Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a technology for controlling whether or not a specific small winning combination is won in a new stop-control manner to improve a degree of freedom in design of a game machine.SOLUTION: In a game machine, shooting-order special winning combination group (shooting-order special winning combination 1 to shooting-order special winning combination 16) is present as a winning mode of a small winning combination, and in a case where a shooting-order special winning combination is won, the mode of stop-control is varied such that whether or not 15 pieces of small winning combinations included in the shooting-order special winning combination are won changes on the basis whether the pressing detection position of a first stop operation is a specific pressing position which is predetermined based on the kind of the shooting-order special winning combination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines (rotary gaming machines, slot machines) having a plurality of reels with symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface have been known. This type of gaming machine assigns a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and conducts a game for obtaining such gaming media. Further, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery and starts the rotation of a plurality of reels upon a rotation start operation by a player, and controls to stop the plurality of reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon a stop operation契机 by the player. The result of the game is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in the state where the plurality of reels have stopped, and payouts such as medals are made according to the result of the game.

[0003] In recent years, by executing a winning assistance effect for assisting the winning of a specific combination under predetermined conditions, the winning probability of a specific small combination is varied, and an assist time game that makes it easier to obtain gaming media such as medals in an AT state where the winning assistance effect can be executed has been well received (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, in conventional gaming machines capable of performing assist time games, the ability to win specific small wins has been controlled by the order of stopping operations, thereby creating a difference in the acquisition of game currency between assist time games and non-assist time games. However, this method, which relies on the order of stopping operations, has the drawback of having limited design flexibility because the number of reels limits the number of operation patterns.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a technology that improves the design freedom of a gaming machine by controlling whether or not specific minor roles can be won using a new stop control method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The present invention is a gaming machine comprising: a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on their outer circumferential surfaces; an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether a plurality of types of winning combinations, including minor winning combinations, are achieved; a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and, triggered by a stop operation, controlling the reels to stop while they are rotating in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery; a winning combination determination means for determining that a winning combination has been achieved based on the fact that a combination of symbols indicating a predetermined winning pattern for each winning combination is displayed on the active line when the plurality of reels are stopped; and a payout control means for performing control to pay out the game value based on the fact that a minor winning combination has been achieved, wherein symbols that are within a predetermined pull-in range from the operation detection position, which is the position of the reels at the time of the stop operation, can be displayed at the display position on the active line, and the minor winning combination The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which there are multiple types of specific winning patterns in which multiple types of winning patterns, including a specific small winning pattern, are won in overlapping manner, and in each of the multiple reels, the symbols constituting the winning pattern of the specific small winning pattern are arranged so that they are within the predetermined pull-in range regardless of the operation detection position, and a specific operation position is set, which is the operation detection position that permits the winning of the specific small winning pattern, according to the type of specific winning pattern, and the reel control means determines the stopping position of the reels based on a first control rule that allows the winning of the specific small winning pattern if the operation detection position is the specific operation position, and determines the stopping position of the reels based on a second control rule that avoids the winning of the specific small winning pattern if the operation detection position is different from the specific operation position.

[0008] (2) The present invention is a gaming machine comprising: a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on their outer circumferential surfaces; an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether a plurality of types of winning combinations, including minor winning combinations, are achieved; a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and, triggered by a stop operation, controlling the reels to stop while they are rotating in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery; a winning determination means for determining whether a winning combination has been achieved based on the fact that a symbol combination indicating a predetermined winning pattern for each winning combination is displayed on the active line when the plurality of reels are stopped; and a payout control means for performing control to pay out game value based on the fact that a minor winning combination has been achieved, wherein symbols that are within a predetermined pull-in range from the operation detection position, which is the position of the reels at the time of the stop operation, can be displayed at the display position on the active line, wherein the winning patterns of the minor winning combinations include a plurality of specific minor winning combinations The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which there are multiple types of specific winning patterns in which several types of roles are won in overlapping manner, and in each of the multiple reels, the symbols constituting the winning pattern of the specific small role are arranged within the predetermined pull-in range regardless of the operation detection position, and a specific operation position is set, which is the operation detection position that permits the winning of the specific small role, according to the type of specific winning pattern, and the reel control means determines the stopping position of the reels in a game in which the specific winning pattern has been obtained, so as to maximize the payout of game value if the operation detection position is the specific operation position, thereby enabling the winning of the specific small role, and determines the stopping position of the reels in a way that maximizes the number of symbol combinations that show the winning pattern that can be displayed on the active line, thereby avoiding the winning of the specific small role if the operation detection position is different from the specific operation position.

[0009] (3) The present invention comprises: a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer surface; an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether a plurality of types of winning combinations, including minor winning combinations, are achieved; a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and, triggered by a stop operation, controlling the reels to stop while they are rotating in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery; a winning combination determination means for determining that a winning combination has been achieved based on the fact that a combination of symbols indicating a predetermined winning pattern for each winning combination is displayed on the active line when the plurality of reels are stopped; and a payout control means for performing control to pay out game value based on the fact that a minor winning combination has been achieved, wherein the position of the reels at the time of the stop operation is the position of the reels. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that enables the display of symbols located within a predetermined pull-in range at a display position on an active line, wherein there are multiple types of specific winning patterns in which multiple types of winning patterns, including a specific small winning pattern, are won in overlapping manners, and in each of the multiple reels, symbols constituting the winning pattern of the specific small winning pattern are arranged within the predetermined pull-in range regardless of the operation detection position, and the reel control means changes the manner of stop control in a game in which the specific winning pattern is obtained, such that the winning of the specific small winning pattern changes depending on whether the operation detection position is a specific operation position predetermined according to the type of specific winning pattern.

[0010] According to the inventions described in (1) to (3) above, since the success or failure of winning a specific minor role in a game that has achieved a specific winning pattern is influenced by the operation detection position, it becomes possible to control the success rate of winning a specific minor role simply by changing the setting pattern of the specific operation position, thereby improving the design freedom of the game machine. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the housing of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the functional block of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the internal lottery table in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates the manner in which minor prizes are awarded in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates the manner in which minor prizes are awarded in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure illustrates the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the relationship between the order in which the stop buttons are pressed and the winning combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the relationship between the order in which the stop buttons are pressed and the winning combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates the relationship between the order in which the stop buttons are pressed and the winning combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This diagram illustrates the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This diagram illustrates the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This diagram illustrates the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is a diagram showing the transitions between game states in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] This is a diagram showing the transitions between the performance states in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This is a diagram showing the transitions between game sections in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19]It is a diagram showing the combination of special winning combinations in batting order in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] It is a diagram for explaining a method of stop control related to a special winning combination in batting order in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] It is a diagram for explaining a method of stop control related to a special winning combination in batting order in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] It is a diagram for explaining a specific example of stop control related to a special winning combination in batting order in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] It is a diagram for explaining the symbol arrangement of the reels in the gaming machine according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the winning combination and the symbol combination in the gaming machine according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the configuration of the special winning combination in batting order, the order of pressing the stop button, and the winning combination in the gaming machine according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] 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. Also, not all of the configurations described in this embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0013] 1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 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.

[0014] The gaming machine in the present embodiment is a so-called slot machine or a rotary drum gaming machine, and is a type of gaming machine that conducts a game using medals as a gaming medium.

[0015] The gaming machine of this embodiment houses a reel unit consisting of a first reel R1 to a third reel R3 (multiple reels) within a box-shaped enclosure consisting of a storage box BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD. Below the reel unit storage space PS inside the storage box BX is 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 dispensing device. The hopper unit HP includes a medal storage tank MT for storing medals used in the game, a dispensing motor consisting of a stepping motor (not shown), and a rotating disc (not shown) pivotally supported by the dispensing motor. The rotating disc is driven to rotate by the dispensing motor, allowing medals to be dispensed one at a time. Furthermore, when the amount of medals stored in the medal storage tank MT reaches a certain level, the hopper unit HP sends the excess medals to the cash box CB. Furthermore, within the casing of the gaming machine of this embodiment, for example, a main board MAIN is mounted above the reel unit storage space PS, and a sub-board SUB is mounted to the side of the reel unit storage space PS. These control boards (main board MAIN, sub-board SUB) are equipped with a CPU (an example of calculation means), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM (an example of a temporary storage means), etc., to control the operation of the gaming machine. In this embodiment, a setting change key cylinder KS and a setting change button BS are provided on the power supply unit EU, but the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting change button BS may also be provided on the surface of the main board MAIN.

[0016] The first to third reels R1 to R3 shown in Figure 1 are each divided into 20 regions (each region referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals on their outer surface, and one of several types of patterns is arranged in each frame. The first to third reels R1 to R3 are pivotally supported by a stepping motor (reel driving means: not shown) and are rotationally driven around the axis of the stepping motor. By controlling the number of pulses and pulse width of the stepping motor's drive pulses, they are designed to be stopped in frame units (units of predetermined rotation angle and predetermined rotation amount). In other words, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stepping motor rotates the first to third reels R1 to R3 in response to drive pulses supplied from the control board, and when a drive pulse for full-phase excitation is supplied from the control board, the rotation of the stepping motor stops, and the first to third reels R1 to R3 stop as a result.

[0017] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are designed to open and close independently. The upper front door UD is equipped with a display window DW that allows observation of the rotation and stopped states of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. When the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower) that are arranged consecutively on the outer surface of each of the multiple types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer surface of each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 can be observed from the front of the gaming machine through the display window DW.

[0018] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display position for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and the active line is set by the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the number of tokens required for one game, the so-called prescribed number of tokens, is set to 3, and when tokens equivalent to the prescribed number of tokens are inserted, the active line L1, which consists of the upper position of the first reel R1, the middle position of the second reel R2, and the lower position of the third reel R3, is activated.

[0019] The game result is determined by the combination of symbols that stop on the active lines in the display window DW. If the combination of symbols on the active lines corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, the winning combination is considered to have been achieved, and medals are dispensed from the hopper unit HP.

[0020] The upper front door UD is equipped with a game information display unit DS and a section indicator SEC. The game information display unit DS consists of LEDs, lamps, a 7-segment display, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or acquired in one game, and the total number of medals paid out or acquired in BB state. The section indicator SEC indicates whether or not the player is in a favorable section by turning its built-in LEDs on and off.

[0021] Furthermore, the upper front door UD is equipped with a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying game effects. This LCD displays various videos (or images) to assist or enhance the gameplay. In addition, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, multiple speakers SP are provided on the upper front door UD and the lower front door DD for displaying game effects. These speakers SP output various sounds to assist or enhance the gameplay.

[0022] Furthermore, the lower front door DD is equipped with various operating means. These operating means include a bet button (insertion means) B0 for inserting credited (stored) tokens, a start lever (game start means) SL for initiating the game by rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and stop buttons (stopping means) B1 to B3 for initiating the game by stopping each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, which are rotated by stepping motors.

[0023] In this embodiment of the gaming machine, 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 where rotation control of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 can be started. When the player presses the start lever SL, the control board starts the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by driving the stepping motor, and an internal lottery is performed using random values. Once the rotation speed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 has increased to a predetermined speed, the operation of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 is permitted (activated).

[0024] Subsequently, when the player presses stop buttons B1 to B3 at any time, the stop switches (stop signal output means: for example, a photosensor, a continuity sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.) built into each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 are activated, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from the off state to the on state.

[0025] Furthermore, when the player releases stop buttons B1 to B3 at any time, the stop switches corresponding to each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 turn off, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0026] The control board then stops the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 at a stopping position corresponding to the result of an internal lottery, based on the change in the reel stop signal state from the off state to the on state, which changes in the timing of pressing and releasing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0027] Furthermore, a medal payout slot MO and a medal receiving tray MP are provided at the bottom of the lower front door DD, and the number of medals corresponding to the game result are dispensed from the hopper unit HP through the medal payout slot MO to the medal receiving tray MP. When medals are dispensed according to the game result, if medal credit (internal storage) is permitted, some or all of the dispensed medals are credited up to the credit limit (50 medals in this embodiment), and the display value of the credit indicator, which consists of a 7-segment display on the game information display unit DS, is changed in accordance with the change in the number of medal credits.

[0028] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine according to this embodiment.

[0029] The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a gaming control means (main board MAIN and sub-board SUB) 100. The gaming control means 100 is powered by the operation of the power switch ES, which supplies power from the power supply unit EU, 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. It performs various calculations to execute the 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 gaming control means 100 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), or RAM, and software consisting of a given program pre-stored in ROM, etc.

[0030] The game control means 100 includes a setting change means 103, an input reception means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a prize determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state control means 170, an AT control means 175, a performance control means 180, a game information storage means 190a, and a performance information storage means 190b. In this embodiment, the setting change means 103, the input reception means 105, the random number generation means 110, the internal lottery means 120, the reel control means 130, the prize determination means 140, the payout control means 150, the replay processing means 160, the game state transition control means 170, and the AT control means 175 are implemented by the CPU of the main board MAIN executing various programs, and the performance control means 180 is implemented by the CPU of the sub-board SUB executing various programs. Furthermore, the game information storage means 190a is composed of the main ROM and main RAM mounted on the main board MAIN, and the performance information storage means 190b is composed of the sub-ROM and sub-RAM mounted on the sub-board SUB. In addition, various programs executed by the CPU of the main board MAIN are stored in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, and various programs executed by the CPU of the sub-board SUB are stored in the sub-ROM of the performance information storage means 190b. The setting change means 103 controls the change of 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, depending on the state of the setting change permission switch 250 when the power is turned on, it is possible to switch between starting in game mode and starting in setting change mode. When the setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting key is turned clockwise from the initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 becomes ON. When the power switch ES is activated in this state and power is supplied from the power supply unit EU, the setting change means 103 starts the game machine in setting change mode. In this embodiment, it is possible to select a setting value from six setting values ​​from setting 1 to setting 6, and the probability of winning the internal lottery changes so that the expected value of the 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.

[0031] Furthermore, in the setting change mode, when the setting change button BS is pressed, the setting change switch 260 is activated. The setting change means 103 receives an input signal from the setting change switch 260 and changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... setting 6 → setting 1 → ... and confirms the setting value based on the game start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the start lever SL is pressed. The confirmed setting value is then stored in the setting value storage 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 into the setting change key cylinder KS to its initial position, thereby transitioning from the setting change mode to the game mode.

[0032] In this embodiment, when the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder KS in its initial position, the gaming machine is started in game mode based on the fact that the signal state of the setting change permission switch 260 is off. In this embodiment, in game mode, the game can be played, but the setting values ​​cannot be changed, and in setting change mode, the setting values ​​can be changed, but the game cannot be played.

[0033] Furthermore, in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 performs an initialization process to initialize the information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In particular, 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 state storage area 1916, the performance state storage area 1917, the AT stock count counter 1918, the AT game count counter 1919, the CZ game count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 is initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode. More specifically, the game information storage means 190a's main RAM has memory areas other than the lottery flag memory area 1915, game state memory area 1916, performance state memory area 1917, AT stock counter 1918, AT game counter 1919, CZ game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 designated as information retention areas, and the information stored in these memory areas of the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, in the main RAM, the setting value memory area 1913 and the credit information memory area 1914 are designated as information retention areas, and the information stored in these memory areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization process in setting change mode.

[0034] The coin insertion receiving means 105 accepts the insertion of coins for each game and, based on the insertion of a prescribed number of coins (3 coins), performs a process to activate the game start operation on the start lever SL (game start operation means). In this embodiment of the game machine, the first press of the start lever SL, which has been activated based on the insertion of a prescribed number of coins, is accepted as the game start operation, which triggers the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 and also triggers the execution of an internal lottery.

[0035] In this embodiment of the gaming machine, when a medal is inserted into the medal slot MI, the medal insertion switch 210 is activated, and the insertion reception means 105 sets the inserted medals to the inserted state, up to a predetermined number. In this embodiment of the gaming machine, the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a can store (store) up to 50 medals as credits. When the bet button B0 is pressed while medals are stored as credits in the gaming machine, the bet switch 220 is activated, and the insertion reception means 105 sets the medals stored as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 to the inserted state, up to a predetermined number.

[0036] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for drawing lots. The random numbers can be generated, for example, by a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535 without repetition within one cycle. In this embodiment, "random numbers" include not only values ​​that are generated randomly in a mathematical sense, but also values ​​that, even if their generation is regular, can function as effectively random numbers because the timing of their acquisition is irregular.

[0037] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination is achieved based on a start signal from a start switch 230, which is activated by the player's game start operation on the start lever SL (the first press operation on the activated start lever SL), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, and the like.

[0038] In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which of the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a will be used to perform the internal lottery. In the game machine of this embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables (internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 3) as shown in Figure 4 are stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910. In each internal lottery table, various roles such as replays, small wins, and bonuses, as well as misses (failures), are associated with each of the multiple random values ​​(for example, 65,536 random values ​​from 0 to 65,535). In this embodiment, for each of the six setting values, three types of internal lottery tables are prepared, and the probability of obtaining some winning patterns in the internal lottery differs depending on the setting value, and the correspondence between roles and random values ​​is set so that the expected value of the payout rate increases as the setting value increases.

[0039] In this embodiment of the gaming machine, there are four types of small wins: small win 1 to small win 48. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the following are set as winning patterns for the small wins: batting order bell group a (batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a6), batting order bell group b (batting order bell b1 to batting order bell b6), batting order bell group c (batting order bell c1 to batting order bell c6), batting order bell group d (batting order bell d1 to batting order bell d6), batting order bell group e (batting order bell e1 to batting order bell e6), batting order special win group (batting order special win 1 to batting order special win 16: an example of a specific winning pattern), weak cherry, JAC1, and JAC2.

[0040] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, replays 1 to 7 are provided as replays, and as shown in Figure 6, the winning patterns for replays are set as normal replay a, normal replay b, watermelon, chance symbol a, chance symbol b, and strong cherry.

[0041] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the probability of winning a minor role is the same in internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, the probability of winning a replay is higher in internal lottery table 2 than in internal lottery table 1, replays are not included in the lottery in internal lottery table 3, and the lottery method for minor roles in internal lottery table 3 is different from that of internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, and the probability of winning a minor role is higher in internal lottery table 3 than in internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0042] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a Big Bonus (BB) is provided as a bonus, and the Big Bonus (BB) is subject to drawing in the internal drawing table 1.

[0043] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the game state can be set to normal state, BB established state, and BB state, and in the lottery table selection process, one of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 is selected as the internal lottery table to be used for internal lottery depending on the game state.

[0044] In this embodiment, the probability of winning bonuses and replays does not change depending on the setting value, but the probability of winning some minor roles changes depending on the setting value, with the probability of winning JAC1 and JAC2 increasing as the setting value increases.

[0045] In the random number determination process, based on the start signal from the start switch 230, a random number value (random number for drawing) is obtained from the random number generation means 110 for each game, and the internal drawing table stored in the main drawing table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a is referenced to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the obtained random number value.

[0046] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning role 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, if two or more roles are won simultaneously, the lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more roles that were won simultaneously is set to a winning state. The lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage area 1915 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0047] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, there are two types of lottery flags: one that allows the winning state to be carried over to subsequent games until a win is achieved (carry-over flag), and another that resets to a non-winning state regardless of whether a win is achieved, without carrying over the winning state to subsequent games (carry-over non-flag). The former carry-over flag is associated with the Big Bonus (BB), while the latter carry-over non-flag is associated with the Small Win and Replay. In the lottery flag setting process, for example, if a Big Bonus (BB) is won in the internal lottery, the winning state of the Big Bonus (BB) lottery flag is carried over until a Big Bonus (BB) is achieved. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 also performs an internal lottery to determine the win or loss of Small Wins and Replays, even in games where the winning state of the Big Bonus (BB) lottery flag has been carried over. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game where the winning state of the bonus lottery flag associated with the carryover flag has been carried over, if a small win or replay is won, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of wins, consisting of the bonus lottery flag that has already been won and the small win or replay lottery flag that was won in the internal lottery, are set to the winning state.

[0048] The reel control means 130, based on a start signal from the start switch 230 which is activated when the player operates the start lever SL to start playing, starts the rotation drive of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 with a stepping motor, and controls the operation to enable the stopping operation by pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 (stop operation means) corresponding to the reels that are 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, which are being rotated by the stepping motor, in a manner corresponding to the setting state of the lottery flag (result of the internal lottery).

[0049] Then, when the stop operation for stop buttons B1 to B3 is enabled, the reel control means 130, upon activation of the stop switch 240 by the player pressing stop buttons B1 to B3, supplies a drive pulse for full-phase excitation to the stepping motor of the reel unit 310 based on the reel stop signal from the stop switch 240, thereby controlling the stopping of each reel from the first reel R1 to the third reel R3.

[0050] In other words, each time one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed, the reel control means 130 determines the stopping 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 stopping position. In this gaming machine, pressing stop button B1 corresponds to the operation to stop the first reel R1, pressing stop button B2 corresponds to the operation to stop the second reel R2, and pressing stop button B3 corresponds to the operation to stop the third reel R3. In other words, in this gaming machine, if the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed changes, the stopping order of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 changes.

[0051] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button stops within 190ms from the time the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. When stopping the rotating reels within 190ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stopping position of each rotating reel is determined within a range of 0 to 4 frames (a predetermined pull-in range) from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops. The reel control means 130 controls the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button so that, on the outer surface of the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button, if the symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the internal lottery is located within a range of 0 to 4 frames relative to the display position on the active line at the time 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 active line.

[0052] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the bar symbol "BAR", special symbol 1 "SP1", special symbol 2 "SP2", special symbol 3 "SP3", replay symbol "RP", bell symbol 1 "BL1", bell symbol 2 "BL2", watermelon symbol "WM", and cherry symbol "CH" are arranged on the outer circumferential surfaces of the first reels R1 to the third reels R3 that constitute the reel unit 310. When drawing symbols that are within 4 frames from the press detection position onto the active line, symbols arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less on the outer circumferential surface of each reel can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position (an example of an operation detection position), which is the position of the reel at the time the stop switch 240 is activated (the time when the stop button is pressed). In this embodiment, the press detection position is the upper display position of each reel.

[0053] In this embodiment of the gaming machine, the reel unit 310 is equipped with a reel index 315 which is a photosensor, and the reel control means 130 can monitor the current rotation state of the reel by determining the rotation angle (number of rotation steps of the rotation axis of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the number of frames detected by the reel index 315) based on the reference position signal detected by the reel index 315 each time the reel rotates once. 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 of the reel from the reference position.

[0054] Furthermore, the reel control means 130 determines the stopping position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage area 1911 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0055] In the stop control table, the correspondence between the pressed position (the position of the reels at the time the stop switch 240 is activated, or the time the stop button is pressed) and the actual stop position is set according to the setting of the lottery flag. In addition, the stop control table may also set a correspondence between the pressed position and the number of sliding frames, which indicates the amount of rotation from the pressed position to the actual stop position, according to the setting of the lottery flag.

[0056] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, priority is set for small wins, replays, and bonuses in the order of "replay > bonus" and "small win > bonus," and the stop control table is set so that a stop position including the symbols that constitute the winning pattern of the highest priority win is selected according to the priority assigned to each win.

[0057] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, in the stop control table that is referenced when multiple types of winning combinations are set to a winning state in the internal lottery, there are cases in which the stop position is set according to the number of combinations of symbols that indicate winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line (number priority control: an example of the second control rule), and cases in which the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out based on predetermined payouts for the winning patterns (payout number priority control: an example of the first control rule). When the stop position is set according to the number of combinations of symbols that indicate winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the stop position that allows for a larger number of combinations of symbols that indicate winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line is given priority. 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 the stop position that allows for a larger number of medals paid out based on the payout of the winning pattern corresponding to the symbol displayed at the display position on the active line is given priority. However, when the stopping position is set according to the number of medals dispensed, if there are multiple stopping positions with the same number of medals dispensed, the priority of each stopping position is treated as the same and the stopping position is set relative to the press detection position. Similarly, when the stopping position is set according to the number of symbol combinations indicating winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line, if there are multiple stopping positions with the same number of symbol combinations indicating winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line, the priority of each stopping position is treated as the same and the stopping position is set relative to the press detection position.

[0058] Then, in the internal lottery, when the batting order bell group a (batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a6), batting order bell group b (batting order bell b1 to batting order bell b6), batting order bell group c (batting order bell c1 to batting order bell c6), batting order bell group d (batting order bell d1 to batting order bell d6), and batting order bell group e (batting order bell e1 to batting order bell e8) are selected, the stop control table, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, has a correct batting order set for each batting order bell, and any pressing order different from the correct batting order is treated as an incorrect batting order.

[0059] First, as shown in Figure 8, in the stop control table that is referenced when a batting order bell belonging to any of the batting order bell groups a to d is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, a 15-coin small prize or a 1-coin small prize is awarded (there may be a missed prize if batting order 3 to 6 are the correct batting order). The stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the incorrect batting order, a 1-coin small prize is awarded (there may be a missed prize if batting order 3 to 6 are the incorrect batting order).

[0060] In this embodiment, when a batting order bell belonging to any of the batting order bell groups a to d is won and the stop operation is performed in the correct batting order, whether or not a 15-coin prize is awarded is determined by the detection position of the stop operation corresponding to the first reel to stop in the correct batting order (hereinafter referred to as the first stop operation). Whether or not a 15-coin prize is awarded is determined by whether the detection position of the first stop operation is the first press position or the second press position shown in Figure 7. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, for the batting order bell group a and batting order bell group c, a 15-coin prize is awarded when the batting order is correct and the first stop operation is the second press position, but a 15-coin prize is not awarded when the batting order is correct but the first stop operation is the first press position. For the batting order bell group b and batting order bell group d, a 15-coin prize is awarded when the batting order is correct and the first stop operation is the first press position, but a 15-coin prize is not awarded when the batting order is correct but the first stop operation is the second press position.

[0061] Next, as shown in Figure 9, in the stop control table referenced when a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell group e is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 15-coin prize is awarded when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, and the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin prize is awarded when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the incorrect batting order (there may be a missed prize if batting orders 3 to 6 are incorrect batting orders). Note that, unlike batting order bell groups a to d, the batting order bell group e is designed so that a 15-coin prize can be awarded regardless of the press detection position for the first stop operation in the correct batting order.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, for all bell sequences, under normal circumstances, all stopping sequences are treated as incorrect sequences. Only when a Big Bonus (BB) is established are there sequences of stopping sequences that are treated as correct and sequences of stopping sequences that are treated as incorrect. For this reason, under normal circumstances, even if the stopping sequence is performed in a manner that would allow for the awarding of 15 small wins when a BB is established, only a 1-coin small win will be awarded.

[0063] Furthermore, when a bell is won in each batting order, the stopping position relative to the press detection position is set in each stop control table so that, in the case of a correct batting order, the symbols that constitute the winning combination of 15 coins are preferentially displayed on the active line due to payout priority control, and in the case of an incorrect batting order, the symbols that constitute the winning combination of 1 coin are preferentially displayed on the active line due to quantity priority control.

[0064] Furthermore, in the stop control table that is referenced when a special batting order role belonging to the special batting order role group (special batting order role 1 to special batting order role 16) is won in the internal lottery, as shown in Figure 10, if a specific batting order (a predetermined sequence of operations for each special batting order role) is selected and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at a specific pressing position (a predetermined pressing position for each special batting order role: an example of a specific operation position), then a 15-coin small win (one of the specific small wins) is selected. For example, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a prize is awarded. If it is a specific batting order and the press detection position of the first stop operation is a non-specific press position (a press detection position different from the specific press position), the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin prize is awarded. If it is a non-specific batting order (an operation order different from the specific batting order), the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 14-coin prize is awarded. In addition, the specific press positions shown in Figure 10 indicate the numbers of the symbols located in the upper row when the stop buttons are pressed. For example, the specific press positions 0 and 16 for the special batting order prize 1 shown in Figure 10 indicate the case where either the cherry symbol "CH" (number 0) or the watermelon symbol "WM" (number 16) is located in the upper row at the press detection position of the first reel R1, which is stopped first in a specific batting order. In the following, the method of stopping the reels to award 15 small prizes when a special batting order combination is won may be referred to as the "specific operation method" as necessary.

[0065] Furthermore, when a special batting order win occurs, if it is a specific batting order, payout priority control is applied to the specific button press position, and symbols constituting the 15-coin winning combination are preferentially displayed on the active line. If the button press detection position is different from the specific button press position, quantity priority control is applied, and symbols constituting the 1-coin winning combination are preferentially displayed on the active line. If it is not a specific batting order, quantity priority control is applied, and symbols constituting the 14-coin winning combination are preferentially displayed on the active line. In other words, when a special batting order win occurs, payout priority control is applied only if it is a specific operation, and quantity priority control is applied if it is not a specific operation.

[0066] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when weak cherry 1 is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that small win 48 takes priority over small wins 29, 32, and 43. In the stop control table referenced when JAC1 is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that any of the 15-coin small wins will always be awarded. In the stop control table referenced when JAC1 is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that any of the 1-coin small wins will always be awarded.

[0067] Furthermore, for various replay winning patterns such as normal replay a, normal replay b, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, and strong cherry, the stop position relative to the button press detection position is set so that one of the replays included in the winning pattern will always be awarded, regardless of the type of stop operation.

[0068] Furthermore, regarding the Big Bonus (BB), it can only be awarded if it is won alone in the normal state. When a BB is established, there are no misses, and a minor role or replay with a higher priority than the Big Bonus (BB) is always awarded at the same time. Therefore, the stop control table is set to prevent the Big Bonus (BB) from being awarded by setting the stop position relative to the button press detection position.

[0069] The prize determination means 140 performs prize determination processing to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping patterns of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the prize determination table stored in the prize determination table storage area 1912 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, it determines whether or not the combination of symbols displayed on the active line when all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have stopped is a predetermined winning combination. The prize determination table is then prepared so that, as shown in Figures 11 to 15, it can determine whether or not a Big Bonus (BB), Replay 1 to Replay 7, and Small Win 1 to Small Win 48 have been achieved based on the combination of symbols displayed on the active line when each reel has stopped.

[0070] In this embodiment of the gaming machine, if a winning combination is achieved based on the result of the winning determination means 140, a winning process is executed. For example, if a minor winning combination is achieved, the payout control means 150 performs a medal payout process; if a replay is achieved, the replay processing means 160 performs a replay process; and if a bonus is achieved, the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition process to change the game state.

[0071] The payout control means 150 performs payout control processing related to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a minor win occurs, it determines the number of medals to be paid out in the game based on the predetermined payout for each win, and controls the hopper unit HP (payout device) to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the determined payout.

[0072] The hopper unit HP dispenses the number of medals specified by the dispensing control means 150. The hopper unit HP is equipped with a dispensing medal detection switch 325 that operates each time a medal is dispensed, and the dispensing control means 150 is configured to manage the number of medals actually dispensed from the hopper unit HP based on the input signal from the dispensing medal detection switch 325.

[0073] If medal credit storage (storage storage) is permitted, instead of actually dispensing medals by the hopper unit HP, a credit addition process is performed to virtually dispense medals by adding the number of payouts to the number of credits (number of medals stored as credits) stored in the credit information storage area 1914 of the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0074] The replay processing means 160 performs a replay process (re-play process) when a replay is awarded, which sets the machine to the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert any tokens they possess for the next game. In other words, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a replay is awarded, an automatic insertion process is performed in which a number of tokens equivalent to the prescribed number required to play the next game is automatically inserted without using the player's tokens (including credit tokens), and the machine waits for the next game start operation by pressing the start lever SL with the number of active lines corresponding to the prescribed number of tokens inserted set.

[0075] As shown in Figure 16, the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition process to transition the game state between the normal state, the BB (Big Bonus) established state, and the BB state. In this embodiment, information indicating the current game state is stored in the game state storage area 1916 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. The conditions for transitioning game states may be one condition or multiple conditions. If multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or on the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0076] The normal state is the initial state among several types of game states, and it is possible to transition from the normal state to the BB established state or the BB state. Specifically, if a Big Bonus (BB) is won in the normal state but the Big Bonus (BB) is not awarded, the game transitions to the BB established state, and if a Big Bonus (BB) is won in the normal state and the Big Bonus (BB) is awarded, the game transitions to the BB state. In the normal state, the internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 1, one of the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 or higher and the Big Bonus (BB) is set as the target of the lottery.

[0077] The BB (Big Bonus) state is a game state that is entered when, in the normal state, a Big Bonus (BB) is selected in the internal lottery but is not awarded. In this state, an internal lottery is conducted referring to Internal Lottery Table 2, one of the Internal Lottery Tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, where the probability of winning a replay is higher than that of Internal Lottery Table 1, so no misses (failures) occur, and the Big Bonus (BB) is excluded from the lottery.

[0078] Furthermore, in the Big Bonus (BB) established state, the lottery flag corresponding to the Big Bonus (BB) is maintained in a winning state until a Big Bonus (BB) is awarded. When a combination of symbols indicating the winning form of the Big Bonus (BB) is displayed on an active line, the game state control means 170 transitions the game state from the BB established state to the BB state.

[0079] The BB state is a game state that is entered when a combination of symbols indicating a Big Bonus (BB) win is displayed on an active payline. Of the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, internal lottery is performed by referring to internal lottery table 3, which has a different method of drawing small wins than internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0080] In the BB state, the game state control means 170 determines whether the termination condition has been met based on the total number of medals dispensed during gameplay in the BB state. If it is determined that a predetermined number of medals (for example, 200 medals) has been dispensed, the game state control means 170 terminates the BB state and returns the game state to the normal state. In this embodiment, the count information regarding the number of medals dispensed in the BB state is stored in the game state storage area 1916.

[0081] As shown in Figure 17, the AT control means 175 changes the performance state between several types of performance states, including non-AT state, low AT probability state, AT state, and CZ state. Under predetermined conditions, it sets the performance state to the AT state (assist time state), determines whether the termination condition of the AT state is met based on the value of the AT game counter 1919, and controls the termination of the AT state when the termination condition of the AT state is met. In this embodiment, information indicating the current performance state is stored in the performance state storage area 1917 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the player is in AT state, the AT control means 175 displays information corresponding to the correct batting order (at least one of the correct batting order and the pressing position) on the main display 300, which consists of a 7-segment display provided on the game information display unit DS, when a batting order bell is won (an example of operation instruction information), thereby assisting in winning 15-coin small wins (small wins 1 to 20). Additionally, the performance control means 180 displays an image corresponding to the correct batting order (at least one of the correct batting order and the pressing position) on the liquid crystal display LCD when a batting order bell is won (a prize-winning assistance performance), which assists in winning 15-coin small wins (small wins 1 to 20). This enables the player to play an assist time game (an example of an assistance game) in which it is easier to win medals than when playing in a non-AT state.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 18, the AT control means 175 allows setting a normal section (non-advantageous section) and an advantageous section. In the normal section, the performance state is fixed to the initial non-AT state, and a lottery for transitioning to the advantageous section is performed. If the lottery for transitioning to the advantageous section is won, the advantageous section is started, and the performance state can be set to the AT state, provided that the player is in the advantageous section. In the gameplay of the normal section, if the game state is the normal state or the BB established state, the AT control means 175 performs a lottery for transitioning to the advantageous section based on whether the internal lottery has resulted in a winning pattern of one of the following: batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 24, batting order special role group a to batting order special role group d, weak cherry, normal replay a, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, or strong cherry. In this embodiment, if the winning pattern includes JAC1, normal replay b, or big bonus (BB) in the normal state or BB established state, the lottery for transitioning to the advantageous section is not performed.

[0083] In the advantageous section transition lottery, the random number obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the advantageous section transition lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the player has won the advantageous section transition lottery (won the advantageous section) based on the comparison result. In the advantageous section transition lottery table, the random number for the internal lottery, which is associated with each winning type that triggers the execution of the advantageous section transition lottery, is assigned either an advantageous section win or a loss. If the random number obtained for the internal lottery is associated with a winning type that triggers the execution of the advantageous section transition lottery, and is also associated with an advantageous section win in the advantageous section transition lottery table, it is determined that the player has won the advantageous section transition lottery.

[0084] The AT control means 175, upon winning the advantageous section transition lottery in the normal section, performs the advantageous section transition process based on the fact that it has won the advantageous section transition lottery, and starts the advantageous section from the next game after the game in which the advantageous section transition lottery was won. In this embodiment, if the result of the advantageous section transition lottery is a win, the performance state is transitioned to the AT low probability state in the advantageous section transition process. Alternatively, there may be two or more winning patterns for the advantageous section transition lottery, and the system may decide whether to transition the performance state to the AT low probability state or the AT state in the advantageous section transition process.

[0085] The AT control means 175 then performs an AT lottery for each game when the performance state in the advantageous section is in the AT low probability state or CZ state. In the normal state, the AT lottery is performed based on the fact that the internal lottery has obtained one of the following winning patterns: batting order bells belonging to batting order bell group a to batting order bell group e, batting order special role belonging to batting order special role group, weak cherry, normal replay a, normal replay b, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, strong cherry, JAC1 + Big Bonus (BB), or Big Bonus (BB). In the BB established state, the AT lottery is performed based on the fact that the internal lottery has obtained one of the following winning patterns: batting order bells belonging to batting order bell group a to batting order bell group e, batting order special role belonging to batting order special role group, weak cherry, normal replay a, normal replay b, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, strong cherry, or JAC1. In BB state, the AT lottery is conducted based on whether either JAC1 or JAC2 is won, or whether the result of the internal lottery is a loss (not won).

[0086] In the AT lottery, the random number obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the AT lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the AT lottery has been won based on the comparison result. In the AT lottery table, the random number obtained for the internal lottery is assigned to either an AT win or a loss, and if the random number obtained for the internal lottery is associated with an AT win in the AT lottery table, it is determined that the AT lottery has been won. In this embodiment, the probability of winning an AT differs between the low AT probability state and the CZ state, with the probability of winning an AT being higher in the CZ state than in the low AT probability state. Also in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 18, the execution of the AT lottery is prohibited when in the normal section, and the AT lottery is executed only when in the advantageous section.

[0087] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 performs an AT lottery before the stop operation for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is activated. In the case of an AT lottery when a special batting order role is won, an AT lottery is performed if the first stop operation is a specific batting order and the detection position of the first stop operation is not a specific press position. If the first stop operation is a specific batting order and the detection position of the first stop operation is a specific press position, an invalidation process is performed to invalidate the result of the AT lottery as a penalty for the current game. The AT control means 170 also performs an invalidation process when a special batting order role is won and the first stop operation is not a specific batting order. In the invalidation process, for example, it may be treated as if no AT lottery was performed, or the result of the AT lottery may be rewritten to a loss regardless of the actual result, or the processing based on the result of the AT lottery after the first stop operation may be canceled. Alternatively, the trigger for the AT lottery may be set to occur after the first stop operation only when a special winning combination is won. The AT lottery may be performed if the first stop operation is in a specific order and the detected press position of the first stop operation is not a specific press position, while the AT lottery may not be performed if the first stop operation is in a specific order and the detected press position of the first stop operation is a specific press position, or if the first stop operation is not in a specific order. Alternatively, the trigger for the AT lottery may be set to occur after the first stop operation not only when a special winning combination is won, and the decision on whether or not to perform the AT lottery may be made based on the result of the first stop operation only when a special winning combination is won.

[0088] Furthermore, the processing related to the AT lottery according to the manner of stopping when a special batting order role is won is not limited to invalidation processing, and the degree of advantage in the AT lottery may differ. For example, if the manner of stopping allows for the winning of a 1-coin role, a more advantageous AT lottery may be conducted than if the manner of stopping allows for the winning of a 14-coin or 15-coin role. Conversely, if the manner of stopping allows for the winning of a 1-coin role, a less advantageous AT lottery may be conducted than if the manner of stopping allows for the winning of a 14-coin or 15-coin role. In addition, even when a special batting order role is won, an AT lottery with the same degree of advantage may be conducted regardless of the manner of stopping.

[0089] If the AT lottery in the low AT probability state results in an AT win, the AT control means 175 controls the transition of the performance state from the low AT probability state to the AT state. Also, based on the fact that the AT win lottery result has been obtained, the AT control means 175 adds a fixed value of "1" to the AT stock counter 1918, and when the performance state transitions to the AT state upon the end of the game, it subtracts a fixed value of "1" from the AT stock counter 1920 and sets a value of "50" corresponding to the 50 games played that constitute the end condition of the AT state to the AT game counter 1919.

[0090] The AT control means 175 then causes an assist time game to be played based on the performance state being the AT state, and each time an assist time game is played, a fixed value "1" equivalent to one game is subtracted from the value of the AT game counter 1919. In this embodiment, when a batting order bell belonging to batting order bell group a to batting order bell group d is won, a correct batting order notification and prize-winning assistance performance are performed, which notify the correct batting order and the pressing position related to the first stop operation. When a batting order bell belonging to batting order bell group e is won, a correct batting order notification and prize-winning assistance performance are performed, which notify the correct batting order.

[0091] In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 notifies the correct batting order for batting order bell groups a to d, the main display 300 displays information corresponding to the correct batting order and the pressing position for the first stop operation. Specifically, an operation instruction number is set for each combination of the correct batting order and the pressing position for the first stop operation, and the main display 300 displays "01" (batting order 1 and second pressing position), "02" (batting order 2 and second pressing position), "03" using a 7-segment display. One of the following operation instruction numbers will be displayed: (batting order 3 and second press position), "04" (batting order 4 and second press position), "05" (batting order 5 and second press position), "06" (batting order 6 and second press position), "07" (batting order 1 and first press position), "08" (batting order 2 and first press position), "09" (batting order 3 and first press position), "10" (batting order 4 and first press position), "11" (batting order 5 and first press position), or "12" (batting order 6 and first press position).

[0092] In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 provides notification of the correct batting order for the batting order bell group e, the main display 300 displays information corresponding to the correct batting order. Specifically, an operation instruction number is set for each correct batting order, and the main display 300 displays one of the operation instruction numbers "13" (batting order 3), "14" (batting order 4), "15" (batting order 5), or "16" (batting order 6) using a 7-segment display.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when it is an advantageous period and the performance state is not AT state, if a special batting order role belonging to the special batting order role group is won, a specific batting order notification and a prize-winning assistance performance are performed to notify the player of the specific batting order. However, in this embodiment, when it is an advantageous period and the performance state is AT state, the specific batting order notification and prize-winning assistance performance related to special batting order roles are not performed. In AT state, even if the stop operation is performed with a non-specific batting order, no penalty processing unfavorable to the player is performed, so even if no notification is given when a special batting order role is won in AT state, if the stop operation is performed with a non-specific batting order, the player can be sure to win a 14-coin prize and increase their number of medals.

[0094] In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 provides notification of a specific batting order, information corresponding to the specific batting order is displayed on the main display 300. Specifically, an operation instruction number is set for each specific batting order, and the main display 300 displays one of the operation instruction numbers "13" (batting order 3), "14" (batting order 4), "15" (batting order 5), or "16" (batting order 6) using a 7-segment display. In this embodiment, batting orders 3, 4, 5, and 6 are the specific batting orders for any of the special batting order roles, so an arbitrary operation instruction number determined by lottery in the game in which the special batting order role is won is displayed on the main display 300.

[0095] Furthermore, when the performance state is in the AT state during the advantageous section, the AT control means 175 performs an additional win lottery based on whether a weak cherry, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, or strong cherry has been won in the internal lottery. In the additional win lottery, the random value obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the additional win lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the additional win lottery has been won according to the comparison result. In the additional win lottery table, an additional win or a loss is assigned to the random value for the internal lottery that corresponds to the winning pattern that triggers the additional win lottery, and it is determined that the additional win lottery has been won if the random value obtained for the internal lottery is associated with one of the weak cherry, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, or strong cherry, and is associated with an additional win in the additional win lottery table. In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 adds a fixed value "1" to the AT stock counter 1918 based on the fact that it has obtained an additional win lottery result in the additional win lottery.

[0096] The AT control means 175 determines that the conditions for ending the AT state have been met when the value of the AT game counter 1919, which is deducted by a fixed amount each time an assist time game is played, reaches its initial value of "0", and sets the performance state to the CZ state. In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 transitions the performance state to the CZ state, it sets the number of games required to end the CZ state to 50, and sets the value "50", which corresponds to the set number of games, to the CZ game counter 1921.

[0097] Furthermore, in the CZ state of this embodiment, even if a batting order bell belonging to batting order bell group a to batting order bell group e is won, no correct batting order notification or prize-winning assistance animation is performed, resulting in a medal acquisition performance where the player's medals decrease only gradually (expected payout rate is less than 100%). In addition, in this embodiment, the medal acquisition performance in the AT state is significantly higher than in the CZ state, with a net increase of approximately 8 medals per game (expected payout rate of approximately 367%).

[0098] The AT control means 175 then subtracts a fixed value "1" equivalent to one game from the CZ game counter 1921 each time a game is played in the CZ state. When the value of the CZ game counter 1921 reaches the initial value "0", it determines that the conditions for ending the CZ state have been met and determines the destination state of the performance based on the value of the AT stock counter 1918. Specifically, if the value of the AT stock counter 1918 is greater than the initial value "0", the destination performance state is set to the AT state. If the value of the AT stock counter 1918 is the initial value "0", the destination performance state is set to the AT low probability state.

[0099] In the CZ state, as described above, an AT lottery is held. However, even if an AT win is obtained in this lottery, only the value of the AT stock counter 1918 increases. As long as the player remains in the advantageous section, the player will not transition to any other performance state until at least the conditions for ending the CZ state (the value of the CZ game counter 1921 reaches its initial value of "0") are met. However, if an AT lottery is won in the CZ state, the CZ state may be terminated based on the fact that the AT lottery was won.

[0100] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the first clear counter 1922 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to a predetermined value "1" during the advantageous section transition process. In the advantageous section, an increment update is performed by adding a fixed value (for example, 1) corresponding to one game to the value of the first clear counter 1922 each time a game is played. When the value of the first clear counter 1922 exceeds a threshold (for example, 1500) (when the value of the first clear counter 1922 reaches "1501"), it is determined that the conditions for ending the advantageous section have been met. In this embodiment, the update of the first clear counter 1922 is performed after all the spinning reels in each game have stopped. However, the update of the first clear counter 1922 may be performed at any trigger, as long as it is predetermined for each game. For example, the game start operation on the start lever SL may be used as the trigger for the update.

[0101] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the second clear counter 1923 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to the initial value "0" during the advantageous section transition process. In the advantageous section, the value of the second clear counter 1923 is updated by the difference in the number of medals in each game. The value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (for example, "13" if 13 medals were paid out, and "0" if no winning combinations were achieved and no payouts were made) is subtracted by the number of medals inserted into the game (3 medals) to obtain the calculation result for the difference in the number of medals in that game. This calculation result is then added to the value of the second clear counter 1923 in an update process. The AT control means 175 also determines that the conditions for ending the advantageous section have been met if the value of the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold (for example, 2400). Furthermore, the value of the second clear counter 1923 is controlled so that it does not fall below the initial value "0". For example, if the value of the second clear counter 1923 at the start of the game is "2", and as a result of playing the game, no winning combinations are achieved and no medals are paid out, the calculation result of the difference in medals for that game will be "-3". Adding this calculation result to the value of the second clear counter 1923 would result in a value below the initial value "0". However, the updated value of the second clear counter 1923 is set to the initial value "0" as the lower limit for counting. In addition, if a replay is achieved during the game, the game in which the replay was achieved is treated as if a medal equivalent to the prescribed number of medals for that game was paid out, and the difference in medals is calculated accordingly. For the next game, which is provided free of charge due to the replay, even if no actual medals are inserted, it is treated as if a medal equivalent to the prescribed number of medals for that game was inserted, and the difference in medals is calculated accordingly.

[0102] Furthermore, during the advantageous period, unless the conditions for ending the advantageous period are met, the first clear counter 1922 and the second clear counter 1923 will be updated even if a transition occurs in the game state or performance state.

[0103] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 performs initialization processing to initialize the 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, with respect to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190, the information stored in the performance state storage area 1917, the AT stock count counter 1918, the AT game count counter 1919, the CZ game count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 is initialized by the initialization processing that accompanies the end of the advantageous period. More specifically, storage areas other than the performance state storage area 1917, the AT stock count counter 1918, the AT game count counter 1919, the CZ game count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a are designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in storage areas other than the information holding areas of the main RAM is initialized. Therefore, when initialization processing is performed due to the end of the advantageous period, unlike when initialization processing is performed in setting change mode, in addition to the setting value storage area 1913 and the credit information storage area 1914, the lottery flag storage area 1915 and the game state storage area 1916 are also designated as information retention areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization processing due to the end of the advantageous period. When initialization processing is performed due to the end of the advantageous period, the performance state is initialized to the non-AT state, and the values ​​of the AT stock counter 1918, AT game counter 1919, CZ game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0), and the game returns to the normal period.

[0104] In this embodiment, an initialization process is performed upon the end of the advantageous period to return to the normal period. Therefore, if the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold while in the AT state, the initialization process upon the end of the advantageous period forces the AT state to terminate and the performance state is initialized to the non-AT state. At the same time, the values ​​of the AT stock counter 1918, AT game counter 1919, CZ game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0). Furthermore, if the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold while in any other performance state, the current performance state is forcibly terminated by the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section, and the performance state is initialized to a non-AT state. At the same time, the values ​​of the AT stock counter 1918, AT game counter 1919, CZ game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0). In this embodiment, the performance state is not initialized by turning the power on / off, but if the system is started in setting change mode and initialization processing is performed in setting change mode, the performance state is initialized to a non-AT state, and the values ​​of the AT stock counter 1918, AT game counter 1919, CZ game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0).

[0105] In this embodiment, the advantageous section is started when the advantageous section transition lottery is won in the normal section, and within the advantageous section, the performance state is set to the AT state under predetermined conditions and the assist time game is played. However, even if the AT state ends, the advantageous section is maintained as long as the conditions for ending the advantageous section are not met. In other words, in this embodiment, since the advantageous section continues even after the AT state ends, there are cases where the player remains in the advantageous section even if the performance state transitions from the AT state to a performance state different from the AT state.

[0106] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 lights up an LED built into the section indicator SEC to indicate that the user is in the advantageous section when the advantageous section has started, and controls the LED built into the section indicator SEC to turn off when the advantageous section has ended. In this embodiment, the LED built into the section indicator SEC is turned off during the normal section, so it is possible to determine whether or not the user is in the advantageous section by checking the lighting status of the section indicator SEC.

[0107] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 starts or ends an advantageous section notification, which is a notification that the player is staying in an advantageous section, based on the value of the first clear counter 1922. For example, when a predetermined value "1" is set in the first clear counter 1922 as the player transitions to an advantageous section, the advantageous section notification is started based on the fact that the value of the first clear counter 1922 has become greater than the initial value "0" (the value of the first clear counter 1922 is not the initial value "0"). When the advantageous section ends and the player transitions to a normal section, the value of the first clear counter 1922 is initialized to the initial value "0", the advantageous section notification is ended based on the fact that the value of the first clear counter 1922 has become the initial value "0".

[0108] The section indicator SEC does not need to be provided exclusively as in this embodiment, and may be used in conjunction with the main indicator 300. For example, the presence or absence of a player in a favorable section may be indicated by switching the illumination of the dot display section that displays decimal points on a 7-segment display, with the dot display section being off during normal sections and illuminated during favorable sections to indicate that the player is in a favorable section. In addition, when a favorable section begins, an LED built into the section indicator SEC lights up to immediately indicate that the player is in a favorable section. However, the period from the start of the favorable section until a predetermined number of games have been played may be designated as a non-notification period where the player is not notified that they are in a favorable section, or until the first correct play order notification in the favorable section is performed.

[0109] The performance control means 180 controls display performances performed using the display device 330 (an example of a performance device) and sound performances performed using the sound device 340 (an example of a performance device) based on performance data stored in the performance data storage area 1926 provided in the sub-ROM of the performance information storage means 190b. For example, in response to the occurrence of game events such as inserting medals, operations on the bet button B0, start lever SL, stop buttons B1 to B3, and changes in the game state, it controls the execution of performances to enhance or assist the game according to the progress of the game by lighting or flashing lamps and LEDs, changing the display content of the liquid crystal display LCD, or outputting sound from the speaker SP. The content of the performances to be performed in the game is determined by referring to the performance lottery table stored in the sub-lottery table storage area 1927 provided in the sub-ROM of the performance information storage means 190b, according to the game state, performance state, results of internal lottery, etc. In this embodiment, image data corresponding to the progress of the game is read from the sub-ROM's performance data storage area 1926 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. Sound data corresponding to the progress of the game is read from the sub-ROM's performance data storage area 1926 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.

[0110] The performance control means 180 then controls the display device 330 and sound device 340 to execute a prize-winning assistance performance that assists in winning 15-coin prizes (prize 1 to prize 20) by notifying the correct batting order and the pressing position related to the first stop operation when a batting order bell belonging to batting order bell group a to batting order bell group d is won, when the performance state is AT state.

[0111] Furthermore, when the performance state is in AT state, the performance control means 180 controls the display device 330 and sound device 340 to execute a prize-winning assistance performance that notifies the correct batting order when a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell group e is won, and assists in winning a 15-coin prize (prize 3 to prize 6, prize 9, prize 10, prize 15, prize 16).

[0112] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 controls the display device 330 and sound device 340 to execute a prize-winning assistance performance that assists in winning a 15-coin prize (prize 21) by notifying the target of the first stop operation in a specific batting order when a batting order special role belonging to the batting order special role group is won.

[0113] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 controls the execution of a remaining count display performance, which displays the remaining number of games until the AT state or CZ state ends on the display device 330, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), when the game is being played in AT state or CZ state. In the remaining count display performance, when the value of the AT game counter 1919 or CZ game counter 1921 is decreased by playing the game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of games decreases to reflect that decrease.

[0114] Furthermore, the performance control means 180, when it obtains an AT win result in the AT lottery performed in the CZ state, withholds notification that it has the right to transition to the AT state until the final game of the CZ state (the game in which the value of the CZ game counter 1921 becomes the initial value "0"). If the value of the AT stock counter 1918 is greater than the initial value "0" in the final game of the CZ state, it controls the display device 330 and sound device 340 to execute an AT confirmation performance that notifies that it has the right to transition to the AT state.

[0115] The functional block configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to computer systems (including game systems). In these systems, the function of the computer can be realized by downloading a program that enables the computer to function as the game control means 100 of this embodiment 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 (mouse, etc.), touch panel, or controller. In the above computer system, the reel unit 310, hopper unit HP, etc., are not essential configuration requirements, and the functions of these device units can be virtually realized by controlling the images displayed on the display (display device 330).

[0116] 2. The method of this embodiment In this embodiment, there are a group of special batting order winning combinations (special batting order combination 1 to special batting order combination 16) as ways to win minor roles. When a special batting order combination is won, the method of stopping the machine is changed so that the possibility of winning the 15-coin minor role included in the special batting order combination changes depending on whether the button press detection position of the first stop operation is a specific button press position predetermined according to the type of special batting order combination. Below, we will explain in detail using the case where special batting order combination 5 is won as an example, with reference to Figures 19 to 22.

[0117] First, let's explain the composition of the special batting order role 5. Figure 19 shows the types of minor roles that make up the special batting order role 5.

[0118] As shown in Figure 19, the special batting order combination 5 consists of a 15-coin combination (combination 21), a 14-coin combination (combination 22), and four types of 1-coin combinations (combination 23, combination 29, combination 46, and combination 47). The specific batting order is set to batting order 3 through 6, and the specific button press position is set to 4.

[0119] Figure 20 illustrates the case where, in a game in which special batting order combination 5 is won, the stopping operation is performed with the first reel R1 as the first stop.

[0120] First, as shown in Figure 20(A), if the stop button B1 is pressed at the point where the third replay symbol "RP" is positioned in the upper position for the rotating first reel R1, then in the special batting order role 5, the order of stopping operations that makes the first reel R1 the first stop corresponds to a non-specific batting order.

[0121] In this embodiment, if the first stop operation is not a specific batting order when a special batting order win occurs, the stopping position is determined by number priority control so that the number of symbol combinations indicating winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line is maximized. Among the symbols within the pull-in range for the press detection position of number 3, the number of symbol combinations is maximized at 7 when the bell symbol 1 "BL1" is displayed, and as shown in Figure 20(B), the first reel R1 is stopped at the position where the bell symbol 1 "BL1" of number 2 is displayed on the upper row. At the moment the first reel R1 stops, the minor roles included in the special batting order win 5 that have the potential to be won are minor roles 22, 23, and 46.

[0122] Next, when stopping the second reel R2 and the third reel R3, the stopping position is determined by payout priority control to maximize the number of medals dispensed. For this reason, the winning of the small win 22, which has the highest payout among small wins 22, 23, and 46, is given priority. The symbols that make up the winning pattern for small win 22 are arranged so that they can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position on the second reel R2 and the third reel R3. As a result, as shown in Figure 20(C), the second reel R2 and the third reel R3 stop in a manner that results in the winning of small win 22.

[0123] Figure 21 illustrates the case where, in a game in which special batting order combination 5 is won, the stopping operation is performed with the second reel R2 as the first stop.

[0124] First, as shown in Figure 21(A), if the stop button B2 is pressed at the point where the fourth bar symbol "BAR" is positioned in the upper position on the rotating second reel R2, then in the special batting order combination 5, the order of stopping operations that makes the second reel R2 the first stop corresponds to a specific batting order.

[0125] In this embodiment, when a special batting order win occurs and the first stop operation is a specific batting order, the control method differs depending on whether the button press detection position of the first stop operation is a specific button press position. The specific button press position for special batting order win 5 is position 4, and in the example shown in Figure 21(A), the button press detection position of the first stop operation is position 4, which corresponds to a specific button press position, and the stop position is determined by payout priority control to maximize the number of medals paid out. Here, among the small wins included in special batting order win 5, the one with the highest payout is the 15-coin small win 21, and as shown in Figure 21(B), the second reel R2 stops at the position where the watermelon symbol "WM" at position 3 is displayed in the middle. At the moment the second reel R2 stops, the small wins included in special batting order win 5 that have the potential to be won are small win 21 and small win 46.

[0126] Next, when stopping the first reel R1 and the third reel R3, the stopping position is determined by payout priority control to maximize the number of medals dispensed. For this reason, the display of the watermelon symbol "WM", which constitutes the winning pattern for small win 21, the highest payout among small wins 21 and 46, is prioritized. Since the watermelon symbol "WM", which constitutes the winning pattern for small win 21, is arranged so that it can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position on the first reel R1 and the third reel R3, the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 stop in a manner that results in the winning pattern for small win 21, as shown in Figure 21(C).

[0127] Next, as shown in Figure 21(D), if the stop button B2 is pressed at the point where the watermelon symbol "WM" (number 3) is positioned in the upper position on the rotating second reel R2, then in this case the second reel R2 is also considered the first stop, and thus it corresponds to a specific batting order.

[0128] In the example shown in Figure 21(D), the press detection position for the first stop operation is number 3, which does not correspond to a specific press position. Therefore, the stop position is determined by number-priority control so that the number of symbol combinations indicating winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line is maximized. In this case, among the symbols within the pull-in range for the press detection position of number 3, the number of symbol combinations is maximized at 5 when the watermelon symbol "WM" is displayed. As shown in Figure 21(E), the second reel R2 is stopped at the position where the watermelon symbol "WM" at position 3 is displayed in the middle. At the moment the second reel R2 stops, the minor roles included in the special role 5 of the batting order that have the potential to be won are minor role 21 and minor role 46.

[0129] Next, when stopping the first reel R1 and the third reel R3, the stopping position is determined by a number-priority control system to maximize the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line, indicating a winning pattern. For this reason, when stopping the first reel R1 second, priority is given to displaying either the bell symbol 1 "BL1" or the bell symbol 2 "BL2", which have a symbol combination of 2. When stopping the third reel R3 second, priority is given to displaying either the cherry symbol "CH" or the special symbol 2 "SP2", which also have a symbol combination of 2. Furthermore, the first reel R1 is arranged so that either the bell symbol 1 "BL1" or the bell symbol 2 "BL2" can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position, and the third reel R3 is arranged so that either the cherry symbol "CH" or the special symbol 2 "SP2" can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position. As a result, when either the first reel R1 or the third reel R3 stops second, only the small win 46 can be awarded, and as shown in Figure 21(F), the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 stop in a manner that awards the small win 46.

[0130] Figure 22 illustrates the case where, in a game in which special batting order combination 5 is won, the stopping operation is performed with the third reel R3 as the first stop.

[0131] First, as shown in Figure 22(A), if the stop button B3 is pressed at the point where the fourth bar symbol "BAR" is positioned in the upper position for the rotating third reel R3, then in the special batting order role 5, the order of stopping operations that makes the third reel R3 the first stop corresponds to a specific batting order.

[0132] The specific button press position for special batting order role 5 is position 4. In the example shown in Figure 22(A), the button press detection position for the first stop operation is position 4, which corresponds to the specific button press position. The stop position is determined by payout priority control to maximize the number of medals dispensed. Among the small wins included in special batting order role 5, the one with the highest payout is small win 21, which pays 15 medals. As shown in Figure 22(B), the third reel R3 stops at the position where the watermelon symbol "WM" at position 2 is displayed on the bottom row. At the moment the third reel R3 stops, the small wins included in special batting order role 5 that have a chance of being awarded are small win 21, small win 22, and small win 47.

[0133] Next, when stopping the first reel R1 and the second reel R2, the stopping position is determined by payout priority control to maximize the number of medals dispensed. For this reason, the display of the watermelon symbol "WM", which constitutes the winning pattern for small win 21, the highest payout among small wins 21, 22, and 47, is prioritized. Since the watermelon symbol "WM", which constitutes the winning pattern for small win 21, is arranged so that it can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position on the first reel R1 and the second reel R2, the first reel R1 and the second reel R2 stop in a manner that results in the winning pattern for small win 21, as shown in Figure 22(C).

[0134] Next, as shown in Figure 22(D), if the stop button B3 is pressed at the point where the second watermelon symbol "WM" is located in the upper position of the rotating third reel R3, then in this case the third reel R3 is also considered the first stop, and thus it corresponds to a specific batting order.

[0135] In the example shown in Figure 22(D), the press detection position for the first stop operation is number 2, which does not correspond to a specific press position. Therefore, the stop position is determined by number-priority control so that the number of symbol combinations indicating winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line is maximized. In this case, among the symbols within the pull-in range for the press detection position of number 2, the number of symbol combinations is greatest when the watermelon symbol "WM" is displayed, resulting in 7 symbols. As shown in Figure 22(E), the third reel R3 is stopped at the position where the watermelon symbol "WM" at position 2 is displayed on the lower row. At the moment the third reel R3 stops, the small wins included in the special win 5 of the batting order that have the potential to result in a win are small win 21, small win 22, and small win 47.

[0136] Next, when stopping the first reel R1 and the second reel R2, the stopping position is determined by number-priority control so that the number of symbol combinations indicating winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line is maximized. For this reason, when the first reel R1 is stopped second, the display of the cherry symbol "CH" or special symbol 2 "SP2", which have a number of symbol combinations of 2, is prioritized, and when the second reel R2 is stopped second, the display of the cherry symbol "CH", special symbol 2 "SP2", or replay symbol "RP", which have a number of symbol combinations of 2, is prioritized. In this embodiment, although the replay symbol "RP" on the third reel R3 is a symbol that constitutes the winning pattern of the 14-coin winning pattern 22, priority is given to the winning pattern of the 1-coin winning pattern 47, which has the same number of symbols. Furthermore, the arrangement of the first reel R1 and the second reel R2 allows either the cherry symbol "CH" or the special symbol 2 "SP2" to be displayed on the active line regardless of the pressed position. Therefore, when either the first reel R1 or the second reel R2 stops second, only the small win 47 can be awarded, and as shown in Figure 22(F), the first reel R1 and the second reel R2 stop in a manner that awards the small win 47.

[0137] According to the embodiment described above, in a game in which a special batting order win occurs, if the press detection position of the first stop operation is a specific press position, the reel stop position is determined by payout priority control to allow the 15-coin small win to occur. If the press detection position of the first stop operation is different from the specific press position, the reel stop position is determined by quantity priority control to avoid the 15-coin small win. In this way, the possibility of winning the 15-coin small win in a game in which a special batting order win occurs is influenced by the press detection position. Therefore, the rate of winning the 15-coin small win can be controlled simply by changing the setting of the specific press position, thereby improving the design flexibility of the gaming machine.

[0138] Specifically, in this embodiment, a unique specific button press position is assigned to each of the 16 types of special batting order roles, resulting in 16 different ways of setting the specific button press position. In this embodiment, when a special batting order role is won during the advantageous period when the AT state is not active, the specific batting order is notified, but the specific button press position is unknown to the player. Therefore, in this embodiment, the expected value of the probability of winning the 15-coin prize at a specific batting order when a special batting order role is won can be set to 1 / 16. Furthermore, it is possible to have fewer configurations for setting the specific button press position than in this embodiment. For example, if 10 types of special batting order roles are provided and two unique specific button press positions are assigned to each special batting order role, then 10 different configurations for setting the specific button press position can be provided, and in this way the expected value of the probability of winning the 15-coin prize can be set to 1 / 10. Furthermore, the number of ways to set specific pressing positions can be increased beyond that of this embodiment. For example, by providing 20 types of special batting order roles and assigning one specific pressing position to each of these roles, 20 different ways to set specific pressing positions can be provided. In this way, the expected value of the winning rate for the 15-coin role can be set to 1 / 20. Thus, according to the method of this embodiment, the expected value of the winning rate can be controlled by the setting of specific pressing positions, thereby increasing the design freedom of the gaming machine. In addition, in this embodiment, the control rule is switched using the pressing detection position, which also leads to increased design freedom for the outcome (stopping patterns).

[0139] The method of this embodiment is optimal when the target role whose winning rate is controlled is set to a combination of symbols that can be drawn in regardless of the pressing detection position on any reel. It is preferable that if the stopping operation is not performed at a specific pressing position, the winning combination will be such that a role with a lower payout than the target role can be drawn in by prioritizing the number of roles. Furthermore, when determining the configuration of special roles in the batting order, the target role whose winning rate is controlled and the role that is awarded when the pressing position is not specific can be fixed, so it is possible to implement this without unnecessarily increasing the number of roles, and it also leads to saving memory usage.

[0140] In this embodiment, we have explained the case where the stopping control is changed by determining whether the first reel to stop at a specific pressing position is reached when a special batting order win occurs. However, the stopping control may also be changed by determining whether the second reel to stop at a specific pressing position is reached at the second reel to stop at a specific position or at the third reel to stop at a specific position.

[0141] In this embodiment, the determination of whether a specific press position is reached is made for the first reel to stop among the three reels. However, the stopping control method may be changed by determining whether a specific press position is reached for two or more reels.

[0142] In this embodiment, we have described an example in which payout priority control is applied when it is determined that a specific press position has been reached, and quantity priority control is applied when it is determined that it is not a specific press position. However, it is also possible to apply quantity priority control when it is determined that it is a specific press position, and payout priority control is applied when it is determined that it is not a specific press position.

[0143] Furthermore, in the example described in this embodiment, when a special batting order win occurs, a determination is also made as to whether the first stop operation is a specific batting order or not. Specifically, if the first stop operation is not a specific batting order, payout priority control is performed, and if the first stop operation is a specific batting order, payout priority control is performed if it is a specific pressing position, and quantity priority control is performed if it is not a specific pressing position. However, as in this embodiment, when the first stop operation is performed with a specific batting order, since symbols common to both the 15-coin small win and the 1-coin small win are displayed on the active line whether it is a specific pressing position or not, the stopping result for the reels that stop due to the first stop operation in a specific batting order will be the same regardless of which control rule is used. Therefore, if the first stop operation is not a specific batting order, quantity priority control may be performed for the reel corresponding to the first stop operation; if the first stop operation is a specific batting order, payout quantity priority control may be performed for the reel corresponding to the first stop operation; for reels that stop after the second stop operation, if the first stop operation is a specific batting order and a specific press position, payout quantity priority control may be continued; and if the first stop operation is not a specific batting order and a specific press position, it may be switched to quantity priority control.

[0144] In this embodiment, the specific batting order is notified when a special batting order role is won, but the specific button press position is not notified. However, it is also possible to adopt a method that notifies the specific button press position. Furthermore, while the notification of the specific batting order for special batting order roles in the advantageous section is performed when not in AT state, it is also possible to notify the specific batting order for special batting order roles even in AT state.

[0145] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a case where there are three reels, a configuration with four reels is also possible. Also, although this embodiment describes a case where there are 20 frames per reel, a configuration with 21 frames per reel or fewer than 20 frames per reel is also possible.

[0146] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the game machine was designed so that when a game is played, a game medium such as a medal is inserted, and the game medium is dispensed when a winning combination is achieved. However, the game may also be played by consuming or assigning game value as electronic information without using game medium. For example, the game machine or an external unit connected to the game machine may be capable of storing information about the game value owned by the player, and the consumption of game value by subtracting the number of game value points may be replaced with the insertion of game mediums, and the assignment of game value by adding the number of game value points may be replaced with the dispensing of game mediums.

[0147] Furthermore, regarding the AT lottery process, the configuration of special roles in the batting order that differs from other winning patterns may be implemented in the manner described below. The following explanation will be given with reference to Figures 23 to 25.

[0148] First, Figure 23 shows the symbol arrangement of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 used in this example, and based on this symbol arrangement, minor roles A to F are constructed as shown in Figure 24. In Figure 24, "ANY" indicates that any of the symbols arranged on the reels are acceptable.

[0149] As shown in Figure 25(A), there are special batting order roles a to d, and these special batting order roles consist of one of four types of 13-coin roles (role A to role D) and two types of 1-coin roles (role E and role F).

[0150] The winning combinations for each special batting order are shown in Figure 25(B). A specific batting order (batting order 3 to batting order 6) is assigned to each special batting order. If the stopping operation is performed according to the specific batting order, a 13-coin winning combination is awarded. If the stopping operation is performed according to a non-specific batting order (a different sequence of stopping operations than the specific batting order), two types of 1-coin winning combinations are awarded. In the case of multiple 1-coin winning combinations, two medals will be paid out.

[0151] In this example, when the performance state is different from the AT state during the advantageous section, a non-specific batting order is announced to assist in winning a 1-coin prize, and when the performance state is the AT state, a specific batting order is announced to assist in winning a 13-coin prize. By doing this, the rate of winning a 13-coin prize when the performance state is different from the AT state is reduced, making it possible to create a game specification that relatively increases the rate of medal acquisition in the AT state. Furthermore, when the performance state is different from the AT state during the advantageous section (when the performance state is the AT low probability state or the CZ state), a specific batting order is announced to assist in winning a 13-coin prize, and when the performance state is the AT state, a non-specific batting order is announced to assist in winning a 1-coin prize.

[0152] Regarding the AT lottery process when a special batting order role is won in a low AT state or CZ state, an AT lottery will be held if the stop operation is performed in a specific batting order, and not if the stop operation is performed in a non-specific batting order. In other words, when a special batting order role is won, an AT lottery will be held if a 1-coin small win is achieved, and an AT lottery will not be held if a 13-coin small win is achieved. By giving an advantage to performing a stop operation in a specific batting order when the performance state is different from the AT state, it is possible to provide an incentive to perform a stop operation in accordance with the specific batting order. Alternatively, an AT lottery may be held if the stop operation is performed in a specific batting order (when a 1-coin small win is achieved), and an AT lottery may be held if the stop operation is performed in a non-specific batting order (when a 13-coin small win is achieved). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0153] BX storage box, UD front upper door, DD front lower door, DW display window, L1 Active line, DS game information display unit, 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 is the first reel, R2 is the second reel, R3 is the third reel, B0 Bet button, SL Start lever, B1~B3 Stop buttons, MI: Medal slot, MO: Medal dispenser, 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 Prize determination means, 150 Dispensing control means, 160 Replay processing means, 170 Game state control means, 175 AT control means, 180 Performance control means, 190a Game information storage means, 1910 Main lottery table storage area, 1911 Stop control table storage area, 1912 Prize determination table storage area, 1913 Setting value storage area, 1914 Credit information storage area, 1915 Lottery flag memory area, 1916 Game state memory area, 1917 Performance state memory area, 1918 AT stock count counter, 1919 AT game count counter, 1921 CZ game count counter, 1922 First clear counter, 1923 Second clear counter, 190b Means for storing performance information, 1926 Performance data storage area, 1927 Sub-lottery table memory area, 1928 Image buffer, 1929 Sound buffer, 210 Coin insertion switch, 220 Bet switch, 230 Start switch, 240 Stop switch, 250 Setting change permission switch, 260 Setting change switch, 300 Main display unit, 310 reel units, 315 reel indexes, 325 Dispensing medal detection switch, 330 Display device, 340 Sound device,

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple reels with multiple types of patterns arranged on their outer surface, An internal lottery means that performs an internal lottery to determine whether multiple types of winning combinations, including minor wins, are achieved, A reel control means that rotates the plurality of reels for each game and controls the reels that are rotating to stop in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is performed, Equipped with, A game machine in which a winning combination is awarded when a predetermined winning pattern for each winning combination is displayed on an active line, and when a winning combination is awarded, a game value corresponding to the payout of the winning combination is paid out, As for the winning patterns of the aforementioned minor roles, there are multiple specific winning patterns in which at least the first minor role, the second minor role, the third minor role, and the fourth minor role are won simultaneously. The first minor role is set to have a higher payout than the second minor role, the third minor role, and the fourth minor role. The second, third, and fourth minor roles have the same payout, The aforementioned plurality of reels are the first reel, the second reel, and the third reel. A correct operation sequence is set for each of the multiple types of the aforementioned specific winning patterns, and the operation sequence for stopping the first reel first is not set as the correct operation sequence in any of the aforementioned specific winning patterns. There are specific winning patterns in which the order of operation to stop the second reel first is the correct order of operation, and in which the order of operation to stop the third reel first is the correct order of operation, but there is no specific winning pattern in which the order of operation to stop the first reel first is the correct order of operation. The reel control means, In a game in which the aforementioned specific winning pattern is obtained by the aforementioned internal lottery, if the stopping operation is performed in the correct operation sequence corresponding to the specific winning pattern, the first small win will always be awarded; if the stopping operation is performed in a first failure operation sequence, which is a different operation sequence from the correct operation sequence corresponding to the specific winning pattern, and the first reel is stopped first, the second small win will always be awarded; the first reel to be stopped is different from the correct operation sequence corresponding to the specific winning pattern; if the stopping operation is performed in a second failure operation sequence, which stops the second or third reel first, depending on the timing of the stopping operation, the third small win may be awarded or neither win may be awarded; the first reel to be stopped is the same as the correct operation sequence corresponding to the specific winning pattern; and if the stopping operation is performed in a third failure operation sequence, which stops the second or third reel first, depending on the timing of the stopping operation, the fourth small win may be awarded or neither win may be awarded, in which case the reels being stopped while they are rotating are controlled accordingly.

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