, are displayed in rotation. When this is done, the winning small winning combination from among 15-coin Bell A, 15-coin Bell B, 10-coin Bell A, and 10-coin Bell B will be eligible to win a prize, and when the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop at the timing when the patterns in the range from the Bell A pattern "Bell A" at stop number 10, including the white 7 pattern "White 7" at stop number 14, to the blank pattern "BK" at stop number 19, are displayed in rotation, the winning small winning combination from 1-coin I and 1-coin O will be eligible to win a prize.

[0128] In addition, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A5", "Batting Order Bell A6", "Batting Order Bell B5", and "Batting Order Bell B6" are won, if the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop at the timing when the symbols in the range from the bell A symbol "Bell A" at stop number 10, including the white 7 symbol "White 7" at stop number 14, to the blank symbol "BK" at stop number 19, which are displayed in rotation, the winning small role among the 15-piece bell A, 15-piece bell B, 10-piece bell A, and 10-piece bell B can win a prize, and if the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop at the timing when the symbols in the range from the bell A symbol "BLA" at stop number 0, including the red BAR symbol "Red BAR" at stop number 4, to the black BAR symbol "Black BAR" at stop number 9, which are displayed in rotation, the winning small role among the 1-piece role I and the 1-piece role O can win a prize,

[0129] As shown in Figures 4 and 10(B), when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A3", "Batting Order Bell A4", "Batting Order Bell B3", and "Batting Order Bell B4" are selected, if the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop at the timing when the symbols in the range from the bell A symbol "BLA" at stop number 0 to the black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR" at stop number 9, including the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" at stop number 4, are displayed in rotation, the winning small winning combination from 15-coin bell C, 15-coin bell D, 10-coin bell C, and 10-coin bell D can be won, and if the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop at the timing when the symbols in the range from the bell A symbol "BELL A" at stop number 10 to the cherry symbol "CH" at stop number 19, including the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" at stop number 14, are displayed in rotation, the 1-coin winning combination N can be won.

[0130] In addition, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A7", "Batting Order Bell A8", "Batting Order Bell B7", and "Batting Order Bell B8" are won, if the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop at the timing when the symbols in the range from the bell A symbol at stop number 10 "Bell A" to the cherry symbol at stop number 19 "CH", including the white 7 symbol at stop number 14 "White 7", are displayed in rotation, the winning small winning combination from 15 bells C, 15 bells D, 10 bells C, and 10 bells D can be won, and if the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop at the timing when the symbols in the range from the bell A symbol at stop number 0 "BLA" to the black BAR symbol at stop number 9 "Black BAR", including the red BAR symbol at stop number 4 "Red BAR", can be displayed in rotation, the 1-piece winning combination N can be won.

[0131] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell A4" or a winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell B4" is won and an auxiliary game is executed, the AT control means 200 displays on the main control display device 500 a display corresponding to the correct batting order and the timing of pressing the first stop operation, and the performance control means 180 displays on the display device 330 the correct batting order and an image (an image having a design substantially similar to the red BAR pattern "Red BAR") indicating that the first stop operation will be performed at the timing when the red BAR pattern "Red BAR" is displayed rotating on the valid line L1. In addition, in the slot machine 1, when a winning area "Batting Order Bell A5" to winning area "Batting Order Bell A8" or a winning area "Batting Order Bell B5" to winning area "Batting Order Bell B8" is won and an auxiliary game is executed, the AT control means 200 causes the main control display device 500 to display a display corresponding to the correct batting order and the timing of pressing the first stop operation, and the performance control means 180 causes the display device 330 to display the correct batting order and an image (an image having a design substantially similar to the white 7 pattern "White 7") indicating that the first stop operation should be performed at the timing when the white 7 pattern "White 7" is displayed rotating on the valid line L1.

[0132] With this configuration, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" and the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" are won, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment notifies the player of the pressing timing by displaying an image with a design that is approximately similar to the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" and the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", which are symbols that are different from the symbols that make up the winning symbol combinations of 15-coin Bell A to 15-coin Bell D and 10-coin Bell A to 10-coin Bell D, but are highly visible while the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are rotating and which are symbols that are included in the pressing timing range for executing the reel stop control that makes it possible to win 15-coin Bell A to 15-coin Bell D and 10-coin Bell A to 10-coin Bell D, thereby notifying the player of the pressing timing, and thereby notifying the player of an operation mode that is advantageous to the player without causing any disadvantage to the player.

[0133] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is configured such that when the winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A8" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation mode different from the operation mode that allows the winning of 15 bells A to 15 bells D, the winning probability of 1 coin role A to 1 coin role L and 1 coin role N is respectively shown in Fig. 9. In other words, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation mode different from the operation mode that allows the winning of 15 bells A to 15 bells D, the winning probability (first probability) of 1 coin role A to 1 coin role L and 1 coin role N is 1 / 1 for batting order 1 and batting order 2, 1 / 1 for two of batting orders 3 to 6, and 1 / 4 for two of batting orders, so that the winning probability is 3 / 4.

[0134] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is configured such that when the winning areas "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B8" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation mode different from the operation mode that allows the winning of 10 bells A to D, the winning probability of 1 coin role B, 1 coin role C, 1 coin role J to 1 coin role O is 1 / 1. In other words, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation mode different from the operation mode that allows the winning of 10 bells A to D, the winning probability (second probability) of 1 coin role B, 1 coin role C, 1 coin role J to 1 coin role O is 1 / 1.

[0135] In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in an operation mode different from the operation mode that allows the winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A8" to be won and 15 bells A to 15 bells D to be won, the probability of winning a small role with a payout of 1 coin is increased when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in an operation mode different from the operation mode that allows the winning areas "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B8" to be won and 10 bells A to 10 bells D to be won. It is configured so that when button B3 is pressed, the probability of winning a small prize with a payout of 1 coin is lower than the probability of winning, and in the first AT state where auxiliary play is not executed when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won and the operation mode that makes it possible to win 15 Bells A to 15 Bells D is not notified, it is possible to prevent the payout rate from becoming significantly high when play is executed using a play method that aims for 15 Bells A to 15 Bells D, and it is possible to reduce the level of strategy in the first AT state.

[0136] <Reel stop control when winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8"> Next, using Figures 11 to 13, the details of the reel stop control performed by the reel control means 130 of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won will be explained using the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" as an example.

[0137] Figure 11 is a diagram explaining the reel stop control when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" is won and the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, Figure 11(A) is a diagram showing the winning pattern combinations of 15-piece Bell A, 1-piece role A, and 1-piece role I that are won in duplicate when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" is won, and Figure 11(B) is a diagram explaining the patterns (stop patterns) that can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 when the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, and the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop pattern stops.

[0138] As shown in Figure 11 (B), when the cherry symbol "CH" and the replay symbol "RP" are stopped and displayed in the middle row of the left reel R1, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the activated line L1 is four, which is more than when other symbols are stopped and displayed. Therefore, the reel control means 130 executes number priority control and stop control using a stop control table as reel stop control, and determines to stop and display the replay symbol "RP".

[0139] In the slot machine 1, when the replay symbol "RP" is stopped and displayed in the middle row of the left reel R1, the winning combination in that game is limited to the 1-coin combination I. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 11(A), in the symbols that make up the winning combination of the 1-coin combination I, the symbols on the center reel R2 and the symbols on the right reel R3 are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less.

[0140] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell A1" is won and the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, the 1-piece role I is won with a probability of 1 / 1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0141] FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining the reel stop control when the winning area "batting order bell A1" is won and the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop. FIG. 12(A) is a diagram explaining the stop symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol stops, and the payout of the minor combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol stops. FIG. 12(B) is a diagram explaining the stop symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop and the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol stops. 12(A) is a diagram explaining the stop symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 when the stop button B1 is operated to the second stop, the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol stops, and the payout of minor winnings corresponding to the pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol stops; FIG. 12(C) is a diagram explaining the stop symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop and the stop button B3 is operated to the second stop, and the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol stops.

[0142] As shown in Figure 12 (A), when the replay pattern "RP" is stopped and displayed on the lower row of the middle reel R2, the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed on the activated line L1 is the highest at 9, and also when the replay pattern "RP" is stopped and displayed on the lower row of the middle reel R2, the payout for the 15-bell A that can be won is 15, which is the highest payout.Therefore, when either the number priority control or the number priority control is performed as the reel stop control, the replay pattern "RP" must be stopped regardless of the timing of pressing the stop button B2, and so the replay pattern "RP" is stopped and displayed on the lower row of the middle reel R2.

[0143] As shown in Figure 12 (B), when the first stop operation is performed on the stop button B2 and the second stop operation is performed on the stop button B1, if the bell A symbol "BLA" is stopped and displayed in the middle row of the left reel R1, the reel control means 130 can display one winning symbol combination of 15 bell A symbols, and if the cherry symbol "CH" and the replay symbol "RP" are stopped and displayed in the middle row of the left reel R1, four symbol combinations can be displayed on the activated line L1.

[0144] As shown in Figure 10, in this embodiment, when the timing of pressing the first stop operation is when 10 out of 20 frames of the bell A pattern "BLA" at stop number 0 to the black BAR pattern "black BAR" at stop number 9 are being displayed in rotation, the reel control means 130 executes number-priority control and stops and displays the bell A pattern "BLA" that constitutes the winning pattern combination of 15 bell A's in the middle row of the left reel R1. Furthermore, if the timing of pressing the first stop operation is when 10 of the 20 frames of the bell A symbol "BLA" at stop number 10 through the blank symbol "BK" at stop number 19 are being displayed in rotation, the reel control means 130 executes quantity priority control and stop control using a stop control table, and stops and displays the replay symbol "RP" in the middle of the left reel R1, which means that the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed is four, the same as when the cherry symbol "CH" is displayed but more than when the bell A symbol "BLA" is displayed.

[0145] As a result, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell A1" is won, the first stop operation is performed on the stop button B1, and the second stop operation is performed on the stop button B1, the small winning combinations that can be won at the time the second stop operation is performed are limited to either the 15-coin bell A or the 1-coin role I. Also, as shown in Figures 4 and 11(A), in the symbols that make up the winning combination of the 15-coin bell A, the symbols on the right reel R3 are arranged at intervals of no more than four frames. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell A1" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the batting order 3, either the 15-coin bell A or the 1-coin role I will be won with a probability of 1 / 2.

[0146] As shown in Figure 12 (C), when the first stop operation is performed on the stop button B2 and the second stop operation is performed on the stop button B3, if the lip symbol "RP" is stopped and displayed on the bottom row of the right reel R3, one of the winning symbol combinations of 15 bells A can be displayed, and if the red BAR symbol "RED BAR", black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR", white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", and cherry symbol "CH" are stopped and displayed on the bottom row of the right reel R3, two symbol combinations can be displayed on each of the active lines L1. Therefore, the reel control means 130 performs quantity priority control as reel stop control, and displays on the active line L1 the symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button B3 is pressed, from the red BAR symbol "RED BAR", black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR", white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", and cherry symbol "CH".

[0147] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell A1" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 4, the small winning combination that can be won is limited to the 1-coin combination I at the time the second stop operation is executed, and the 1-coin combination I is won with a probability of 1 / 1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop button B1, which is pressed as the third stop operation.

[0148] Figure 13 is a diagram explaining the reel stop control when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" is won and the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, Figure 13(A) is a diagram explaining the stop patterns that can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 when the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, and the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop pattern stops, Figure 13(B) is a diagram showing the timing for pressing the stop button B1 to stop the patterns on the left reel R1 that make up the winning pattern combination of 1-piece role A and the number of frames for each stopped pattern when the small roles that can be won when the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop are limited to 1-piece role A, and Figure 13(C) is a diagram showing the timing for pressing the stop button B2 to stop the patterns on the middle reel R2 that make up the winning pattern combination of 1-piece role A and the number of frames for each stopped pattern.

[0149] 13(A), when the bell A symbol "BLA" is stopped and displayed on the lower row of the right reel R3, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the activated line L1 is four, which is more than when other symbols are stopped and displayed. Therefore, the reel control means 130 executes quantity priority control as reel stop control and determines to stop and display the bell A symbol "BLA". In the slot machine 1, when the bell A symbol "BLA" is stopped and displayed on the lower row of the right reel R3, the winning combination that can be won in that game is limited to the 1-coin A combination.

[0150] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 13(B), in the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination of 1-piece role A, the white BAR symbol "white BAR" which is the symbol of the left reel R1 can be displayed on the active line L1 when the stop button B1 is pressed at the timing when five frames of the white BAR symbol "white BAR" at stop number 4 to the cherry symbol "CH" at stop number 8 are displayed in rotation, and the black BAR symbol "black BAR" can be displayed on the active line L1 when the stop button B1 is pressed at the timing when five frames of the black BAR symbol "black BAR" at stop number 9 to the watermelon symbol "WM" at stop number 13 are displayed in rotation. Therefore, when the stop button B1 is pressed at the timing when the symbols in the range of 10 frames out of 20 frames from stop number 4 to stop number 13 are displayed in rotation on the left reel R1, the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination for 1 coin role A can be displayed in a stopped state, and when the stop button B1 is pressed at the timing when the symbols in the range of 10 frames out of 20 frames from stop number 0 to stop number 3 and stop number 14 to stop number 19 are displayed in rotation on the left reel R1, the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination for 1 coin role A cannot be displayed in a stopped state on the active line L1, resulting in a miss (non-winning).

[0151] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 13(C), in the patterns that make up the winning combination of 1-piece role A, the red BAR pattern "RED BAR" which is the pattern of the middle reel R2 can be displayed on the active line L1 when the stop button B2 is pressed at the timing when five frames of the red BAR pattern "RED BAR" at stop number 4 to the watermelon pattern "WM" at stop number 8 are displayed in rotation, and the black BAR pattern "BLACK BAR" can be displayed on the active line L1 when the stop button B2 is pressed at the timing when five frames of the black BAR pattern "BLACK BAR" at stop number 9 to the watermelon pattern "WM" at stop number 13 are displayed in rotation. Therefore, when the stop button B2 is pressed at the timing when the symbols in the range of 10 frames out of 20 frames from stop number 4 to stop number 13 are displayed in rotation on the middle reel R2, the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination for 1 coin role A can be displayed in a stopped state, and when the stop button B2 is pressed at the timing when the symbols in the range of 10 frames out of 20 frames from stop number 0 to stop number 3 and stop number 14 to stop number 19 are displayed in rotation on the middle reel R2, the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination for 1 coin role A cannot be displayed in a stopped state on the active line L1, resulting in a miss (non-winning).

[0152] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at batting order 5 or batting order 6, the 1-coin role A can be won if stop button B1 is pressed within a range of 10 frames out of 20 frames, and if stop button B2 is pressed within a range of 10 frames out of 20 frames, so the probability of winning 1-coin role A is 1 / 4.

[0153] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A2" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won, number priority control or number priority control is executed which is approximately the same as the reel stop control when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" is won, and the small winning combination with the winning probability shown in Figure 9 is won.

[0154] <Reel stop control when winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" are selected> Next, using Figures 14 to 16, the details of the reel stop control performed by the reel control means 130 of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" are won will be explained using the winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" as an example.

[0155] Figure 14 is a diagram explaining the reel stop control when the winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" is won and the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, Figure 14(A) is a diagram showing each of the winning pattern combinations of 10-coin bell A, 1-coin role K, 1-coin role L, and 1-coin role O that are won in duplicate when the winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" is won, and Figure 14(B) is a diagram explaining the stopping patterns that can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 when the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, and the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stopping pattern stops.

[0156] As shown in Figure 14(B), when the replay pattern "RP", white 7 pattern "WHITE 7", blank pattern "BK", white BAR pattern "WHITE BAR", and black BAR pattern "BLACK BAR" are stopped and displayed in the middle row of the left reel R1, the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed on the activated line L1 is four, which is more than when the bell A pattern "BLA" is stopped and displayed.Therefore, the reel control means 130 executes number priority control and stop control using a stop control table as reel stop control, and determines to stop and display the replay pattern "RP".

[0157] In the slot machine 1, when the replay symbol "RP" is stopped and displayed in the middle of the left reel R1, the winning combinations in that game are limited to 1-coin K or 1-coin L. As shown in Figures 4 and 14(A), the symbols constituting the winning combination of 1-coin K and the winning combination of 1-coin L are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less on the right reel R3. In addition, the 1-coin role K can be won when the stop button B2 is pressed at the timing when the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" or the black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR" can be displayed in a stopped state on the bottom row of the middle reel R2 and a range of 10 frames out of 20 frames are displayed in a rotating manner, and the 1-coin role L can be won when the stop button B2 is pressed at the timing when the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" or the blank symbol "BK" can be displayed in a stopped state on the bottom row of the middle reel R2 and a range of 10 frames out of 20 frames are displayed in a rotating manner. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, in the slot machine 1, the range of 10 frames out of 20 frames in which the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" or the black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR" can be stopped and displayed on the lower row of the middle reel R2 and the range of 10 frames out of 20 frames in which the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" or the blank symbol "BK" can be stopped and displayed on the lower row of the middle reel R2 are non-overlapping ranges.

[0158] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell B1" is won and the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, the 1-piece role K or 1-piece role L is won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0159] FIG. 15 is a diagram explaining the reel stop control when the winning area "batting order bell B1" is won and the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop. FIG. 15(A) is a diagram explaining the stop symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol stops, and the payout of the minor combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol stops. FIG. 15(B) is a diagram explaining the stop symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop and the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol stops. 15(A) is a diagram explaining the stop symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 when the stop button B1 is operated to the second stop, the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol stops, and the payout of minor winnings corresponding to the pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol stops; FIG. 15(C) is a diagram explaining the stop symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop and the stop button B3 is operated to the second stop, and the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop symbol stops.

[0160] As shown in Figure 15 (A), when the reel control means 130 displays the bell B symbol "BLB" stopped on the bottom row of the middle reel R2, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the activated line L1 is the largest at 17, and also when the bell B symbol "BLB" is displayed stopped on the bottom row of the middle reel R2, the payout for 10 bells A that can be won is 10, which is the highest payout.Therefore, when either the number priority control or the number priority control is performed as the reel stop control, the bell B symbol "BLB" must be stopped regardless of the timing of pressing the stop button B2, and so the bell B symbol "BLB" is displayed stopped on the bottom row of the middle reel R2.

[0161] As shown in Figure 15 (B), when the first stop operation is performed on the stop button B2 and the second stop operation is performed on the stop button B1, if the bell A symbol "BLA" is stopped and displayed in the middle row of the left reel R1, the reel control means 130 can display one winning symbol combination of 10 bell As, and if the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", blank symbol "BK", white BAR symbol "WHITE BAR", and black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR" are stopped and displayed in the middle row of the left reel R1, four symbol combinations can be displayed on the active line L1.

[0162] As shown in Figure 10, the reel control means 130 of this embodiment executes number-priority control when the timing of pressing the first stop operation is when 10 out of 20 frames of the bell A pattern "BLA" at stop number 0 to the black BAR pattern "black BAR" at stop number 9 are being displayed in rotation, and stops and displays the bell A pattern "BLA" that constitutes the winning pattern combination of 10 bell A's in the middle row of the left reel R1. Furthermore, if the timing of pressing the first stop operation is when 10 out of 20 frames of the bell A symbol "BLA" at stop number 10 through the blank symbol "BK" at stop number 19 are being displayed in rotation, the reel control means 130 executes quantity priority control and stop control using a stop control table, and stops and displays in the middle of the left reel R1 the symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button B1 is pressed, from among the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", blank symbol "BK", white BAR symbol "WHITE BAR", and black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR", which make up the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed, of these.

[0163] As a result, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell B1" is won, the first stop operation is performed on the stop button B1, and the second stop operation is performed on the stop button B1, the possible minor winning combinations at the time the second stop operation is performed are limited to either the 10-coin bell A or the 1-coin role O. Also, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 14(A), in the symbols constituting the winning combination of the 10-coin bell A, the symbols on the right reel R3 are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less. Also, in the symbols constituting the winning combination of the 1-coin role O, the symbols on the right reel R3 are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell B1" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the batting order 3, either the 10-coin bell A or the 1-coin role O will win with a probability of 1 / 2.

[0164] As shown in Figure 15 (C), when the first stop operation is performed on the stop button B2 and the second stop operation is performed on the stop button B3, if the lip symbol "RP" is stopped and displayed on the bottom row of the right reel R3, one of the winning symbol combinations of 10 bells A can be displayed, and if the red BAR symbol "RED BAR", black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR", white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", and cherry symbol "CH" are stopped and displayed on the bottom row of the right reel R3, four symbol combinations can be displayed on the active line L1, respectively. Therefore, the reel control means 130 performs quantity priority control as reel stop control, and displays on the active line L1 the symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button B3 is pressed, from the red BAR symbol "RED BAR", black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR", white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", and cherry symbol "CH".

[0165] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell B1" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 4, the small winning combination that can be won is limited to the 1-coin combination O at the time the second stop operation is executed, and the 1-coin combination O is won with a probability of 1 / 1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop button B1, which is pressed as the third stop operation.

[0166] Figure 16 is a diagram explaining the stop patterns that can be displayed on the valid line L1 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" is won and the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, and the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed when each stop pattern stops.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 16, when the watermelon symbol "WM", red BAR symbol "RED BAR", black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR", white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", and cherry symbol "CH" are stopped and displayed on the bottom row of the right reel R3, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 is four, which is more than when the replay symbol "RP" is stopped and displayed. Therefore, the reel control means 130 executes number-priority control and stop control using a stop control table as reel stop control, and stops and displays on the bottom row of the right reel R3 the symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button B3 is pressed, out of the red BAR symbol "RED BAR", black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR", white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", and cherry symbol "CH".

[0168] In the slot machine 1, when any of the red BAR symbol "RED BAR", black BAR symbol "BLACK BAR", white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", and cherry symbol "CH" is stopped and displayed on the bottom row of the right reel R3, the winning combination in that game is limited to the 1-coin combination O. As described above, in the symbols that make up the winning combination of the 1-coin combination O, the symbols on the left reel R1 and the center reel R2 are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less.

[0169] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell B1" is won and the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, the 1-piece role O is won with a probability of 1 / 1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0170] 4. Payout rate in each game state Next, a description will be given of the payout rate for each operation mode (game method) of the stop buttons B1 to B3 in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 17 is a table summarizing the payout rate for each game method in each game state.

[0171] Of the gaming methods shown in Fig. 17, Batting Order 1 (Random) to Batting Order 6 (Random) are gaming methods in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in one batting order at random pressing timing. Batting Order 1 (Sight Pressing) to Batting Order 6 (Sight Pressing) are gaming methods in which 15-bell A to 15-bell D and 10-bell A to 10-bell D are pressed in one batting order at a batting order and pressing timing that allows for a win. Random hitting is a gaming method in which the batting order and pressing timing of stop buttons B1 to B3 are performed randomly.

[0172] The first AT (eye push) is a game method in which a game is played in accordance with the prize winning assistance when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" are won, and 10 Bells A to 10 Bells D are won. The first AT (irregular) is a game method in which a game is played in accordance with the prize winning assistance when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" and the winning area "Batting Order Bell C" are won, and 10 Bells A to 10 Bells D are won, and in a game in which the prize winning assistance is not executed, stop button B1 to stop button B3 are pressed in any of batting orders 3 to 6. The second AT (eye-pressing) is a game method in which when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8", "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8", and "Batting Order Bell C" are won, a game is played according to the winning assistance, and 15-coin Bell A to 15-coin Bell D and 10-coin Bell A to 10-coin Bell D are won.

[0173] When stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 1 and batting order 2, the probability of winning three bells when the winning area ``missed ball'' is won is higher when the game method is batting order 1 (eye push) and batting order 2 (eye push) than when the game method is batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random), so the ball payout rate is higher when the game method is batting order 1 (eye push) and batting order 2 (eye push) than when the game method is batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random).

[0174] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when playing with random shots in the normal mode (non-RT mode), the payout rate is set to an extremely low payout rate of approximately 55.0%. However, as shown in Fig. 3, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the non-RT mode, the probability of winning in any of the winning areas including RBB (winning area "RBB & special small win", winning area "RBB & 1 coin win", winning area "RBB") is 13872 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 4.7) regardless of whether the setting value is set to Setting 1 or Setting 6, so there is a high probability that the number of games executed before transitioning from the non-RT mode to the bonus establishment mode will be extremely small.

[0175] The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that when playing in the non-RT state with batting order 3 (eye push) to batting order 6 (eye push), the highest ball payout rate is approximately 65.7%, regardless of whether the setting value is set to 1 or 6, and is configured so that the ball payout rate is lower than the ball payout rate when the setting is 1 in the bonus state (approximately 71.0%) and when the setting is 6 (approximately 71.5%).

[0176] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, with regard to the payout rates when playing with batting orders 1 (random) to 6 (random) in the non-RT state, in the case of setting 1, the payout rates for batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random) are set to approximately 52.4%, and the payout rates for batting order 3 (random), batting order 4 (random), batting order 5 (random), and batting order 6 (random) are set to approximately 65.5%. Also, in the slot machine 1, in the case of setting 6, the payout rates for batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random) are set to approximately 54.9%, and the payout rates for batting order 3 (random), batting order 4 (random), batting order 5 (random), and batting order 6 (random) are set to approximately 65.5%.

[0177] In addition, in the slot machine 1, with regard to the payout rates when playing in batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) in a bonus established state, in the case of setting 1, the payout rates for batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random) are set to approximately 52.4%, and the payout rates for batting order 3 (random), batting order 4 (random), batting order 5 (random), and batting order 6 (random) are set to approximately 81.6%. In addition, in the slot machine 1, in the case of setting 6, the payout rates for batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random) are set to approximately 55.0%, and the payout rates for batting order 3 (random), batting order 4 (random), batting order 5 (random), and batting order 6 (random) are set to approximately 81.6%.

[0178] In slot machine 1, when playing in batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) in the bonus state, the payout rate is set to approximately 71.0% when set to 1, and to 71.5% when set to 6, regardless of the batting order (random).

[0179] <Relationship between winning areas and payout rates for each game method> As shown in Figure 9, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell A8", the winning area "Batting Order Bell B1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell B8", or the winning area "Batting Order Bell C" is won, regardless of whether the game state is non-RT state or bonus established state, pressing stop button B1 to stop button B3 in batting order 1 or batting order 2 will result in a 1 / 1 probability of winning a small role set to a payout of 1 coin.

[0180] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can set the payout rate when played randomly to 60% or more (approximately 67.4% when set to setting 1, and approximately 68.4% when set to setting 6), as shown in Figure 17, so that excessive medals are not wasted when playing over a long period of time of 17,500 games or more, and it is possible to achieve appropriate performance in line with the standards for the performance of gaming machines related to the acquisition of gaming medals, etc.

[0181] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" and the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8", in either the non-RT state or the bonus established state, reel stop control is executed so that 15 bells A to 15 bells D and 10 bells A to 10 bells D, which are set to the specified number of insertions and a large payout, can be won if the batting order and the timing of pressing the first stop operation are appropriate.

[0182] Because of this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can be configured so that, as shown in Figure 17, in both the non-RT state and the bonus establishment state, when playing in batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random), the ball payout rates for batting order 3 (random), batting order 4 (random), batting order 5 (random), and batting order 6 (random) are higher than the ball payout rates for batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random), and the degree of advantage to the player does not change depending on the playing method, even when the gaming state transitions from the non-RT state to the bonus establishment state. Also, as shown in Figure 17, when the slot machine 1 is in the bonus state, the payout rates for all playing methods, including the payout rate for batting order 1 (random) to the payout rate for batting order 6 (random), are all configured to be the same, so the degree of advantage to the player does not change regardless of the playing order in the bonus state.

[0183] For this reason, even when the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to execute control to adjust the difference between the payout rate when playing in batting order 1 and batting order 2 depending on the state (presentation state) related to the instruction function controlled by the AT control means 200 when playing in batting order 3 to 6 and when stop button B1 to stop button B3 are pressed (for example, not executing a state transition lottery even if the winning area ``miss role'' is won when playing in batting order 3 to 6 in the normal state), there is no risk of the player suffering an unfair disadvantage depending on the game state, and control can be executed according to the playing method while maintaining fairness in the game.

[0184] As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has winning modes including small winning combinations with payouts set greater than the specified number of inputs, such as winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" and winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8", where 15 bells A to D and 10 bells A to D can be won with a payout of 15 when the first stop operation is executed in a preset batting order and at a pressing timing that allows the symbols with a retraction range set to 10 frames out of 20 frames to be pulled in.When the winning assistance is executed, the payout rate differs depending on whether a game that takes into account the pressing timing that allows the 15 bells A to D and 10 bells A to D to be won, i.e., when a so-called eye-pressing technique, is performed or not.

[0185] Specifically, in the slot machine 1, in the first AT state in which the winning assistance for 10 bells A to 10 bells D is performed and the winning assistance for 15 bells A to 15 bells D is not performed, the payout rate is about 183.5% when a game (first AT (pressing by eye)) is performed in which the winning assistance is followed and the pressing by eye is performed to win 10 bells A to 10 bells D but the 15 bells A to 15 bells D are not won, and the payout rate is about 183.5% when a game (first AT (pressing by eye)) is performed in which the winning assistance is followed and the pressing by eye is not performed in the first AT state. The payout rate when playing in this state is approximately 122.3%, and when playing in the second AT state (second AT (eye pressing)) in which the winning assistance is followed and eye pressing is performed to win 15 bells A to 15 bells D and 10 bells A to 10 bells D, the payout rate is approximately 266.7%, and when playing in the second AT state in which the winning assistance is followed and eye pressing is not performed and the first stop operation is performed at random pressing timing, the payout rate is approximately 170.5%.

[0186] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can prevent the payout rate from increasing excessively when a game is played in which the winning assistance is performed and the eye-pressing is not performed, reducing the winning probability of 15 bells A to 15 bells D and 10 bells A to 10 bells D, and thereby reducing the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0187] <Relationship between setting values ​​and game methods> 3, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the winning probability of the winning area "Batting Order Bell C" and the winning probability of the winning area "Batting Order Bell D" change depending on whether the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 is setting 1 or setting 6. The slot machine 1 is configured so that the winning probability of the winning area "Batting Order Bell C" is higher when setting 1 than when setting 6, and so that the winning probability of the winning area "Batting Order Bell D" is higher when setting 6 than when setting 1.

[0188] 9, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell C" is won, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in either batting order 1 or batting order 2, a 1-coin role K or a 1-coin role L, each set to a payout of 1 coin, will be won with a probability of 1 / 1, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in either batting order 3 to batting order 6, one of the 10-coin bells A to D, each set to a payout of 10 coins, will be won with a probability of 1 / 1.Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell D" is won, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in either batting order 1 to 6, a 10-coin bell E, each set to a payout of 10 coins, will be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0189] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can be configured so that the payout rate differs for each setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 only when the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop in the batting order of batting order 1 (random), batting order 2 (random), batting order 1 (eye push), and batting order 2 (eye push), as shown in Figure 17, and the stop button B1 to stop button B3 are operated in a batting order that is not set as the correct batting order in the winning area ``batting order bell A1'' to winning area ``batting order bell A8'', and the winning area ``batting order bell B1'' to winning area ``batting order bell B8'', and the payout rate can be configured so that the payout rate differs for each setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 without affecting the payout rate when auxiliary games such as the first AT state and the second AT state are executed, thereby improving the design freedom regarding auxiliary games.

[0190] Furthermore, when the slot machine 1 is selected in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" or "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8", if the batting order is correct and the first stop operation is pressed at the appropriate timing, it is possible to win 15 bells A to 15 bells D or 10 bells A to 10 bells D. However, when the slot machine 1 is selected in the winning area "Batting Order Bell C" or "Batting Order Bell D", if the batting order is one of batting orders 3 to 6, which are used as the correct batting order, one of 10 bells A to 10 bells E will be won. Therefore, when the game is played using the playing method of batting order 3 (random) to batting order 6 (random), the payout rate will not decrease excessively, and the marketability of the gaming machine will not decrease.

[0191] Here, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell C" is won in the first AT state or the second AT state, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment notifies the player to operate stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 3 as an auxiliary game, and notifies the player of one of the timings determined by lottery, when the symbols of stop numbers 0 to 9 are displayed in a rotating manner, or when the symbols of stop numbers 10 to 19 are displayed in a rotating manner, as the timing to press the first stop operation.

[0192] With such a configuration, when the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment wins the winning area "Batting Order Bell C" in the first AT state or the second AT state and executes an auxiliary game, the main control display device 500 is caused by the AT control means 200 to display a display corresponding to the correct batting order and the pressing timing of the first stop operation. At the same time, when the correct batting order is displayed on the display device 330 by the effect control means 180, an image (an image having a design similar to the red BAR symbol "red BAR") indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed at the timing when the red BAR symbol "red BAR" is rotationally displayed on the active line L1, and an image (an image having a design similar to the white 7 symbol "white 7") indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed at the timing when the white 7 symbol "white 7" is rotationally displayed on the active line L1. Since either one of them is displayed, it is possible to prevent the player from inferring the set value set in the slot machine 1 from the content notified in the auxiliary game.

[0193] ​​​​​​​​​As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the first AT state, auxiliary play is not performed when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won, so the probability of winning 15 bells A to 15 bells D is not increased, and auxiliary play is performed when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" are won, so the probability of winning 10 bells A to 10 bells D is increased.Therefore, when the first AT (eye pressing) play is performed, the payout rate is approximately 183.5% (net increase in number of coins is approximately 2.5 coins).

[0195] In addition, in the second AT state, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute auxiliary games when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" and the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" are won, thereby increasing the probability of winning 15-coin Bell A to 15-coin Bell D and 10-coin Bell A to 10-coin Bell D. As a result, when the second AT (eye-pressing) game is executed, the payout rate is approximately 266.7% (net increase in number of coins is approximately 5.0 coins).

[0196] In this way, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment executes auxiliary games not only when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" are won, but also when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won. In other words, by making the second AT state a presentation state in which auxiliary games are more likely to be executed than the first AT state, the net increase in the number of medals won, which is the average number of medals won in the second AT state, can be set to approximately 5.0 medals, which is a value larger than the net increase of approximately 2.5 medals when a game following auxiliary games (first AT (eye pressing)) is executed in the first AT state. By setting different net increase in the number of medals for each presentation state depending on the frequency of auxiliary games, it is possible to attract the interest of players while maintaining the design freedom of the gaming machine.

[0197] Furthermore, in the first AT state, the slot machine 1 executes auxiliary games from the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8", where 10 bells A to D with a payout of 10 coins can be won in auxiliary games, rather than the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8", where 15 bells A to D with a payout of 15 coins can be won in auxiliary games. This prevents the number of games executed in the first AT state from being excessively short or long, and also prevents a large amount of medals from being paid out when a game with a small number of games is executed, which could lead to increased gambling.

[0198] Furthermore, as described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured not to execute any auxiliary games when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won in the first AT state, and is configured not to execute auxiliary games that notify the first stop operation of the stop button B1 (for example, a winning assistance that notifies the first stop operation of the stop button B1 on the main control display device 500, and a winning assistance effect that displays "?××" or the like on the display device 330 in positions corresponding to the stop buttons B2 and B3 without prompting the first stop operation).

[0199] In the slot machine 1, even if the configuration is such that an auxiliary game is executed to notify the first stop operation of the stop button B1 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell A8" are won in the first AT state, the payout rate in the first AT state can be set to a value lower than the payout rate in the second AT state. However, in order to maintain fairness in the game, it is necessary to configure the configuration so that control related to the auxiliary game that is advantageous to the player is executed by performing the first stop operation of the stop button B1 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell A8" are won.

[0200] In such a configuration, the slot machine will need to control the auxiliary game that is advantageous to the player when the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell A8" is won, so that the control content will be such that it is more advantageous to operate the stop button B1 to the first stop, based on the difference in the number of medals that can be won when the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop and the difference in the number of medals that can be won on average when the stop button B2 or stop button B3 is operated to the first stop.

[0201] In other words, in a slot machine that executes an auxiliary game that notifies the player of the first stop operation of the stop button B1 when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won in the first AT state, most of the control related to the auxiliary game that is advantageous to the player during the first AT state must be configured to be executed when the first stop operation of the stop button B1 is performed when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won, which may reduce the design freedom of the gaming machine in the first AT state and may reduce playability in the first AT state.

[0202] For this reason, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that no auxiliary games are executed when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won in the first AT state, and the control content for the auxiliary games that are advantageous to the player when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won and the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop can be designed to be control content that does not depend on the payout rate for each operation method of the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won, thereby maintaining the design freedom of the first AT state and improving playability.

[0203] In addition, when the slot machine 1 is in the 1st AT state and 1st AT (irregular) play is executed, there is a 1 / 8 probability that 15 bells A to 15 bells D will be won when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won, resulting in a payout rate of approximately 193.9% (net increase in number of coins of approximately 2.8 coins), making it easier to win medals than when 1st AT (eye-pressing) play is executed.

[0204] However, as described above, the AT control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to manage the period during which the first AT state continues using the first AT difference number counter 197c with a value corresponding to the difference in the number of medals, and is configured to update the first AT difference number counter 197c with the difference in the number of medals at the time when 15 bells A to 15 bells D are won when a winning area ``Batting Order Bell A1'' to winning area ``Batting Order Bell A8'' is won.

[0205] In other words, in slot machine 1, the number of medals that can be won during the first AT state is managed by a value corresponding to the difference in the number of medals, so that when a game is played in which 15 bells A to 15 bells D are won and 12 medals are won, and when a game is played in which a small role with a payout of 1 medal is won without winning 15 bells A to 15 bells D, the number of medals that can be won during the first AT state does not change, and the period that the first AT state continues is shortened.

[0206] Furthermore, as mentioned above, in the slot machine 1, the more times the game continues in the first AT state, the more opportunities there are to execute control related to auxiliary games that are advantageous to the player, such as the first AT continuation lottery, the first AT promotion lottery, and the first AT set number addition lottery.

[0207] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a first AT (irregular) game is executed in which the net increase in the number of medals increases in a short period of time in the first AT state, if the winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A8" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 3 to 6, and the pressing timing of the first stop operation coincides with the pressing timing at which 15 bells A to 15 bells D can be won, the first AT difference number counter 197 By executing a process (predetermined process) related to an auxiliary game that is disadvantageous to the player, which updates the memory value of c towards the value "0", the first AT state ends early, thereby reducing the opportunities to execute control related to an auxiliary game that is advantageous to the player, which is executed when the first AT state continues without changing the number of medals that are set to be obtainable in the first AT state, and making it difficult to increase the number of medals that can be obtained during a series of advantageous periods, thereby reducing the strategic nature of playing the first AT (irregular) game in the first AT state.

[0208] In addition, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won in the first AT state, the slot machine 1 executes an auxiliary game that notifies the player that one of batting orders 3 to 6 is the correct batting order (for example, a winning assistance that notifies the player of the first stop operation of stop button B2 or stop button B3 on the main control display device 500, and a winning assistance effect that displays "×??" or the like on the display device 330 in a position corresponding to stop button B2 or stop button B3 to encourage the player to perform the first stop operation), thereby enabling the first AT (eye-pressing) and the first AT (irregular) to be played in the same way.

[0209] However, when configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 has a higher chance of winning 15 bells A to 15 bells D when winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8", which increases the payout rate in the first AT state and reduces the design freedom of the gaming machine, including the second AT state.

[0210] Furthermore, in this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the 15 bells A to D that are awarded when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won are included in the instruction-included feature ratio, which is the ratio of the number of medals paid out during the operation of RB (Regular Bonus), CB (Challenge Bonus), or SB (Single Bonus) and the number of medals paid out in games where an instruction has been issued, to the number of medals paid out by the gaming machine, and therefore the instruction-included feature ratio becomes excessively high, and there is a risk that the fairness of the game cannot be maintained. Note that the instruction-included feature ratio is configured so that double counting is not performed when counting the number of medals paid out in games where RB, CB, or SB are activated and an instruction has been issued. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the process of counting the number of medals paid out in an instruction-based feature counter (not shown) to calculate the instruction-based feature ratio, it is determined whether or not RB, CB, or SB is operating, and if it is determined that RB, CB, or SB is operating, the process of determining whether or not an instruction has been issued is skipped, that is, the instruction-based feature counter counts the number of medals paid out in the game without determining whether or not an instruction has been issued. Also, in the slot machine 1, if it is determined that RB, CB, and SB are not operating, it determines whether or not an instruction has been issued, and if it is determined that an instruction has been issued, it counts the number of medals paid out in the game in the instruction-based feature counter, and if it is determined that an instruction has not been issued, it is configured not to count the instruction-based feature counter.

[0211] 9 and 13, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that for the winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A8", if the batting order is different from the correct batting order among batting orders 3 to 6 at the time of the first stopping operation, a small winning combination set to a payout of 1 coin will be won with a probability of 1 / 4. Also, as shown in FIG. 9 and 16, the slot machine 1 is configured so that for the winning areas "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B8", if the batting order is different from the correct batting order among batting orders 3 to 6 at the time of the first stopping operation, a small winning combination set to a payout of 1 coin will be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0212] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment executes 1st AT (irregular) play in the 1st AT state, and when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order different from the correct batting order at the time of the first stop operation, there is a 3 / 4 probability of a miss (no prize), so it is possible to prevent the payout rate when 1st AT (irregular) play is executed from being significantly higher than when 1st AT (eye-pressing) play is executed, and it is possible to reduce the strategic nature of playing 1st AT (irregular) play in the 1st AT state.

[0213] In addition, when a game is played using the game method of batting order 3 (random) to batting order 6 (random) or batting order 3 (eye-pressing) to batting order 6 (eye-pressing), if the winning area "batting order bell A1" to the winning area "batting order bell A8" are won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order different from the correct batting order at the time of the first stop operation, there is a 3 / 4 probability of a miss (non-winning), which can prevent an excessive increase in the payout rate when a game is played using the game method of batting order 3 (random) to batting order 6 (random) or batting order 3 (eye-pressing) to batting order 6 (eye-pressing). " ~ If the winning area "Batting Order Bell B8" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order different from the correct batting order at the time of the first stop operation, a small winning combination set to a payout of 1 coin will be won with a 1 / 1 probability, so it is possible to prevent the payout rate from decreasing excessively when playing in a playing method of batting order 3 (random) to batting order 6 (random) or batting order 3 (eye push) to batting order 6 (eye push), and it is possible to set the payout rate to an appropriate payout rate when playing in a playing method of batting order 3 (random) to batting order 6 (random) or batting order 3 (eye push) to batting order 6 (eye push), and to prevent the marketability of the gaming machine from decreasing.

[0214] The winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" constitute the multiple types of first winning patterns and first specific winning patterns in this embodiment, the 15-piece Bells A to D, which are set to a payout of 15 coins, constitute the small winning combination of the first payout in this embodiment, the 1-piece roles A to L and N, which are set to a payout of 1 coin, constitute the small winning combination of the second payout in this embodiment, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to B8" constitute the multiple types of second winning patterns in this embodiment, the 10-piece Bells A to E, which are set to a payout of 10 coins, constitute the small winning combination of the third payout which is lower than the first payout and higher than the fourth payout in this embodiment, and the 1-piece roles B, C, J to O, which are set to a payout of 1 coin, constitute the small winning combination of the fourth payout in this embodiment. In addition, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" and the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" constitute multiple types of specific winning patterns in this embodiment, and the 15-piece Bells A to D, which are set to a payout of 15 coins, and the 10-piece Bells A to D, which are set to a payout of 10 coins, constitute correct roles that are eligible for supplemental play in this embodiment, and the 1-piece roles A to O, which are set to a payout of 1 coin, constitute incorrect roles that are not eligible for supplemental play in this embodiment.

[0215] In addition, the winning area "Batting Order Bell C" constitutes the second specific winning mode in this embodiment, and the winning area "Batting Order Bell D" constitutes the third specific winning mode in this embodiment. In addition, among the setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage means 191, setting 1 constitutes the first setting value in this embodiment, and setting 6 constitutes the second setting value in this embodiment.

[0216] In addition, the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that allows 15 bells A to 15 bells D set in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8", respectively, to be won (for example, in the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1", the first stop operation is executed when the button is pressed at the timing when the batting order is 3 and the range of symbols from stop number 0 to stop number 9 on the middle reel R2 is displayed in a rotating manner) constitutes the first operation mode in this embodiment, and the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that allows 10 bells A to 10 bells D set in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8", respectively, to be won (for example, in the winning area "Batting Order Bell B1", the first stop operation is executed when the button is pressed at the timing when the batting order is 3 and the range of symbols from stop number 0 to stop number 9 on the middle reel R2 is displayed in a rotating manner) constitutes the second operation mode in this embodiment.

[0217] Furthermore, the left reel R1 constitutes the first reel in this embodiment, the center reel R2 constitutes the second reel in this embodiment, the right reel R3 constitutes the third reel in this embodiment, the stop button B1 constitutes the first stop button in this embodiment, the stop button B2 constitutes the second stop button in this embodiment, and the stop button B3 constitutes the third stop button in this embodiment. Furthermore, batting orders 1 and 2, in which the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop, constitute the first stop button operation mode in this embodiment, batting orders 3 and 4, in which the stop button B2 is operated for the first stop, constitute the second stop button operation mode in this embodiment, and batting orders 5 and 6, in which the stop button B3 is operated for the third stop, constitute the third stop button operation mode in this embodiment.

[0218] In addition, as a control related to the auxiliary game that is more advantageous than the normal state, the first AT state in which the auxiliary game is executed when the winning area "batting order bell B1" to the winning area "batting order bell B8" is won constitutes the first state and the first advantageous state in this embodiment, and the second AT state in which the auxiliary game is executed when the winning area "batting order bell A1" to the winning area "batting order bell A8" is won, and the auxiliary game is executed more easily than the first AT state in which the auxiliary game is not executed when the winning area "batting order bell A1" to the winning area "batting order bell A8" is won constitutes the second state and the second advantageous state in this embodiment. In addition, the first AT difference number counter 197c that manages the period during which the first AT state continues constitutes the counter in this embodiment, and the value "0" as the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c constitutes the predetermined value in this embodiment.

[0219] 5. Summary of this embodiment As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment executes auxiliary games not only when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" are won, but also when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won. In other words, by making the second AT state a presentation state in which auxiliary games are more likely to be executed than the first AT state, the net increase in the number of medals won, which is the average number of medals won in the second AT state, can be set to approximately 5.0 medals, which is a larger value than the net increase of approximately 2.5 medals when a game following auxiliary games (first AT (eye pressing)) is executed in the first AT state. By setting different net increase in the number of medals for each presentation state depending on the frequency of auxiliary games, it is possible to attract the interest of players while maintaining the design freedom of the gaming machine.

[0220] 6. Variations In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has two types of winning modes including roles that are the target of auxiliary games: a winning area "batting order bell A1" to a winning area "batting order bell A8" including 15 bells A to 15 bells D, and a winning area "batting order bell B1" to a winning area "batting order bell B8" including 10 bells A to 10 bells D. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may have a winning area "batting order bell A1" to a winning area "batting order bell A8" including 15 bells A to 15 bells D, but may not have a winning area "batting order bell B1" to a winning area "batting order bell B8" including 10 bells A to 10 bells D.

[0221] In such a configuration, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell A8" is won in the first AT state, the slot machine 1 is configured to determine by lottery whether or not to execute an auxiliary game, and when the winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell A8" is won in the second AT state, the auxiliary game is executed with a higher probability (for example, 100%) than in the first AT state.In other words, by making it easier to execute an auxiliary game in the second AT state than in the first AT state, the average number of medals won in one game when a game according to an auxiliary game is executed in the second AT state is greater than when a game according to an auxiliary game is executed in the first AT state.

[0222] Furthermore, when configured in this manner, the AT control means 200 may be configured to update the first AT difference number counter 197c toward a predetermined value (value "0") when 15 bells A to 15 bells D are won in the winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A8" in the first AT state and no auxiliary game is played.

[0223] By configuring the slot machine 1 in this manner, when games are played in batting order 3 to batting order 6 even when auxiliary games are not executed in the first AT state, the early termination of the first AT state reduces the opportunities for control related to auxiliary games that are advantageous to the player and that are executed when the first AT state continues, and it becomes difficult to increase the number of medals that can be won during a series of advantageous periods, thereby reducing the strategic aspect of playing games in batting order 3 to 6 even when auxiliary games are not executed in the first AT state.

[0224] When configured in this manner, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" constitute a specific winning pattern, the 15-coin bells A to 15-coin bells D constitute correct roles that are eligible for auxiliary play, the 1-coin roles A to 1-coin roles L and 1-coin roles N constitute incorrect roles that are not eligible for auxiliary play, the operation pattern of stop buttons B1 to B3 that make it possible to win 15-coin bells A to 15-coin bells D when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won constitutes a specific operation pattern, the first AT state is configured as a control related to auxiliary play, and allows auxiliary play to be executed when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won, thereby constituting a first advantageous state that is more advantageous than the normal state, and the second AT state constitutes a second advantageous state.

[0225] Furthermore, when configured in this manner, the first advantageous state is not limited to a state configured so that auxiliary games can be executed, but may also have, for example, a second advantageous state in which auxiliary games can be executed as an AT state, and be transitioned to after the second advantageous state ends, and may be configured so that although auxiliary games are not executed, transition to the second advantageous state can be made with a higher probability than the normal state after a predetermined number of games have been executed, thereby making the first advantageous state a state configured so that it is more advantageous than the normal state.

[0226] Furthermore, when configured in this manner, the AT control means 200 may be configured to be able to award a bonus if 15 bells A to 15 bells D are not won when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won in the first AT state and auxiliary play is not executed and an operation mode that makes 15 bells A to 15 bells D winable is not notified, and to not award a bonus if 15 bells A to 15 bells D winable.

[0227] When the system is configured so that a bonus can be awarded if 15 bells A to 15 bells D are not won when auxiliary games are not being played, and so that no bonus is awarded if 15 bells A to 15 bells D are won, the AT control means 200 may be configured to, for example, execute an additional lottery to determine whether or not to add a value to the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c as a bonus, and may be configured with any control content as long as the bonus is advantageous to the player.

[0228] By configuring the slot machine 1 in this manner, when games are played in batting order 3 to 6 even when auxiliary games are not played in the first AT state, the opportunity for a bonus to be awarded in the first AT state is reduced, thereby reducing the difficulty of playing games in batting order 3 to 6 even when auxiliary games are not played in the first AT state.

[0229] In addition, in this embodiment, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won in the first AT state, and 15 bells A to 15 bells D are won when auxiliary play is not being executed and the operation mode that makes it possible to win 15 bells A to 15 bells D has not been notified, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute a process of updating the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c towards the value "0", which is a process that is completed only by the game, as a predetermined process related to auxiliary play that is disadvantageous to the player, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured to execute processing that continues for multiple games as a predetermined processing related to auxiliary games that are disadvantageous to the player, such as not executing lotteries that are advantageous to the player when the winning area ``miss-out role'' is won (lottery to add the number of sets during the first AT, lottery to advance during the first AT, lottery to continue the first AT) until multiple games (5 games, etc.) have been played, even if the winning area ``miss-out role'' is won.

[0230] Also, in this embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured not to execute an auxiliary game when the winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A8" are won in the first AT state, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured to, for example, draw a lottery to determine whether or not to execute an auxiliary game when the winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A8" are won, and to execute an auxiliary game when "execution of auxiliary game" is won in the lottery.

[0231] When configured in this manner, the AT control means 200 may be configured so that auxiliary games are more likely to be executed in the second AT state than in the first AT state, and may be configured, for example, so that auxiliary games are executed with a probability of approximately 60% when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won in the first AT state, and so that auxiliary games are executed with a probability of approximately 99.9% when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won in the second AT state.

[0232] Furthermore, when configured in this manner, the AT control means 200 is not limited to a lottery using random numbers and a lottery table as a control for determining whether or not to execute an auxiliary game in the first AT state, but may be configured to, for example, acquire a data table that specifies whether or not to execute an auxiliary game (such as a data table in which the execution or non-execution of an auxiliary game is pre-set, such that an auxiliary game is executed when the first winning area "batting order bell A1" to winning area "batting order bell A8" is won, and an auxiliary game is not executed when the second winning area "batting order bell A1" to winning area "batting order bell A8" is won), between the start of the first AT state and the first winning of the winning area "batting order bell A1" to winning area "batting order bell A8" in the first AT state, and determine whether or not to execute an auxiliary game by referring to the acquired data table.

[0233] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 may be configured to, for example, refer to the stored value of a counter provided in the AT control data storage means 197, which is updated each time an auxiliary game is executed in the first AT state, when a winning area "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" is won, and execute the auxiliary game if the stored value is a predetermined value (for example, a value having periodicity such as an even number or a multiple of 3, or an arbitrary value set in advance without periodicity), and not execute the auxiliary game if the stored value is a value different from the predetermined value.

[0234] In the slot machine 1, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are selected in the first AT state, whether or not to execute an auxiliary game is determined by a lottery using random numbers and a lottery table. If the result of the lottery is biased toward "executing an auxiliary game," 15 bells A to 15 bells D will be won with high frequency, the first AT state will end in a short period of time, and the number of medals won in a short period of time (for example, 400 games) will be excessive, which may violate the game rules. Furthermore, if the result of the lottery is biased toward "not executing an auxiliary game," medals will not be won and the first AT state will continue for a long period of time, which may cause discomfort to the player and reduce the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0235] For this reason, in the slot machine 1, whether or not to execute an auxiliary game when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" are won in the first AT state is determined by referring to a data table in which the whether or not to execute the game is specified in advance, or by referring to the stored value of a predetermined counter. This prevents significant imbalances in the number of medals paid out in the first AT state, allows compliance with the game rules, prevents discomfort to players, and prevents a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0236] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to update the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c with a value corresponding to the difference in number of coins in the first AT state, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured to update the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c with a value corresponding to the payout number, for example. Furthermore, the AT control means 200 may be configured to update the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c with a value corresponding to the number of wins of the winning combination that is the target of the auxiliary game, for example. In other words, the AT control means 200 is only required to be configured to update the stored value of the counter that manages the duration of the first AT state with a value related to the payout number of game value, and is not limited to the difference in number of coins.

[0237] In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a small winning combination with a first payout of 15 coins, a second payout of 1 coin, a third payout of 10 coins, and a fourth payout of 1 coin, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may have a first payout higher than the second payout, and a third payout lower than the first payout and higher than the fourth payout, and the second payout and the fourth payout may be different (for example, the second payout is 1 coin and the fourth payout is 2 coins).

[0238] In addition, in this embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to update the first AT difference number counter 197c when the winning area "batting order bell B1" to the winning area "batting order bell B8" is won in the first AT state, and when the winning area "batting order bell A1" to the winning area "batting order bell A8" is won and 15 bells A to 15 bells D are won, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured to have a period in the first AT state in which the stored value of the first AT difference number counter 197c is not updated until a predetermined number of games have been played, and to perform a lottery in this period to determine whether to continue the first AT state.

[0239] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B3", "Batting Order Bell B4", "Batting Order Bell B7", and "Batting Order Bell B8", patterns corresponding to images having a design substantially similar to the patterns displayed in the winning assistance performance do not win the winning combination set for the winning pattern combination (for the winning area "Batting Order Bell B3" and winning area "Batting Order Bell B4", the patterns on the right reel R3 that make up the winning pattern combination do not include a minor role that includes the red BAR pattern "RED BAR", and for the winning area "Batting Order Bell B7" and winning area "Batting Order Bell B8", the patterns on the right reel R3 that make up the winning pattern combination do not include a minor role that includes the white 7 pattern "WHITE 7"), but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured such that for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B3" and "Batting Order Bell B4", the symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning combination include a minor feature including a red BAR symbol "RED BAR", and for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B7" and "Batting Order Bell B8", the symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning combination include a minor feature including a white 7 symbol "WHITE 7".

[0240] By being configured in this manner, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A8" and the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B8" are won, even if the slot machine 1 executes a winning support effect that displays an image having a design similar to the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" or the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7," which is a different symbol from the symbols that make up the winning symbol combinations of 15 Bells A to 15 Bells D and 10 Bells A to 10 Bells D and has higher visibility than the symbols that make up the winning symbol combinations of 15 Bells A to 15 Bells D and 10 Bells A to 10 Bells D, the winning combinations including the symbols that correspond to the images displayed in the winning support effect are also won at the same time, so the winning of 15 Bells A to 15 Bells D and 10 Bells A to 10 Bells D can be supported without compromising the fairness of the game.

[0241] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that when the winning area "Batting Order Bell C" is won, any of the 10-coin bells A to D, each set to a payout of 10 coins, is won by pressing stop button B1 to stop button B3 in batting order 3 to 6, and when the winning area "Batting Order Bell D" is won, any of the 10-coin bells E, each set to a payout of 10 coins, is won by pressing stop button B1 to stop button B3 in any batting order 1 to 6, but this is not limiting. The slot machine 1 may be configured, for example, such that when the winning area "Batting Order Bell C" is won, pressing stop button B1 to stop button B3 in batting order 3 to 6 will result in the winning of one of 15 bells A to D, which are set to a payout of 15 coins, and when the winning area "Batting Order Bell D" is won, pressing stop button B1 to stop button B3 in any batting order from batting order 1 to 6 will result in the winning of 15 bells E, which is set to a payout of 15 coins.

[0242] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a plurality of reels, namely, left reel R1 to right reel R3, and a plurality of stop buttons, namely, stop buttons B1 to B3, corresponding to the left reel R1 to right reel R3, but is not limited to this and may have, for example, a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0243] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to have three types of game states: a non-RT state, a bonus state to which a player transitions when an RBB is won, and a bonus state to which a player transitions when an RBB is activated, but is not limited to these. The slot machine 1 may be configured to have five game states, for example, in which the slot machine 1 has RBB1 as a first bonus that can be won when a second specified number (3 medals) of medals are set in the inserted state as the specified number of medals in a non-RT state (initial state) in which no bonus has been won (not set in the formed state), and RBB2 as a second bonus that can be won when a first specified number (2 medals) of medals are set in the inserted state as the specified number of medals.The slot machine 1 may be configured to have five game states, in which the slot machine 1 transitions to the first bonus formed state (inside RBB1) when a winning area including RBB1 is won, transitions to the first bonus activation state (first bonus state, RBB1 in operation) when RBB1 is activated, transitions to the second bonus formed state (inside RBB2) when a winning area including RBB2 is won, and transitions to the second bonus activation state (second bonus state, RBB2 in operation) when RBB2 is activated.

[0244] In the case of being configured in this way, the slot machine 1 may be configured so that, in the first bonus establishment state, an internal lottery for winning either a small prize or a replay is executed in both an internal lottery in a game in which a first specified number of medals are set to the inserted state and an internal lottery in a game in which a second specified number of medals are set to the inserted state. Also, the slot machine 1 may be configured so that, in the second bonus establishment state, an internal lottery for winning either a small prize or a replay is executed in the internal lottery in a game in which a first specified number of medals are set to the inserted state, and an internal lottery with a probability of losing (not winning) is executed in the internal lottery in a game in which a second specified number of medals are set to the inserted state.

[0245] When configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 is set to a state in which the second specified number of medals are inserted when the second bonus is achieved, and play begins. If the internal lottery results in a miss (no win), RBB2 is set as an RBB exclusively for the first specified number, so even if the winning pattern combination of RBB2 is displayed stopped on the valid line L1, it will be invalid and RBB2 will not be activated.

[0246] Furthermore, when configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 is configured so that when a first specified number of medals are set to the inserted state and play is started in a state where a bonus is not activated, an internal lottery is executed including a winning area in which a minor role with a payout set to a higher payout than the first specified number can be won depending on the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3, and when a second specified number of medals are set to the inserted state and play is started, an internal lottery is executed including a winning area in which a minor role with a payout set to a lower payout than the second specified number can be won.In addition, the slot machine 1 may be configured so that when a first specified number of medals are set to the inserted state and play is started in a state where a second bonus is established, a transition to a favorable zone can be made, but not to transition to a favorable zone in a game state other than the second bonus established state, or when play is started in the second bonus established state and the second specified number of medals are set to the inserted state.

[0247] When configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 executes control related to auxiliary play when the second bonus is established, and there is a possibility that the auxiliary play will enable the player to win a small prize with a payout higher than the first specified number, but in a game state other than the second bonus state, the advantageous zone does not start, and therefore control related to auxiliary play cannot be executed, resulting in a configuration with low playability.

[0248] Furthermore, in the case of such a configuration, the slot machine 1 may be configured to be able to change whether or not to perform initialization for each gaming state when the setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100 in each gaming state and the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 is changed. Specifically, when the gaming state before the setting value is changed (before the setting change) is set to any of the non-RT state, the first bonus activation state (in RBB1), the first bonus activation state (in RBB1 activation), and the second bonus activation state (in RBB2 activation), the slot machine 1 initializes the gaming state based on the setting change and sets the gaming state after the setting value is changed (after the setting change) to the non-RT state, which is the initial state. Furthermore, when the gaming state before the setting change is the second bonus activation state (in RBB2), the slot machine 1 does not perform initialization even when the setting change is executed, and maintains the second bonus activation state as the gaming state after the setting change.

[0249] In other words, the gaming machine Multiple reels and A setting change means capable of changing a setting value; an input receiving means for setting a specified number of game values ​​to an input state; an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery for a plurality of types of roles; A game state transition control means for controlling transitions between a plurality of game states, the specified number includes a first specified number and a second specified number different from the first specified number, The multiple types of hands include: A first bonus that can be won at the first specified number; A second bonus that can be won in the second specified number, The winning probability of the role in the internal lottery is set according to the set value, The plurality of game states include: The initial state set by initialization; A first bonus establishment state to which the first bonus is established in the initial state; A second bonus establishment state to which the second bonus is established in the initial state when the second bonus is won; a first bonus state to which the first bonus is entered when the first bonus is won and activated; a second bonus state to which the player transitions when the second bonus is won and the second bonus is activated; The first bonus does not operate in a game in which the second specified number of game values ​​is set to an inserted state, The second bonus does not operate in a game in which the first specified number of game values ​​is set to an inserted state, When the setting value is changed, the game state can be initialized, When the set value is changed while the gaming state is in the first bonus establishment state, the gaming state is initialized; When the set value is changed while the gaming state is in the second bonus establishment state, the gaming state is not initialized. It may be configured as follows.

[0250] By being configured in this manner, even if the game state of the slot machine 1 transitions to the first bonus formation state and it becomes extremely difficult to transition to another game state as the game progresses and it becomes impossible to transition to the second bonus formation state, the setting can be changed to transition the game state to the non-RT state, and a game in which the second specified number of medals is set to the inserted state in the non-RT state can be executed, making it possible to transition to the second bonus formation state.This prevents the first bonus formation state, which has low playability, from continuing for a long period of time and prevents a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0251] Furthermore, by being configured in this manner, even if the setting value is changed while the game state is set to the second bonus establishment state, the slot machine 1 maintains the game state in the second bonus establishment state, thereby preventing the game state from transitioning to a game state different from the second bonus establishment state in play after the setting value is changed, and the second bonus establishment state with high playability can be maintained, thereby preventing the marketability of the game machine from being reduced due to initialization caused by a setting change.

[0252] In addition, in the case of such a configuration, the slot machine 1 may be configured to be able to suggest that the gaming state is in the second bonus establishment state. Below, the details of the configuration of the slot machine 1 in the case of being configured to be able to suggest that the gaming state is in the second bonus establishment state will be described.

[0253] Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a modified slot machine 1000. In the slot machine 1000 shown in Fig. 19, components common to the slot machine 1 are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0254] A game information display section DS is provided on the front upper door UD. The game information display section DS is composed of a game information LED 270c (see Figure 20) which is a 7-segment display, and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, the total number of medals paid out or won in the bonus state, information on the winning combination in the current game, and information suggesting how to press stop buttons B1, B2, and B3 related to the payout of medals.

[0255] The game information display unit DS also functions as the main control display device 500, which, when a specified number of medals are inserted and the start lever SL is operated, displays (announcements) corresponding to winning combination commands, which are control signals created based on winning information, which is information about winning combinations in the current game, in the display mode of the game information LED 270c. Furthermore, when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop after the announcement display is displayed, the game information display unit DS ends the announcement display and displays the number of medals paid out or won. In the slot machine 1000 of the modified example, announcements are displayed by lighting up and extinguishing each segment of the game information LED 270c in a display mode corresponding to the winning combination command.

[0256] The max bet button MB is made of a resin material that can transmit light irradiated from inside. Inside the max bet button MB, a bet LED 270b (see Figure 20) is provided that lights up when the max bet button MB is operated to allow medals to be inserted, indicating that medals can be inserted.

[0257] The stop buttons B1 to B3 are each made of a resin material that is transparent to light irradiated from within. A first stop LED 270d (see FIG. 20) is disposed inside the stop button B1. The first stop LED 270d emits green light when the left reel R1 can be stopped by operating the stop button B1, and emits red light when operating the stop button B1 does not change the spinning pattern of the left reel R1, thereby indicating whether the stop button B1 is operable. A second stop LED 270e (see FIG. 20) is disposed inside the stop button B2. The second stop LED 270e emits green light when the left reel R1 can be stopped by operating the stop button B2, and emits red light when operating the stop button B2 does not change the spinning pattern of the center reel R2, thereby indicating whether the stop button B2 is operable. Inside the stop button B3, there is a third stop LED 270f (see Figure 20) which indicates whether the stop button B3 can be operated by emitting a green light when the right reel R3 can be stopped by operating the stop button B3, and emitting a red light when the rotation pattern of the right reel R3 does not change even when the stop button B3 is operated.

[0258] A lower panel portion 350 is disposed below the lower front door DD. The lower panel portion 350 is configured to allow a decorative sheet disposed inside and having an image printed thereon to be visible, and is also configured to be luminous by light irradiated from a lower LED 270a (see FIG. 20) disposed inside.

[0259] The modified slot machine 1000 is configured to maximize its marketability as a gaming machine by playing while the game state is maintained in the second bonus establishment state, and to prevent a decline in marketability, the game state is configured to be maintained in the second bonus establishment state if the setting value is changed while the second bonus establishment state is established.

[0260] However, in slot machine 1000, for example, if the internal memory is initialized because the power is not turned on for a long period of time, or if the game state is also initialized when initialization is performed due to a setting change based on an error occurring in the internal memory, even if the game state was in the second bonus established state before the power was turned off, the game state may be set to a game state other than the second bonus established state, such as the non-RT state as the initial state.

[0261] For this reason, the slot machine 1000 of the modified example is configured so that if the gaming state when the power is turned on is the second bonus establishment state, the lower LED 270a of the lower panel unit 350 lights up, and if the gaming state when the power is turned on is a gaming state other than the second bonus establishment state, the lower LED 270a of the lower panel unit 350 flashes. Also, the slot machine 1000 is configured so that the lower LED 270a of the lower panel unit 350 remains off when it is difficult to transition to the second bonus establishment state without performing initialization by changing the settings, such as when the gaming state is the first bonus establishment state.

[0262] In the slot machine 1000, when the lower LED 270a of the lower panel unit 350 is flashing and the first specified number (two medals) of medals are inserted, a game is executed, and when a winning area including RBB2 is won, the light-emitting mode of the lower LED 270a changes, indicating a win of RBB2. Specifically, in the slot machine 1000, when a winning area including RBB2 is won while the lower LED 270a of the lower panel unit 350 is flashing, the light-emitting mode of the lower LED 270a changes from a flashing state to a continuously lit state. In the slot machine 1000, when a winning area including RBB2 is won in a game in which RBB2 is not won, the lower LED 270a remains lit, and when RBB2 is won, the lower LED 270a is turned off.

[0263] In other words, the modified gaming machine is configured to have a lower panel section 350 as an indication means (first indication means) that can indicate that the gaming state is in a second bonus formation state, and is configured to be able to indicate that the gaming state is in a second bonus formation state by the light emission mode of the lower LED 270a.

[0264] With this configuration, the slot machine 1000 of the modified example can indicate whether the gaming state is in the second bonus formation state or not by the light emission mode of the lower LED 270a of the lower panel portion 350. Even if the second bonus formation state is initialized when initialization is performed due to a setting change, it is indicated to the gaming parlor staff that the gaming state is not in the second bonus formation state, and the game can be played until the gaming state transitions to the second bonus formation state, and the second bonus formation state can be restored, thereby preventing the marketability of the gaming machine from being reduced by initialization due to a setting change.

[0265] Furthermore, with this configuration, when an amusement parlor staff member turns on the slot machine 1000, if the lower LED 270a of the lower panel unit 350 is flashing, the slot machine 1000 will transition to a second bonus realization state by inserting the first specified number (two medals) of medals and playing the game, and if the lower LED 270a of the lower panel unit 350 is lit, the game will end, and if the lower LED 270a of the lower panel unit 350 is off, the settings will be changed and initialized, and then the first specified number (two medals) of medals will be inserted and played, thereby transitioning to a second bonus realization state, thereby preventing play from being performed in a state where the gaming machine's marketability is reduced rather than a second bonus realization state.

[0266] In addition, in the slot machine 1000, when the lower LED 270a of the lower panel portion 350 is flashing and a winning area including RBB2 is won, the configuration is not limited to changing the light emission mode of the lower LED 270a from a flashing state to a state where it remains lit, but for example, when a winning area including RBB2 is won, the flashing cycle of the lower LED 270a may be accelerated to indicate that the winning area including RBB2 has been won.

[0267] Next, the light emitting means provided in the slot machine 1000 of the modified example will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0268] 20 is a diagram illustrating the dimensions of the lower panel unit 350, in which the light emitting means is disposed, the max bet button MB, the game information display unit DS, and the stop buttons B1 to B3. Note that in FIG. 20, the dimensions of the lower panel unit 350, the game information display unit DS, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are shown when the slot machine 1000 is viewed from the front, and the dimensions of the max bet button MB are shown when the slot machine 1000 is viewed from above.

[0269] As shown in Figure 20, the lower panel portion 350, in which the lower LED 270a of the light-emitting means is arranged, has a width W1 in the left-right direction when viewed from the front and a height H1 in the up-down direction, and the area (first area) that indicates that the game state is in the second bonus establishment state based on the light-emitting mode of the lower LED 270a is configured so that width W1 x height H1 = area S1.

[0270] The max bet button MB, which is one of the light-emitting means and has the bet LED 270b arranged inside, has a width W2 in the left-right direction when viewed from above and a height H2 in the up-down direction, and the area (second area) which indicates that a medal can be inserted based on the light-emitting mode of the bet LED 270b is configured to be width W2 x height H2 = area S2.

[0271] The game information display section DS, in which the game information LED 270c among the light-emitting means is arranged inside, has a width W3 in the left-right direction when viewed from the front and a height H3 in the up-down direction, and the area (third area) that displays various game information including the number of medals credited according to the light-emitting mode of the game information LED 270c is configured so that width W3 x height H3 = area S3.

[0272] Of the light-emitting means, stop button B1, which has first stop LED 270d disposed therein, stop button B2, which has second stop LED 270e disposed therein, and stop button B3, which has third stop LED 270f disposed therein, have an area from the left end of stop button B1 to the right end of stop button B3 that has a width W4 when viewed from the front. In other words, stop buttons B1 to B3 are arranged within an area that has a width W4 in the left-right direction when viewed from the front. Also, stop buttons B1 to B3 each have a height H4.

[0273] 20, the width W1 of the lower panel 350 is longer than the width W2 of the max bet button MB, the width W3 of the game information display section DS, and the width W4 from the left end of stop button B1 to the right end of stop button B3. Also, the height H1 of the lower panel 350 is longer than the height H2 of the max bet button MB, the height H3 of the game information display section DS, and the height H4 of each of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0274] In other words, the suggestion means (lower panel portion 350) has a first width (width W1) in the left-right direction when viewed from the front and a first height (height H1) in the up-down direction when viewed from the front, the multiple stop buttons are arranged within an area having a second width (width W4) in the left-right direction, and stop buttons B1 to B3 each have a second height (height H4) in the up-down direction, with the first width being longer than the second width and the first height being longer than the second height.

[0275] In addition, the area S1 on the lower panel section 350, which indicates that the game state is in the second bonus state based on the light emission mode of the lower LED 270a, is larger than the area S2 on the max bet button MB, which indicates that medals can be inserted based on the light emission mode of the bet LED 270b, and is also larger than the area S3 on the game information display section DS, which indicates the number of medals credited based on the light emission mode of the game information LED 270c.

[0276] In other words, the gaming machine is equipped with a first suggestion means (lower panel portion 350) capable of suggesting in a first area (area S1) that the gaming state is in a second bonus establishment state, a second suggestion means (max bet button MB) capable of suggesting in a second area (area S2) that the gaming state is in a state in which gaming value can be inserted, and a display means (gaming information display portion DS) capable of displaying the amount of gaming value credited in a third area (area S3), and the first area is configured to be larger than the second and third areas.

[0277] With this configuration, the modified slot machine 1000 is composed of an area S1 that is larger than the area S2 that indicates that a medal can be inserted by the illumination mode of the bet LED 270b on the max bet button MB, and the illumination mode of the lower LED 270a on the lower panel section 350, which has sufficient visibility, can indicate whether the gaming state is in a second bonus formation state or not.Even if the second bonus formation state is initialized when initialization is performed due to a setting change, it is indicated to the gaming parlor staff that the gaming state is not in a second bonus formation state, and the game can be played until the gaming state transitions to the second bonus formation state, and the second bonus formation state can be restored, thereby preventing the marketability of the gaming machine from being reduced by initialization due to a setting change.

[0278] Furthermore, the slot machine 1000 of the modified example is constructed such that the area S1 in the game information display section DS is larger than the area S3 that displays the number of medals credited by the illumination mode of the game information LED 270c, and the illumination mode of the lower LED 270a of the lower panel section 350, which has sufficient visibility, can indicate whether the game state is in the second bonus formation state or not.Even if the second bonus formation state is initialized when initialization is performed due to a setting change, it is indicated to the gaming parlor staff that the game state is not in the second bonus formation state, and the game can be played until the game state transitions to the second bonus formation state, and the game can be restored to the second bonus formation state, thereby preventing the marketability of the gaming machine from being reduced by initialization due to a setting change.

[0279] Furthermore, the slot machine 1000 of the modified example is configured with a width W1 that is longer than the width W4 of the area from the left end of the stop button B1 to the right end of the stop button B3, and therefore the light emission pattern of the lower LED 270a of the lower panel portion 350, which has sufficient visibility, can indicate whether the gaming state is in the second bonus formation state or not.Even if the second bonus formation state is initialized when initialization is performed due to a setting change, it is indicated to the gaming parlor staff that the gaming state is not in the second bonus formation state, and the game can be played until the gaming state transitions to the second bonus formation state, and the second bonus formation state can be restored, thereby preventing the marketability of the gaming machine from being reduced by initialization due to a setting change.

[0280] Furthermore, the slot machine 1000 of the modified example can indicate whether the gaming state is in the second bonus formation state or not by the light emission mode of the lower LED 270a of the lower panel portion 350, which has sufficient visibility as it is constructed with a height H1 that is longer than the height H4 of each of the stop buttons B1 to B3.Even if the second bonus formation state is initialized when initialization is performed due to a setting change, it is indicated to the gaming parlor staff that the gaming state is not in the second bonus formation state, and the gaming state can be restored to the second bonus formation state by playing the game until it transitions to the second bonus formation state, thereby preventing the marketability of the gaming machine from being reduced by initialization due to a setting change.

[0281] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of medals, but this is not limited to this, and for example, it may be configured to have a single bet button for inserting one medal in addition to the max bet button MB.

[0282] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to insert and pay out medals as game value, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured, for example, to set the game value to an inserted state based on an insertion signal output from a game value management device (dedicated unit) provided outside the slot machine 1 and configured to electromagnetically record the total number of game values ​​available for a player to use in a game, and to output a payout signal to the game value management device when paying out the game value, and the game value management device may electromagnetically record the game value corresponding to the payout signal on a predetermined recording medium. In other words, the slot machine 1 may be configured as a so-called medalless gaming machine.

[0283] When configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 is configured to have, for example, a credit number display means for displaying the number of credits corresponding to the amount of money inserted into the game value management device by the player. The slot machine 1 may also be configured to be capable of crediting game value equivalent to a maximum of 16,368 medals, and when game value exceeding 16,368 medals is credited, the game control means may be set to an error state, and game play may be disabled (a state in which the game value is not set to an inserted state and the start operation of the start lever SL is not enabled) until the number of credits becomes 16,368 medals or less by paying out the game value by a method in which the game value is electromagnetically recorded on a predetermined recording medium via the game value management device.

[0284] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the stored value of each counter and memory means as an initial value, and to perform a decrement update by subtracting 1 each time a game is played, or an increment update by adding 1 each time a game is played, but this is not limited to this, and the method of updating each counter and memory means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0285] 1. Slot machines (gaming machines) 120 Internal lottery method 197c 1st AT difference counter (counter) 200 AT control means (auxiliary game control means) B1 Stop button (first stop button) B2 Stop button (second stop button) B3 Stop button (third stop button) R1 Left reel (1st reel) R2 Middle reel (second reel) R3 Right reel (third reel)

Claims

1. Multiple reels and a plurality of stop buttons respectively corresponding to the plurality of reels; an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery; and auxiliary game control means for controlling the auxiliary game. In the internal lottery, the success or failure of multiple winning patterns is determined, The plurality of winning modes include a plurality of first winning modes and a plurality of second winning modes, The plurality of first winning modes are respectively associated with overlapping wins of a small win of a first payout and a small win of a second payout, The plurality of types of second winning modes are respectively associated with overlapping wins of a small win of a third payout and a small win of a fourth payout, The first dividend is higher than the second dividend, the third payout is lower than the first payout and higher than the fourth payout; In the plurality of types of first winning modes, a first operation mode is set as an operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons that enables a small combination of the first payout to be won, In the plurality of types of second winning modes, second operation modes are respectively set as operation modes of the plurality of stop buttons that enable the winning of the small combination of the third payout, the plurality of reels includes a first reel, a second reel, and a third reel; the plurality of stop buttons include a first stop button, a second stop button, and a third stop button; the first operation mode and the second operation mode do not include an operation mode in which the first stop button is operated first, When the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which the first stop button is operated first, the small combination of the second payout is won regardless of which of the first winning modes is won, When the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which the first stop button is operated first, the small combination of the fourth payout is won regardless of which of the second winning modes is won, The auxiliary game control means Controlling a first state and a second state as states in which the auxiliary game is executed; In the second state, an auxiliary game is more likely to be executed than in the first state, The second state is a state in which, when a game according to the auxiliary game is executed, an average value of the number of acquired game values ​​in one game is set to a value greater than that in the first state. A gaming machine characterized by:

2. a counter for managing a period during which the first state continues; the first state ends when the value of the counter reaches a predetermined value; The auxiliary game control means updating the value of the counter with a value relating to the payout amount of the gaming value; When the first winning mode is won in the first state and a small combination of the first payout is won, the value of the counter is updated to the predetermined value by a value corresponding to the first payout.

2. The gaming machine according to claim 1 .

Images