gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of improving amusement of games.SOLUTION: When in a normal section, before a stop operation being enabled in a game in which a lottery to be shifted to an advantageous section is successfully won, an advantageous section notification is to be started that makes a notification of staying in the advantageous section by lighting an LED built in a section display unit SEC.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 34

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Gaming machines (slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with symbols arranged on their outer peripheries have been known for some time. These types of gaming machines assign a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals or pachinko balls, and players play to acquire this gaming value. These types of gaming machines perform an internal lottery and start the rotation of the multiple reels when a player initiates a spin start operation, and stop the multiple reels in a manner corresponding to the results of the internal lottery when a 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 recent years, gaming machines that can perform assist time play, which changes the probability of winning a small prize by executing a prize-winning assistance effect under specified conditions to assist in the winning of a small prize that pays out game value upon winning, and makes it easier to win game value such as medals in the AT state where the prize-winning assistance effect can be executed, have been gaining popularity.

[0004] In recent years, gaming machines have become known that have a normal zone and an advantageous zone, allow assist time play only in the advantageous zone, and can limit the amount of game value earned by forcibly terminating assist time play at the end of the advantageous zone (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-189426 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In gaming machines such as that shown in Patent Document 1, when a player wins the AT lottery in the normal zone, after all the reels have stopped, a favorable zone notification is initiated to notify the player that they are in a favorable zone.However, since the transition to a favorable zone is one piece of information that players want to know as soon as possible, it is desirable to start the favorable zone notification at an appropriate time to increase the player's interest in the game.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can improve the enjoyment of the game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The present invention comprises a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery, an internal lottery means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved, a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and controlling the reels to stop in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is initiated, a winning determination means for determining whether a winning combination has been achieved based on the fact that a symbol combination showing a winning form predetermined for each winning combination is displayed on an effective line when the plurality of reels are stopped, and a normal zone and a favorable zone can be set, and in the normal zone, This relates to a gaming machine that is equipped with a bonus game control means that starts the advantageous zone based on a decision to transition to the advantageous zone and can execute a bonus game only when the machine is in the advantageous zone, and an effect control means that controls an effect device to execute a winning assistance effect that assists in winning a specified role in the bonus game, wherein the bonus game control means starts an advantageous zone notification to notify the player that they are in the advantageous zone before the stop operation is activated in a game in which a decision to transition to the advantageous zone has been made when the machine is in the normal zone.

[0009] In the present invention, when a game has been decided to transition to a favorable zone while in a normal zone, a favorable zone notification is initiated to notify the player that they are in the favorable zone before the stop operation is activated, allowing the player to understand the transition to the favorable zone as early as possible, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0010] (2) In the gaming machine of the present invention, the bonus game control means may always decide to transition to the advantageous zone when a specific winning pattern is obtained in an internal lottery in the normal zone, and the presentation control means may execute a specific presentation when the specific winning pattern is obtained in an internal lottery in a predetermined game that is in the advantageous zone and different from the bonus game, and may execute the specific presentation when the specific winning pattern is obtained in an internal lottery in the normal zone.

[0011] In this invention, when a specific winning pattern is obtained in the internal lottery in the normal zone, the transition to the advantageous zone is always decided, and since there are cases where a specific effect is executed when this specific winning pattern is won in the advantageous zone, the specific effect is also executed when a specific winning pattern is obtained in the internal lottery in the normal zone. This allows the player to play without feeling uncomfortable by executing the specific effect regardless of whether the zone is advantageous or not. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a cabinet of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal lottery table in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of small prizes in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of small winning combinations and replays in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 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 8] 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the stopping modes of the reels in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 3 is a transition diagram of the gaming state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a transition diagram of the presentation state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 1 is a transition diagram of a gaming zone in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a winning combination when the batting order bell a3 is won in a BB formation state in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22]A diagram for explaining the method of controlling the stopping of the batting order bell a3 when it is won in an gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] A diagram for explaining the method of controlling the stopping of the batting order bell a3 when it is won in an gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] A diagram for explaining the method of controlling the stopping of the batting order bell a3 when it is won in an gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] A diagram for explaining the method of controlling the stopping of the batting order bell a3 when it is won in an gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the winning combination when the batting order bell a3 is won in the normal state in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] A diagram for explaining the method of controlling the stopping of the batting order bell a3 when it is won in an gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] A diagram for explaining the method of controlling the stopping of the batting order bell a3 when it is won in an gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for realizing a stop control method in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] A diagram comparing the expected value of the payout rate for each game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a batting order bell in a gaming machine according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a batting order bell in a gaming machine according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a batting order bell in a gaming machine according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] A figure explaining the timing of the start and end of advantageous zone notification in an gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 35] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a normal section in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 36]10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a normal section in a gaming machine according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] 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.

[0014] 1. Configuration Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration (excluding the reel unit) of the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The gaming machine of this embodiment is a so-called slot machine or reel gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as gaming media.

[0016] The gaming machine of this embodiment houses a reel unit consisting of a first reel R1 through a third reel R3 (multiple reels) in a box-shaped housing consisting of a storage box BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD. The lower part of the reel unit storage space PS in the storage box BX houses a power supply unit EU, which incorporates a power supply and is equipped with various switches such as a power switch ES, a setting change key cylinder KS, and a setting change button BS, as well as a hopper unit HP, which serves as a medal payout device. The hopper unit HP includes a medal storage tank MT for storing medals to be used in games, a payout motor (not shown) consisting of a stepping motor, and a rotating disk (not shown) pivotally supported by the payout motor. The rotating disk is driven by the payout motor to allow medals to be paid out one by one. When the amount of medals stored in the medal storage tank MT reaches a certain level, the hopper unit HP sends surplus medals to a cash box CB. In addition, within the cabinet of the gaming machine of this embodiment, for example, a main circuit board MAIN is attached above the reel unit storage space PS, and a sub-circuit board SUB is attached to the side of the reel unit storage space PS, and these control boards (main circuit board MAIN, sub-circuit board SUB) are equipped with a CPU (an example of a calculation means), a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM (an example of a temporary storage means), etc., so that the operation of the gaming machine can be controlled. In this embodiment, the power supply unit EU is provided with a setting change key cylinder KS and a setting change button BS, but the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting change button BS may also be provided on the surface of the main circuit board MAIN.

[0017] The outer periphery of each of the first to third reels R1 to R3 shown in FIG. 1 is divided into 20 regions (each region is referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and each frame has one of several types of symbols arranged thereon. The first to third reels R1 to R3 are supported by a stepping motor (reel drive means: not shown), and are driven to rotate about the axis of the stepping motor. The first to third reels R1 to R3 are stopped in frame units (predetermined rotation angle units, predetermined rotation amount units) by controlling the number of pulses and pulse width of drive pulses of the stepping motor. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stepping motor drives the first to third reels R1 to R3 to rotate in response to drive pulses supplied from a control board. When a full-phase excitation drive pulse is supplied from the control board, the first to third reels R1 to R3 stop as the stepping motor stops rotating.

[0018] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are provided so that they can be opened and closed separately, and the upper front door UD is provided with a display window DW that allows the spinning and stopped states of the first to third reels R1 to R3 to be observed. When the first to third reels R1 to R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower symbols) that are consecutively arranged on the outer periphery of each of the first to third reels R1 to R3 can be observed through the display window DW from the front of the gaming machine.

[0019] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and an active line is set by the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called specified insertion number, is set to three, and when a number of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number are inserted, an active line L1 formed by the middle of the first reel R1, the bottom of the second reel R2, and the top of the third reel R3 is activated.

[0020] The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the valid line in the display window DW, and if the symbol combination on the valid line corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is considered to have won and medals are paid out from the hopper unit HP.

[0021] The upper front door UD is also provided with a game information display DS and a zone indicator SEC. The game information display 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, and the total number of medals paid out or won in BB mode. The zone indicator SEC also notifies you whether you are in a favorable zone by turning on and off the built-in LED.

[0022] The upper front door UD is also provided with a liquid crystal display LCD for game effects. This liquid crystal display LCD displays various videos (or images) to assist and liven up the game. In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, multiple speakers SP for game effects are provided on the upper front door UD and the lower front door DD. These speakers SP output various sounds to assist and liven up the game.

[0023] The lower front door DD is provided with various operating means, such as a bet button (insertion operating means) B0 for inserting credited (stored) medals, a start lever (game start operating means) SL for rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to start a game, and stop buttons (stop operating means) B1 to B3 for stopping each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are rotated by a stepping motor.

[0024] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a player inserts a medal into the medal slot MI or presses the bet button B0, the machine is set to a ready state in which it is possible to start spinning control of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Then, when the player presses the start lever SL, the control board starts spinning the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by driving a stepping motor, and an internal lottery is performed using a random number value. On the condition that the spinning speed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 has increased to a predetermined speed, pressing of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is permitted (enabled).

[0025] Thereafter, when the player presses the stop buttons B1 to B3 at any timing, the stop switch (stop signal output means: for example, a photosensor, a conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.) built into each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 turns on, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from the off state to the on state.

[0026] Furthermore, when the player releases any of the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 at any time, the stop switches corresponding to the respective stop buttons B1 to B3 turn off, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from on to off.

[0027] The control board then stops the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 at a stop position according to the result of the internal lottery based on the change from OFF to ON of the reel stop signal, whose signal state changes depending on the timing of pressing and releasing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0028] Furthermore, a medal payout port MO and a medal tray MP are provided below the lower front door DD, and medals in a number according to the results of a game are paid out from the hopper unit HP through the medal payout port MO to the medal tray MP. When medals are paid out according to the results of a game, if medal credit (internal storage) is permitted, medals equivalent to some or all of the payout number are credited up to the credit limit number (50 in this embodiment), and the display value of the credit indicator consisting of a 7-segment display of the game information display unit DS is changed in accordance with the change in the number of medal credits.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0030] The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by game control means (main circuit board MAIN and sub circuit board SUB) 100. The game control means 100 is started by receiving power from a power supply unit EU when a power switch ES is activated, and receives input signals from input means such as a medal insertion switch 210, a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change permission switch 250, and a setting change switch 260, performs various calculations for executing a game, and controls the operation of output means such as a reel unit 310, a hopper unit (payout device) HP, a display device 330, and an audio device 340 based on the calculation results. The functions of the game control means 100 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), ROMs (an example of information storage media), or RAMs, or by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in the ROM, etc.

[0031] The game control means 100 includes a setting change means 103, a deposit acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game status control means 170, an AT control means 175 (an example of a bonus game control means), a presentation control means 180, a game information storage means 190a, and a presentation information storage means 190b. In this embodiment, the setting change means 103, the deposit acceptance means 105, the random number generation means 110, the internal lottery means 120, the reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game status control means 170, and an AT control means 175 are realized by the CPU of the main board MAIN executing various programs, and the presentation control means 180 is realized by the CPU of the sub board SUB executing various programs. The game information storage means 190a is composed of a main ROM and a main RAM mounted on the main board MAIN, and the effect information storage means 190b is composed of a sub-ROM and a sub-RAM mounted on the sub-board SUB. Various programs executed by the CPU of the main board MAIN are stored in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, and various programs executed by the CPU of the sub-board SUB are stored in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b. The main board MAIN and the sub-board SUB are connected in a communication manner such that only one-way communication from the main board MAIN to the sub-board SUB is possible, and signals cannot be transmitted from the sub-board SUB to the main board MAIN.

[0032] The setting change means 103 controls changing of the setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage area 1913 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In this embodiment, the gaming machine is switched between starting in game mode and starting in setting change mode depending on the state of the setting change permission switch 250 when the power is turned on. When the setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS and turned clockwise from its initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 becomes ON. In this state, when the power switch ES is activated to supply power from the power supply unit EU, the setting change means 103 starts the gaming machine in setting change mode. In this embodiment, a setting value can be selected from six setting values, from Setting 1 to Setting 6, and the winning probability of the internal lottery varies so that the expected payout rate increases from Setting 1 to Setting 6. In this embodiment, the setting values ​​are expressed in the order of Setting 1 < Setting 2 < Setting 3 < Setting 4 < Setting 5 < Setting 6.

[0033] Furthermore, when the setting change switch 260 is activated by pressing the setting change button BS in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 changes the setting value in the order of Setting 1 → Setting 2 →... Setting 6 → Setting 1 →... each time it receives an input signal from the setting change switch 260, confirms the setting value based on a game start signal from the start switch 230 which is activated by pressing the start lever SL, and controls to store the confirmed setting value in the setting value memory area 1913. In this embodiment, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 is changed to the OFF state by returning the setting key inserted in the setting change key cylinder KS to the initial position, thereby enabling a transition from the setting change mode to the game mode.

[0034] In this embodiment, when the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder KS in the initial position, the gaming machine is started in game mode based on the signal state of the setting change permission switch 260 being in the OFF state. In this embodiment, in game mode, games can be played but setting values ​​cannot be changed, and in setting change mode, setting values ​​can be changed but games cannot be played.

[0035] Furthermore, in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 performs an initialization process to initialize information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In particular, in this embodiment, with regard to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, the information stored in the lottery flag storage area 1915, the game status storage area 1916, the performance status storage area 1918, the high probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, the second clear counter 1923, and the ceiling counter 1924 is initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode. More specifically, the memory areas in the main RAM of the game information memory means 190a other than the lottery flag memory area 1915, game status memory area 1916, performance status memory area 1918, high probability transition counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and ceiling counter 1924 are designated as information holding areas, and information stored in memory areas other than the information holding areas of the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, in the main RAM, the setting value memory area 1913 and credit information memory area 1914 are designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in these memory areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode.

[0036] The insertion acceptance means 105 accepts insertion of medals for each game, and performs processing to validate a game start operation for the start lever SL (game start operation means) based on the insertion of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number (3 medals). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first pressing operation of the start lever SL, which is validated based on the insertion of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number, is accepted as a game start operation, and serves as an opportunity to start the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 and also as an opportunity to execute an internal lottery.

[0037] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot MI, the medal insertion switch 210 is actuated, and the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the inserted medals to an inserted state, up to a specified insertion number. Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a maximum of 50 medals can be stored (accumulated) as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the gaming information storage means 190a, and when the bet button B0 is pressed with medals stored as credits in the gaming machine, the bet switch 220 is actuated, and the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the medals stored as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 to an inserted state, up to a specified insertion number.

[0038] The random number generating means 110 is a means for generating random number values ​​for the lottery. The random number values ​​can be generated by, for example, a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535 without duplication within one cycle. In this embodiment, the term "random number value" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that are generated regularly but whose acquisition timing is irregular, and therefore can essentially function as random numbers.

[0039] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player operates the start lever SL to start the game (first pressing of the activated start lever SL), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0040] In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which internal lottery table to use for the internal lottery among a plurality of internal lottery tables stored in a main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the gaming information storage means 190a. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables (internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 3) as shown in FIG. 4 are stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910. In each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replays, small combinations, and bonuses, as well as misses (non-wins), are associated with a plurality of random number values ​​(for example, 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535). In this embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables are prepared for each of six setting values. The probability of obtaining some winning patterns in the internal lottery differs depending on the setting value, and the correspondence between combinations and random number values ​​is set so that the higher the setting value, the higher the expected value of the payout rate.

[0041] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, small roles 1 to 38 are provided as small roles, and the winning patterns of the small roles are set as shown in Figures 5 and 6, and include batting order bell group a (batting order bell a3 to batting order bell a6), batting order bell group b (batting order bell b3 to batting order bell b6), batting order bell group c (batting order bell c3 to batting order bell c6), batting order bell group d (batting order bell d3 to batting order bell d6), special role group a (special role 1 to special role 3: an example of a specific winning pattern), special role group b (special role 4 to special role 11: an example of a specific winning pattern), common bell a, common bell b, common 1-piece role, cherry a, cherry b, JAC1, and JAC2.

[0042] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, Replay 1 to Replay 4 are provided as replays, and Replay a and Replay b are set as winning modes of the replays, as shown in FIG.

[0043] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the probability of winning a small prize is the same on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, the probability of winning a replay is higher on internal lottery table 2 than on internal lottery table 1, replays are not included in the lottery on internal lottery table 3, and the method of drawing small prizes on internal lottery table 3 is different from that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, and the probability of winning a small prize is higher than that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0044] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, a big bonus (BB) is prepared as a bonus, and the big bonus (BB) is an object of lottery on the internal lottery table 1.

[0045] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the game state can be set to normal state, BB establishment state, and BB state, and in the lottery table selection process, one of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 is selected as the internal lottery table to be used in the internal lottery depending on the game state.

[0046] In this embodiment, the winning probability for bonus and replay winning patterns does not change depending on the setting value, but for small wins, the winning probability for some winning patterns changes depending on the setting value, and the higher the setting value, the higher the winning probability for JAC1 and JAC2.

[0047] In the random number determination process, a random number value (random number for lottery) is obtained from the random number generating means 110 for each game based on a start signal from the start switch 230, and the obtained random number value is used to determine whether or not it has won a winning combination by referring to the internal lottery table stored in the main lottery table memory area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information memory means 190a.

[0048] 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-winning state (first flag state, OFF state) to a winning state (second flag state, ON state). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are won at the same time, the lottery flags corresponding to the two or more types of combinations that are won at the same time are set to a winning state. The setting information of the lottery flag is stored in a lottery flag storage area 1915 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0049] In addition, the gaming machine of this embodiment is provided with a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that allows a winning state to be carried over to subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to a non-winning state without carrying over the winning state to subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. The former carry-over flag is associated with a big bonus (BB), while the latter non-carry-over flag is associated with a small bonus and a replay. In the lottery flag setting process, for example, when a big bonus (BB) is won in an internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the winning state of the lottery flag for the big bonus (BB) until the big bonus (BB) is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether a small bonus and a replay will be won, even in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag for the big bonus (BB) is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small winning combination or replay is won in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag of the bonus associated with the carryover flag is carried over, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of combinations consisting of the lottery flag of the bonus that has already been won and the lottery flag of the small winning combination or replay that has been won in the internal lottery are set to the winning state.

[0050] The reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 using a stepping motor based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player operates the start lever SL to start the game, and controls the stop operation by pressing the stop button B1 to B3 (stop operation means) corresponding to the reel that is rotating steadily at a predetermined speed (approximately 80 rpm: a rotation speed of approximately 80 rotations per minute), and also controls the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are being rotated by the stepping motor to stop in a manner according to the setting state of the lottery flag (the result of the internal lottery).

[0051] When the stop switch 240 is activated by the player pressing one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 while the stop operation for the stop buttons B1 to B3 is enabled, the reel control means 130 controls the reels to stop, from the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, by supplying a full-phase excitation drive pulse to the stepping motor of the reel unit 310 based on the reel stop signal from the stop switch 240.

[0052] That is, each time one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed, the reel control means 130 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the pressed button among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and controls the reel to stop at the determined stop position. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, pressing the stop button B1 corresponds to an operation to stop the first reel R1, pressing the stop button B2 corresponds to an operation to stop the second reel R2, and pressing the stop button B3 corresponds to an operation to stop the third reel R3. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, if the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed is changed, the stop order of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is also changed. In this embodiment, the stop operation corresponding to the first reel to stop among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is referred to as the first stop operation, the stop operation corresponding to the second reel to stop as the second stop operation, and the stop operation corresponding to the last reel to stop as the third stop operation, and the stop of the reel corresponding to the first stop operation may be referred to as the first stop, the stop of the reel corresponding to the second stop operation as the second stop, and the stop of the reel corresponding to the third stop operation as the third stop.

[0053] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within 190 ms of the time when the stop button B1 through B3 is pressed. When the rotating reels are stopped within 190 ms of the time when the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each rotating reel is determined based on the number of frames required from the time when the stop button is pressed to the time when the reel stops, within a range of 0 to 4 frames (a predetermined pull-in range). The reel control means 130 controls the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button B1 through B3 to stop so that, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the internal lottery is located within a range of 0 to 4 frames from the display position on the pay line at the time when the stop button is pressed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to a winning state is displayed at the display position on the pay line.

[0054] 7, the first through third reels R1 through R3 of the reel unit 310 are arranged on their outer peripheries with red 7 symbols a "RED7a," red 7 symbols b "RED7b," BAR symbols a "BARa," BAR symbols b "BARb," special symbols "SP," replay symbols "RP," bell symbols a "BLa," bell symbols b "BLb," watermelon symbols "WM," and cherry symbols "CH." When symbols within four frames of the push detection position are drawn onto an active line, the symbols arranged within four frames on the outer periphery of each reel can be displayed on the active line regardless of the push detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time the stop switch 240 is activated (when the stop button is detected being pressed). In this embodiment, the push detection position is the display position of the top row of each reel.

[0055] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the reel unit 310 is equipped with a reel index 315 consisting of a photosensor, and the reel control means 130 is able to monitor the current rotation state of the reel by determining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotary shaft of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the frame detected by the reel index 315) based on the reference position signal detected by the reel index 315 every time the reel makes one rotation. In other words, the reel control means 130 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop switch 240 is activated by determining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

[0056] The reel control means 130 also determines the stop positions of the reels that are spinning by referring to a stop control table stored in a stop control table storage area 1911 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0057] Here, in the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the push detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time of operation of the stop switch 240 (the time when the push of the stop button is detected), and the actual stop position is set according to the setting state of the lottery flag. Note that in the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the push detection position and the number of sliding symbols, which indicates the amount of rotation from the push detection position to the actual stop position, may also be set according to the setting state of the lottery flag.

[0058] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the priority order for small wins, replays, and bonuses is set as "replay > bonus" and then "small win > bonus," and the stop control table is set so that a stop position including a symbol that constitutes the winning form of a high-priority win is selected according to the priority order associated with each win.

[0059] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stop control table that is referenced when the lottery flags for multiple types of minor roles are set to a winning state in the internal lottery has two cases: one in which the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line (number priority control), and one in which the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out based on a predetermined payout for the minor role (payout number priority control).When the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that priority is given to stop positions with a greater number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, and when the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that priority is given to stop positions with a greater number of medals paid out based on the payout of the minor role corresponding to the pattern displayed at the display position on the valid line (stop positions that can win a minor role with a greater payout). However, when the stop positions are set according to the number of medals paid out, for multiple stop positions where the number of medals paid out is the same, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the press detection position is set, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the press detection position is set, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line is the same.

[0060] In the stop control table that is referenced when a batting order bell belonging to any of batting order bells a3 to a6 (an example of a specific winning mode), batting order bell b3 to b6 (an example of a specific winning mode), batting order bell c3 to c6 (an example of a specific winning mode), or batting order bell d3 to d6 (an example of a specific winning mode) is won in the internal lottery, the correct batting order (an example of a specific operation sequence, an example of a specific operation mode) is set for each batting order bell, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0061] In the stop control table that is referenced when any of the batting order bells is won, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, a 9-coin small win (an example of a correct small win) will be won, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a press order different from the correct batting order (an incorrect batting order), the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that a 1-coin small win (an example of an incorrect small win) will be won, or no win will be won (a missed win). In Figures 8 and 9, "1-coin small win (1 / 2)" means that in that press order, there is a 1 / 2 probability that a 1-coin small win will be won, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that a missed win will occur. Also, "1-coin small win (1 / 4)" in Figures 8 and 9 means that in that press order, there is a 1 / 4 probability that a 1-coin small win will be won, and there is a 3 / 4 probability that a missed win will occur.

[0062] In addition, when each batting order bell is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set in each stop control table so that in the correct batting order, the payout number priority control causes the symbols that make up the winning form of a 9-coin small win to be preferentially displayed on the valid line, and in the press order different from the correct batting order, the number priority control causes the symbols that make up the winning form of a 1-coin small win to be preferentially displayed on the valid line.

[0063] In this embodiment, for the batting order bell group a (an example of the first group) and the batting order bell group b (an example of the first group), the correct batting order is valid only when the BB state is reached. When the batting order bell is won in the normal state, even if the stop operation is performed according to the correct batting order, there is a 1 / 2 probability that a 1-coin minor role will be won, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that the role will be missed. In other words, in the normal state, for the batting order bell group a and the batting order bell group b, even if the stop operation is performed in a manner that allows for the winning of a 9-coin minor role in the BB state, the stop positions are determined by number priority control to avoid the winning of a 9-coin minor role. On the other hand, for the batting order bell group c (an example of the second group) and the batting order bell group d (an example of the second group), the correct batting order is valid in both the normal state and the BB state, and the stop positions are determined by payout number priority control to prioritize the winning of a 9-coin minor role in the correct batting order in either game state.

[0064] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a special role belonging to either special role group a (special role 1 to special role 3) or special role group b (special role 4 to special role 11) is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a one-coin small role will be won, and when each special role is won, a one-coin small role will always be won regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed.

[0065] Furthermore, in the stop control table that is referenced when any of the special roles is won, as shown in Figure 10, a specific batting order (an example of a specific operation order, an example of a specific operation mode) is set for each special role, and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the specific batting order, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that there are cases where a specific pattern combination made up of specific symbols is displayed on an invalid line (a line not used to determine whether a win has been won) and cases where the specific pattern combination is not displayed, and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a press order different from the specific batting order (non-specific batting order), the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that the specific pattern combination is not displayed.

[0066] In particular, in this embodiment, when a special combination 1 is won, as shown in FIG. 11(A), a specific symbol combination of cherries (for example, "CH·red 7b·red 7b") is displayed on the invalid line in the middle row, and when a special combination 2 is won, as shown in FIG. 11(B), a specific symbol combination of BIG (for example, "red 7b·red 7b·red 7b") is displayed on the invalid line in the middle row, and when a special combination 3 is won, as shown in FIG. 11(C), a specific symbol combination of REG (for example, "red 7b·red 7b·BARa") is displayed on the invalid line going down to the right, and when a special combination 4 is won, as shown in FIG. 11(D), a specific symbol combination of BIG is displayed on the invalid line in the upper row, and when a special combination 5 is won, as shown in FIG. 11(E), a specific symbol combination of REG is displayed on the invalid line in the upper row. When special winning combination 6 is won, the BIG specific symbol combination is displayed on the lower void line as shown in FIG. 11(F), when special winning combination 7 is won, the REG specific symbol combination is displayed on the lower void line as shown in FIG. 11(G), when special winning combination 8 is won, the BIG specific symbol combination is displayed on the upper right void line as shown in FIG. 11(H), when special winning combination 9 is won, the REG specific symbol combination is displayed on the upper right void line as shown in FIG. 11(I), when special winning combination 10 is won, the BIG specific symbol combination is displayed on the lower right void line as shown in FIG. 11(J), when special winning combination 11 is won, the REG specific symbol combination is displayed on the lower right void line as shown in FIG. 11(C).

[0067] In addition, when each special role is won, in a specific batting order, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set in each stop control table so that the symbols that make up the winning form of the one-piece small role (small role 8 to small role 13) that can display a specific symbol combination are preferentially displayed on the valid line due to the payout number priority control, and if the symbols that make up the winning form of the one-piece small role (small role 8 to small role 13) that can display a specific symbol combination cannot be displayed on the valid line, the one-piece small role (small role 15 to small role 23, small role 36, small role 38) that cannot display a specific symbol combination will win, and in a press order different from the specific batting order, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that the symbols that make up the winning form of the one-piece small role (small role 15 to small role 23, small role 36, small role 38) that cannot display a specific symbol combination are preferentially displayed on the valid line due to the payout number priority control. Furthermore, when each special role is won, similar stop control may be achieved by number priority control in the specific batting order and in a pressing order different from the specific batting order, or similar stop control may be achieved by payout number priority control in the specific batting order and by number priority control in a pressing order different from the specific batting order, or similar stop control may be achieved by number priority control in the specific batting order and by payout number priority control in a pressing order different from the specific batting order.

[0068] Furthermore, in the stop control table that is referenced when common bell a or common bell b is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 9-coin minor role is won, and when each common bell is won, the 9-coin minor role is always won regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed. However, in the stop control table that is referenced when common bell a or common bell b is won in the normal state, the winning of the 9-coin minor role is avoided by quantity priority control regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed, and a 1-coin minor role is always won. That is, in this embodiment, when common bell a or common bell b is won in the BB formation state, the 9-coin minor role is won, and when common bell a or common bell b is won in the normal state, the 1-coin minor role is won.

[0069] In addition, in the stop control table that is referred to when a common 1-coin role is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin minor role will be won, and when a common 1-coin role is won, the 1-coin minor role will always be won regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed.

[0070] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when Cherry A is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that, of the one-coin small wins, small win 14, small win 32, small win 33, small win 36, and small win 38, one-coin small win will always be won, regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed.

[0071] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when Cherry B is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the 3-coin minor win 7 is given priority over the 1-coin minor win 36, and when Cherry B is won, there are cases where the 3-coin minor win is won and cases where neither win is won.

[0072] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when JAC1 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 9-coin small win is always won, and in the stop control table that is referenced when JAC2 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin small win is always won.

[0073] In addition, for the winning patterns of various replays such as replay a and replay b, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that one of the replays included in the winning pattern will always win regardless of the pattern of the stop operation.

[0074] In addition, the Big Bonus (BB) can only be won if the Big Bonus (BB) is won alone in the normal state, and there are no misses when the BB is formed, and since there are always overlapping wins of small winning combinations or replays that have a higher priority than the Big Bonus (BB), the stop position relative to the press detection position is set in the stop control table so that the Big Bonus (BB) is not won.

[0075] 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 first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Specifically, the winning determination means 140 refers to a winning determination table stored in a winning determination table storage area 1912 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a to determine whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have stopped is in the form of a predetermined winning combination. Then, the winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of a winning combination of a big bonus (BB), replay 1 to replay 4, and small bonus 1 to small bonus 38 can be determined based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when each reel has stopped, as shown in Figures 12 to 17.

[0076] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a winning combination is achieved, a winning process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination means 140. As the winning process, for example, when a small combination is achieved, a medal payout process is executed by the payout control means 150, when a replay is achieved, a replay process is executed by the replay processing means 160, and when a bonus is achieved, a game state transition process is executed by the game state control means 170 to transition the game state.

[0077] The payout control means 150 performs payout control processing related to the payout of medals according to the game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the payout number of medals in the game is determined based on the payout predetermined for each combination, and the payout number of medals corresponding to the determined payout number is controlled to be paid out to the hopper unit HP (payout device).

[0078] The hopper unit HP performs the operation of paying out the number of medals to be paid out specified by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit HP is provided with a paid out medal detection switch 325 that is activated each time a medal is paid out, and the payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit HP based on the input signal from the paid out medal detection switch 325.

[0079] When credit storage (accumulation storage) of medals is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals using the hopper unit HP, a credit addition process is performed in which the number of medals to be paid out is added to the number of credits (number of medals stored as credits) stored in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, and medals are virtually paid out.

[0080] When a replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs replay processing (replay processing) to set the next game to the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert any medals owned by the player. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert a number of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number required for the next game without using any medals (including credit medals) owned by the player, and the machine waits for the next game start operation using the start lever SL with an active line corresponding to the specified insertion number set.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 18, the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition process that transitions the game state among the normal state, the BB established state, and the BB state. In this embodiment, information indicating the current game state is stored in a game state storage area 1916 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. The game state transition condition may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are set, the game state can be transitioned to another game state when one of the multiple predetermined conditions is met, or when all of the multiple predetermined conditions are met.

[0082] The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among multiple game states, and it is possible to transition from the normal state to the BB establishment state or the BB state. Specifically, if a big bonus (BB) is won in the normal state but the big bonus (BB) is not won, the game transitions to the BB establishment state, and if a big bonus (BB) is won and also won in the normal state, the game transitions to the BB state. In addition, in the normal state, an internal lottery is performed by referring to internal lottery table 1, among internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, in which the winning probability of a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 or more and the big bonus (BB) is set as a lottery target.

[0083] The BB formation state is a game state that is entered when a big bonus (BB) is won in an internal lottery in the normal state but the big bonus (BB) is not won.Of the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, the probability of winning a replay is higher than that of internal lottery table 1, so a miss (non-win) does not occur, and an internal lottery is held by referring to internal lottery table 2, in which the big bonus (BB) is excluded from the lottery.

[0084] In the BB state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus (BB) is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus (BB) is won. In this embodiment, since the symbol combination indicating the big bonus (BB) winning form is not displayed on the pay line in the BB state, once the gaming state shifts to the BB state, it will not shift to the BB state again.

[0085] The BB state is a game state that is entered when a symbol combination indicating a big bonus (BB) winning form is displayed on an active line, and an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 3, of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, which has a different method of drawing small roles from internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0086] In the BB state, it is determined whether or not the termination condition is met based on the total number of medals paid out during play in the BB state, and when it is determined that more than a predetermined number of medals (for example, 83 medals) have been paid out, the game state control means 170 terminates the BB state and controls the game state to return to the normal state. In this embodiment, count information on the number of medals paid out in the BB state is stored in the game state memory area 1916.

[0087] 19, the AT control means 175 changes the presentation state among a plurality of presentation states including an initial presentation state, a normal presentation state, a latent state, and an AT state, sets the presentation state to the AT state (an example of a bonus game) under predetermined conditions, determines whether the AT state termination condition is met based on the value of the AT stock number counter 1920 and the value of the AT game number counter 1921, and performs control to terminate the AT state when the AT state termination condition is met. In this embodiment, information indicating the current presentation state is stored in a presentation state memory area 1918 provided in the main RAM of the game information memory means 190a. In addition, in this embodiment, when the player is in the AT state, the AT control means 175 notifies the player of the correct batting order to assist in the winning of a 9-coin minor feature (minor feature 3 to minor feature 6) by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the correct batting order on the main display 300 consisting of a 7-segment display provided in the game information display unit DS when the batting order bell is won, and the presentation control means 180 performs a winning assistance presentation to assist in the winning of a 9-coin minor feature (minor feature 3 to minor feature 6) by displaying an image corresponding to the correct batting order on the liquid crystal display LCD when the batting order bell is won, allowing the player to play assist time games (an example of bonus games) in which it is easier to win medals than when playing in the initial presentation state, normal presentation state, or latent state.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, when the normal presentation state is in effect, when special roles 2 to 11 are won, information corresponding to a non-specific batting order (an example of operation instruction information) is displayed on the main display 300 to notify a non-specific batting order that assists in the winning of one-piece small roles that cannot display a specific symbol combination (small roles 15 to 23, small roles 36, small roles 38), and when special roles 2 to 11 are won, the presentation control means 180 displays an image corresponding to a non-specific batting order on the liquid crystal display LCD to perform a winning assistance presentation that assists in the winning of one-piece small roles that cannot display a specific symbol combination (small roles 15 to 23, small roles 36, small roles 38), thereby avoiding the winning of one-piece small roles that can display a specific symbol combination (small roles 8 to 13).

[0089] In addition, as shown in Figures 19 and 20, the AT control means 175 is capable of setting a normal zone (non-advantageous zone) and an advantageous zone, and in the normal zone, the presentation state is fixed to the initial presentation state, which is the initial state, and an advantageous zone transition lottery is held to determine whether or not to transition to an advantageous zone, and based on whether the advantageous zone transition lottery is won, the advantageous zone is started and the presentation state can be set to the AT state on the condition that it is an advantageous zone (only if it is an advantageous zone).

[0090] The AT control means 175 then performs a lottery for transition to a favorable zone during play in the normal zone when the presentation state remains in the normal state or the BB formation state. In the normal state, the AT control means 175 performs a lottery for transition to a favorable zone based on whether the internal lottery results in any of the following winning patterns: special role group a + BB, special role group b, batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d, common bell a, common bell b, cherry a + BB, cherry b, common 1-piece role + BB, and normal replay a. In the normal state, there are cases where a winning pattern in which the big bonus (BB) is won alone is obtained, but in such cases, a lottery for transition to a favorable zone is not performed. In the BB formation state, the AT control means 175 performs a lottery for transition to a favorable zone based on whether the internal lottery results in any of the following winning patterns: special role group a, special role group b, batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d, common bell a, common bell b, cherry a, cherry b, common 1-piece role, and normal replay a. When BB is formed, there is a possibility that a winning pattern of normal replay b may be obtained, but in that case, a lottery for transition to a favorable zone will not be held.

[0091] In the advantageous zone transition lottery, the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is compared with the advantageous zone transition lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and whether or not the advantageous zone transition lottery has been won (advantageous zone win) is determined based on the comparison result. In the advantageous zone transition lottery table, a win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery associated with the winning pattern that triggers the execution of the advantageous zone transition lottery. If the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is associated with the winning pattern that triggers the execution of the advantageous zone transition lottery and is also associated with a win in the advantageous zone transition lottery table, it is determined that the advantageous zone transition lottery has been won. Note that in this embodiment, if a winning pattern of either the special role group A + BB or the special role group B is obtained in the internal lottery in the normal state (when any special role is won), and if a winning pattern of either the special role group A or the special role group B is obtained in the internal lottery in the BB state (when any special role is won), the advantageous zone transition lottery is always won. In this case, the presentation state is transitioned from the initial presentation state to the AT state upon transition to the advantageous zone. In this embodiment, if any special role is won in the internal lottery during the normal zone, a transition to the advantageous zone and AT state is always determined.

[0092] When the AT control means 175 wins the advantageous zone transition lottery in the normal zone, it performs advantageous zone transition processing based on the fact that it has won the advantageous zone transition lottery, starts the advantageous zone from the next game following the game in which it won the advantageous zone transition lottery, and sets the presentation state to the AT state (when a special role is won) or the normal presentation state (when a special role is not won).

[0093] In this embodiment, the lottery mode for the AT lottery in the normal presentation state can be set to either a low-probability mode or a high-probability mode. When the normal presentation state is in the normal presentation state, the game remains in one of the lottery modes. When the presentation state is transitioned to the normal presentation state, a mode determination lottery is conducted, and the lottery mode is determined based on the result of the mode determination lottery. The mode determination lottery obtains a random number value between 0 and 255 associated with the stop operation corresponding to the third stop of the game that transitions the presentation state to the normal presentation state, and obtains either the low-probability mode or the high-probability mode associated with the random number value as the lottery result. In this embodiment, the mode determination lottery is conducted in such a way that the low-probability mode is more likely to be selected than the high-probability mode. Note that a game that transitions the presentation state to the normal presentation state refers to a game that wins the advantageous zone transition lottery or a game in which the AT state ends in an advantageous zone. In a game in which the advantageous zone transition lottery is won, the mode determination lottery is conducted as part of the advantageous zone transition process. In a game in which the AT state ends in an advantageous zone, the mode determination lottery is conducted as part of the process of returning the presentation state to the normal presentation state.

[0094] Note that the winning mode of the advantageous zone transition lottery may be, for example, two types, a low probability win and a high probability win, and it may be determined in the advantageous zone transition process whether the lottery mode should be transitioned to the low probability mode or the high probability mode. In this case, if the result of the advantageous zone transition lottery is a low probability win, the lottery mode can be set to the low probability mode in the advantageous zone transition process, and if the result of the advantageous zone transition lottery is a high probability win, the lottery mode can be set to the high probability mode in the advantageous zone transition process.

[0095] The AT control means 175 performs an AT lottery in the advantageous zone when the game state is in the BB state and the presentation state is in the normal presentation state. Specifically, the AT lottery is performed based on the internal lottery winning any of the following: a special role belonging to the special role group a or special role group b; a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, or batting order bell group d; cherry a, cherry b; common bell a, common bell b; or normal replay a. In this embodiment, the AT lottery is not performed when the game state is in the normal state or the BB state. However, the AT lottery may be performed when the game state is in at least one of the normal state and the BB state.

[0096] In the AT lottery, when a winning pattern that triggers the AT lottery is obtained, a random number value ranging from 0 to 255 is obtained. The obtained random number value is compared with the AT lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and whether or not the AT lottery has been won is determined based on the comparison result. In the AT lottery table, AT wins and losses are assigned to random numbers used for the AT lottery. If the random number value obtained for the AT lottery is associated with an AT win in the AT lottery table, it is determined that the AT lottery has been won. Note that in this embodiment, the probability of winning the AT differs between low-probability mode and high-probability mode, with the high-probability mode having a higher probability of winning the AT than the low-probability mode. However, in this embodiment, for special role 1, an AT win is always obtained in the AT lottery in both low-probability mode and high-probability mode, but for special roles 2 to 11, there are cases in which a losing result is obtained in the AT lottery in both low-probability mode and high-probability mode.

[0097] In this embodiment, if a winning pattern other than the batting order bell is obtained that triggers the execution of the AT lottery, the AT lottery is executed before the stop operation for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is activated. However, for the AT lottery when the batting order bell is won, the AT lottery is executed when the one-coin small combination included in the winning batting order bell is won. Therefore, in a game where the batting order bell is won, the AT lottery is not executed if a nine-coin small combination is won or if no combination is won. Note that the AT lottery may be executed with the same execution trigger as when other winning patterns are obtained when the batting order bell is won, and the result of the AT lottery may be invalidated based on the fact that the one-coin small combination is not won. Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the first stop operation stops the first reel R1 when the batting order bell is won, the one-coin small combination will always be won. Therefore, the AT lottery may be executed when the first stop operation stops the first reel R1.

[0098] Furthermore, when the AT control means 175 is in the low-probability mode during normal presentation, it updates the value of the high-probability transition counter 1919 when a one-coin small combination is won in a game in which the batting order bell is won, but does not update the value of the high-probability transition counter 1919 when a nine-coin small combination is won even if the batting order bell is won, or when no combination is won. In this embodiment, when the normal presentation is in the low-probability mode, a predetermined value of "255" is set in the high-probability transition counter 1919, and when the batting order bell is won, the AT control means 175 draws a high-probability transition subtraction value to determine the subtraction value for updating the high-probability transition counter 1919 as either "3" or "29," and subtracts the determined subtraction value from the value of the high-probability transition counter 1919.

[0099] The high probability transition subtraction value lottery involves obtaining a random number between 0 and 255 when a single small win occurs in a game in which the batting order bell is won, and the subtraction value that is pre-assigned to these random numbers, either "3" or "29," is the lottery result.

[0100] The AT control means 175 then determines that the high probability transition condition has been met when the value of the high probability transition counter 1919 reaches the initial value "0" in the low probability mode, and transitions the lottery mode to the high probability mode. When the player is in the high probability mode in the normal presentation state, the AT control means 175 performs a drop lottery when a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, or batting order bell group d, or a common 1-piece role, is won. In the drop lottery, the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is compared with the drop lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the drop lottery has been won based on the comparison result. In the fall-out lottery table, a fall-out win or a miss is assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery associated with the winning mode that triggers the execution of the fall-out lottery, and if the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is associated with a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell a group, batting order bell b group, batting order bell c group, or batting order bell d group, or a common 1-piece role, and is associated with a fall-out win in the fall-out lottery table, it is determined that the fall-out lottery has been won.In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 determines that the high probability termination condition has been met based on the lottery result of a fall-out win in the fall-out lottery, and transitions the lottery mode to the low probability mode.

[0101] In addition, in this embodiment, when the presentation state is shifted to the normal presentation state, the AT control means 175 sets a predetermined value "1024" in the ceiling counter 1924, and performs a process of subtracting a subtraction value according to the result of an internal lottery from the value of the ceiling counter 1924 each time a game is played in the normal presentation state. In particular, in this embodiment, when the batting order bell is won, a process of subtracting the value of the ceiling counter 1924 is performed on the condition that a 1-coin small combination is won, and the value of the ceiling counter 1924 is not updated if a 9-coin small combination is won or if no combination is won.

[0102] Then, the AT control means 175 determines that a transition to the AT state has been decided based on the result of the AT lottery being an AT win or the value of the ceiling counter 1924 reaching the initial value "0", and controls the transition of the presentation state from the normal presentation state to the latent state, and based on the winning of a special role belonging to special role group a or special role group b in the latent state in the internal lottery. However, in the normal presentation state, if special role 1, which always results in an AT win in the AT lottery, is won in the internal lottery, the presentation state is transitioned from the normal presentation state to the AT state without going through the latent state.

[0103] When the presentation state is changed from the latent state or the normal presentation state to the AT state, the AT control means 175 adds a value according to the type of special role to the AT stock number counter 1920. Specifically, in the latent state, if special role 3, special role 5, special role 7, special role 9, or special role 11, which can display a specific REG symbol combination, is won, the AT control means 175 adds a value "1" equivalent to one set to the AT stock number counter 1920. If special role 2, special role 4, special role 6, special role 8, or special role 10, which can display a specific BIG symbol combination, is won, the AT control means 175 adds a value "2" equivalent to two sets to the AT stock number counter 1920. If special role 1, which can display a specific cherry symbol combination, is won, the AT control means 175 adds a value "3" equivalent to three sets to the AT stock number counter 1920. If special role 1, which can display a specific cherry symbol combination, is won, the AT control means 175 adds a value "3" equivalent to three sets to the AT stock number counter 1920. Similarly, when the presentation state is shifted from the initial presentation state to the AT state in the normal section, a value according to the type of special role is added to the AT stock number counter 1920. Specifically, in the initial presentation state (normal section), if special role 3, special role 5, special role 7, special role 9, or special role 11 is won, a value "1" corresponding to one set is added to the AT stock number counter 1920, if special role 2, special role 4, special role 6, special role 8, or special role 10 is won, a value "2" corresponding to two sets is added to the AT stock number counter 1920, and if special role 1 is won, a value "3" corresponding to three sets is added to the AT stock number counter 1920. When the initial number of sets for the assist time game in the AT state is set, the AT control means 175 subtracts the value "1" corresponding to one set from the AT stock number counter 1920 and sets the value "30" corresponding to 30 times, which is the number of times of play that is the end condition of the AT state, to the AT game number counter 1921.

[0104] The AT control means 175 then plays an assist time game based on the fact that the presentation state is the AT state, and each time an assist time game is played, it subtracts a fixed value "1" equivalent to one game from the value of the AT game number counter 1921. In this embodiment, in the AT state, when a batting order bell belonging to batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, or batting order bell group d is won, a correct batting order notification that notifies the correct batting order and a winning assistance presentation are performed.

[0105] In addition, in this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 notifies the correct batting order regarding the batting order bell, the operation instruction number corresponding to the correct batting order corresponding to the won batting order bell ("03" (batting order 3), "04" (batting order 4), "05" (batting order 5), "06" (batting order 6)) is displayed on the main display 300.

[0106] Furthermore, when the presentation state is in the AT state in the advantageous zone, the AT control means 175 performs an additional lottery based on the winning of a special role belonging to the special role group a or special role group b, Cherry A, Cherry B, Common Bell A, or Common Bell B in the internal lottery. In the additional lottery, when a winning pattern that triggers the execution of the additional lottery is obtained, a random number value ranging from 0 to 255 is acquired, and the acquired random number value is compared with the additional lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and whether or not the additional lottery has been won is determined based on the comparison result. In the additional lottery table, an additional win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for the additional lottery, and it is determined that the additional lottery has been won if the random number value acquired for the additional lottery is associated with an additional win in the additional lottery table. Note that the additional lottery, which is performed when a winning pattern belonging to either the special role group a or special role group b is obtained, always results in an additional win. In this embodiment, the AT control means 175, based on the result of the additional winning in the additional lottery, adds a value "1" corresponding to one set to the AT stock number counter 1920. When a special combination is won, a value according to the type of special combination may be added to the AT stock number counter 1920, similar to the case of setting the initial number of sets for the assist time game in the AT state.

[0107] When the value of the AT game number counter 1921, which is subtracted by a fixed value each time an assist time game is played in the AT state, reaches the initial value "0", if the AT stock number is greater than 0, the AT control means 175 subtracts the value "1" corresponding to one set from the value of the AT stock number counter 1920, and resets the value of the AT game number counter 1921 to "30" to continue the AT state, and if the AT stock number = 0, it determines that the termination condition has been met because the AT game number = 0 and the AT stock number = 0, and returns the presentation state to the normal presentation state.

[0108] In addition, in this embodiment, when a special role belonging to special role group a or special role group b is won in the normal performance state, a non-specific batting order notification and a winning assistance performance are performed to notify the player of a non-specific batting order. When notifying the non-specific batting order for a special role, the AT control means 175 determines one non-specific batting order from four non-specific batting orders, batting orders 3 to 6, by lottery, and the operation instruction number corresponding to the determined non-specific batting order ("03" (batting order 3), "04" (batting order 4), "05" (batting order 5), "06" (batting order 6)) is displayed on the main display 300. The non-specific batting order to be notified may be predetermined according to the type of special role.

[0109] In addition, even when the presentation state is in a latent state in the advantageous zone, the AT control means 175 conducts an additional lottery based on the internal lottery result of cherry a, cherry b, common bell a, or common bell b, and adds a value of "1" equivalent to one set to the AT stock number counter 1920 based on the result of the additional lottery result being an additional win.

[0110] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of a first clear counter 1922 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to a predetermined value "1" in the advantageous zone transition process, and in the advantageous zone, performs an incremental update by adding a fixed value (e.g., 1) equivalent to one game to the value of the first clear counter 1922 each time one game is played, and determines that the advantageous zone end condition has been met when the value of the first clear counter 1922 exceeds a threshold value (e.g., 1500) (when the value of the first clear counter 1922 reaches "1501"). In this embodiment, the first clear counter 1922 is updated after all rotating reels in each game have stopped, but the first clear counter 1922 may be updated at any timing as long as it is predetermined for each game. For example, the update may be triggered by operating the start lever SL to start a game.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the second clear counter 1923 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to the initial value "0" during the advantageous zone transition process, and during the advantageous zone, updates the value of the second clear counter 1923 according to the difference in the number of medals in each game, subtracts the value "3" corresponding to the number of medals inserted in the game (3 medals) from the value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (for example, "15" if 15 medals are paid out, and "0" if no winning combination is achieved and no medals are paid out), to obtain the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals in that game, and performs an update process in which this calculation result is added to the value of the second clear counter 1923, and also when the value of the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold value (for example, 2400), it is determined that the condition for ending the advantageous zone has been met. The value of the second clear counter 1923 is controlled so as not to fall below the initial value "0." For example, if the value of the second clear counter 1923 at the start of a game is "2," and as a result of playing a game, no winning combination is achieved and no medals are paid out, the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals for that game will be "-3," and adding the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals to the value of the second clear counter 1923 will result in a value below the initial value "0." However, the count of the updated value of the second clear counter 1923 is stopped with the initial value "0" as the lower limit. Furthermore, if a replay is won in a game, the difference in the number of medals is calculated by treating the game in which the replay was won as having paid out medals equivalent to the specified number of medals for that game, and the difference in the number of medals for the next game, which is provided free of charge due to the replay winning, as having been paid out medals equivalent to the specified number of medals for that game, even if no actual medals have been inserted.

[0112] In addition, in the advantageous zone, unless the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are met, the first clear counter 1922 and the second clear counter 1923 are updated even if a transition to the game state or the presentation state occurs.

[0113] The AT control means 175 also performs an initialization process to initialize information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a based on the end of the advantageous period. In particular, in this embodiment, with respect to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, the information stored in the presentation status storage area 1918, the high probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, the second clear counter 1923, and the ceiling counter 1924 is initialized by the initialization process based on the end of the advantageous period. More specifically, the storage areas in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a other than the presentation status storage area 1918, the high probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, the second clear counter 1923, and the ceiling counter 1924 are designated as information storage areas, and information stored in storage areas other than the information storage areas of the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, when initialization processing is performed upon the end of the advantageous zone, unlike when initialization processing is performed in the setting change mode, in addition to the setting value storage area 1913 and the credit information storage area 1914, the lottery flag storage area 1915 and the game status storage area 1916 are also designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization processing upon the end of the advantageous zone. When initialization processing is performed upon the end of the advantageous zone, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the high probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, the second clear counter 1923, and the ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0), and the game returns to the normal zone.

[0114] In this embodiment, an initialization process is executed at the end of the advantageous period to return to the normal period, so if the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold value while remaining in the AT state, the initialization process at the end of the advantageous period forces each AT state to terminate, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the high probability transition counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values ​​(e.g., 0). Also, when the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds the threshold value while remaining in any other presentation state, the currently remaining presentation state is forcibly terminated by initialization processing associated with the end of the advantageous zone, and the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the high probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, the second clear counter 1923, and the ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to initial values ​​(for example, 0). Note that in this embodiment, the presentation state is not initialized by turning the power on / off, but when started in the setting change mode, even if initialization processing is performed in the setting change mode, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the high probability transition counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, the second clear counter 1923, and the ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to initial values ​​(for example, 0).

[0115] In this embodiment, the advantageous zone begins when the advantageous zone transition lottery is won in the normal zone, and the presentation state is set to the AT state under predetermined conditions within the advantageous zone to play the assist time game, but even if the AT state ends, the advantageous zone is maintained as long as the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are not met. In other words, in this embodiment, since the advantageous zone continues even after the AT state ends, there are cases where the player remains in the advantageous zone even if the presentation state transitions to a presentation state different from the AT state.

[0116] In addition, the AT control means 175 controls the advantageous zone notification to start, based on winning the advantageous zone transition lottery, lighting up the LED built into the zone indicator SEC to notify that the player is in the advantageous zone, and to end the advantageous zone notification by turning off the LED built into the zone indicator SEC based on the end of the advantageous zone.

[0117] The interval indicator SEC does not need to be a dedicated unit as in this embodiment, and may also serve as the main display 300. For example, whether or not a player is in an advantageous zone may be indicated by switching on and off a dot display unit that displays decimal points, etc., on a 7-segment display, with the dot display unit being turned off in normal zones and turned on in advantageous zones to indicate the advantageous zone. Furthermore, when the advantageous zone transition lottery is won, an LED built into the interval indicator SEC is immediately lit, but the advantageous zone may be a non-notification zone that does not indicate that the advantageous zone exists until a predetermined number of plays have been played since the start of the advantageous zone, or a non-notification zone that does not indicate that the advantageous zone exists until the first correct batting order notification is made in the advantageous zone.

[0118] The effect control means 180 controls the display effects performed using the display device 330 (an example of an effect device) and the sound effects performed using the sound device 340 (an example of an effect device) based on the effect data stored in the effect data storage area 1926 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b. For example, in response to the occurrence of game events such as the insertion of medals, the operation of the bet button B0, the start lever SL, or the stop buttons B1 to B3, or changes in the game zone, game status, or effect status, the effect control means 180 controls the execution of effects to liven up the game or assist the game according to the progress of the game. The content of the effects executed in the game is determined by referring to an effect lottery table stored in the sub-lottery table storage area 1927 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b, depending on the game status, effect status, the result of the internal lottery, etc. In this embodiment, image data corresponding to the progress of the game, etc. is read from the effect data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into an image buffer 1928 provided in the sub-RAM, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer 1928 is output to the liquid crystal display LCD, and sound data corresponding to the progress of the game, etc. is read from the effect data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into a sound buffer 1929 provided in the sub-RAM, and sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer 1929 is output from the speaker SP.

[0119] In addition, in this embodiment, information on various operations such as inserting a medal, operating the bet button B0, start lever SL, and stop buttons B1 to B3, the results of internal lotteries, the results of various lotteries such as the lottery for transitioning to a favorable zone, the game zone, game status, presentation status, and the values ​​of various counters such as the high probability transition counter 1919, is notified from the main board MAIN to the sub-board SUB, and the presentation control means 180 controls the execution of the presentation based on the information notified from the main board MAIN.

[0120] When the presentation state is the AT state, the presentation control means 180 controls the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a winning assistance presentation that notifies the player of the correct batting order when the batting order bell is won and assists in winning 9 small prizes (small prizes 3 to 6).

[0121] Furthermore, when a game is being played in the AT state, the presentation control means 180 controls the execution of a remaining number display presentation that displays the remaining number of games until the AT state ends on the display device 330 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). In the remaining number display presentation, when the value of the AT game number counter 1921 is subtracted by playing a game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of games also decreases to reflect the subtraction.

[0122] In addition, the presentation control means 180 controls the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a notification presentation (an example of a specific presentation) that notifies the player that a transition to the AT state has been decided when any of the special roles 1 to 11 is won in the initial presentation state (normal section), when the special role 1 is won in the normal presentation state, or when any of the special roles 1 to 11 is won in the latent state (an example of a predetermined game different from a bonus game).

[0123] Furthermore, when the presentation state is the normal presentation state, the presentation control means 180 controls the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a winning assistance presentation that notifies a non-specific batting order when any of the special roles 2 to 11 is won, and assists in the winning of a single small role (small role 15 to small role 23, small role 36, small role 38) that cannot display a specific pattern combination.

[0124] The functional block configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to computer systems (including game systems). In these systems, the functions of the game control means 100 of this embodiment can be realized by downloading a program that causes a computer to function from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD or from a web server on the Internet via a network. In the above computer system, the medal insertion switch 210, bet switch 220, start switch 230, stop switch 240, etc. can be realized by virtually assigning their functions to operating means such as a keyboard, pointing device (such as a mouse), touch panel, or controller. In the above computer system, the reel unit 310, hopper unit HP, etc. are not essential components, and these device units can virtually realize their functions by controlling the images displayed on the display (display device 330).

[0125] 2. Method of this embodiment In this embodiment, the winning modes of the small wins are the batting order bell a group (batting order bell a3 to batting order bell a6), the batting order bell b group (batting order bell b3 to batting order bell b6), the batting order bell c group (batting order bell c3 to batting order bell c6), and the batting order bell d group (batting order bell d3 to batting order bell d6). In the BB formation state, for the batting order bell belonging to any of the batting order bell a group to batting order bell d group, it is possible to win a 9-piece small win by performing a stop operation according to the correct batting order according to the winning mode. In the normal state, it is not possible to win a 9-piece small win for the batting order bell a group and the batting order bell b group, but it is possible to win a 9-piece small win for the batting order bell c group and the batting order bell d group, just like in the BB formation state. In this embodiment, the difference in stop control between the normal state and the BB formation state will be explained using the example of when the batting order bell a3 belonging to the batting order bell a group wins.

[0126] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing winning combinations when the winning pattern of the batting order bell a3 is obtained in the BB formation state.

[0127] As shown in Figure 21, when the winning pattern of batting order bell a3 is obtained in the BB formation state, small prize 3, small prize 16, small prize 17, small prize 24, small prize 27, small prize 28, and big bonus (BB) are won, and when the order of stopping operation is batting order 3 (B2 → B1 → B3), small prize 3, which is a 9-piece small prize, is won.

[0128] In the following, a case where the reels are stopped in the batting order 3 when the batting order bell a3 is won in the BB formation state will be described.

[0129] When the stop button B2 is pressed while the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are spinning, and the detected position of the first stop operation for the second reel R2 is number 6 as shown in Figure 22(A), the stop position of the first reel R1 is determined by payout number priority control since the first stop operation is in line with the correct hitting order.

[0130] Specifically, the patterns that exist within the pull-in range for the push detection position of number 6 on the second reel R2 are as shown in Figure 23, and the highest number of medals will be paid out when the replay pattern "RP" is displayed on the active line.

[0131] Therefore, as shown in Figure 22(B), the second reel R2 is stopped so that the replay symbol "RP" of No. 5 is displayed on the pay line. Then, as shown in Figure 22(C), when the second reel R2 stops, the winning combinations that can be won among the small combinations included in the batting order bell a3 are small combination 3, small combination 24, and small combination 27.

[0132] Next, when the stop button B1 is pressed while the second reel R2 is stopped and the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 are spinning, and the press detection position of the second stop operation for the first reel R1 is number 7 as shown in Figure 24(A), the symbols present within the pull-in range for this press detection position are as shown in Figure 25, and the symbols that can display the symbol combination that shows the winning form of the winning combination that can be won are the BAR symbol a "BARa" and the bell symbol a "BLa". Here, the BAR symbol a "BLa" can win a 1-coin small combination, and the bell symbol a "BLa" can win a 9-coin small combination, so the payout number priority control prioritizes the winning of the 9-coin small combination, and the first reel R1 is stopped so that the bell symbol a "BLa" of number 6 is displayed on the pay line as shown in Figure 24(B). Then, as shown in FIG. 24(C), when the first reel R1 stops, among the small winning combinations included in the batting order bell a3, only the small winning combination 3 can be won.

[0133] Finally, when the rotating third reel R3 is stopped, the replay symbol "RP" is positioned on the third reel R3 so that it can be displayed on the pay line regardless of the press detection position, so that the small win 3 is always won. For example, if the press detection position on the third reel R3 is number 8, as shown in Figure 24(D), the third reel R3 stops at a position where the replay symbol "RP" of number 4 is displayed on the pay line, and the small win 3 is won.

[0134] FIG. 26 shows the winning combination when the winning pattern of the batting order bell a3 is obtained in the normal state.

[0135] As shown in Figure 26, when the winning mode of the batting order bell a3 is obtained in the normal state, the small prize 3, small prize 16, small prize 17, small prize 24, small prize 27, and small prize 28 are won, and even if the order of the stopping operation is batting order 3 (B2 → B1 → B3), the winning of the small prize 3, which is a 9-piece small prize, is avoided. In addition, even if the order of the stopping operation is other than batting order 3, the winning of the 9-piece small prize is avoided.

[0136] Below, we will explain the case where, in the normal state, when the batting order bell a3 is won, each reel is stopped in batting order 3.

[0137] When the stop button B2 is pressed while the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are spinning, and the detected position of the first stop operation for the second reel R2 is number 6 as shown in Figure 22(A), the stop position of the first reel R1 is determined by number priority control since the first stop operation is not the correct hitting order.

[0138] Specifically, the symbols present within the reel-in range for the push detection position of number 6 on the second reel R2 are as shown in Figure 27, and the largest number of symbol combinations indicating the winning form of a winning role that can be displayed on an active line occurs when the replay symbol "RP" is displayed on an active line.

[0139] Therefore, as shown in Figure 22(B), the second reel R2 is stopped so that the replay symbol "RP" of No. 5 is displayed on the pay line. Then, as shown in Figure 22(C), when the second reel R2 stops, the winning combinations that can be won among the small combinations included in the batting order bell a3 are small combination 3, small combination 24, and small combination 27.

[0140] In this embodiment, when the first stop operation is to stop the second reel R2 when the batting order bell a3 is won, the second reel R2 stops in the same manner in both payout number priority control and number priority control. This is because even if the first stop operation is in line with the correct batting order in each batting order bell, the second stop operation may result in an incorrect batting order, and the stop position is determined so that the symbols common to the 9-piece small combination and the 1-piece small combination are drawn onto the active line.

[0141] Next, when the stop button B1 is pressed while the second reel R2 is stopped and the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 are spinning, and the press detection position of the second stop operation for the first reel R1 is number 7 as shown in Figure 28(A), the patterns that exist within the pull-in range for this press detection position are as shown in Figure 25, and the patterns that can display the pattern combination that indicates the winning form of the winning combination that can be won are the BAR pattern a "BARa" and the bell pattern a "BLa". Here, the number of symbol combinations that indicate the winning form of the BAR symbol a "BLa" that can be displayed on the active line is two, and the number of symbol combinations that indicate the winning form of the BAR symbol a "BLa" that can be displayed on the active line is one, so the display of the BAR symbol a "BARa" is prioritized by the number priority control, and the first reel R1 is stopped so that the number 7 BAR symbol a "BARa" is displayed on the active line, as shown in Figure 28(B). Then, as shown in Figure 28(C), when the first reel R1 stops, of the small symbols included in the batting order bell a3, the only winning symbol that can be won is small symbol 24.

[0142] Finally, when stopping the third reel R3 during rotation, if the third stop operation is performed at a push detection position on the third reel R3 that includes the No. 2 watermelon symbol "WM" or the No. 7 red 7 symbol "red 7b" within its pull-in range, the small win 24 will be awarded. For example, as shown in FIG. 28(D), if the push detection position on the third reel R3 is No. 8, the third reel R3 will stop at a position that displays the No. 7 red 7 symbol "red 7b" on the pay line, as shown in FIG. 28(E), and the small win 24 will be awarded. Note that if the push detection position of the third stop operation on the third reel R3 does not include either the No. 2 watermelon symbol "WM" or the No. 7 red 7 symbol "red 7b" within its pull-in range, the third reel R3 will stop in a manner that does not award any winning combination.

[0143] In this embodiment, if the stop operation is performed according to batting order 3 in the BB formation state, a 9-coin minor combination can be won, but even if the stop operation is performed according to batting order 3 in the normal state, the winning of the 9-coin minor combination is avoided, and a 1-coin minor combination is won, or a combination is missed. In this embodiment, even if any batting order bell is won, there is a possibility that the correct batting order will fall to an incorrect batting order at the time of the first stop operation, so the stop control is switched according to the game state at the time of the second stop operation.

[0144] FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for switching stop control during the second stop operation.

[0145] First, when the batting order bell is won, stop data for the correct batting order and stop data for the incorrect batting order are set as reference data (step S100). The stop data for the correct batting order is stop data for preferentially displaying the symbols that make up the winning form of a 9-piece minor combination on the active line, and the stop data for the incorrect batting order is stop data for preferentially displaying the symbols that make up the winning form of a 1-piece minor combination on the active line.

[0146] If it is not the first stop operation (N in step S101) or the third stop operation (N in step S102), it is checked whether the winning batting order bell belongs to either batting order bell group c or batting order bell group d (step S103).

[0147] If the winning batting order bell belongs to the batting order bell group c or the batting order bell group d (Y in step S103), the process of step S104 for determining the game state is skipped and the process proceeds to step S105 and subsequent steps.

[0148] If the winning batting order bell belongs to either group a or group b (N in step S103), a check is made to see if the game status is normal (step S104), and if the game status is normal (Y in step S104), the referenced stop data is updated to stop data for an incorrect batting order (step S107).

[0149] On the other hand, if the game state is a BB formation state (N in step S104), it is checked whether the second stop operation is in accordance with the correct batting order (step S105), and if it is in accordance with the correct batting order (N in step S105), the stop data to be referenced is updated to stop data for the correct batting order (step S106), and if it is not in accordance with the correct batting order (Y in step S105), the stop data to be referenced is updated to stop data for the incorrect batting order (step S106).

[0150] In this embodiment, in a game in which the batting order bell is won, the type of batting order bell that has been won is determined at the time of the second stop operation, and if it is determined that it belongs to the batting order bell group a or batting order bell group b, the current game state is determined and the processing is branched to switch the stop control.

[0151] According to the present embodiment described above, for batting order bells belonging to batting order bell group a and batting order bell group b, it is not possible to win a 9-coin small prize in the normal state, but it is possible to win a 9-coin small prize in the BB state, and for batting order bells belonging to batting order bell group c and batting order bell group d, it is possible to win a 9-coin small prize in both the normal state and the BB state, so it is possible to suitably adjust the medal acquisition performance in each game state.

[0152] FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram comparing medal acquisition performance (here, expected value of ball payout rate) in each game state in this embodiment.

[0153] As shown in FIG. 30, in the normal state, the batting orders 1 and 2 < the batting orders 3 to 6, and even in the BB establishment state, the batting orders 1 and 2 < the batting orders 3 to 6. That is, in the normal state and the BB establishment state, the gaming method of stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first is more advantageous in terms of the expected value of the medal payout rate than the gaming method of stopping the first reel R1 first. Regarding the BB state, there is no bias in the expected value of the medal payout rate due to the order of the stop operations.

[0154] Also, as shown in FIG. 30, when comparing the differences in the expected values of the medal payout rates between the gaming states, regarding the batting orders 3 to 6, the normal state < the BB state < the BB establishment state. In the gaming method of stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first, it can be seen that in the BB state, the expected value of the medal payout rate is higher than that in the normal state, and further, in the BB establishment state, the expected value of the medal payout rate is higher than that in the BB state.

[0155] In a specification where the medal acquisition performance of the batting orders 3 to 6 (the gaming method of stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first) is higher than that of the batting orders 1 and 2 (the gaming method of stopping the first reel R1 first) as in this embodiment, it is necessary to design the expected value of the medal payout rate at a high level in the batting orders 3 to 6 so as not to fall below the lower limit of the range of the medal payout rate defined by the rules.

[0156] And in this embodiment, by designing the expected value of the medal payout rate in the BB state to be low, even if the expected value of the medal payout rate in the BB establishment state is increased, it does not exceed the upper limit of the range of the medal payout rate defined by the rules, and the degree of design freedom can be secured by the amount by which the expected value of the medal payout rate in the BB state is lowered. Regarding the BB state, since it is required that the medal acquisition performance in the BB state exceeds the medal acquisition performance in the normal state, in order to lower the expected value of the medal payout rate in the BB state, it is necessary to design the expected value of the medal payout rate in the normal state to be low.

[0157] However, a comparison of medal acquisition performance between the normal state and the BB state involves a comparison with the playing method with the highest expected ball payout rate in the normal state, and therefore a comparison is made between batting orders 3 to 6, which have the highest expected ball payout rate, which makes it difficult to design medal acquisition performance in the BB state to be low.

[0158] Therefore, in order to lower the medal acquisition performance in the normal state, which is an index for designing the medal acquisition performance in the BB state, the control rules for stop control when the BB is established and when the batting order bell is won are made different in the normal state, thereby limiting the winning of small roles with high payouts, thereby achieving the desired effect. However, in specifications such as this embodiment in which a playing method that stops the first reel R1 first when playing in a normal performance state in an advantageous zone is recommended, it may be necessary to maintain the magnitude relationship of the expected value of the payout rate for each of the stopping operation orders in the normal state and the BB state in order to treat a playing method that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first as unfavorable.

[0159] For this reason, in this embodiment, batting order bell groups a and b are provided as batting order bell groups with different control rules in the normal state and the BB state, and batting order bell groups c and d are provided as batting order bell groups with the same control rules in the normal state and the BB state.By making it impossible for batting order bell groups a and b to win a 9-coin minor combination in the normal state, the expected value of the ball payout rate in the normal state is lowered while maintaining the relationship between the expected value of the ball payout rate between the order of stop operations, and as a result, the effect of ensuring the extent of reduction in the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state can be achieved.

[0160] In this embodiment, the gaming method in which reels other than the first reel R1 are stopped first is explained using the example of a case in which the expected value of the payout rate is designed to be the same, but as long as the difference is only slight, it does not have to be completely the same.

[0161] In addition, in this embodiment, when providing a batting order bell group in which the control rules for stop control differ between the BB formation state and the normal state, and a batting order bell group in which the control rules for stop control are the same between the normal state and the BB formation state, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell a3 and batting order bell c4, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell a4 and batting order bell c3, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell a5 and batting order bell c6, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell a6 and batting order bell c5, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell b3 and batting order bell d4, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell b4 and batting order bell d3, the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell b5 and batting order bell d6, and the combinations of one small role are made the same for batting order bell b6 and batting order bell d5. That is, in the batting order bell group a and the batting order bell group c, the combination of one small win with overlapping small win 3 and the combination of one small win with overlapping small win 4 are interchanged, and the combination of one small win with overlapping small win 5 and the combination of one small win with overlapping small win 6 are interchanged. In the batting order bell group b and the batting order bell group d, the combination of one small win is interchanged in a similar manner. In this way, according to this embodiment, by devising a way to interchange the combination of nine small wins and overlapping one small wins, it is possible to increase the types of batting order bells without increasing the types of one small wins.

[0162] In addition, in this embodiment, there are four types (small symbols 3 to 6) of correct small symbols included in the batting order bell (small symbols that can be won in the correct batting order: in this embodiment, 9 small symbols) and in each batting order bell, small symbols 3 to 6 do not win in duplicate, and in the BB state, small symbols 3 to 6 can win in duplicate in JAC1. This reduces the chances of winning a correct small symbol in the BB state compared to the BB state, thereby lowering the expected value of the payout rate in the BB state.

[0163] Furthermore, when adopting a method for lowering the expected value of the payout rate in the BB state as in this embodiment, the effect of lowering the expected value of the payout rate can be further achieved by increasing the number of correct minor winning combinations that can be won without overlapping in the normal state or the BB state.

[0164] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 31, eight types of correct small roles (correct small role 1 to correct small role 8) are provided, and correct small role 1 and correct small role 5 are set as correct small roles exclusively for batting order 3, correct small role 2 and correct small role 6 are set as correct small roles exclusively for batting order 4, correct small role 3 and correct small role 7 are set as correct small roles exclusively for batting order 5, and correct small role 4 and correct small role 8 are set as correct small roles exclusively for batting order 6. Correct small roles 1 to 4 are used to form batting order bell group a and batting order bell group b, and correct small role 5 to correct small role 8 are used to form batting order bell group c and batting order bell group d. In this way, the number of correct small roles increases compared to the case of the present embodiment described above, which significantly reduces the chances of winning a correct small role in the BB state, and as a result, the expected value of the payout rate in the BB state can be significantly reduced.

[0165] In addition, in this embodiment, there is no batting order bell that awards the correct minor winning combination with batting order 1 or batting order 2, which is the order of the stopping operation that stops the first reel R1 first, as the correct batting order, but it is also possible to configure it so that there is a batting order bell in which the correct batting order is set for batting order 1 and batting order 2, and in that case, a group of batting order bells in which it is not possible to award the correct minor winning combination under normal conditions can include a batting order bell that sets batting order 1 as the correct batting order and a batting order bell that sets batting order 2 as the correct batting order.

[0166] For example, in the example shown in Figure 32, six types of correct answer minor roles (correct answer minor role 1 to correct answer minor role 6) are provided, with correct answer minor role 1 set as the correct answer minor role exclusively for batting order 1, correct answer minor role 2 set as the correct answer minor role exclusively for batting order 2, correct answer minor role 3 set as the correct answer minor role exclusively for batting order 3, correct answer minor role 4 set as the correct answer minor role exclusively for batting order 4, correct answer minor role 5 set as the correct answer minor role exclusively for batting order 5, and correct answer minor role 6 set as the correct answer minor role exclusively for batting order 6. Correct answer minor role 1 to correct answer minor role 6 are used to form batting order bell group a and batting order bell group b, and correct answer minor role 3 to correct answer minor role 6 are used to form batting order bell group c and batting order bell group d. In this way, even if it becomes impossible to win the correct small winning combination in the normal state for the batting order bell group a and the batting order bell group b, the effect of lowering the expected value of the ball payout rate can be achieved without bias in the order of the stopping operations, so that the effect of lowering the expected value of the ball payout rate in the normal state can be achieved while maintaining the relationship between the magnitude of the expected value of the ball payout rate for each of the orders of the stopping operations in the normal state and the BB formation state.

[0167] Furthermore, by using a different correct minor role for batting order bell group c and batting order bell group d than for batting order bell group a and batting order bell group b, it is possible to increase the variety of correct minor roles and ensure a reduction in the expected value of the ball payout rate in BB state.For example, as shown in Figure 33, the correct minor roles that make up batting order bell group c and batting order bell group d can be correct minor role 7 exclusive to batting order 3, correct minor role 8 exclusive to batting order 4, correct minor role 9 exclusive to batting order 5, and correct minor role 10 exclusive to batting order 6.

[0168] In this embodiment, small win 1 and small win 2 are provided as 9-coin small wins that do not constitute the batting order bell, and these constitute the common bell a and common bell b. When the common bell is won, the 9-coin small win is won regardless of the order of the stop operations in the BB formation state, whereas in the normal state, the control law of the stop control is switched so that the 1-coin small win is won regardless of the order of the stop operations. That is, according to this embodiment, the control law of the stop control is also switched according to the game state for the common bell a and common bell b, which has the effect of lowering the expected value of the ball payout rate in the normal state. At that time, the expected value of the ball payout rate is lowered without bias in the order of the stop operations, so that the effect of lowering the expected value of the ball payout rate in the normal state can be obtained while maintaining the magnitude relationship of the expected value of the ball payout rate in each of the stop operation orders in the normal state and the BB formation state.

[0169] In addition, in this embodiment, if only the batting order bell group a to the batting order bell group b are used, there is a risk that the expected value of the payout rate for games that are not in the AT state (hereinafter referred to as non-AT games) will fall below the lower limit of the range of payout rates set by the rules.Therefore, the presence of common bell a and common bell b, which can win 9 small prizes regardless of the order of stopping operations in the BB formation state, can raise the expected value of the payout rate for games that are not in the AT state.

[0170] In addition, in this embodiment, when the batting order bell is drawn, it is determined that the batting order is correct at the time of the second stopping operation, but it may also be determined whether the batting order is correct or not at the time of the first stopping operation.

[0171] In addition, in this embodiment, with respect to the batting order bell group a to the batting order bell group d, if the first stop operation stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 and is different from the correct batting order, the stop control is configured so that one small prize may not be awarded. This is because, in designing a high pure increase specification, the correct batting order is biased toward batting order 3 to batting order 6, which stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first, so that the increase in the payout rate of non-AT games in these operation orders is suppressed. In particular, in this embodiment, even if the stop operation is performed according to batting order 3 to batting order 6 when the batting order bell is won in the normal performance state, there is no penalty for the next game or later. Therefore, if the payout rate of non-AT games between batting order 1, 2 and batting order 3 to batting order 6 is large, it becomes difficult to eliminate the strategy element that it is better to play in batting order 3 to batting order 6, even if you consider that you cannot enter the AT lottery. Therefore, when the first stopping operation stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 and is different from the correct batting order, the winning rate of a single small winning combination can be reduced to 1 / 4, and the increase in the payout rate of non-AT games from batting order 3 to batting order 6 can be suppressed.

[0172] In addition, in this embodiment, when the batting order bell is won, if the stop operation is performed in accordance with the correct batting order, the 9-coin small win can always be won. However, even if the stop operation is performed in accordance with the correct batting order, the 9-coin small win may not be won unless the stop operation is performed at a specific press detection position on any of the reels. In this case, the stop operation required to be performed at a specific press detection position may be at least one of the first stop operation, the second stop operation, and the third stop operation. The stop operation required at a specific press detection position may depend on the order of the stop operations, such as only the first stop operation, or the stop operation at a specific press detection position may be required only for a specific reel among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 (the specific reel may be one or two or more). In other words, in this application, the fact that the correct small win can be won in a specific operation order means that the correct small win can always be won in a specific operation order, or that even in a specific operation order, there may be cases where the correct small win is won and cases where the correct small win is not won. In this application, the specific operation mode includes an operation mode in which the order of the stop operation is specified but the press detection position is not specified, and an operation mode in which both the order of the stop operation and the press detection position are specified.

[0173] Furthermore, when a lottery for transitioning to a favorable zone is conducted in the normal zone, the lottery result may be set to always result in a win in the favorable zone and transition to the favorable zone. In this embodiment, a lottery for transitioning to a favorable zone is conducted when a winning pattern other than normal replay b is obtained during play in a BB state in the normal zone. Therefore, by configuring the game to always transition to the favorable zone except when a winning pattern of normal replay b is obtained, the duration of stay in the normal zone can be reduced. In this embodiment, when a BB state is established, stopping the first reel R1 first is more advantageous than stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first. Therefore, since the process for transitioning to the favorable zone in the normal zone is executed in accordance with the results of an internal lottery, and the degree of advantage does not change regardless of which reel is stopped first, a strategy element arises in which a game method of stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first becomes advantageous if the game remains in the normal zone for a long period of time. Furthermore, because the player can determine whether or not he or she is in a favorable zone by the favorable zone notification, it becomes easy for the player to switch game methods by checking whether or not the favorable zone notification is present. Therefore, by extremely increasing the probability of transitioning to a favorable zone, it is possible to minimize situations in which it is advantageous to stop the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first. In particular, the method for increasing the favorable zone transition rate described above is suitable for game specifications designed to ensure that the sum of the number of medals paid out in the BB state and the number of medals paid out due to the correct batting order notification in assist time play, divided by the total number of medals paid out (the so-called instruction-inclusive role ratio), does not exceed 70%, instead of implementing a setting difference in the processing associated with the provision of operation instruction information during the favorable zone. This embodiment also employs a similar game specification.

[0174] In addition, in this embodiment, when the player is in a favorable zone in the BB formation state, a ceiling function is installed so that the player will always transition to the AT state once before the end of the favorable zone. This prevents the favorable zone from ending without transitioning to the AT state during a series of favorable zones, and without the player being notified of the correct batting order to win a 9-coin minor role. In this embodiment, the value of the ceiling counter is updated when the player is in the normal performance state in the favorable zone, and is updated by a fixed value each time a game is played. The update is permitted only when the batting order bell is won, provided that a 1-coin minor role is won. However, the value may be updated based on the result of an internal lottery, or based on the game result, such as the winning of a role. Furthermore, with regard to updating the value of the ceiling counter, it is preferable to allow the value of the ceiling counter to approach a predetermined value when the stopping operation is performed in an operating sequence that stops the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2), and not allow the value of the ceiling counter to approach a predetermined value when the stopping operation is performed in an operating sequence that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first (batting order 3 to 6). The reason for providing a specification that transitions to the AT state at least once during a series of advantageous periods is to reduce as much as possible the possibility of falling below the lower limit of the range of ball payout rates in the so-called new mid-term test (1600G), since the number of games that constitutes the end condition of the advantageous period is 1500 times. In particular, in this embodiment, the medal acquisition performance in the operation sequence in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first (batting order 3 to batting order 6) is higher than the medal acquisition performance in the operation sequence in which the first reel R1 stops first (batting order 1, 2), and since it is difficult to acquire medals in the operation sequence in which the first reel R1 stops first (batting order 1, 2), if the advantageous period of 1500G is consumed without transitioning to the AT state even once, there is a possibility that the payout rate will be too low. For this reason, it is preferable to provide a ceiling function and allow the update of the ceiling counter value required to activate the ceiling function for the operation sequence in which the first reel R1 stops first (batting order 1, 2).

[0175] In addition, in this embodiment, common bell a and common bell b are provided as winning modes in which two or more medals are paid out when the stopping operation is performed in the operating sequence (batting order 1, 2) in which the first reel R1 is stopped first when the BB is formed, and the probability of obtaining either of these winning modes is at least 1 / 400.

[0176] In this embodiment, when a batting order bell belonging to any of batting order bell groups a to d is won in the BB formation state, if the first reel R1 is stopped first (batting order 1, 2) and the operation sequence is performed, one small prize will always be won. However, the lower limit of the payout rate range in the so-called short-time test is "more than 1 / 3" of the number of medals paid out compared to the number of medals inserted, and a payout rate of 33.33333...% does not meet the short-time test. For this reason, in a gaming method in which the first reel R1 is stopped first (batting order 1, 2), it is necessary to provide a winning mode in which two or more medals are paid out at an appropriate frequency.

[0177] Therefore, in this embodiment, winning modes of common bell a and common bell b are prepared, and when the stopping operation is performed in the operation sequence (hitting order 1, 2) in which the first reel R1 is stopped first, two or more medals are always paid out. In this embodiment, the winning probability of common bell a and common bell b is about 1 / 64 each (combined probability about 1 / 32), and since it is almost certain that any of the common bells will be obtained at least once during the 400G of the short-term test, a design that can be expected to be suitable for the short-term test is possible.

[0178] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in a game in which the lottery for shifting to an advantageous zone is won (a win in the advantageous zone) when the game is in the normal zone, a method is adopted in which the notification of an advantageous zone is started before the stop operation for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is validated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 34(A), the LED built into the zone indicator SEC is lit up in response to the win in the lottery for shifting to an advantageous zone (a win in the advantageous zone). That is, in this embodiment, in a game in which the lottery for shifting to an advantageous zone is won (a win in the advantageous zone) when the game is in the normal zone, the LED built into the zone indicator SEC is lit up immediately in response to the game start operation on the start lever SL.

[0179] Furthermore, when the advantageous zone is to end, as shown in Figure 34(B), after the third stop operation is performed in a game in which the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are met, the advantageous zone notification is terminated by turning off the LED built into the zone indicator SEC.

[0180] FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a normal section, including processing for turning on the section indicator SEC.

[0181] First, in the normal zone, when the start lever SL is operated to start the game (Y in step S200), an internal lottery is held (step S201), and if a predetermined lottery result such as a special role or a batting order bell is obtained in the internal lottery, a lottery for transitioning to an advantageous zone is held (step S202), and if the lottery for transitioning to an advantageous zone is won (advantageous zone win) (step S203), the LED built into the zone indicator SEC is lit up (step S204).

[0182] Then, when the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are rotating steadily (step S205), a stop operation for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is enabled (step S206), and when a stop operation is performed for the stop buttons B1 to B3 (Y in step S207), the reel corresponding to the operated stop button is stopped (step S208), and when all the reels have stopped (Y in step S209), a winning determination process is performed (step S210). Then, it is determined whether or not the advantageous zone transition lottery has been won (advantageous zone win) (step S211), and if the advantageous zone transition lottery has been won (advantageous zone win) (Y in step S211), advantageous zone transition process (step S212) and performance state transition process (step S213) are performed.

[0183] In the advantageous zone transition process of step S212, the game zone is transitioned from the normal zone to the advantageous zone, a mode determination lottery is held, the value of the first clear counter 1922 is set to a predetermined value "1", and the value of the second clear counter 1923 is set to the initial value "0".

[0184] In the presentation state transition process of step S213, if any special role is won in the internal lottery, the presentation state is transitioned from the initial presentation state to the AT state, a value according to the type of special role is added to the AT stock number counter 1920, a value "1" corresponding to one set is subtracted from the AT stock number counter 1920, and a value "30" corresponding to 30 times, which is the number of plays that is the condition for ending the AT state, is set in the AT game number counter 1921, and if a winning pattern other than the special role is obtained in the internal lottery, the presentation state is transitioned from the initial presentation state to the normal presentation state.

[0185] In this embodiment, in a game in which the player wins the lottery to transition to the advantageous zone (wins the advantageous zone) when the game is in the normal zone, the advantageous zone notification begins before the stop operation for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is activated, allowing the player to understand the transition to the advantageous zone as early as possible, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0186] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, in the normal zone, stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first does not incur a penalty that is disadvantageous to the player (for example, lowering the probability of winning the advantageous zone transition lottery or not executing the advantageous zone transition lottery), and the degree of advantage regarding the transition to the advantageous zone is constant regardless of which reel is stopped first, so a strategy element arises in which a playing method that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first becomes advantageous. On the other hand, in the advantageous zone, stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first in the normal presentation state can incur a penalty that the AT lottery is not performed, so in the normal presentation state, a playing method that stops the first reel R1 first is recommended, and the player can switch playing methods by checking whether or not an advantageous zone notification is present. Therefore, in this embodiment, by starting the notification of the advantageous zone before the stop operation for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is activated, it becomes possible to prevent as much as possible the game being played using a game method that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3, which are advantageous to the player, first in a game in which the player wins the advantageous zone transition lottery (wins the advantageous zone) when the game is in the normal zone.

[0187] In this embodiment, if any special role is won in the internal lottery in the normal section (initial presentation state), the advantageous section transition lottery is always won, thereby deciding to transition to the advantageous section and transitioning the presentation state to the AT state. In the advantageous section, if special role 1 is won in the internal lottery in the normal presentation state or if any special role is won in the internal lottery in the latent state, a notification effect is executed to notify that a transition to the AT state has been decided, and the presentation state is transitioned to the AT state. Therefore, even if any special role is won in the internal lottery in the normal section (initial presentation state), the notification effect is executed. In this embodiment, non-specific batting order notification and winning assistance effect related to the special role are not executed in the normal section, so if the notification effect is not executed when a special role is won, a situation may occur in which a transition to the AT state is not notified even though a specific symbol combination is displayed, which may cause the player to feel uncomfortable due to the relationship between the reel stop mode and the effect. However, in this embodiment, the notification effect is executed even in the normal section, so the notification effect is executed regardless of whether or not the player is in the advantageous section, allowing the player to play without feeling uncomfortable.

[0188] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if special role 1 is won in the internal lottery when in an advantageous zone and in the normal presentation state, the AT lottery will be won without fail, and the presentation state will transition to the AT state; and if special role 1 is won in the internal lottery in the normal zone (initial presentation state), the presentation state will also transition to the AT state. Therefore, when special role 1 is won, the privilege of transitioning to the AT state can be given regardless of whether the zone is advantageous or normal, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game.

[0189] The timing for starting the advantageous zone notification may be any time between winning the advantageous zone in a game in which the player wins the advantageous zone transition lottery (winning the advantageous zone) in the normal zone and enabling the stop operation, for example, it may be the timing when each reel starts to spin, when each reel starts to spin steadily, or when the stop operation is enabled. In other words, the advantageous zone notification may be started before each reel starts to spin or before each reel starts to spin steadily.

[0190] In addition, the timing at which the advantageous zone notification begins may be variable each time the advantageous zone begins, in which case the advantageous zone notification may begin after a stop operation is activated (for example, when any stop operation is performed or when all reels have stopped).

[0191] Furthermore, the timing to end the advantageous zone notification may be any time after a game start operation is performed on the start lever SL in a game in which the advantageous zone end condition is met, and may be, for example, the timing when a game start operation, a first stop operation, a second stop operation, or a third stop operation is performed on the start lever SL (pressing any stop button, releasing any stop button from being pressed), the timing when each reel starts to spin, the timing when each reel has started to spin steadily, the timing when a stop operation is validated, the timing when a win determination is made, etc. In other words, the advantageous zone notification may be ended after a game start operation, a first stop operation, a second stop operation, or a third stop operation is performed on the start lever SL, after each reel has started to spin steadily, after each reel has started to spin steadily, after a stop operation is validated, or after a win determination is made.

[0192] In addition, in this embodiment, when the game is in the normal zone, the advantageous zone may be started from a game that wins the advantageous zone transition lottery (winning the advantageous zone), and in that case, notification of the advantageous zone may be started as part of the advantageous zone transition processing.

[0193] For example, as shown in Figure 36, in the normal zone, when a game start operation is performed on the start lever SL (Y in step S300), an internal lottery is performed (step S301), and if a predetermined lottery result such as a special role or a batting order bell is obtained in the internal lottery, a lottery for transition to an advantageous zone is performed (step S302), and if the lottery for transition to an advantageous zone is won (advantageous zone win) (step S303), advantageous zone transition processing (step S304) and presentation state transition processing (step S305) are performed.

[0194] In the advantageous zone transition process of step S304, the game zone is transitioned from the normal zone to the advantageous zone, a mode determination lottery is held, the value of the first clear counter 1922 is set to a predetermined value "1", the value of the second clear counter 1923 is set to the initial value "0", and further the LED built into the zone indicator SEC is turned on.

[0195] In the rendering state transition process of step S305, the same process as the rendering state transition process of step S211 in Fig. 35 is performed. In addition, in steps S306 to S311, the same processes as steps S205 to S210 in Fig. 35 are performed.

[0196] In this modified example, in a game in which the player wins the lottery for shifting to the advantageous zone (winning the advantageous zone), the advantageous zone is started from the game in which the player won the advantageous zone by performing the advantageous zone shift process (before the stop operation for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is activated) in response to the winning of the advantageous zone. For this reason, in a game in which the player won the advantageous zone, an AT lottery may be held, or a correct batting order notification and a winning assistance effect may be executed in relation to the batting order bell.

[0197] In addition, in this embodiment, when the special role 1 is won in the internal lottery in the normal performance state, a non-specific batting order notification that notifies a non-specific batting order and a winning assistance effect may be executed. In this example, if the AT lottery is won when the special role 1 is won, the same control as when the AT lottery is won when the special roles 2 to 11 are won is performed, and the performance state can be transitioned to the AT state via the latent state. Also, in this example, the winning probability can be set to less than 100% in the AT lottery that is performed when the special role 1 is won in the internal lottery in the normal performance state.

[0198] In addition, in this embodiment, in the AT lottery that is held when any of special roles 2 to 11 is won in the internal lottery during normal presentation, it may be configured so that the AT is always won in both low probability mode and high probability mode.

[0199] In addition, in this embodiment, if any special role is won in the internal lottery in the AT state, a non-specific batting order notification and a winning assistance effect may be executed to notify a non-specific batting order, or a specific batting order notification and a winning assistance effect may be executed to notify a specific batting order and assist in the winning of a one-piece small role (small role 8 to small role 13) that can display a specific symbol combination. When a non-specific batting order notification is executed, it is possible to prevent the player from knowing that the number of sets in the AT state has been increased, and when a specific batting order notification is executed, it is possible to notify the player of the increase in the number of sets in the AT state.

[0200] In this embodiment, if any special role is won in the internal lottery during the normal period (initial performance state), a specific batting order notification and a prize-winning assist effect may be executed, since a single minor role will be awarded regardless of the pressing order when the special role is won. In this case, even if any special role is won in the internal lottery during the latent state, a specific batting order notification and a prize-winning assist effect may be executed. Furthermore, in this example, the prize-winning assist effect may notify the player of the red 7 symbol (red 7 symbol A "red 7a" or red 7 symbol B "red 7b"). Furthermore, in this example, in the advantageous period, if any special role is won in the internal lottery during the latent state, a specific batting order notification and a prize-winning assist effect are executed, but in the normal period, only a prize-winning assist effect that notifies the player of the specific batting order may be executed when a special role is won.

[0201] In addition, in this embodiment, when any special role is won in the internal lottery in the normal section (initial performance state), a non-specific batting order notification that notifies a non-specific batting order and a winning assistance effect are executed, and the performance state is transitioned to a latent state as the advantageous section is transitioned to, and the performance state may be transitioned to the AT state via the latent state. In this example, when any special role is won in the internal lottery in the normal section (initial performance state), a notification effect that notifies a transition to the AT state is not executed, and when a special role is won in the latent state, a notification effect can be executed. Also in this example, in the normal section, when a special role is won, a non-specific batting order notification may not be executed, and only a winning assistance effect that notifies a non-specific batting order may be executed.

[0202] In addition, in this embodiment, when transitioning from the normal presentation state to the latent state, the value of the ceiling counter 1924 is carried over and the value of the ceiling counter 1924 continues to be updated even in the latent state, and when the value of the ceiling counter 1924 reaches the initial value "0" in the latent state, the value "1" corresponding to one set may be added to the AT stock number counter 1920.

[0203] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the order of stop operations that may result in a 9-coin minor win when the batting order bell is won is biased toward stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first (batting order 3 to batting order 6), it is preferable to prevent the batting order bell winning information from being notified to the sub-board, at least during non-AT play. In situations where the player is in a favorable zone and operation instruction information is provided to the player, the batting order bell winning information may be notified to the sub-board, or the batting order bell winning information may not be notified to the sub-board at all, regardless of whether the game is non-AT or AT play. Even if the batting order bell winning information is not notified to the sub-board, if operation instruction information corresponding to the correct batting order is notified to the sub-board when the main board notifies the correct batting order, the winning assistance effect can be executed on the sub-board. Therefore, it is possible to play the assist time game smoothly without notifying the batting order bell winning information itself. In this way, by preventing the notification of winning information on the batting order bell to the sub-board at least for non-AT play, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts such as modifying the sub-board to fraudulently grasp winning information on the batting order bell during non-AT play and thereby reduce the consumption of medals during non-AT play.

[0204] Similarly, in a situation where the player is provided with operation instruction information related to special roles in an advantageous zone, the winning information of the special roles may be notified to the sub-board, or the winning information of the special roles may not be notified to the sub-board at all, regardless of whether the game is non-AT or AT. Also, even if the winning information of the special roles is not notified to the sub-board, when the main board notifies the non-specific batting order, the winning assistance effect can be executed on the sub-board by notifying the sub-board of operation instruction information corresponding to the non-specific batting order determined by lottery from the four non-specific batting orders, batting orders 3 to 6. When the main board notifies the correct batting order or a non-specific batting order, the sub-board may be notified of the type of winning assist effect instead of the operation instruction information.For example, the winning assist effect that notifies batting order 3 as the correct batting order, the winning assist effect that notifies batting order 4 as the correct batting order, the winning assist effect that notifies batting order 5 as the correct batting order, and the winning assist effect that notifies batting order 6 as the correct batting order may be designated as effect numbers 1 to 4, respectively, and when the main board notifies the correct batting order, the sub-board may be notified of the effect number of the winning assist effect that corresponds to the correct batting order related to the operation instruction information. Similarly, with regard to the winning assist effects for special roles, the winning assist effect that notifies batting order 3 as a non-specific batting order, the winning assist effect that notifies batting order 4 as a non-specific batting order, the winning assist effect that notifies batting order 5 as a non-specific batting order, and the winning assist effect that notifies batting order 6 as a non-specific batting order may be designated as effect numbers 5 to 8, respectively, and when the non-specific batting order is notified on the main board side, the effect number of the winning assist effect that corresponds to the non-specific batting order related to the operation instruction information may be notified to the sub-board side. In this way, the winning assist effects can be executed on the sub-board side.

[0205] In addition, in specifications where the winning information for the batting order bell or special role is not notified to the sub-board, the winning information for the batting order bell or special role (the result of the internal lottery) is not notified to the sub-board until all the reels have stopped, but it is also possible to notify the winning information for the batting order bell or special role (the result of the internal lottery) to the sub-board after all the reels have stopped (for example, after a winning decision has been made).

[0206] Also, in specifications where the batting order bell or winning information for special roles is not notified to the sub-board, an effect number may be set for the notification effect that notifies that a transition to the AT state has been decided, and in a situation where the notification effect is being performed on the sub-board, the effect number of the notification effect may be notified to the sub-board when an internal lottery is performed. In this way, based on the notification of the effect number of the notification effect, the notification effect can be executed at the timing when the game start operation is performed on the start lever SL, or based on the notification of winning information for special roles, the notification effect can be executed after all the reels have stopped.

[0207] In addition, in this embodiment, for the AT lottery in a game in which the batting order bell is won, if a 9-coin small role is won or if no role is won, the AT lottery may be held with a lower probability of winning than if a 1-coin small role is won, as a penalty process.

[0208] In addition, in this embodiment, the gaming machine is configured so that when playing a game, gaming media such as medals are inserted and gaming media are paid out when a winning combination is achieved, but games may also be played by consuming or granting gaming value as electronic information without using gaming media. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which information on gaming value owned by a player can be stored in the gaming machine or an external unit connected to the gaming machine, and consuming gaming value by subtracting the number of gaming values ​​is replaced by inserting gaming media, and granting gaming value by adding the number of gaming values ​​is replaced by paying out gaming media. [Explanation of symbols]

[0209] BX storage box, UD front upper door, DD front lower door, DW display window, L1 valid line, DS game information display, LCD liquid crystal display, BS setting change button, KS setting change key cylinder, SEC section indicator, EU power supply unit, ES power switch, SP speaker, PS reel unit storage space, MAIN main board, SUB sub board, HP Hopper Unit, MT Medal Storage Tank, CB Cash Box, R1 1st reel, R2 2nd reel, R3 3rd reel, B0 bet button, SL start lever, B1~B3 stop button, MI medal insertion slot, MO medal dispensing slot, MP medal tray, 100 game control means, 103 setting change means, 105 input acceptance means, 110 random number generation means, 120 internal lottery means, 130 reel control means, 140 winning determination means, 150 payout control means, 160 replay processing means, 170 game state control means, 175 AT control means, 180 production control means; 190a game information storage means, 1910 main lottery table storage area, 1911 Stop control table storage area, 1912 Winning determination table storage area, 1913 Setting value storage area, 1914 Credit information storage area, 1915 lottery flag storage area, 1916 game status storage area, 1918 Performance state memory area, 1919 High probability transition counter, 1920 AT stock counter, 1921 AT game counter, 1922 1st clear counter, 1923 2nd clear counter, 1924 ceiling counter, 190b performance information storage means, 1926 performance data storage area, 1927 Sub lottery table storage area, 1928 Image buffer, 1929 Sound buffer, 210 Medal insertion switch, 220 Bet switch, 230 Start switch, 240 Stop switch, 250 Setting change permission switch, 260 setting change switch, 300 main display, 310 reel units, 315 reel indexes, 325 payout medal detection switch, 330 display device, 340 sound device,

Claims

[Claim 1] a first reel, a second reel, and a third reel having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on their outer circumferential surfaces; An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not a plurality of types of winning combinations including small winning combinations and bonuses are won; a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and controlling the reels to stop in response to a stop operation in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery; A gaming machine equipped with a winning determination means for determining a winning combination, As the winning mode of the small win, there are at least a plurality of first winning modes in which a correct small win and an incorrect small win overlap and win, and a plurality of types of small wins including a small win that can display a specific pattern combination overlap and win, The correct small combination is set to have a higher payout than the incorrect small combination, a correct operation mode is set for each of the plurality of types of first winning modes, and there exist the first winning modes in which the operation mode that causes the second reel to stop first is the correct operation mode, and the first winning modes in which the operation mode that causes the third reel to stop first is the correct operation mode, but there does not exist the first winning mode in which the operation mode that causes the first reel to stop first is the correct operation mode, The second winning mode does not include the correct small win, The internal lottery means An internal lottery is conducted so that there is a case where the second winning mode and the bonus are won at the same time. The reel control means In a game in which the first winning mode has been obtained by the internal lottery, when a stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode corresponding to the first winning mode, the correct minor role will be won; when a stop operation is performed in a first unsuccessful operation mode in which the first reel is stopped first, among unsuccessful operation modes which are operation modes different from the correct operation mode corresponding to the first winning mode, the incorrect minor role will be won without fail; when a stop operation is performed in a second unsuccessful operation mode in which the second reel or the third reel is stopped first, the reels being rotated are controlled to stop so that there are cases in which the incorrect minor role will be won or no role will be won depending on the timing of the stop operation; A gaming machine characterized in that, in a game in which the second winning mode is obtained in the internal lottery, when a stop operation is performed in an operation mode that stops the first reel first, the rotating reels are stopped so that the specific pattern combination can be displayed, and when a stop operation is performed in an operation mode that stops the second reel or the third reel first, the rotating reels are stopped so that the specific pattern combination is not displayed.

Images