gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of adjusting game value acquisition performance appropriately.SOLUTION: There exists a common three-token winning combination as a winning mode of a small combination won doubly with a big bonus (BB) in a normal state. There exist a shooting-order bell a group to a shooting order bell h group as winning modes of small combinations including an eight-token small combination. In the common three-token winning combination, a three-token small combination can be won when stop operation is performed in a recommended shooting order for stopping a first reel R1 first of a first reel R1 to a third reel R3. In the shooting order bell a group to the shooting order bell h group, a one-token small combination can be won when the stop operation is performed in the recommended shooting order. An eight-token small combination can be won when the stop operation is performed in a correct shooting order which is different from the recommended shooting order in that the reel stopped first is different. In a game that has obtained the shooting order bell e group to the shooting order bell h group, a one-token small combination is won without fail when the stop operation is performed in the recommended shooting order. However, in a game that has obtained the shooting order bell a group to the shooting order bell d group, there is a case where the one-token small combination is not won when the stop operation is performed in the recommended shooting order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

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 the player initiates a spin operation, and stop the multiple reels in a manner corresponding to the results of the internal lottery when the player initiates a stop operation. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on a winning determination line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals or other items are paid out according to the game result.

[0003] In recent years, gaming machines with instruction functions that provide instruction information to assist in winning small prizes, which pay out game value upon winning, thereby changing the probability of winning small prizes and making it easier to win game value such as medals in an AT state where instruction information can be provided, have been gaining popularity.

[0004] In gaming machines with such an instruction function, a method is known in which the instruction function is activated while maintaining the gaming state in which a special role has been won, and the special role is won in combination with a minor role with a payout set to less than the amount of gaming value inserted, in order to prevent the special role from winning (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7039048 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the method of winning the above special role in combination with a minor role with a payout set to less than the amount of game value inserted is likely to result in a game in which the player can only receive a payout of game value less than the amount inserted, even in the AT state, and there are concerns that this will be a factor in reducing the ability to acquire game value in the AT state.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a gaming machine that can suitably adjust the performance of acquiring gaming value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The present invention is a gaming machine that includes a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery, an internal lottery means that performs an internal lottery to determine whether a plurality of types of roles including a small role and a special role will be won, a reel control means that rotates the plurality of reels for each game and controls the reels to stop during rotation in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is triggered, and a game state control means that can set a normal state in which an internal lottery for the special role is performed and a special state to which the special role is won, and when a symbol combination showing a winning form predetermined for each role is displayed on an active line, the role wins, and when the small role wins, a game value according to the payout of the small role is paid out, and in the normal state, there is a first winning mode as a winning mode of the small role that is won in combination with the special role, and The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which there are a second winning mode and a third winning mode as winning modes for the small role including a specific small role for which a payout higher than the number of inserted game values ​​is set, and the first winning mode is a winning mode in which the small role with a payout equal to or greater than the number of inserted game values ​​can be won when a stopping operation is performed in a specific operation sequence in which a specific reel among the plurality of reels is stopped first, and the second winning mode and the third winning mode are winning modes in which the small role less than the number of inserted game values ​​can be won when a stopping operation is performed in the specific operation sequence, and the specific small role can be won when a stopping operation is performed in a correct operation sequence in which a reel that is stopped first is different from the specific operation sequence, and in a game in which the second winning mode is obtained, the winning rate of the small role when a stopping operation is performed in the specific operation sequence is higher than in a game in which the third winning mode is obtained.

[0009] In the present invention, there is a first winning mode as a winning mode of a small role that prevents the winning of a special role, and when the first winning mode is obtained, a payout greater than the number of game values ​​inserted can be obtained, making it difficult to consume game values ​​in a normal state. Therefore, in the present invention, when a stop operation is performed in a specific operation sequence in the second winning mode and the third winning mode, which enable the winning of a specific small role that can receive a payout greater than the number of game values ​​inserted, a small role with a payout less than the number of game values ​​inserted is won, thereby making it possible to suitably adjust the performance of winning game values ​​in a normal state. In particular, in the present invention, by setting a difference in the winning rate of a small role with a payout less than the number of game values ​​inserted in the second winning mode and the third winning mode, it is possible to suitably adjust the performance of winning game values.

[0010] (2) In the gaming machine of the present invention, if the special role won in the internal lottery does not win, the machine remains in the special role winning state until the special role wins, and the internal lottery means may perform an internal lottery such that in the normal state and the special role winning state, there are multiple types of the second winning patterns in which multiple types of the specific minor roles are won without overlapping each other, and multiple types of the third winning patterns in which multiple types of the specific minor roles are won without overlapping each other, and in the special state, there is a fourth winning pattern in which multiple types of the specific minor roles are won, and the probability that the lottery result in the fourth winning pattern in the special state is lower than the probability that the lottery result in either the multiple types of the second winning patterns or the multiple types of the third winning patterns in the normal state and the special role winning state.

[0011] In this way, by reducing the chances of winning a specific small role in the special state, it is possible to lower the ability to acquire game value in the special state, and to that extent it is possible to improve the ability to acquire game value in games other than the special state. [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] 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 11] 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 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] 3 is a transition diagram of the gaming state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a transition diagram of the presentation state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18]1 is a transition diagram of a gaming zone in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a three-piece role in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] A diagram showing the configuration of the batting order bell a3 in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 21] A diagram showing the configuration of the batting order bell b3 in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 22] A diagram showing the configuration of the batting order bell e3 in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 23] 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 24] A diagram showing the relationship between the game zone, presentation state, and state of the zone indicator in an embodiment of the present invention and a conventional method. [Figure 25] A figure showing an example of a specific notification effect in an gaming machine according to an 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 embodiments are necessarily essential components 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 activated 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 medals equivalent to the specified insertion number are inserted, an activated line L1 formed by the display positions of the middle row of each reel 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 unit DS and a zone indicator SEC. The game information display unit DS is made up of LEDs, lamps, 7-segment displays, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, and the total number of medals paid out or won in BB state. The zone indicator SEC (an example of specific notification means) notifies whether the player is in a favorable zone and AT state 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, an input 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, a communication control means 177, 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, the winning determination means 140, the payout control means 150, the replay processing means 160, the game status control means 170, the AT control means 175, and the communication control means 177 are realized by the CPU of the main circuit board MAIN executing various programs, and the effect control means 180 is realized by the CPU of the sub-circuit 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 circuit board MAIN, and the effect information storage means 190b is composed of a sub-ROM and a sub-RAM mounted on the sub-circuit board SUB. The various programs executed by the CPU of the main circuit board MAIN are stored in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, and the various programs executed by the CPU of the sub-circuit board SUB are stored in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b.

[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] In addition, the setting change means 103 performs an initialization process in the setting change mode 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 respect 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 clear counter 1922, 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 storage 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, clear counter 1922, and ceiling counter 1924 are designated as information holding areas, and information stored in the 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 wins 1 to 39 are prepared as small wins, and as winning modes of the small wins, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, there are batting order bell a group (batting order bell a3 to batting order bell a6: an example of the third winning mode), batting order bell b group (batting order bell b3 to batting order bell b6: an example of the third winning mode), batting order bell c group (batting order bell c3 to batting order bell c6: an example of the third winning mode), batting order bell d group (batting order bell d3 to batting order bell d6: an example of the third winning mode), batting order bell e group (batting order bell e3 to batting order bell e6: an example of the third winning mode), ~Batting order bell e6: an example of the second winning mode), batting order bell f group (batting order bell f3~batting order bell f6: an example of the second winning mode), batting order bell g group (batting order bell g3~batting order bell g6: an example of the second winning mode), batting order bell h group (batting order bell h3~batting order bell h6: an example of the second winning mode), watermelon, cherry a, cherry b, cherry c, special role, batting order 3-piece role, common 3-piece role (an example of the first winning mode), JAC1 (an example of the fourth winning mode), JAC2, and JAC3 are set.

[0042] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, Replay 1 to Replay 3 are provided as replays, and normal replay a, normal replay b, and normal replay c are set as winning modes of 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: an example of a special role) is provided 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 a normal state, a BB formation state (an example of a special role formation state), and a BB state (an example of a special 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. Also, in this embodiment, the operation sequence of stop operations that stops the first reel R1 (an example of a specific reel) first may be referred to as a recommended batting order (an example of a specific operation sequence), and the operation sequence of stop operations that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first may be referred to as an irregular batting order.

[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 a red 7 symbol ("RED 7"), a white 7 symbol ("WHITE 7"), a bar symbol ("BAR"), special symbol 1 ("SP1"), special symbol 2 ("SP2"), watermelon symbol 1 ("WM1"), watermelon symbol 2 ("WM2"), cherry symbol ("CH"), bell symbol ("BL"), and replay symbol ("RP"). 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 as being pressed). In this embodiment, the push detection position is the upper display position 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, batting order bell b3 to b6, batting order bell c3 to c6, batting order bell d3 to d6, batting order bell e3 to e6, batting order bell f3 to f6, batting order bell g3 to g6, or batting order bell h3 to h6 is won in the internal lottery, the correct batting order (an example of a correct operation sequence) is set for each batting order bell, as shown in Figure 8.

[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, an 8-coin small win (an example of a specific small win) will be won, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a pressing order different from the correct batting order, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that there are cases where a 1-coin small win will be won and cases where no win will be won (a miss of a win). In FIG. 8, "1-coin small win (1 / 2)" means that in that pressing 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 miss of a win will occur. Also, in FIG. 8, "1-coin small win (1 / 4)" means that in that pressing 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 miss of a win will occur. Also, "1-piece small win (3 / 4)" in FIG. 8 means that in that pressing sequence, there is a 3 / 4 probability that a 1-piece small win will be won, and there is a 1 / 4 probability that the win will be missed.

[0062] In addition, when each batting order bell is won, in the correct batting order, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the symbols that make up the winning form of the 8-coin small role are preferentially displayed on the active line by the payout number priority control, and in a pressing order different from the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of the 1-coin small role are preferentially displayed on the active line by the number priority control. In this embodiment, by using the payout number priority control and the number priority control according to the pressing order, in the correct batting order, it is possible to win an 8-coin small role while avoiding the winning of a 1-coin small role, and in a pressing order different from the correct batting order, it is possible to win a 1-coin small role while avoiding the winning of a 8-coin small role.

[0063] In this embodiment, for the batting order bells a, b, e, and f, the correct batting order is valid only when the BB state is established. When the batting order bell is selected in the normal state, even if the stop operation is performed according to the correct batting order, there is a 1 / 2 chance that a 1-coin small win will be awarded, and a 1 / 2 chance that a win will be missed. In other words, in the normal state, for the batting order bells a, b, e, and f, even if the stop operation is performed in a manner that allows for an 8-coin small win in the BB state, the stop positions are determined by number priority control to avoid the winning of an 8-coin small win. Meanwhile, for the batting order bells c, d, g, and h, the correct batting order is valid in both the normal state and the BB state. In either game state, the stop positions are determined by payout number priority control to prioritize the winning of an 8-coin small win in the correct batting order.

[0064] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a watermelon is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that there are cases where a 4-coin minor combination is won and cases where no combination is won.

[0065] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when Cherry A or Cherry B is won in the internal lottery, the press detection position is set so that there are cases where a 3-coin small win is won and cases where a 1-coin small win is won, and the payout number priority control gives priority to winning a 3-coin small win over winning a 1-coin small win.

[0066] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when Cherry c is won in the internal lottery, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that an 8-coin small win is always won, as shown in Fig. 9, but the 8-coin small win that is won varies depending on the order of the stop operations. When Cherry c is won, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 1 to 4, which stops the first reel R1 or the second reel R2 first, small wins 6 to 10 will be won and a stop pattern showing the outcome of a middle cherry will appear, and if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 5 and 6, which stops the third reel R3 first, small wins 3 or 4 will be won. In particular, in this embodiment, if the stopping operation is performed at batting order 5 when cherry c is won, small win 3, which is an 8-coin small win associated with batting order 5 in the batting order bell, will be won, and if the stopping operation is performed at batting order 6 when cherry c is won, small win 4, which is an 8-coin small win associated with batting order 6 in the batting order bell, will be won.

[0067] In addition, in the stop control table referenced when a special role is won in the internal lottery, as shown in Fig. 9, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that an 8-coin small role is always won, but the 8-coin small role that is won varies depending on the order of the stop operation. When a special role is won, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 1 to batting order 4, which stop the first reel R1 or the second reel R2 first, small role 5 is won and a stop pattern indicating a reach eye appears, and if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 5 and batting order 6, which stop the third reel R3 first, small role 3 or small role 4 is won. In particular, in this embodiment, if a stop operation is performed in batting order 5 when a special role is won, small role 3, which is an 8-coin small role associated with batting order 5 in the batting order bell, is won, and if a stop operation is performed in batting order 6 when a special role is won, small role 4, which is an 8-coin small role associated with batting order 6 in the batting order bell, is won.

[0068] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when the batting order 3-coin role is won, as shown in Fig. 9, the correct batting order is set for the batting order 3-coin role, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that a 3-coin small role will be won, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a press order different from the correct batting order, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that a 1-coin small role will be won. In particular, in this embodiment, when the batting order 3-coin role is won, a 1-coin small role will be won in the recommended batting order that stops the first reel R1 first, and an irregular batting order that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first is the correct batting order and a 3-coin small role will be won.

[0069] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a common 3-coin combination is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 3-coin minor combination will always be won, regardless of the order of the stop operations, as shown in Figure 9.

[0070] 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 an 8-coin small win is always won, 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 3-coin small win is always won, and in the stop control table that is referenced when JAC3 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.

[0071] In addition, for the winning patterns of various replays such as normal replay a, normal replay b, and normal replay c, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that any of the replays included in the winning pattern will always win regardless of the pattern of the stop operation.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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 3, and small bonus 1 to small bonus 39 can be determined based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when each reel has stopped, as shown in Figures 10 to 15.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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).

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 16, 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 based on the fulfillment of one of the multiple predetermined conditions or the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 17, the AT control means 175 changes the presentation state among a plurality of presentation states including an initial presentation state, a normal presentation state, and an AT state, sets the presentation state to the AT state 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 this embodiment, when the AT state is active, the AT control means 175 displays information (an example of instruction information) corresponding to the correct batting order on the main display 300, which is a 7-segment display provided in the game information display unit DS, when a batting order 3-coin combination or a batting order bell combination is won, thereby notifying the player of the correct batting order to assist in the winning of the 3-coin minor combination included in the batting order 3-coin combination or the 8-coin minor combination included in the batting order bell, and the effect control means 180 displays an image corresponding to the correct batting order on the liquid crystal display LCD when a batting order 3-coin combination or a batting order bell combination is won, thereby performing a winning assistance effect to assist in the winning of the 3-coin minor combination included in the batting order 3-coin combination or the 8-coin minor combination included in the batting order bell, thereby allowing the player to play an assist time game in which it is easier to win medals than in a game when the player is in the initial effect state or the normal effect state. In this embodiment, the function of executing an assist time game in an advantageous zone is the instruction function, and the processing that affects the execution of the assist time game is the processing related to the instruction function.

[0086] In addition, as shown in Figure 18, the AT control means 175 is capable of setting a normal section (non-advantageous section) and an advantageous section, and in the normal section, the presentation state is fixed to the initial presentation state, which is the initial state, and a lottery is held to transition to an advantageous section, and by winning the lottery to transition to an advantageous section, the advantageous section is started and the presentation state can be set to the AT state on the condition that it is an advantageous section.

[0087] The AT control means 175 then performs a lottery to enter a favorable zone during each play in the normal zone if the presentation state remains in the normal state or the BB formation state. In the normal state, an advantageous zone is entered based on whether one of the following winning patterns is obtained in the internal lottery: Batting Order Bell Group A, Batting Order Bell Group B, Batting Order Bell Group C, Batting Order Bell Group D, Batting Order Bell Group E, Batting Order Bell Group F, Batting Order Bell Group G, Batting Order Bell Group H, Watermelon, Cherry A, Cherry B, Cherry C + BB, Special Role + BB, Batting Order 3-Piece Role + BB, Common 3-Piece Role + BB, Normal Replay B, Normal Replay C, or Big Bonus (BB). In the normal state, there are cases where the winning pattern of Normal Replay A is obtained, but in that case, the advantageous zone is not entered. In addition, in the BB formation state, the advantageous zone is won based on whether one of the following winning patterns is obtained in the internal lottery: Batting Order Bell Group a, Batting Order Bell Group b, Batting Order Bell Group c, Batting Order Bell Group d, Batting Order Bell Group e, Batting Order Bell Group f, Batting Order Bell Group g, Batting Order Bell Group h, Watermelon, Cherry a, Cherry b, Cherry c, Special role, Normal replay b, or Normal replay c. In the BB formation state, there are cases where the winning pattern of Batting Order 3-piece role, Common 3-piece role, or Normal replay a is obtained, but in those cases, the advantageous zone is not won.

[0088] 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 it is determined whether or not the player has been selected for the advantageous zone (advantageous zone win) based on the comparison result. In the advantageous zone transition lottery table, wins or losses are assigned to random number values ​​for the internal lottery, and if the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is associated with a win in the advantageous zone transition lottery table, it is determined that the player has been selected for the advantageous zone.

[0089] When a player wins a favorable zone in the normal zone, the AT control means 175 performs a favorable zone transition process based on the fact that the player has won the favorable zone, starts the favorable zone from the next game following the game in which the player won the favorable zone, and sets the presentation state to the normal presentation state or the AT state. In this embodiment, when a player wins a favorable zone triggered by a winning pattern other than a fixed role (cherry c and special role), the presentation state is set to the normal presentation state in the favorable zone transition process, and when a player wins a favorable zone triggered by a fixed role (cherry c and special role), the presentation state is set to the AT state in the favorable zone transition process. Also, in this embodiment, a low-probability mode and a high-probability mode can be set as the selection mode for the AT lottery in the normal presentation state, and when the player is in the normal presentation state, the player remains in one of the selection modes, and when the presentation state is to be transitioned to the normal presentation state, a mode selection lottery is held, and the selection mode is determined according to the result of the mode selection lottery. The mode determination lottery obtains a random number between 0 and 255 associated with the stop operation corresponding to the third stop of a 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 this random number as the result of the lottery. In this embodiment, the mode determination lottery is performed 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 in which a player has entered a favorable zone or a game in which the AT state has ended in a favorable zone. In a game in which a player has entered a favorable zone, the mode determination lottery is performed as part of the favorable zone transition process, and in a game in which the AT state has ended in a favorable zone, the mode determination lottery is performed as part of the process of returning the presentation state to the normal presentation state.

[0090] 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.

[0091] The AT control means 175 performs an AT lottery (an example of processing related to the instruction function) when the game state is in the BB state and the presentation state is in the normal presentation state in the advantageous zone. Specifically, the AT lottery is performed based on whether the internal lottery results in any of the following winning patterns: batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d, batting order bell group e, batting order bell group f, batting order bell group g, batting order bell group h, watermelon, cherry a, cherry b, cherry c, special combination, batting order 3-piece combination, common 3-piece combination, normal replay a, normal replay b, or normal replay c. 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.

[0092] In the AT lottery, when a winning pattern that triggers the execution of 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 number values ​​for the AT lottery, and 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 the low-probability mode and the high-probability mode, and the probability of winning the AT is set higher in the high-probability mode than in the low-probability mode. However, in this embodiment, for fixed roles (cherry C and special roles), the AT lottery result is always an AT win in both the low-probability mode and the high-probability mode.

[0093] In this embodiment, when a winning pattern other than the batting order bell and the batting order 3-coin combination is obtained, 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 and the batting order 3-coin combination are won, the AT lottery is executed when the 1-coin minor combination included in the winning batting order bell and the batting order 3-coin combination is won. Therefore, in a game where the batting order bell is won, the AT lottery is not executed if the 8-coin minor combination is won or if no combination is won. Also, in a game where the batting order 3-coin combination is won, the AT lottery is not executed if the 3-coin minor 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 1-coin minor 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, a one-coin minor win is always won, so the AT lottery may be executed when the first stop operation stops the first reel R1. In this way, in this embodiment, the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first is treated more favorably in the AT lottery than an irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first. Note that when a winning pattern that triggers the execution of the AT lottery is obtained, the AT lottery may be executed on the condition that the stopping operation is performed in the recommended batting order, regardless of the winning pattern obtained in the internal lottery.

[0094] 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 minor combination wins in a game in which the batting order bell is won (an example of processing related to the instruction function). However, if the batting order bell is won but an eight-coin minor combination wins, or if no combination wins, the value of the high-probability transition counter 1919 is not updated. In other words, a recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first is treated more favorably for transitioning to the high-probability mode than an irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first. In this embodiment, when transitioning to the low-probability mode during normal presentation, the high-probability transition counter 1919 is set to a predetermined value of "255." When the batting order bell is won, the AT control means 175 performs a lottery to determine the subtraction value for updating the high-probability transition counter 1919 to either "3" or "29," and subtracts the determined subtraction value from the value of the high-probability transition counter 1919.

[0095] 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.

[0096] The AT control means 175 determines that the high probability transition condition is 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 staying in the high probability mode in the normal presentation state, the AT control means 175 performs a relegation lottery based on the winning of the batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d, batting order bell group e, batting order bell group f, batting order bell group g, batting order bell group h, batting order 3-piece combination, or common 3-piece combination. In the relegation lottery, the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is compared with the relegation lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the relegation lottery has been won based on the comparison result. In the fall-out lottery table, a fall-out win or a loss is assigned to a random number value for the internal lottery that is associated with a winning mode that triggers the execution of the fall-out lottery, and if the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is associated with any of the batting order bell a group, batting order bell b group, batting order bell c group, batting order bell d group, batting order bell e group, batting order bell f group, batting order bell g group, batting order bell h group, batting order 3-piece role, or common 3-piece role, and is also 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.

[0097] In this embodiment, when the presentation state is shifted to the normal presentation state, the AT control means 175 sets a predetermined value "1024" to the ceiling counter 1924, and performs a process (an example of a process related to the instruction function) of subtracting a subtraction value corresponding 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 an 8-coin small combination is won or if no combination is won. In other words, the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first is treated more favorably in terms of updating the ceiling counter 1924 than an irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first.

[0098] The AT control means 175 then controls the transition of the presentation state from the normal presentation state to the AT state 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". Furthermore, the AT control means 175 adds a fixed value "1" to the AT stock number counter 1920 based on the decision to transition to the AT state, and when transitioning the presentation state to the AT state upon the end of a game in which the transition condition to the AT state is met (a game in which the lottery result is an AT win or a game in which the value of the ceiling counter 1924 reaches the initial value "0"), it subtracts a fixed value "1" from the AT stock number counter 1920 and sets a value "30" in the AT game number counter 1921, which corresponds to 30 times, which is the number of times of play that is the condition for ending the AT state.

[0099] 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.

[0100] In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 notifies the correct batting order for the batting order bell and the batting order 3-coin combination, the operation instruction number ("03" (batting order 3), "04" (batting order 4), "05" (batting order 5), "06" (batting order 6)) corresponding to the correct batting order for the batting order bell that was won is displayed on the main display 300. In this embodiment, since batting order 3, batting order 4, batting order 5, and batting order 6 are the correct batting orders for the batting order 3-coin combination, an arbitrary operation instruction number determined by lottery in a game in which the batting order 3-coin combination was won is displayed on the main display 300.

[0101] Furthermore, when the presentation state is in the AT state in the advantageous zone, the AT control means 175 performs an add-on lottery (an example of processing related to the instruction function) based on the winning of watermelon, cherry A, cherry B, cherry C, or a special role in the internal lottery. In the add-on lottery, when a winning pattern that triggers the execution of the add-on lottery is obtained, a random number value in the range of 0 to 255 is acquired, and the acquired random number value is compared with the add-on lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and whether or not the add-on lottery has been won is determined based on the comparison result. In the add-on lottery table, an add-on win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for the add-on lottery, and if the random number value acquired for the add-on lottery is associated with an add-on win in the add-on lottery table, it is determined that the add-on lottery has been won. Note that the add-on lottery, which is performed when a fixed role (cherry C and special role) is obtained, always results in an add-on win. In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 adds a fixed value "1" to the AT stock number counter 1920 based on the result of obtaining an additional win in the additional lottery.

[0102] 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 a fixed value "1" 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.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the clear counter 1922 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to the initial value "0" during the advantageous zone transition process, and during the advantageous zone, updates the value of the clear counter 1922 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, "8" if 8 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 clear counter 1922, and also when the value of the clear counter 1922 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 clear counter 1922 is controlled so as not to fall below the initial value "0." For example, if the value of the clear counter 1922 at the start of 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 for the difference in the number of medals in that game will be "-3," and adding the calculation result for the difference in the number of medals to the value of the clear counter 1922 will result in a value below the initial value "0." However, the counting of the updated value of the clear counter 1922 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 medals are actually inserted. The update of the clear counter 1922 may be a pure difference in the number of medals inserted, or may involve subtracting a value corresponding to the number of medals paid out and adding a value corresponding to the number of medals paid out, and the value of the clear counter 1922 may be allowed to fall below "0".

[0104] In addition, in the advantageous zone, the clear counter 1922 is updated even if a transition to the game state or the presentation state occurs, unless the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are met.

[0105] 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, 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 clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 is initialized by an initialization process based on the end of the advantageous period. More specifically, 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 clear counter 1922, 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 credit information storage area 1914, the lottery flag storage area 1915 and 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, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, clear counter 1922, and ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0), and the normal zone is restored.

[0106] In this embodiment, initialization processing is executed upon the end of the advantageous zone to return to the normal zone, so that if the value of the clear counter 1922 exceeds a threshold value while remaining in the AT state, each AT state is forcibly terminated by initialization processing 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 clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0). Also, if the value of the clear counter 1922 exceeds a threshold value while remaining in any other presentation state, the currently remaining presentation state is forcibly terminated by initialization processing 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 clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0). In this embodiment, the presentation state is not initialized by turning the power on / off, but when started in setting change mode, if initialization processing is performed in setting change mode, 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, clear counter 1922, and ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values ​​(e.g., 0).

[0107] 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.

[0108] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 lights up the LED built into the interval indicator SEC when the AT state is reached in the advantageous interval, thereby notifying the player that the AT state is reached, and controls the LED built into the interval indicator SEC to be turned off upon the end of the AT state. In this embodiment, the LED built into the interval indicator SEC is turned off when the player is in a normal interval or when the advantageous interval is in a presentation state different from the AT state. In other words, in this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the player is in the AT state by checking the lighting state of the interval indicator SEC.

[0109] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 starts or ends a specific notification that indicates that the player is in the AT state based on the presentation state in which the player is in the advantageous zone. For example, the specific notification is started when the presentation state transitions to the AT state, and the specific notification is ended when the AT state ends. In particular, in this embodiment, there are cases where the advantageous zone continues even after the AT state ends, but the specific notification is ended not only when the AT state ends and the advantageous zone ends, but also when the AT state ends and the advantageous zone continues.

[0110] The interval indicator SEC does not need to be provided exclusively as in this embodiment, and may also serve as the main display 300. For example, whether or not the player is in the AT state may be indicated by switching on and off the dot display unit that displays decimal points, etc., of the 7-segment display, and the dot display unit may be turned off in a presentation state other than the AT state, and turned on in the AT state to provide a specific notification. Furthermore, when the AT state begins, an LED built into the interval indicator SEC lights up to immediately notify the player that the player is in the AT state, but the interval indicator SEC may be configured to be a non-notification interval that does not notify the player that the player is in the advantageous interval until a predetermined number of games have been played since the start of the AT state, or a non-notification interval that does not notify the player that the player is in the advantageous interval until the first correct batting order notification in the AT state is executed.

[0111] The communication control means 177 controls the output of a specific external signal to an external device such as the data counter 410 or hall computer 420 when the presentation state is an AT state in a favorable zone. In this embodiment, the specific external signal is output to the external device via the external centralized terminal board from the main board. The specific external signal is also output based on the game start operation of the start lever SL for the first game (first game) in each set in the AT state. The specific external signal may also be output based on the completion of the last game (thirtieth game) in each set in the AT state. In this embodiment, the specific external signal is output corresponding to each set in the AT state, allowing the external device to tally up the number of completed sets in the AT state.

[0112] The effect control means 180 controls display effects performed using the display device 330 (an example of an effect device) and sound effects performed using the sound device 340 (an example of an effect device) based on effect data stored in an 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 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 a 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.

[0113] 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 correct batting order when the batting order bell or the batting order 3-coin role is won and assists in winning the 8-coin small role or the 3-coin small role.

[0114] 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.

[0115] The effect control means 180 also controls the execution of a specific notification effect that notifies the player that a stop operation should be performed in the recommended batting order, with the first reel R1 being stopped first. In particular, in this embodiment, the effect control means 180 executes a specific notification effect when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first during the normal time period, and executes a specific notification effect when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first during the advantageous time period while remaining in the normal time period. The specific notification effect may, for example, be a warning message such as "Left push recommended" displayed on the display device 330, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The specific notification effect may be executed in response to the first stop operation in an irregular batting order, the second stop operation in an irregular batting order, or the third stop operation in an irregular batting order. The specific notification effect may also be executed in the case of an irregular batting order after all reels have stopped. In addition, the trigger for determining whether the order of stop operations is an irregular batting order may be different from the trigger for executing the specific notification effect.For example, the first stop operation may be used as the trigger to determine whether the batting order is irregular, and if it is determined that the batting order is irregular, the third stop operation may be used as the trigger to execute the specific notification effect.

[0116] 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).

[0117] 2. Method of this embodiment In this embodiment, there are two winning modes of the small win that overlaps with the big bonus (BB) in the normal state: a common three-coin role and a batting order three-coin role. Both the common three-coin role and the batting order three-coin role are winning modes that allow a three-coin small win. The common three-coin role is a winning mode in which only a three-coin small win is won, and the three-coin small win is won whether the stopping operation is performed in the recommended batting order or an irregular batting order. On the other hand, the batting order three-coin role is a winning mode in which a three-coin small win and a one-coin small win are won overlappingly, and if the stopping operation is performed in the recommended batting order, the one-coin small win is won, and if the stopping operation is performed in an irregular batting order, the three-coin small win is won. Below, for the batting order three-coin role, control for winning a one-coin small win while avoiding the winning of a three-coin small win in the recommended batting order is explained.

[0118] 19 is a diagram showing the configuration of the small winning combination included in the batting order 3-piece combination. The batting order 3-piece combination is a winning combination in which the small winning combinations 15 and 16, which are 3-piece small winning combinations, and the small winning combinations 17, 18, 38, and 39, which are 1-piece small winning combinations, overlap and win.

[0119] In a game where a three-coin batting order role is won, if the stopping operation is performed according to the recommended batting order, number-priority control is used to determine the stopping position of the first reel R1. When the first reel R1 stops, the possible symbols that will be displayed on the active line are the replay symbol "RP," the watermelon symbol 1 "WM1," and the watermelon symbol "WM2." While the number of possible symbol combinations for the replay symbol "RP" to be displayed on the active line is nine, the number of possible symbol combinations for the watermelon symbol 1 "WM1" and the watermelon symbol 2 "WM2" to be displayed on the active line is two each. Furthermore, the replay symbol "RP" is positioned so that it can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position on the first reel R1. Therefore, when the first reel R1 is stopped first in a game in which the batting order 3-coin combination is won, the first reel R1 stops so as to display the replay symbol "RP" on the active line, which will have the greatest number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active line. When the first reel R1 stops in a manner that displays the replay symbol "RP" on the active line, the small symbols included in the batting order 3-coin combination that have the potential to win are small symbol 15, small symbol 17, small symbol 18, small symbol 38, and small symbol 39.

[0120] In this embodiment, in a game in which a 3-coin role is won, the winning of a 3-coin minor role on the second stopping reel in the recommended batting order is completely avoided, and the stopping position of the second stopping reel is determined in such a way that only a 1-coin minor role can be won.

[0121] For example, when the second reel R2 is stopped at the second stop, the possible symbols displayed on the pay line are the bell symbol "BL," the bar symbol "BAR," the watermelon symbol 1 "WM1," the replay symbol "RP," and the special symbol 2 "SP2." When the bell symbol "BL" is displayed on the pay line, the number of possible symbol combinations is one. When the bar symbol "BAR," the watermelon symbol 1 "WM1," the replay symbol "RP," and the special symbol 2 "SP2" are displayed on the pay line, the number of possible symbol combinations is two. Furthermore, the second reel R2 is positioned so that the replay symbol "RP" can be displayed on the pay line regardless of the touch detection position. Therefore, when the second reel R2 is stopped at the second stop, the second reel R2 stops so that the replay symbol "RP," which has the greatest number of possible winning symbol combinations on the pay line, is displayed on the pay line. Then, when the second reel R2 stops, the small winning combinations that have the potential to win are small winning combination 17 and small winning combination 18, and when the second reel stops, the winning of a three-coin small winning combination is completely avoided. And since the white 7 symbol "white 7" assigned to the third reel R3 for small winning combination 17 and the cherry symbol "CH" assigned to the third reel R3 for small winning combination 18 are arranged in a positional relationship that allows either symbol to be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position, either small winning combination 17 or small winning combination 18 will always win regardless of the timing of the stop operation that stops the third reel R3.

[0122] For example, when the third reel R3 is stopped at the second stop, the possible symbols to be displayed on the pay line are the replay symbol "RP," the white 7 symbol "white 7," and the cherry symbol "CH." While the number of possible symbol combinations when the replay symbol "RP" is displayed on the pay line is one, the number of possible symbol combinations when the white 7 symbol "white 7" and the cherry symbol "CH" are displayed on the pay line is four. As mentioned above, the white 7 symbol "white 7" and the cherry symbol "CH" are positioned so that either symbol can be displayed on the pay line regardless of the button press detection position on the third reel R3. Therefore, when the third reel R3 is stopped at the second stop, the third reel R3 stops so that the white 7 symbol "white 7" or the cherry symbol "CH" will be displayed on the pay line, since these will maximize the number of possible winning symbol combinations that can be displayed on the pay line. Then, when the third reel R3 stops, the small winning combinations that can be won are small winning combination 17, small winning combination 18, small winning combination 38, and small winning combination 39, and when the second reel stops, the winning of the three-coin small winning combination is completely avoided. And as mentioned above, the replay symbols "RP" assigned to the second reel R2 for small winning combination 17 and small winning combination 18 are arranged in a positional relationship that allows them to be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position, so either small winning combination 17 or small winning combination 18 will always win regardless of the timing of the stop operation that stops the second reel R2.

[0123] Thus, in this embodiment, when a stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order in a game in which a 3-coin combination is won, the winning of small win 16 is avoided at the time of the first stop, the winning of small win 15 is avoided at the time of the second stop, and the reels stop in a manner such that finally, small win 17 or small win 18 is guaranteed to win. That is, in this embodiment, when a stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order in a game in which a 3-coin combination is won, the possibility of winning a 3-coin combination is eliminated by the second stop, creating a situation in which only a 1-coin combination can win. On the other hand, when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order in a game in which a 3-coin combination is won, the winning of a 3-coin combination is prioritized by payout number priority control, and for small win 15 and small win 16, the symbols assigned to each reel are symbols that can be displayed on the pay line regardless of the press detection position, so either small win 15 or small win 16 will always win.

[0124] In this embodiment, common 3-coin roles and batting order 3-coin roles are provided as winning patterns of small roles that prevent the winning of a big bonus (BB) in the normal state and the BB formation state, which allow the winning of 3-coin small roles, for the following reasons.

[0125] First, in this embodiment, by reducing the chances of winning an 8-coin minor combination in the BB state compared to the normal state, it is possible to keep the payout rate in the BB state low and increase the payout rate in the BB state. In other words, it is possible to improve the medal acquisition performance in the AT state executed in the BB state by the amount that the medal acquisition performance in the BB state is reduced. And since the payout rate in the BB state needs to be designed to exceed the payout rate in the normal state, the lower the payout rate in the normal state can be, the lower the payout rate in the BB state can be designed to be.

[0126] Here, in the specification for executing a game in the AT state in the BB established state as in this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "AT game"), it is necessary to not provide a miss (non-win) as a result of the internal lottery in order to maintain the BB established state. Also, unless a high probability of winning the Big Bonus (BB) is ensured in the normal state, it is not possible to quickly transition from the normal state to the BB established state. For this reason, in the normal state, the Big Bonus (BB) is won in combination with a small role as much as possible, and control that prioritizes the winning of the small role (hereinafter referred to as "small role priority control") is used to avoid the winning of the Big Bonus (BB) and transition to the BB established state, and the winning pattern of the small role that is won in combination with the Big Bonus (BB) is used to hinder the winning of the Big Bonus (BB), thereby maintaining the BB established state.

[0127] However, when a Big Bonus (BB) and a small prize are won in the normal state, the payout rate in the normal state tends to increase due to the medal payout caused by the small prize winning. Therefore, in the past, the minimum payout of one small prize was set as a small prize that hinders the winning of the Big Bonus (BB), and by winning the one small prize and the Big Bonus (BB) in the same prize, the increase in the payout rate in the normal state was kept to a minimum.

[0128] In this way, by setting up the 1-coin small role as a small role that prevents the winning of the Big Bonus (BB), it is possible to suppress the increase in the payout rate in the normal state, but since the winning mode of the small role does not change in the BB state compared to the normal state, the frequency of winning of the 1-coin small role in the BB state increases.As a result, during AT play, the player's medals will decrease every time the 1-coin small role that was prepared to prevent the winning of the Big Bonus (BB) is won.

[0129] In this embodiment, in order to prevent the Big Bonus (BB) from being won, a common 3-coin role and a batting order 3-coin role are set as winning patterns that can be won in conjunction with the Big Bonus (BB) under normal conditions, and by making it possible to win a small role with a payout greater than the number of medals inserted, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the number of balls played during AT.

[0130] However, if the winning mode of the small role that prevents the winning of the big bonus (BB) is not a batting order 3-coin role and only a common 3-coin role is used, the payout rate in games that are not in the AT state, including games in the normal state (hereinafter referred to as non-AT games), will be higher than when a batting order 3-coin role is used. In this embodiment, as mentioned above, it is possible to receive payouts greater than the number of inserted medals, taking into consideration that the medal acquisition performance in AT games will be reduced due to the small role that prevents the winning of the big bonus (BB). However, if this results in a high payout rate in the normal state, it will be necessary to design the payout rate in the BB state to be high, which will ultimately affect the design of the payout rate in the BB formation state and will not be able to be returned to the medal acquisition performance in AT games.

[0131] Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the common 3-coin role, a batting order 3-coin role is provided as a winning mode for the small role that prevents the winning of the big bonus (BB), and for the batting order 3-coin role, a 3-coin small role cannot be won in the recommended batting order, and a 1-coin small role with a payout set to less than the number of medals inserted is won, thereby suppressing the increase in the payout rate in the normal state and making it possible to design to suppress the increase in the payout rate in the BB state.

[0132] In other words, in this embodiment, even if the specifications are such that the Big Bonus (BB) and the small prize are won at the same time in order to prevent the Big Bonus (BB) from being won, the medal acquisition performance can be suitably adjusted by providing a case where the payout is less than the number of medals inserted and a case where the payout is more than the number of medals inserted.

[0133] In particular, in this embodiment, by providing a 3-coin batting order role, the payout rate during non-AT play is prevented from increasing due to the winning of a 1-coin minor role when the stop operation is performed exclusively in the recommended batting order, while the payout rate during AT play is prevented from decreasing due to the support for the winning of a 3-coin minor role during AT play. It is also possible to prevent the correct batting order notification and winning support effects from being performed during AT play for the 3-coin batting order role. Even during AT play, there may be certain conditions that must be met in order for the correct batting order notification and winning support effects to be performed when the 3-coin batting order role is won, and the correct batting order notification and winning support effects may be performed only when the 3-coin batting order role is won. It is also possible to provide multiple types of AT states, such as an AT state in which the correct batting order notification and winning support effects are performed when the 3-coin batting order role is won, and an AT state in which the correct batting order notification and winning support effects are not performed when the 3-coin batting order role is won.

[0134] In addition, in this embodiment, by providing a common 3-piece role and a batting order 3-piece role that have different degrees of influence on the ball payout rate, the ball payout rate of non-AT games can be suitably adjusted by adjusting the winning ratio of these. Specifically, if the common 3-piece role is made easier to win than the batting order 3-piece role, the ball payout rate of non-AT games can be adjusted to improve, and if the batting order 3-piece role is made easier to win than the common 3-piece role, the ball payout rate of non-AT games can be adjusted to reduce.

[0135] Also, when a batting order 3-coin role is won, if the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order, the 1-coin minor role will not necessarily win, but may be missed. However, since it is necessary to avoid the winning of the 3-coin minor role in the recommended batting order when a batting order 3-coin role is won, it is preferable to avoid the winning of the 3-coin minor role on the first or second stop, while missing the 1-coin minor role on either the second or third stop.

[0136] Also, if a batting order 3-coin role is won and a 1-coin minor role is missed in the recommended batting order, there is a concern that if there is only one type of batting order 3-coin role, a strategy element will be created to improve the winning rate of the 1-coin minor role by performing a stop operation at a specific press detection position. For this reason, by providing multiple types of batting order 3-coin roles and making the stop mode at the first stop in the recommended batting order when each batting order 3-coin role is won the same, it is possible to eliminate the strategy element by making it impossible to determine which batting order 3-coin role has been won.

[0137] In this embodiment, as mentioned above, by giving the role of inhibiting the winning of the Big Bonus (BB) to the common 3-coin role and the batting order 3-coin role, it has become possible to suppress the decline in medal acquisition performance during AT play. However, even if a batting order 3-coin role is provided which reduces the degree of increase in the ball payout rate compared to the common 3-coin role, there is a concern that the ball payout rate during non-AT play will increase compared to when the small role that inhibits the winning of the Big Bonus (BB) is used as a 1-coin small role as in the past and this is won in conjunction with the Big Bonus (BB) under normal conditions.

[0138] Therefore, in this embodiment, as the winning modes of the batting order bell, when a stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order, a winning mode in which a one-coin small win is guaranteed and a winning mode in which a one-coin small win may occur are provided, thereby making it possible to suitably adjust the payout rate for games during non-AT. In this embodiment, as winning modes of the batting order bell in which a one-coin small win is guaranteed in the recommended batting order, the batting order bell e group, the batting order bell f group, the batting order bell g group, and the batting order bell h group are provided, and as winning modes of the batting order bell in which a one-coin small win may occur in the recommended batting order, the batting order bell a group, the batting order bell b group, the batting order bell c group, and the batting order bell d group are provided. Below, we will explain the control when a stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order, using the batting order bell a3, the batting order bell b3, and the batting order bell e3 as examples.

[0139] 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of the small wins included in the batting order bell a3. The batting order bell a3 is a winning mode in which the small win 1, which is an 8-piece small win, and the small win 17, small win 19, small win 22, small win 23, small win 29, and small win 38, which are 1-piece small wins, overlap and win.

[0140] In a game in which the batting order bell a3 is won, if the stopping operation is performed according to the recommended batting order, number priority control is used to determine the stopping position of the first reel R1. When the first reel R1 stops, the possible symbols that will be displayed on the active line are the bell symbol "BL," the replay symbol "RP," the red 7 symbol "AKA7," the bar symbol "BAR," the special symbol 1 "SP1," and the special symbol 2 "SP2." When the bell symbol "BL" is displayed on the active line, the number of symbol combinations is one. When the special symbol 1 "SP1" and the special symbol 2 "SP2" are displayed on the active line, the number of symbol combinations is two each. When the replay symbol "RP," the red 7 symbol "AKA7," and the bar symbol "BAR" are displayed on the active line, the number of symbol combinations is four each. In this embodiment, the replay symbols "RP" are arranged on the first reel R1 in a positional relationship that allows them to be displayed on the pay line regardless of the press detection position, and the stopping pattern of the first stop reel in the recommended batting order when each batting order bell is won is standardized. Therefore, when the first reel R1 is stopped first in a game in which the batting order bell a3 is won, the first reel R1 stops so that the replay symbol "RP" that will have the greatest number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the pay line is displayed on the pay line. When the first reel R1 stops in a manner that displays the replay symbol "RP" on the pay line, the small symbols included in the batting order bell a3 that have the potential to win are small symbol 17 and small symbol 38.

[0141] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, for the batting order bell group a and the batting order bell group c, when the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order, a 1-coin small win has a 1 / 4 probability of winning. Using the batting order bell a3 as an example, the small wins 17 and 38 that have the potential to win when the first reel R1 stops are both assigned the white 7 symbol "white 7" on the third reel R3. From the symbol arrangement shown in FIG. 7, the press detection positions that allow the white 7 symbol "white 7" to be displayed on the active line on the third reel R3 are numbers 2 through 6, resulting in a 5 / 20=1 / 4 probability of the white 7 symbol "white 7" being displayed on the active line. Furthermore, for the small win 17, the replay symbol "RP," which can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position, is assigned to the second reel R2, so whether or not a 1-coin small win wins depends on the press detection position on the third reel R3. In other words, if the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order in a game in which the batting order bell a3 is won, there is a 1 / 4 probability that a small role will be won, and a 3 / 4 probability that no role will be won, depending on the press detection position on the third reel R3, which will be the second or third stop reel.In this way, for batting order bells belonging to the batting order bell a group and the batting order bell c group, in the recommended batting order, there is a 1 / 4 probability that a small role will be won, and a 3 / 4 probability that a miss will occur, using the same method as when the batting order bell a3 is won.

[0142] 21 is a diagram showing the configuration of the small wins included in the batting order bell b3. The batting order bell b3 is a winning mode in which the small win 1, which is an 8-piece small win, and the small win 18, small win 20, small win 21, small win 24, and small win 39, which are 1-piece small wins, overlap and win.

[0143] In a game where the batting order bell b3 is won, if the stopping operation is performed according to the recommended batting order, number priority control is used to determine the stopping position of the first reel R1. When the first reel R1 stops, the possible symbols that will be displayed on the active line are the bell symbol "BL," the replay symbol "RP," the red 7 symbol "AKA7," the bar symbol "BAR," the special symbol 1 "SP1," and the special symbol 2 "SP2." When the bell symbol "BL" is displayed on the active line, the number of symbol combinations is one. When the special symbol 1 "SP1" and the special symbol 2 "SP2" are displayed on the active line, the number of symbol combinations is two each. When the replay symbol "RP," the red 7 symbol "AKA7," and the bar symbol "BAR" are displayed on the active line, the number of symbol combinations is four each. As mentioned above, the replay symbols "RP" are arranged on the first reel R1 in a positional relationship that allows them to be displayed on the pay line regardless of the press detection position, and the stopping pattern of the first stop reel in the recommended batting order when each batting order bell is won is standardized. Therefore, when the first reel R1 is stopped first in a game in which the batting order bell b3 is won, the first reel R1 stops so that the replay symbol "RP" that will have the greatest number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the pay line is displayed on the pay line. When the first reel R1 stops in a manner that displays the replay symbol "RP" on the pay line, the small symbols included in the batting order bell b3 that have the potential to win are small symbol 18 and small symbol 39.

[0144] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, for the batting order bell group b and the batting order bell group d, when the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order, a 1-coin small win has a 3 / 4 probability of winning. Taking the batting order bell b3 as an example, the small wins 18 and 39 that have the potential to win when the first reel R1 stops are both assigned the cherry symbol "CH" on the third reel R3. From the symbol arrangement shown in FIG. 7, the press detection positions that allow the cherry symbol "CH" to be displayed on an active line on the third reel R3 are numbers 0 to 1 and numbers 7 to 19, resulting in a 15 / 20=3 / 4 probability of the cherry symbol "CH" being displayed on an active line. Furthermore, for the small win 18, the replay symbol "RP," which can be displayed on an active line regardless of the press detection position, is assigned to the second reel R2, so whether or not a 1-coin small win wins depends on the press detection position on the third reel R3. In other words, if the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order in a game in which batting order bell b3 is won, there is a 3 / 4 probability that a single small role will be won, depending on the press detection position on the third reel R3, which will be the second or third stop reel, and there is a 1 / 4 probability that no role will be won, resulting in a miss.In this way, for batting order bells belonging to batting order bell group b and batting order bell group d, in the recommended batting order, using the same method as when batting order bell b3 is won, there is a 3 / 4 probability that a single small role will be won, and there is a 1 / 4 probability that a miss will occur.

[0145] 22 is a diagram showing the configuration of the small wins included in the batting order bell e3. The batting order bell e3 is a winning mode in which the small win 1, which is an 8-piece small win, and the small win 17, small win 18, small win 19, small win 22, small win 23, and small win 29, which are 1-piece small wins, overlap and win.

[0146] In a game where the batting order bell e3 is won, if the stopping operation is performed according to the recommended batting order, number priority control is used to determine the stopping position of the first reel R1. When the first reel R1 stops, the possible symbols that may appear on the pay line are the bell symbol "BL," the replay symbol "RP," the red 7 symbol "AKA7," the bar symbol "BAR," the special symbol 1 "SP1," and the special symbol 2 "SP2." When the bell symbol "BL" appears on the pay line, the number of possible symbol combinations is one. When the special symbol 1 "SP1" and the special symbol 2 "SP2" appear on the pay line, the number of possible symbol combinations is two each. When the red 7 symbol "AKA7" and the bar symbol "BAR" appear on the pay line, the number of possible symbol combinations is four each. When the replay symbol "RP" appears on the pay line, the number of possible symbol combinations is six. As mentioned above, the replay symbols "RP" are arranged on the first reel R1 in a positional relationship that allows them to be displayed on the pay line regardless of the press detection position, and the stopping pattern of the first stop reel in the recommended batting order when each batting order bell is won is standardized. Therefore, when the first reel R1 is stopped first in a game in which the batting order bell e3 is won, the first reel R1 stops so that the replay symbol "RP" that will have the greatest number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the pay line is displayed on the pay line. When the first reel R1 stops in a manner that displays the replay symbol "RP" on the pay line, the small symbols included in the batting order bell e3 that have the potential to win are small symbol 17 and small symbol 18.

[0147] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, for the batting order bells e, f, g, and h, a one-coin small win is guaranteed when the batting order bells are stopped in the recommended batting order. Using the batting order bell e3 as an example, the small wins 17 and 18 that may win when the first reel R1 stops are assigned the white 7 symbol "white 7" (small win 17) or the cherry symbol "CH" (small win 18) on the third reel R3. The symbol arrangement shown in FIG. 7 allows either the white 7 symbol "white 7" or the cherry symbol "CH" to be displayed on the pay line on the third reel R3 regardless of the press detection position. Furthermore, for the small wins 17 and 18, the replay symbol "RP," which can be displayed on the pay line regardless of the press detection position, is assigned to the second reel R2. Therefore, the one-coin small win is achieved regardless of the press detection position on the second reel R2 and the third reel R3. In this way, for batting order bells belonging to batting order bell group e, batting order bell group f, batting order bell group g, and batting order bell group h, one small winning combination will always be won in the recommended batting order using the same method as when batting order bell e3 is won.

[0148] In this embodiment, the common 3-coin and 3-coin batting order combinations that prevent the Big Bonus (BB) from winning cause the payout rate during non-AT games to be higher than in conventional systems. To address this issue, the batting order bell combinations, which guarantee a 1-coin small combination in the recommended batting order, and the batting order bell combinations that may not result in a 1-coin small combination in the recommended batting order, are provided. This allows for optimal adjustment of medal acquisition performance. For example, by adjusting the winning ratios of the batting order bells A to D and the batting order bells E to H, the impact of the 1-coin small combination winning in the recommended batting order on the payout rate can be adjusted. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the payout rate during non-AT games can be optimally adjusted by dividing the winning ratio of the 1-coin small combination into multiple stages for the batting order bells where a 1-coin small combination may be missed in the recommended batting order. For example, by adjusting the winning ratios of the batting order bells A and C and the batting order bells B and D, the impact of the 1-coin small combination winning on the payout rate can be adjusted.

[0149] Regarding the batting order bell in which a single small winning combination may be missed in the recommended batting order, in this embodiment, the winning rate of the single small winning combination is set to two levels of 1 / 4 and 3 / 4, but it may be one level or three levels or more. Also, the winning rate of the single small winning combination when a stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order for each batting order bell can be arbitrarily set, for example, it may be 1 / 2 or the like.

[0150] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram comparing the medal acquisition performance (here, the expected value of the payout rate) in each game state in this embodiment.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 23, in the normal state, the relationship is batting orders 1, 2 < batting orders 3 to 6, and even in the BB establishment state, the relationship is batting orders 1, 2 < batting orders 3 to 6. That is, in the normal state and the BB establishment state, from the perspective of the expected value of the payout rate, the irregular batting order of stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first is more advantageous than the recommended batting order of stopping the first reel R1 first. Regarding the BB state, there is no bias in the expected value of the payout rate depending on the order of the stop operation.

[0152] Also, as shown in FIG. 23, when comparing the difference in the expected value of the payout rate between game states, regarding batting orders 3 to 6, the relationship is normal state < BB state < BB establishment state. In the game 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 payout rate is higher than in the normal state, and further in the BB establishment state, the expected value of the payout rate is higher than in the BB state.

[0153] In a specification where the medal acquisition performance is higher for batting orders 3 to 6 (game method of stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first) than for batting orders 1, 2 (game method of stopping the first reel R1 first) as in this embodiment, it is necessary to design the expected value of the payout rate at a high level for batting orders 3 to 6 so as not to fall below the lower limit of the range of the payout rate defined by the rules.

[0154] In this embodiment, by designing the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state to be low, even if the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state is increased, it does not exceed the upper limit of the range of ball payout rates set by the rules, and the degree of design freedom can be secured by the amount of the lowered expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state. Furthermore, with regard to 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 ball payout rate in the BB state, it becomes necessary to design the expected value of the ball payout rate in the normal state to be low.

[0155] 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.

[0156] 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.

[0157] For this reason, in this embodiment, batting order bell groups with different control rules between the normal state and the BB state are provided: batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group e, and batting order bell group f; and batting order bell groups with the same control rules between the normal state and the BB state are provided: batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d, batting order bell group g, and batting order bell group h. By making it impossible for batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group e, and batting order bell group f to win an 8-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 the reduction in the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state can be achieved.

[0158] 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.

[0159] In this embodiment, cherry c and special roles exist as winning patterns of small roles that overlap with the big bonus (BB) in the normal state. These winning patterns (determined roles) result in the appearance of a result specific to the winning pattern when the first reel R1 or the second reel R2 is stopped first in the operation sequence. When cherry c or a special role is won in the normal zone, a transition to the AT state is confirmed in the advantageous zone transition process. When cherry c or a special role is won in the advantageous zone, the AT lottery is always won and a transition to the AT state is confirmed. In other words, the results of the middle cherry that appear in a game in which cherry c is won, and the reach symbols that appear in a game in which a special role is won, are results that allow the player to definitively grasp the transition to the AT state.

[0160] In this embodiment, when the game state is in the BB formation state, the presentation state can be set to the AT state, and this is to avoid a situation that is unfavorable to the player due to the restriction on winning 8-coin small roles for some batting order bell groups in the normal state. If the fixed role were to be won without overlapping with the Big Bonus (BB) in the normal state, a difference in behavior would occur between when the fixed role is won in the normal section and normal state and when the fixed role is won in the normal section and BB formation state. Specifically, when a fixed role is won in the normal section and normal state, the transition to the AT state is delayed until the Big Bonus (BB) is won and the transition to the BB formation state occurs, and when a fixed role is won in the normal section and BB formation state, the difference occurs in that the transition to the AT state is immediately made.

[0161] In particular, in this embodiment, when the setting value is changed, the initialization process initializes it to the normal section and normal state, so there is a concern that inconsistencies in behavior may occur when a fixed role is won immediately after the setting value is changed and at other times.

[0162] Therefore, in this embodiment, by making it so that the fixed role always overlaps with the big bonus (BB) in the normal state, it is possible to make the behavior of the fixed role when it is won consistent immediately after the setting value is changed and at other times. In this way, in this embodiment, it is possible to ensure the fairness of the game by eliminating the occurrence of inconsistencies in behavior when the fixed role is won depending on the current game state.

[0163] In addition, in this embodiment, for the batting order bell group a to the batting order bell group h, 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.

[0164] 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, an 8-coin small win can always be won, but even if the stop operation is performed in accordance with the correct batting order, the 8-coin small win may not be won unless a 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, and 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 for only a specific reel (the specific reel may be one or more) among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. That is, in this application, the fact that an 8-coin small role (hereinafter referred to as a correct small role) can be won in a specific operation sequence means that the correct small role may always be won in a specific operation sequence, or that there may be cases where the correct small role is won and cases where the correct small role is not won even in a specific operation sequence. Also, in this application, the specific operation mode includes an operation mode in which the order of stop operations is specified but the press detection position is not specified, and an operation mode in which both the order of stop operations and the press detection position are specified.

[0165] Furthermore, when a lottery for transitioning to a favorable zone is conducted in the normal zone, it is preferable to obtain a lottery result for winning the favorable zone and transition to the favorable zone except in cases where certain winning patterns are obtained. In this embodiment, a lottery result for winning the favorable zone can be obtained when a winning pattern other than normal replay a is obtained during play in the normal zone. By configuring the game to always transition to the favorable zone except in cases where a winning pattern of normal replay a is obtained, the duration of stay in the normal zone can be reduced. In this embodiment, when a BB is formed, stopping the first reel R1 first is more effective than stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first. 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 there is no difference in the degree of advantage 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, if a player can determine whether or not he or she is in a favorable zone, it becomes easy for him or her to switch game modes after determining that he or she is in a normal zone. 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 rate of transitioning to a favorable zone 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 the assist time game, divided by the total number of medals paid out (the so-called instruction-inclusive device 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.

[0166] 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 end condition of the favorable zone being met and the correct batting order for winning an 8-coin small role being notified. In this embodiment, the value of the ceiling counter 1924 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. Only when the batting order bell is won is an update permitted on the condition that a 1-coin small 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. Regarding the update of the value of the ceiling counter, it is preferable to allow the value of the ceiling counter 1924 to approach a predetermined value when the stop operation is performed in the operation sequence that stops the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2), and not allow the value of the ceiling counter 1924 to approach a predetermined value when the stop operation is performed in the operation 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 zones is to reduce as much as possible the possibility of falling below the lower limit of the range of the payout rate in the so-called new mid-term test (1600G). 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 zone continues for a long period 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 value of the ceiling counter 1924 required to activate the ceiling function to be updated for the operation sequence in which the first reel R1 stops first (batting order 1, 2).

[0167] In addition, in this embodiment, when the BB is formed and the stopping operation is performed in the operation sequence that stops the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2), a common 3-coin role is provided as a winning mode in which two or more medals are paid out, and the winning probability is at least 1 / 400.

[0168] In this embodiment, when a batting order bell belonging to any of batting order bell groups a to h is won in the BB formation state, if the first reel R1 is stopped first (batting order 1, 2), a small prize of one coin can be won. However, the lower limit of the payout rate range in the so-called short-time test is when the number of medals paid out exceeds 1 / 3 of 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.

[0169] Therefore, in this embodiment, a winning mode for a common three-coin role is prepared, and two or more medals are always paid out when the first reel R1 is stopped in the operation sequence (batting order 1, 2) in which it is stopped first. In this embodiment, the winning probability of a common three-coin role is about 1 / 8, and since the common three-coin role is almost certainly obtained at least once during the 400G of the short-time test, a design that can be expected to be suitable for the short-time test is possible.

[0170] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the batting order bell is won, the order of stop operations that may result in an 8-coin minor win is biased toward stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first (batting order 3 to batting order 6). Therefore, 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 operation instruction information is provided to the player during a favorable zone, 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.

[0171] In addition, in this embodiment, when the presentation state transitions to an AT state in a favorable zone, a specific notification is initiated by lighting up the zone indicator SEC; there are cases where the favorable zone continues after the AT state ends, and cases where the favorable zone ends; when the AT state ends and the favorable zone ends, the zone indicator SEC is turned off and the specific notification is terminated; and when the AT state ends and the favorable zone continues, the zone indicator SEC is also turned off and the specific notification is terminated.

[0172] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the relationship between the game interval, the presentation state, and the state of the interval indicator SEC.

[0173] First, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 24(A), if the termination condition is not met even when the first AT state ends in the advantageous zone, specifically if the value of the clear counter 1992 does not reach the threshold value, the advantageous zone continues. Also, as shown in Figure 24(A), if the termination condition is met in the second AT state in the advantageous zone, specifically if the value of the clear counter 1922 reaches the threshold value, the AT state ends, the advantageous zone ends, and a return to the normal zone occurs.

[0174] In this embodiment, the interval indicator SEC remains off after the end of both the first and second AT states, so if a player changes positions while the interval indicator SEC is off, the player who plays later will not be able to determine whether they are in the normal interval or the advantageous interval by referring to the interval indicator SEC.

[0175] On the other hand, conventionally, an interval indicator SEC is used to indicate advantageous intervals. As shown in Figure 24(B), the interval indicator SEC is off during normal intervals, lights up when an advantageous interval begins, and turns off when the advantageous interval ends. With this conventional method, it is easy to determine whether a player is in a normal interval or an advantageous interval by referring to the interval indicator SEC. Therefore, with conventional methods, if there is a bias in the expected medal acquisition value depending on the order of stopping operations, it is not possible to prevent a strategy element of reducing medal consumption by playing with an irregular batting order in the normal interval, which has a higher expected medal acquisition value than the recommended batting order.

[0176] Therefore, in this embodiment, after the AT state ends in the advantageous zone, the specific notification by the zone indicator SEC is terminated in both cases where the advantageous zone continues and where the advantageous zone ends.As a result, when the zone indicator SEC is off, it is not possible to know whether the player is in the normal zone or the advantageous zone, so that it is possible to prevent strategies that use irregular batting orders that have a high expected value of winning medals, and it is possible to ensure the fairness of the game.

[0177] In this embodiment, even if the setting value is changed, the information related to the game zone is initialized and set to the normal zone, but in a conventional configuration in which the advantageous zone is notified by the zone indicator SEC, it is possible to know that the player is in the normal zone because the zone indicator SEC is off. On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the zone indicator SEC is off, it is not possible to know whether the player is in the normal zone or the advantageous zone, so it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of being able to determine whether the setting value has been changed.

[0178] According to this embodiment, it is not possible to distinguish between normal zones and advantageous zones by referring to the lighting state of the zone indicator SEC, and so fairness in the game can be ensured even if the advantageous zone transition process carried out when transitioning from the normal zone to the advantageous zone gives more favorable treatment than if the same internal lottery result were obtained in the advantageous zone.

[0179] In addition, the method of this embodiment uses the section indicator SEC to notify that the player is in any presentation state in which instruction information is provided by the instruction function in the advantageous section. Therefore, there may be multiple presentation states in which instruction information is provided in the advantageous section.

[0180] In this embodiment, there is only one type of AT state, but multiple types of AT states may be provided. If there are multiple types of AT states (presentation states in which instruction information is provided by the instruction function), specific notifications may be associated with some of the AT states, or specific notifications may be associated with all of the AT states. In other words, there may be an AT state in which specific notifications are not executed. For example, a configuration may be possible in which there are a first AT state and a second AT state, and specific notifications are executed in the first AT state but not in the second AT state.

[0181] Furthermore, it is preferable that the output of a specific external signal is permitted in the AT state in which a specific notification is made, and that the output of a specific external signal is not made in the AT state in which a specific notification is not made. In other words, control can be performed to permit the output of a specific external signal to an external device via the external centralized terminal board, provided that a specific notification is being made.

[0182] Furthermore, the output of a specific external signal to an external device relayed through an external centralized terminal board can be output in different ways when transitioning from a normal presentation state to an AT state (at the time of the so-called first win) and when transitioning again from an AT state to an AT state (when the AT state is consumed for the second or subsequent set). For example, a BB signal and an RB signal are prepared as specific external signals, and when transitioning from a normal presentation state to an AT state, the mode can be such that the BB signal is output and then the RB signal is output, and when transitioning again from an AT state to an AT state, the mode can be such that the BB signal is not output but the RB signal is output.

[0183] Furthermore, when multiple types of AT states exist, different specific external signals may be output depending on the type of AT state. For example, a BB signal and an RB signal may be provided as specific external signals, and a first AT state and a second AT state may exist as AT states, with the BB signal being output corresponding to the first AT state and the RB signal being output corresponding to the second AT state. Note that when multiple types of AT states exist, a common specific external signal may be output corresponding to different AT states.

[0184] Furthermore, when multiple types of AT states exist, a unique interval indicator SEC may be provided for each AT state, or one interval indicator SEC may be shared by multiple types of AT states. In particular, when one interval indicator SEC is shared by multiple types of AT states, the notification mode of the specific notification (the lighting mode of the interval indicator SEC) may be different depending on the type of AT state, or the notification mode of the specific notification may be common regardless of the type of AT state.

[0185] Furthermore, the specific notification may be executed only when the AT state transitions in the advantageous zone, that is, the zone indicator SEC may be lit only when switching between the non-AT state (normal presentation state in this embodiment) and the AT state. In this case, the zone indicator SEC may be lit in the process of transitioning the presentation state to the AT state, and the zone indicator SEC may be turned off during the first play in the AT state. The timing for turning off the zone indicator SEC may be set to any trigger, such as inserting a medal, operating the start lever SL to start play, starting the reels to spin, or operating the third stop.

[0186] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, there is a difference in the expected medal winning value between the recommended batting order, in which the first reel R1 stops first, and the irregular batting order, in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first. Since the irregular batting order has a higher expected medal winning value than the recommended batting order, if the player can easily grasp the difference between the normal section and the advantageous section, it is difficult to prevent a game method in which the player stops the ball in the irregular batting order in the normal section, which does not affect the degree of advantage of the processing related to the instruction function, thereby reducing medal consumption. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the normal section and the advantageous section cannot be distinguished depending on the lighting status of the section indicator SEC. However, if the player is in the normal presentation state in the advantageous section, playing in the irregular batting order puts the processing related to the instruction function at a disadvantage. Therefore, it is desirable to notify the player that they should play in the recommended batting order as a warning.

[0187] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 25, when a game is played with an irregular batting order, a specific notification effect is executed on the liquid crystal display LCD to prompt the player to perform the stopping operation in the recommended batting order by displaying a warning message including the message "Push left is recommended."

[0188] In this embodiment, since the disadvantage of playing with an irregular batting order occurs when the player is in an advantageous zone and in a normal display state, if the specific notification display is only executable in the advantageous zone, the inconvenience of being able to determine whether the normal zone is in effect or not occurs will arise. For example, after the end of the AT state in the advantageous zone, the player intentionally plays with an irregular batting order, and determines whether the advantageous zone continues or has returned to the normal zone depending on whether the specific notification display occurs, or when a player is replaced, the new player who starts playing will play with an irregular batting order for the time being and determine whether the zone is in the normal zone or the advantageous zone depending on whether the specific display occurs.

[0189] For this reason, in this embodiment, it is possible to execute specific notification effects in both the normal zone and the advantageous zone, and in the normal zone, the specific notification effect is executed based on a stop operation being performed in an irregular batting order, and in the advantageous zone, the specific notification effect is executed based on a stop operation being performed in an irregular batting order while remaining in the normal display state, making it impossible to distinguish between the normal zone and the advantageous zone based on the occurrence of specific notification effects for play in an irregular batting order.

[0190] In this embodiment, since the expected value of medal acquisition in the recommended batting order is lower than in an irregular batting order, there is an inherent strategy element that can reduce medal consumption by performing a stop operation in an irregular batting order in the normal zone; however, since it is not possible to determine whether it is a normal zone or an advantageous zone depending on whether a specific notification effect occurs or not, playing methods that utilize strategy elements can be discouraged, thereby ensuring fairness in the game.

[0191] In this embodiment, a warning display on the liquid crystal display LCD is described as the specific notification effect, but a warning sound may also be output as the specific notification effect. Also, the specific notification effect may not display a message or the like, and the effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD may go dark, as long as it can communicate to the player the change in effect due to the game being played with an irregular batting order.

[0192] In this embodiment, an example has been given in which the end condition of the advantageous zone is set based on the value of the clear counter 1922, which is updated according to the number of medals inserted and the number of medals paid out, but the end condition of the advantageous zone may also be set to any desired value, i.e., a predetermined number of plays have been played in the advantageous zone.

[0193] In addition, in this embodiment, when the setting value is changed, the information related to the game zone and the information related to the game state are reset, and immediately after the setting value is changed, the game will always stay in the normal zone and normal state. For this reason, in a specification that gives advantageous treatment when moving from the normal zone to the advantageous zone, it is preferable that there is no advantage when the setting value is changed.

[0194] Therefore, in the normal state, unless a winning pattern in which the Big Bonus (BB) is won alone is obtained, the advantageous zone is won, and in the normal state, if a winning pattern in which the Big Bonus (BB) and a small prize are both won, a special flag is set, and the degree of advantage is adjusted by referring to the game state and the special flag, thereby eliminating the advantage when the setting value is changed.

[0195] For example, for a specific period from the third stop of a game that has achieved a winning pattern that results in a transition to a favorable zone to the internal lottery for the next game (the first game in the favorable zone), if a special flag is not set, more favorable processing can be performed than if a special flag is set.

[0196] Specifically, in a game in which a winning pattern in which a big bonus (BB) and a small bonus overlap in the normal section and normal state is obtained, a process for setting a special flag is performed at least before the third stop.

[0197] If a special flag is set during the specific period, the lottery mode for the AT lottery in the normal presentation state is set to low probability mode, and even if the gaming state is normal during the specific period, the lottery mode for the AT lottery in the normal presentation state is set to low probability mode.On the other hand, if a special flag is not set during the specific period and the gaming state is a BB establishment state, the lottery mode for the AT lottery in the normal presentation state is set to high probability mode.

[0198] In this way, when a transition to an advantageous zone occurs while remaining in the normal zone and normal state, the lottery mode of the AT lottery at the time of transition to the advantageous zone becomes the low probability mode, thereby eliminating the advantage when the setting value is changed. Note that the adjustment of the degree of advantage may be realized by changing the destination of the transition to the presentation state, for example, when a special flag is set during a specific period and when the gaming state is in a normal state during the specific period, the destination of the transition to the presentation state may be the normal presentation state, and when a special flag is not set during the specific period and the gaming state is in a BB establishment state, the destination of the transition to the presentation state may be a presentation state more advantageous than the normal presentation state (for example, an AT state, etc.).

[0199] In addition, in a situation where the player is in the normal zone and in the BB formation state, it is preferable that the player is not allowed to win in the advantageous zone in a winning mode where a big bonus (BB) and a small bonus are both won in the normal zone. For example, in the above embodiment, if the player is in the normal zone and in the BB formation state and has a winning mode of a common 3-piece role or a batting order 3-piece role, the special flag is not set, and processing related to the transition to the advantageous zone is not performed.

[0200] Another embodiment for eliminating the advantage when the setting value is changed is to prevent the big bonus (BB) from being won in the advantageous zone in either the normal state or the BB formation state for all winning patterns in which the big bonus (BB) is won in the normal state, and to perform more advantageous processing in the BB formation state than in the normal state.

[0201] For example, during the specific period from the third stop of a game in which a winning pattern is obtained that results in a transition to a favorable zone to the internal lottery for the next game (the first game in the favorable zone) when the game state is normal, the lottery mode for the AT lottery in the normal presentation state can be set to low probability mode, and if the game state is in the BB formation state, the lottery mode for the AT lottery in the normal presentation state can be set to high probability mode. In this way, when a transition to a favorable zone occurs in the normal zone and normal state, the transition to the favorable zone occurs while maintaining the normal state, preventing the occurrence of an advantage when the setting value is changed. Note that the degree of advantage can be adjusted by changing the destination of the presentation state. For example, if the game state is normal during the specific period, the destination of the presentation state can be the normal presentation state, and if the game state is in the BB formation state during the specific period, the destination of the presentation state can be the presentation state that is more favorable than the normal presentation state (e.g., the AT state).

[0202] Furthermore, in this embodiment, instruction information is provided in the AT state in the advantageous zone, but instruction information is not provided in the normal presentation state. However, instruction information may also be provided in the normal presentation state. The presentation states that can be set in the advantageous zone are not limited to the normal presentation state and the AT state. For example, various configurations can be employed, such as a configuration in which a precursory state (an example of a first state) is provided in the normal presentation state between the determination of the right to transition to the AT state and the transition to the AT state, a configuration in which the right to transition to the AT state is granted under conditions different from those in the normal presentation state and a chance zone state (an example of a first state) is provided in which the right to transition to the AT state is easier to obtain than in the normal presentation state, a configuration in which an end waiting state (an example of a first state) is maintained when the end condition of the AT state is met, and if the return condition to the AT state is met in the end waiting state, the game returns to the AT state, and if the return condition to the AT state is not met, the game transitions to the normal presentation state, and a configuration in which the success or failure of any end condition of the advantageous zone is determined in the end waiting state after the end of the AT state, and the game may transition from the end waiting state to the normal presentation state and the advantageous zone may continue, or the advantageous zone may end in the end waiting state and transition to the normal zone.

[0203] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the AT state is not in the advantageous zone and a stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order in a game in which the batting order bell is won, the game is treated more favorably in various processes related to the instruction function than if the stop operation was performed in an irregular batting order for that game, but the following configuration can also be adopted.

[0204] For example, when a stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order while the machine is in a favorable zone and in a normal presentation state, a specific game is awarded once based on the first stop operation, and this fact is recorded in the specific game counter. Specifically, the initial value of the specific game counter is set to 0, and when the first stop operation is performed on the stop button B1, 1 is added to the value of the specific game counter. The value of the specific game counter is decremented when a game start operation is performed for a game while the machine is in a favorable zone and in a normal presentation state, and 1 is decremented from the value of the specific game counter after processing related to instruction functions such as AT lottery is performed. In other words, before decrementing the value of the specific game counter, at least one or more processing related to instruction functions is executed by referring to the value of the specific game counter. When the value of the specific game counter is 1, more favorable processing is performed than when the value of the specific game counter is 0. For example, when the value of the specific game counter is 1, an AT lottery can be executed, which has a higher probability of resulting in an AT win than when the value of the specific game counter is 0. For example, if the value of the specific game counter is 1, execution of the AT lottery can be permitted, and if the value of the specific game counter is 0, execution of the AT lottery can be prohibited. According to these examples, if a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order during a game in an advantageous zone and normal presentation mode, the degree of advantage can be adjusted in the next game of that game. Therefore, by combining the method of the above embodiment, a game in which a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order is treated as a disadvantage in the processing related to the instruction function as a penalty for performing a stop operation in an irregular batting order, and in the next game, the degree of advantage can be treated as a penalty for performing a stop operation in an irregular batting order during the processing related to the instruction function as a penalty for the value of the specific counter being 0. In other words, by carrying over information recording that a stop operation was performed in the recommended batting order to the next game and referencing that information in the next game to perform advantageous processing, the effect of adjusting the degree of advantage can be exerted on multiple games. Note that the game for which the determination is made as to whether to increment the value of the specific game counter may be only the game in which the batting order bell is won, or it may be the game in which all winning patterns, including the batting order bell, are obtained.

[0205] Furthermore, in a situation where the normal presentation state is maintained in the advantageous zone, if a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order in a game in which the batting order bell is won, control may be exercised to make it more difficult for a particular presentation to appear, or to prevent a particular presentation from appearing, until a specified release condition is met in the next or subsequent games.

[0206] An example of a specific effect is an effect that suggests the result of an internal lottery. Specifically, when a highly rare winning mode such as Cherry A or Cherry B is obtained, an image suggesting that the highly rare winning mode has been won is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD, or a lamp is lit in a color corresponding to the highly rare winning mode. Control that makes a specific effect less likely to appear or that does not appear can be achieved by changing the table for selecting effects, etc. The release conditions can be set arbitrarily, such as the number of games played, obtaining the result of a predetermined internal lottery, or winning the release lottery by performing a release lottery.

[0207] Here, it is assumed that when a winning pattern with a high rarity is obtained in an internal lottery in a favorable zone, in a specification that is favorably treated in the processing related to the instruction function, a specific effect that allows the player to grasp that a winning pattern with a high rarity is obtained is executed between the detection of the game start operation and the detection of the first stop operation. In this case, if the specific effect does not occur, the possibility of a winning pattern with a high rarity is low, so the stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order that has a high expected value for medal acquisition, and if the specific effect occurs, the possibility of a winning pattern with a high rarity is high, so the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order, which is a strategy element.

[0208] In response to this, by adopting control that limits the appearance of specific effects (control that reduces the frequency of appearance or control that prevents them from appearing) until a predetermined release condition is met when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order with a high expected value of medal acquisition, highly strategic gameplay can be suppressed. The decision on whether to perform control to limit the appearance of specific effects may be made only when the batting order bell is won, or may be made when the batting order bell and other effects are won. In other words, a decision on whether to perform control to limit the execution of specific effects may be made only when a winning mode is obtained in which the degree of advantage is adjusted for processing related to the instruction function when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order, or a decision on whether to perform control to limit the execution of specific effects may be made even when a winning mode is obtained in which the degree of advantage for processing related to the instruction function is not affected even when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order.

[0209] 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.

[0210] Furthermore, in a game in which a batting order role (such as the batting order bell or batting order 3-coin role in the above embodiment) in which the control mode differs depending on the order of the stop operations is won, if the press detection position of the first stop operation is a specific press position, the reel stop position may be determined by payout number priority control to make it possible to win the specific minor role, and if the press detection position of the first stop operation is different from the specific press position, the reel stop position may be determined by number priority control to avoid winning the specific minor role. In this way, since the possibility of winning a specific minor role in a game in which a batting order role is won is affected by the press detection position, it becomes possible to control the winning rate of the specific minor role simply by changing the setting mode of the specific press position, and the design freedom of the gaming machine can be improved.

[0211] For example, a unique specific press position is assigned to each of 16 types of batting order roles, and there are 16 different settings for the specific press positions. When a batting order role is won in a favorable zone and the AT state is not active, the specific batting order (the sequence of operations required to win a specific minor role) is announced, but the player cannot know the specific press position. Therefore, the expected winning rate of a specific minor role in a specific batting order when a batting order role is won can be reduced to 1 / 16. It is also possible to configure fewer than 16 settings for the specific press positions. For example, if 10 types of batting order roles are established and two specific press positions are assigned to each batting order role, 10 different settings for the specific press positions can be established, and the expected winning rate of a specific minor role can be reduced to 1 / 10. In addition, the setting mode of the specific press position can be configured to be more than 16 types. For example, if 20 types of batting order special roles are provided and one specific press position is uniquely assigned to each batting order role, 20 types of setting modes of the specific press position can be provided, and in this way, the expected value of the winning rate of the specific small role can be reduced to 1 / 20. In this way, the expected value of the winning rate can be controlled by the setting mode of the specific press position, so the design freedom of the gaming machine is improved. In addition, since the control law is switched using the press detection position, it also leads to an improvement in the design freedom of the results (stop mode).

[0212] The above-mentioned method for the batting order role is optimal when the target role for controlling the winning rate is set to a symbol combination that indicates a winning form that can be drawn regardless of the press detection position on any reel, and it is preferable to win with a combination of roles that can draw a role with a lower payout than the target role by number priority control when a stop operation is not performed at a specific press position. Also, when determining the configuration of the batting order role, the target role for controlling the winning rate and the role that will be won when the specific press position is not reached can be fixed, so it can be realized without increasing the number of roles unnecessarily, which also leads to saving memory usage.

[0213] In the above explanation, the stop control mode is changed by determining whether the first reel that stops when the batting order role is won is at a specific press position, but the stop control mode may also be changed by determining whether the second reel that stops (the reel that stops second) or the third reel that stops (the reel that stops third) is at a specific press position.

[0214] In addition, although it is determined whether or not the specific press position is on the first reel to stop among the three reels, it may also be possible to determine whether or not the specific press position is on two or more reels and change the manner of stop control.

[0215] In addition, an example has been described in which payout number priority control is applied when it is determined that the position is a specific press position, and number priority control is applied when it is determined that the position is not a specific press position, but it is also possible to apply number priority control when it is determined that the position is a specific press position, and apply payout number priority control when it is determined that the position is not a specific press position.

[0216] In the above example, when a batting order combination is won, a determination is also made as to whether the first stop operation is a specific batting order. Specifically, if the first stop operation is a non-specific batting order, payout number priority control is performed, and if the first stop operation is a specific batting order, payout number priority control is performed if the specific press position is selected, and number priority control is performed if the specific press position is not selected. However, when the first stop operation is performed in a specific batting order, symbols common to specific minor combinations and non-specific minor combinations (minor combinations that are not specific minor combinations: for example, 1-piece minor combinations) are displayed on the active line whether the specific press position is selected or not, so the stopping result for the reels stopped by the first stop operation in a specific batting order will be the same regardless of which control rule is used. For this reason, if the first stopping operation is in a non-specific batting order, number priority control is performed for the reel corresponding to the first stopping operation, and if the first stopping operation is in a specific batting order, payout number priority control is performed for the reel corresponding to the first stopping operation, and for reels that stop after the second stopping operation, payout number priority control continues to be performed if the first stopping operation is in a specific batting order and is in a specific pressed position, and number priority control is switched to if the first stopping operation is in a specific batting order and is not in a specific pressed position.

[0217] In addition, when a batting order role is won, a specific batting order is announced, but the specific pressed position may not be announced, or a mode in which the specific pressed position is announced may be adopted. In addition, the specific batting order announcement for the batting order role in the advantageous zone may be made when the AT state is not in effect, or the specific batting order announcement for the batting order role may be made even in the AT state.

[0218] Although the number of reels has been described as three, the number of reels may be four. Furthermore, although the present embodiment has been described as having 20 frames per reel, the number of frames per reel may be 21 or less than 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0219] 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, 177 communication 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 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, 410 Data Counter, 420 Hall Computer

Claims

[Claim 1] a plurality of reels on the outer periphery of which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged; a main control unit that executes an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination is achieved, and a reel control that rotates the plurality of reels and stops the rotating reels in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is initiated; a sub-controller that can execute a first effect that suggests that a predetermined lottery result has been obtained in the internal lottery and a second effect that notifies that a stop operation should be performed in a specific operation order in which a specific reel among the plurality of reels is stopped first; A gaming machine having an instruction function that can set a non-advantageous zone and an advantageous zone and can provide instruction information that assists winning of a winning combination in the advantageous zone, In the advantageous section, there is a first section in which provision of the predetermined instruction information is permitted and a second section in which provision of the predetermined instruction information is not permitted, a section notification device that performs a section notification operation to notify the user that the user is staying in the first section of the advantageous section, and does not perform a section notification operation in the non-advantageous section and the second section of the advantageous section; When the stop operation is performed in the specific operation sequence, the expected value of game value acquisition is lower than when the stop operation is performed in a non-specific operation sequence in which a reel other than the specific reel stops first, As a winning mode of the internal lottery, there is a specific winning mode in which the stop operation is performed in the non-specific operation sequence, and if the stop operation is a correct operation sequence, a winning combination in which the number of game values ​​paid out is equal to or greater than the number of game values ​​inserted is possible, and if the stop operation is an unsuccessful operation sequence different from the correct operation sequence, a winning combination in which the number of game values ​​paid out is equal to or greater than the number of game values ​​inserted is impossible, The main control unit When the specific winning pattern is obtained by the internal lottery, if the stop operation is performed in the specific operation sequence, a winning combination in which the number of game values ​​paid out is less than the number of game values ​​inserted will always win, and if the stop operation is performed in the non-specific operation sequence and the stop operation is the unsuccessful operation sequence, there are cases in which a winning combination in which the number of game values ​​paid out is less than the number of game values ​​inserted will win, and cases in which no winning combination will win, and if the stop operation performed in the non-specific operation sequence is a first unsuccessful operation sequence in which the first reel to be stopped is the same as that in the correct operation sequence, control is performed to stop the reels while they are spinning so that the winning combination rate will be higher than if the stop operation performed in the non-specific operation sequence is a second unsuccessful operation sequence in which the first reel to be stopped is different from that in the correct operation sequence, The sub-control unit When the stop operation is performed in the non-specific operation sequence in the second section of the advantageous section, control is performed to reduce the frequency of appearance of the first effect in the next and subsequent games, A gaming machine characterized in that, in the non-advantageous zone, the second presentation is executed when the stop operation is performed in the non-specific operation sequence, and, in the advantageous zone, the second presentation is executed when the stop operation is performed in the non-specific operation sequence in the second zone.

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