Slot machine

Abstract

To provide a slot machine that is improved regarding control when shifting to an advantageous section.SOLUTION: Control is performed to a CZ state having a high probability of shifting to an AT state while continuing an advantageous section after completion of the AT state, or control is shifted to a normal section after completing an advantageous section and control is performed to the CZ state when shifting to the advantageous section again. When control is performed to the CZ state while continuing an advantageous section, determination of whether control is performed to the CZ state while continuing the advantageous section or control is performed to the CZ state after the advantageous section is completed once is made difficult.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slot machine capable of generating a predetermined winning according to the display result of a variable display unit capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information that can be individually identified.

Background Art

[0002] As this type of slot machine, there has been proposed one that can be controlled between a normal section not controlled in an advantageous state and an advantageous section that can be controlled in an advantageous state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a slot machine having an advantageous section as described in Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement in the control at the time of transition to the advantageous section.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine with improved control at the time of transition to an advantageous section.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The slot machine according to claim 1 comprises a variable display unit capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information that can be individually identified, in a slot machine that derives a display result by stopping the variable display of the variable display unit and can generate a winning according to the display result, derivation operation means operated by a player to derive a display result, advantageous state control means capable of controlling in an advantageous state, A section control means that can control the section to either a normal section that is not controlled to the advantageous state, or an advantageous section that can be controlled to the advantageous state, Equipped with, In the aforementioned advantageous interval, the unadvantageous state includes a normal state and a high-probability state in which it is more likely to be determined to control the state to the advantageous state than the normal state. After the aforementioned advantageous state ends, the advantageous period continues. The aforementioned When controlled to a high-probability state, and the aforementioned advantageous state and The aforementioned advantageous period ends 、 The transition to the aforementioned normal section after The program then returned to the aforementioned advantageous period. case There are cases where the system is controlled to the aforementioned high-probability state, When the advantageous state ends and the system is to be controlled to the high-probability state while continuing the advantageous period, the system is controlled to the high-probability state after a predetermined preparation period. The advantageous period Among the above, the normal state and the high probability state In this case, the degree of advantage regarding the transition to the advantageous state differs depending on whether the derivation operation means is operated in the first embodiment or in the second embodiment. In the aforementioned normal section, the degree of advantage regarding the transition to the advantageous state remains unchanged regardless of how the derivation operation means is operated. In the aforementioned preparation state, the degree of advantage regarding the transition to the advantageous state remains unchanged regardless of the mode in which the derivation operation means is operated. It is characterized by the following. According to this characteristic, an advantageous state and If the game is controlled to a high-probability state when it transitions back to an advantageous period after the advantageous period has ended, there will always be a waiting period between the end of the advantageous period and the start of the high-probability state. However, even if the game is controlled to a high-probability state while the advantageous period is still ongoing, the high-probability state will not start immediately. Instead, it will be controlled to a high-probability state after a predetermined period of preparation. This makes it difficult to determine whether the game was controlled to a high-probability state while the advantageous period was still ongoing, or whether the game was controlled to a high-probability state after the advantageous period had ended.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention may have only the inventive features described in the claims of the present invention, or it may have the inventive features described in the claims of the present invention along with other features not described therein. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] It is a front view of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the symbol arrangement of a reel. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a slot machine. [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining a winning combination subject to internal lottery. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the execution mode of navigation notification and navigation effect. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the transition of the advantageous section state in the game section and the advantageous section. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining the advantageous section state. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing the AT lottery probability. [Figure 9] It is a diagram for explaining the control content at the start of the CZ1 state and the AT1 state. [Figure 10] It is a diagram for explaining the control content at the start of the CZ1 state and the AT1 state. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining the control content at the end of the AT2 state. [[ID=3Y]] [Figure 12] It is a diagram for explaining the control content at the end of the AT2 state. [Figure 13] It is a diagram for explaining the control content at the end of the AT2 state. [Figure 14] It is a diagram for explaining the control content at the end of the AT2 state. [Figure 15] ]>It is a diagram for explaining the control content at the end of the AT2 state. ]> [Figure 16] It is a diagram for explaining the screen transition at the end of the AT2 state. [Figure 17] It is a diagram for explaining the screen transition at the end of the AT2 state. [Figure 18] ]>It is a diagram showing a modification example of the AT lottery probability. [Figure 19] This diagram illustrates a modified version of the control content when the AT2 state ends. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments for implementing the slot machine according to the present invention will be described below based on examples.

[0010] [Form 1] The slot machine of type 1-1 is, It is equipped with a variable display unit (reels 2L, 2C, 2R) that can display multiple types of identification information that can be identified by each unit, In a slot machine (slot machine 1) in which a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display unit, and a prize can be awarded according to the display result, A pre-determining method (internal lottery) for deciding whether or not to allow prize winners, An advantageous state control means that can control the state to an advantageous state (AT state), A section control means that can control the system to either a normal section that is not controlled to the advantageous state (AT state) or an advantageous section that can be controlled to the advantageous state (AT state), Equipped with, It is possible to control the system in a way that makes it impossible to determine whether it is controlled in the normal section or the advantageous section. In the advantageous section, in a non-advantageous state (CZ1 state, CZ2 state) that is not controlled to the advantageous state (AT state), the decision result of the pre-determination means becomes a specific result (AT lottery target role), and based on this, it is possible to control to the advantageous state (AT state). The aforementioned advantageous state (AT state) includes a first advantageous state (AT1 state) and a second advantageous state (AT2 state) in which a greater increase in game value than the first advantageous state can be expected. After the start of the advantageous period and a predetermined period has elapsed (after the end of the CZ2 state), when the system is controlled to the advantageous state (AT state) based on the fact that the decision result of the pre-determination means in the non-advantageous state (CZ1 state) became the specific result (AT lottery target role), the proportion of being controlled to the first advantageous state (AT1 state) among the first advantageous state (AT1 state) and the second advantageous state (AT2 state) is high. After being controlled to the first advantageous state (AT1 state), it is possible to control to the second advantageous state (AT2 state), The aforementioned advantageous period can be terminated when the second advantageous state (AT2 state) ends. Before the start of the advantageous period and before the predetermined period has elapsed (CZ2 state), when the system is controlled to the advantageous state (AT state) based on the fact that the decision result of the pre-determination means in the non-advantageous state (CZ2 state) became the specific result (AT lottery target role), the proportion of being controlled to the second advantageous state (AT2 state) out of the first advantageous state (AT1 state) and the second advantageous state (AT2 state) is high. It is characterized by the following. According to this feature, after a predetermined period has elapsed since the start of the advantageous period, the game may be controlled to a second advantageous state, which offers a greater increase in game value than the first advantageous state. However, if the advantageous period ends after the second advantageous state has ended, it can be expected that when the advantageous period starts again, the game will be controlled to the second advantageous state again without going through the first advantageous state.

[0011] The slot machine of form 1-2 is the slot machine described in form 1-1, After the second advantageous state (AT2 state) ends and the predetermined period has elapsed (after the CZ2 state ends), when the system is controlled to the advantageous state (AT state) based on the fact that the decision result of the pre-determination means in the non-advantageous state (CZ1 state) became the specific result (AT lottery target role), the proportion of the system being controlled to the first advantageous state (AT1 state) among the first advantageous state (AT1 state) and the second advantageous state (AT2 state) is high. Before the end of the second advantageous state and the expiration of the predetermined period (CZ2 state), when the system is controlled to the advantageous state (AT state) based on the fact that the decision result of the pre-determination means in the non-advantageous state (CZ2 state) became the specific result (AT lottery target role), the proportion of being controlled to the second advantageous state (AT2 state) out of the first advantageous state (AT1 state) and the second advantageous state (AT2 state) is high. It is characterized by the following. This feature allows players to expect to be controlled back into the second advantageous state without going through the first advantageous state, regardless of whether the advantageous period has ended after the second advantageous state has ended.

[0012] A slot machine of form 1-3 is a slot machine described in form 1-1 or 1-2, The system includes an acquisition information notification means (acquisition number notification) capable of notifying acquisition information (number of acquired coins) regarding the game value acquired in the aforementioned advantageous state (AT state), The acquired information notification means, when controlled to the second advantageous state (AT2 state) before the predetermined period has elapsed since the start of the advantageous period, carries over and notifies the acquired information (number of acquired coins) from the advantageous state (AT state) that was controlled at the end of the previous advantageous period. It is characterized by the following. This feature makes it possible to make it appear as if the second advantageous state is occurring continuously even if the advantageous period is interrupted.

[0013] A slot machine of form 1-4 is a slot machine described in any of forms 1-1 to 1-3, The termination conditions for the advantageous period include an upper limit termination condition (termination condition 1) which is met when the game value (net increase in tokens) acquired by the player during the advantageous period exceeds the upper limit (upper limit), When the second advantageous state (AT2 state) ends, the advantageous period ends if the difference between the amount of game value (net increase in tokens) acquired by the player during the advantageous period and the upper limit (upper limit) is less than or equal to a specific amount (specific number). It is characterized by the following. This feature prevents situations where the advantageous state ends abruptly due to the condition for the upper limit of the advantageous period being met midway through, or where additional wins are restricted to prevent reaching the upper limit.

[0014] The slot machine of form 1-5 is the slot machine described in form 1-4, When the advantageous period ends after the upper limit termination condition (termination condition 1) is met and a new advantageous period begins, a different type of presentation (result notification / advantageous period termination presentation, normal presentation, revival presentation) is executed compared to when the advantageous period ends without the upper limit termination condition (termination condition 1) being met and a new advantageous period begins. It is characterized by the following. According to this feature, when a new advantageous period begins after the upper limit termination condition has been met and the advantageous period has ended, the presentation will be different from when a new advantageous period begins after the advantageous period has ended without the upper limit termination condition being met. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity that a second advantageous state continues even though the upper limit termination condition has been met and the advantageous period has ended.

[0015] [Form 2] A slot machine of type 2-1 is, It is equipped with a variable display unit (reels 2L, 2C, 2R) that can display multiple types of identification information that can be identified by each unit, In a slot machine (slot machine 1) in which a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display unit, and a prize can be awarded according to the display result, A pre-determining method (internal lottery) for deciding whether or not to allow prize winners, An advantageous state control means that can control the state to an advantageous state (AT state), A section control means that can control the system to either a normal section that is not controlled to the advantageous state (AT state) or an advantageous section that can be controlled to the advantageous state (AT state), Equipped with, It is possible to control the system in a way that makes it impossible to determine whether it is controlled in the normal section or the advantageous section. In the advantageous section, in a non-advantageous state (CZ1 state, CZ2 state) that is not controlled to the advantageous state (AT state), the decision result of the pre-determination means becomes a specific result (AT lottery target role), and based on this, it is possible to control to the advantageous state (AT state). The aforementioned advantageous state (AT state) includes a first advantageous state (AT1 state) and a second advantageous state (AT2 state) in which a greater increase in game value than the first advantageous state can be expected. After the start of the advantageous period and a predetermined period has elapsed (after the end of the CZ2 state), when the system is controlled to the advantageous state (AT state) based on the fact that the decision result of the pre-determination means in the non-advantageous state (CZ1 state) became the specific result (AT lottery target role), the proportion of being controlled to the first advantageous state (AT1 state) among the first advantageous state (AT1 state) and the second advantageous state (AT2 state) is high. After being controlled to the first advantageous state (AT1 state), it is possible to control to the second advantageous state (AT2 state), The aforementioned advantageous period can be terminated after the second advantageous state (AT2 state) ends. In the normal section, the system transitions to the advantageous section based on the fact that the result of the pre-determination means is at least a predetermined result (a specific role in the button sequence) or a specific result (a role eligible for AT lottery (excluding normal replays)). When the decision result of the pre-determination means becomes the specific result (AT lottery target role (excluding normal replays)) and the transition to the advantageous section occurs, the advantageous state (AT state) can be controlled when the transition to the advantageous section occurs. When the decision result of the pre-determination means becomes the specified result (AT lottery target role (excluding normal replay)), and the system transitions to the advantageous section and is controlled to the advantageous state (AT state), the proportion of being controlled to the second advantageous state (AT2 state) out of the first advantageous state (AT1 state) and the second advantageous state (AT2 state) is high. It is characterized by the following. According to this feature, after a predetermined period has elapsed since the start of the advantageous period, the game may be controlled to a second advantageous state, which offers a greater increase in game value than the first advantageous state. However, if the advantageous period ends after the second advantageous state has ended, the game can be expected to be controlled to the second advantageous state again when the advantageous period starts again.

[0016] The slot machine of form 2-2 is the slot machine described in form 2-1, After the second advantageous state (AT2 state) ends and the predetermined period has elapsed (after the CZ2 state ends), when the system is controlled to the advantageous state (AT state) based on the fact that the decision result of the pre-determination means in the non-advantageous state (CZ1 state) became the specific result (AT lottery target role), the proportion of the system being controlled to the first advantageous state (AT1 state) among the first advantageous state (AT1 state) and the second advantageous state (AT2 state) is high. Before the end of the second advantageous state and the expiration of the predetermined period (CZ2 state), when the system is controlled to the advantageous state (AT state) based on the fact that the decision result of the pre-determination means in the non-advantageous state (CZ2 state) became the specific result (AT lottery target role), the proportion of being controlled to the second advantageous state (AT2 state) out of the first advantageous state (AT1 state) and the second advantageous state (AT2 state) is high. It is characterized by the following. This feature allows players to expect to be controlled back into the second advantageous state, regardless of whether the advantageous period has ended after the second advantageous state has ended.

[0017] The slot machine of form 2-3 is the slot machine described in form 2-1 or 2-2, The system includes an acquisition information notification means (acquisition number notification) capable of notifying acquisition information (number of acquired coins) regarding the game value acquired in the aforementioned advantageous state (AT state), The acquired information notification means, when controlled to the second advantageous state (AT2 state) before the predetermined period has elapsed since the start of the advantageous period, carries over and notifies the acquired information (number of acquired coins) from the advantageous state (AT state) that was controlled at the end of the previous advantageous period. It is characterized by the following. This feature makes it possible to make it appear as if the second advantageous state is occurring continuously even if the advantageous period is interrupted.

[0018] A slot machine of form 2-4 is a slot machine described in any of forms 2-1 to 2-3, The termination conditions for the advantageous period include an upper limit termination condition (termination condition 1) which is met when the game value (net increase in tokens) acquired by the player during the advantageous period exceeds the upper limit (upper limit), When the second advantageous state (AT2 state) ends, the advantageous period ends if the difference between the amount of game value (net increase in tokens) acquired by the player during the advantageous period and the upper limit (upper limit) is less than or equal to a specific amount (specific number). It is characterized by the following. This feature prevents situations where the advantageous state ends abruptly due to the condition for the upper limit of the advantageous period being met midway through, or where additional wins are restricted to prevent reaching the upper limit.

[0019] The slot machine of form 2-5 is the slot machine described in form 2-4, When the advantageous period ends after the upper limit termination condition (termination condition 1) is met and a new advantageous period begins, a different type of presentation (result notification / advantageous period termination presentation, normal presentation, revival presentation) is executed compared to when the advantageous period ends without the upper limit termination condition (termination condition 1) being met and a new advantageous period begins. It is characterized by the following. According to this feature, when a new advantageous period begins after the upper limit termination condition has been met and the advantageous period has ended, the presentation will be different from when a new advantageous period begins after the advantageous period has ended without the upper limit termination condition being met. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity that a second advantageous state continues even though the upper limit termination condition has been met and the advantageous period has ended.

[0020] [Form 3] The slot machine of type 3-1 is, It is equipped with a variable display unit (reels 2L, 2C, 2R) that can display multiple types of identification information that can be identified by each unit, In a slot machine (slot machine 1) in which a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display unit, and a prize can be awarded according to the display result, An advantageous state control means that can control the state to an advantageous state (AT state), A section control means that can control the system to either a normal section that is not controlled to the advantageous state (AT state) or an advantageous section that can be controlled to the advantageous state (AT state), Equipped with, There are two possibilities: after the advantageous state (AT2 state) ends, the system is controlled to a high-probability state (CZ2 state) with a high probability of transitioning back to the advantageous state (AT state) while continuing the advantageous section; and after the advantageous state (AT2 state) ends, the system is controlled to terminate the advantageous section and transition to the normal section, and then, upon transitioning back to the advantageous section, the system is controlled to the high-probability state (CZ2 state). When the advantageous state (AT2 state) ends and the system is to continue the advantageous period while controlling the system to enter the high-probability state (CZ2 state), the system will proceed through a predetermined preparation period before controlling the system to enter the high-probability state (CZ2 state). It is characterized by the following. According to this feature, if the game is controlled to a high-probability state after the advantageous state has ended and the advantageous period has ended and then the game has transitioned back to the advantageous period, there will always be a waiting period between the end of the advantageous state and the start of the high-probability state. However, even if the game is controlled to a high-probability state while the advantageous period is still ongoing, the high-probability state will not start immediately. Instead, the game will be controlled to a high-probability state after a predetermined preparation period. Therefore, it becomes difficult to determine whether the game was controlled to a high-probability state while the advantageous period was still ongoing, or whether the game was controlled to a high-probability state after the advantageous period had ended.

[0021] The slot machine of form 3-2 is the slot machine described in form 3-1, It is equipped with a pre-determination means (internal lottery) to determine whether or not to allow the occurrence of prize winners. In the normal section, the system transitions to the advantageous section based on the result of the prior determination means becoming a specific result (advantageous section transition trigger). After the advantageous state (AT2 state) ends, if the system is to continue the advantageous section and then be controlled to enter the high probability state (CZ2 state), the system is controlled to enter the high probability state (CZ2 state) based on the fact that the determination result of the pre-determination means is the specific result (advantageous section transition role). It is characterized by the following. According to this feature, when the game is controlled to a high-probability state while the advantageous period continues, it will be controlled to a high-probability state at the same trigger as when the advantageous period ends once and then the game is controlled to a high-probability state. Therefore, it becomes difficult to determine whether the game was controlled to a high-probability state while the advantageous period continued, or whether it was controlled to a high-probability state after the advantageous period ended.

[0022] The slot machine of form 3-3 is the slot machine described in form 3-1 or 3-2, It is equipped with a derivation operation means (stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R) that the player operates to derive the displayed result, In the advantageous section, in a non-advantageous state (normal state, pre-announcement state, CZ1 state, CZ2 state) that is not controlled to the advantageous state (AT2 state), the degree of advantage regarding the transition to the advantageous state (AT state) differs depending on whether the derivation operation means is operated in the first mode (stopping operation order with the left reel as the first stop) or in the second mode (stopping operation order with a reel other than the left reel as the first stop) (a penalty related to AT is given when playing with a stopping operation order with a reel other than the left reel as the first stop). In the aforementioned preparation state, the degree of advantage regarding the transition to the advantageous state remains unchanged regardless of how the derivation operation means is operated (no penalty is given in relation to the AT even if the game is played with a stopping operation sequence in which a reel other than the left reel is stopped first). It is characterized by the following. According to this feature, in the preparation state, the degree of advantage regarding the transition to the advantageous state does not change regardless of how the derivation operation means is operated, just as in the normal section. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether the advantageous section continued while the system was controlled to a high probability state, or whether the advantageous section ended once before the system was controlled to a high probability state.

[0023] A slot machine of form 3-4 is a slot machine described in any of forms 3-1 to 3-3, During the aforementioned advantageous period, it is possible to control the external signals (CZ / AT signal, AT signal) that can be output to the outside of the slot machine to be in the ON state. When the advantageous state (AT2 state) ends, the advantageous section ends and the system transitions to the normal section, and when the system transitions back to the advantageous section, the system controls the system to enter the high probability state (CZ2 state), and when the advantageous state ends, the external signals (CZ / AT signal, AT signal) are temporarily turned off, and then turned on after the transition to the high probability state (CZ2 state). When controlling the game to enter the high-probability state (CZ2 state) while continuing the advantageous period, the external signals (CZ / AT signal, AT signal) are temporarily turned off when the advantageous state (AT2 state) ends, remain off for at least one game, and then turned on after transitioning to the high-probability state (CZ2 state). It is characterized by the following. According to this feature, even if the machine is controlled to a high-probability state while the advantageous period continues, the external signal will be turned off temporarily, just as if the machine had ended once and then been controlled to a high-probability state. This makes it difficult to determine whether the machine was controlled to a high-probability state while the advantageous period continued, or whether it was controlled to a high-probability state after the advantageous period had ended.

[0024] A slot machine of form 3-5 is a slot machine described in any of forms 3-1 to 3-4, It is equipped with a specific light-emitting unit (LED 19a during CZ / AT, LED 19b during AT) that can be emitted during the advantageous period, When the advantageous state (AT2 state) ends, the advantageous section ends and the system transitions to the normal section, and when the system transitions back to the advantageous section, it is controlled to enter the high probability state (CZ2 state). In this case, when the advantageous state (AT2 state) ends, the specific light-emitting parts (LED19a during CZ / AT, LED19b during AT) are temporarily set to a non-lighting state (off-illuminated state), and then set to a light-emitting state (on-illuminated state) after the transition to the high probability state (CZ2 state). When controlling the game to enter the high-probability state (CZ2 state) while continuing the advantageous period, the specific light-emitting parts (LED19a during CZ / AT, LED19b during AT) are temporarily set to a non-lighting state (off-illuminated state) when the advantageous state (AT2 state) ends, and remain in a non-lighting state (off-illuminated state) for at least one game before transitioning to the high-probability state (CZ2 state) and then becoming light-emitting (on-illuminated state). It is characterized by the following. According to this feature, even if the machine is controlled to a high-probability state while the advantageous period continues, the specific light-emitting part will temporarily become non-illuminating, just as if the machine had ended once and then been controlled to a high-probability state. This makes it difficult to determine whether the machine was controlled to a high-probability state while the advantageous period continued, or whether the machine had ended once and then been controlled to a high-probability state.

[0025] A slot machine of form 3-6 is a slot machine described in any of forms 3-1 to 3-5, The termination conditions for the advantageous period include an upper limit termination condition (termination condition 1) which is met when the game value (net increase in tokens) acquired by the player during the advantageous period exceeds the upper limit (upper limit), When the second advantageous state (AT2 state) ends, the advantageous period ends if the difference between the amount of game value (net increase in tokens) acquired by the player during the advantageous period and the upper limit (upper limit) is less than or equal to a specific amount (specific number). It is characterized by the following. This feature prevents situations where the advantageous state ends abruptly due to the condition for the upper limit of the advantageous period being met midway through, or where additional wins are restricted to prevent reaching the upper limit.

[0026] A slot machine of form 3-7 is a slot machine described in any of forms 3-1 to 3-6, If it is determined that the right to control the system to the advantageous state (AT2 state) has been granted in the advantageous state (AT2 state), then after the advantageous state (AT2 state) ends, the system will control the system to the advantageous state (AT2 state) without controlling it to the high probability state (CZ2 state) or the preparation state. It is characterized by the following. According to this characteristic, in situations where it is certain that a favorable state will continue, it is possible to quickly maintain that favorable state without any unnecessary delays. [Examples]

[0027] An embodiment of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment consists of a housing 1a with an open front and a front door 1b pivotally supported at the side end of the housing 1a. Inside the slot machine 1, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter referred to as the left reel, middle reel, and right reel) are arranged horizontally, each containing an equal number of multiple types of symbols that are identifiable from one another in a predetermined order. As shown in Figure 1, three consecutive symbols from these reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are displayed in three rows (upper, middle, and lower) in a transparent window 3 located approximately in the center of the front of the slot machine 1, so that they are visible to the player. Also, as shown in Figure 2, each reel contains multiple types of symbols that are identifiable from one another ("Red 7", "White 7", "BAR", "Watermelon a", "Watermelon b", "Cherry", "Bell a", "Bell b", "Replay", "Plum") arranged in a predetermined order.

[0028] In this embodiment, a configuration using three reels is illustrated, but a configuration using only one reel, a configuration using two reels, or a configuration using four or more reels may also be used. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a variable display unit is configured to display a variable pattern using reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, but the variable display unit may not be made of reels. For example, a configuration in which the pattern can be displayed by moving a belt on which multiple patterns are arranged on the outer surface may also be used. In addition, in this embodiment, the variable display unit is made of physical reels, but the variable display unit may be made of an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the front of the slot machine 1 is equipped with a coin slot 4 into which coins can be inserted, a coin payout 9 from which coins are dispensed, a MAXBET switch 6 which is operated when setting the maximum number of bets from a predetermined number of bets (in this embodiment, 3 for non-internal and internal states, and 2 for special states) determined according to the game state using credits (the number of coins stored as game value owned by the player), a settlement switch 10 which is operated when settling the coins stored as credits and the coins used to set the bet (returning the coins used for credits and setting the bet), a start switch 7 which is operated when starting the game, stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R which are operated when stopping the rotation of reels 2L, 2C, and 2R respectively, and a performance switch 56 which is used for performance effects, all of which are operable by the player.

[0030] On the front of slot machine 1, as shown in Figure 1, there is a credit indicator 11 that displays the number of medals stored as credits, a game assistance indicator 12 that displays the number of medals dispensed when a win occurs, an error code indicating the nature of the error when an error occurs, and operation information (navigation notification) corresponding to the operation of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, a 1BETLED 14 that lights up to indicate that the number of bets is set to 1, a 2BETLED 15 that lights up to indicate that the number of bets is set to 2, and a 3BETLED that lights up to indicate that the number of bets is set to 3. D16, a game display unit 13 is provided, which includes a start-enabled LED 18 that lights up to indicate that the game start operation by operating the start switch 7 is valid, a CZ / AT LED 19a that lights up to indicate that the game is controlled to either the CZ state or the AT state described later and that the CZ / AT signal described later is ON, an AT LED 19b that lights up to indicate that the game is controlled to the AT state described later and that the AT signal described later is ON, and a replay LED 20 that lights up to indicate that a replay game is in progress.

[0031] In this embodiment, the CZ / AT LED 19a and AT LED 19b are provided separately, but they may be combined into a single LED that indicates by lighting up that the CZ / AT signal is ON or the AT signal is ON. In this case, the LED should be kept off when both the CZ / AT signal and the AT signal are OFF, the LED should be turned on when at least one of the CZ / AT signal or the AT signal is ON, and then the LED should be kept off when both the CZ / AT signal and the AT signal are OFF. With this configuration, the LED will always be lit when either the CZ / AT signal or the AT signal is ON, making it possible to confirm that either signal is being output.

[0032] Inside the MAXBET switch 6, there is a BET switch enabled LED 21 (see Figure 3) that lights up to indicate that the betting amount setting operation by operating the MAXBET switch 6 is valid. Inside the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, there are left, middle, and right stop enabled LEDs 22L, 22C, and 22R (see Figure 3) that light up to indicate that the operation to stop the reels by the corresponding stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is valid.

[0033] Furthermore, a liquid crystal display 51 capable of displaying images is provided on the front of the slot machine 1. The liquid crystal display 51 has a liquid crystal panel that is transparent when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal elements, and is positioned so that the display area is located in front of each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R on the front door 1b (on the player's side). Each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R on the back side of the liquid crystal display 51 is visible from the player's side through the transparent area of ​​the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display 51 that corresponds to the transparent window 3 and through the transparent window 3.

[0034] Inside the front door 1b of the slot machine 1, there is a reset switch 23 that detects a reset operation to clear an error state from outside the slot machine 1 by operating a predetermined key, a setting value display 24 that displays the current setting value while the setting value is being changed or checked, a door open detection switch 25 that detects the open state of the front door 1b, a flow path switching solenoid 30 that selectively switches the flow path of medals inserted from the medal insertion section 4 to either the hopper tank side or the medal payout outlet 9 side, which are located inside the slot machine 1, and a medal selector 29 having inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c that detect medals inserted from the medal insertion section 4 that have flowed down to the hopper tank side.

[0035] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is equipped with a reel unit 34 for rotating and stopping the aforementioned reels 2L, 2C, and 2R in accordance with control signals from the main control unit 41, and a hopper unit 35 for dispensing medals from the medal payout port 9 in accordance with control signals from the main control unit 41.

[0036] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is equipped with a setting key switch 37 for switching between a setting change state and a setting confirmation state, a reset / setting switch 38 which normally functions as a reset switch to clear an error state and, in the setting change state, functions as a setting switch to change the setting value of the winning probability (payout rate) of the internal lottery described later, and a power switch 39 which is operated when turning the power on / off.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the slot machine 1 is equipped with a game control board 40 and a performance control board 90. The game control board 40 controls the game, and the performance control board 90 controls the performance according to the game state.

[0038] The game control board 40 is connected to the aforementioned MAXBET switch 6, start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, payout switch 10, reset switch 23, coin insertion sensors 31a to 31c, reel sensors of the reel unit 34 (not shown), payout sensors and full sensors of the hopper unit 35 (not shown), setting key switch 37, and reset / setting switch 38, and receives detection signals from these connected switches and other devices.

[0039] Furthermore, the game control board 40 is connected to the aforementioned credit display 11, game assistance display 12, 1-3 BET LEDs 14-16, start enabled LED 18, CZ / AT LED 19a, AT LED 19b, replay LED 20, BET switch enabled LED 21, left, middle, right stop enabled LEDs 22L, 22C, 22R, setting value display 24, flow path switching solenoid 30, reel unit 34, and hopper unit 35. These electrical components are driven based on the control of the main control unit 41, which is mounted on the game control board 40 and will be described later.

[0040] Furthermore, the game control board 40 is equipped with a main control unit 41 that controls the game. The main control unit 41 includes a ROM 41b for storing programs and the like, and a RAM 41c for temporarily storing work data.

[0041] Furthermore, the main control unit 41 sends various commands to the sub-control unit 91. Commands sent from the main control unit 41 to the sub-control unit 91 are sent in only one direction, and no commands are sent from the sub-control unit 91 to the main control unit 41.

[0042] Furthermore, the main control unit 41 outputs a CZ / AT signal, which can identify that the machine is controlled to either the AT state (described later) or the CZ state (described later), and an AT signal, which can identify that the machine is controlled to the AT state (described later), to external hall equipment such as call lamps via an external output board (not shown).

[0043] The aforementioned performance switch 56 is connected to the performance control board 90, and its detection signal is input to it. In addition, the performance control board 90 is connected to performance devices such as the aforementioned liquid crystal display 51, speakers 53 and 54 capable of outputting sound, and performance LEDs 57 whose light emission patterns can be changed. The output state of these performance devices can be controlled by the sub-control unit 91 mounted on the performance control board 90. The sub-control unit 91 receives commands transmitted from the main control unit 41 and the detection signal from the performance switch 56, and performs various controls for performing the performance.

[0044] The slot machine 1 in this embodiment is configured such that the payout rate of medals changes according to the set value. Specifically, the payout rate of medals changes by using the winning probability according to the set value in the lottery that affects the player's advantage, such as the internal lottery and the AT lottery. The set value consists of six levels from 1 to 6, with 6 having the highest payout rate, and the payout rate decreasing as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. In other words, when the set value is 6, it is the most advantageous for the player, and the advantage decreases in stages as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.

[0045] To change the setting value, the setting key switch 37 must be turned ON, and then the power switch 39 of the slot machine 1 must be turned ON. When the setting key switch 37 is turned ON and the power is turned ON, the setting value read from RAM 41c is displayed on the setting value display 24, and the machine transitions to a setting change state in which the setting value can be changed by operating the reset / setting switch 38. In the setting change state, when the reset / setting switch 38 is operated, the displayed value on the setting value display 24 is updated by 1 (if it is operated further from setting value 6, it returns to setting value 1). Then, when the start switch 7 is operated, the displayed value is confirmed as the setting value. Then, when the setting key switch 37 is turned OFF, the confirmed displayed value (setting value) is stored in the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41, and the machine transitions to a state in which the game can proceed. In addition, the main control unit 41 initializes the game-related data stored in RAM 41c in conjunction with the change in the setting value.

[0046] Furthermore, the setting key switch 37 and the reset / setting switch 38 are located inside the slot machine 1 and cannot be operated unless the front door 1b, which can be opened by a predetermined key operation, is opened. Therefore, only employees of the amusement parlor where the slot machine 1 is installed who possess the predetermined key can operate them. In particular, the setting key switch 37 requires an additional key operation, so only employees of the amusement parlor who possess the key to operate the setting key switch 37 can operate it. The reset switch 23 does not require opening the front door 1b, but it requires a key operation using a predetermined key, so only employees who possess the predetermined key can operate it. The reset / setting switch 38 also functions as a reset switch to clear error states under normal circumstances.

[0047] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when playing a game, first, tokens are inserted into the token slot 4, or the MAXBET switch 6 is operated to set the bet using credits. When a predetermined number of bets is set according to the game state, the predetermined winning line LN (see Figure 1; in this embodiment, it is set across the symbols arranged in a curve on the middle of reels 2L and 2C and the upper part of reel 2R) becomes active, and the start switch 7 becomes active, that is, the game can be started. If tokens are inserted in excess of the maximum number of tokens corresponding to the game state, the excess amount is added to the credits. In this embodiment, only one winning line is applied, but multiple winning lines may be applied.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to make it easier to recognize when a combination of symbols constituting a win has been assembled on the winning line LN, invalid lines LM1 to LM5 are set separately from the winning line LN. The invalid lines LM1 to LM5 are not configured so that a win is determined by the combination of symbols assembled on these invalid lines LM1 to LM5. Rather, when a combination of symbols constituting a win has been assembled on the winning line LN, a combination of symbols that suggests a win (for example, bell a-bell a-bell a) is assembled on one of the invalid lines LM1 to LM5, making it easier to recognize when a combination of symbols constituting a win has been assembled on the winning line LN.

[0049] When the start switch 7 is operated while the game is ready to start, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate, and the symbols on each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R change continuously. When any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, or 8R are operated while reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are rotating, a stop control is applied to the corresponding reel 2L, 2C, or 2R, stopping its rotation, and the symbols on that reel are displayed as the result in the viewing window 3.

[0050] In stop control, when each stop switch is operated, control is performed to stop the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, and 2R within the maximum stop delay time (190 ms in this embodiment) from the time the operation is performed. During the maximum stop delay time (190 ms) until the end of this period, up to four frames of symbols can be retracted. In other words, in stop control, when stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated, it is possible to select one symbol from the symbols currently displayed and the symbols up to four frames ahead, for a total of five frames (retraction range), and lead it to reels 2L, 2C, and 2R.

[0051] As a result, in stop control, when the rotation is stopped by operating the corresponding stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R for each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R, if the symbols constituting a winning combination that have been won in the internal lottery (described later) are within the pull-in range of up to 4 frames ahead of the symbol at the time the stop switch is operated, then those symbols are pulled onto the winning line LN, and the rotation of the reel whose stop switch has been operated is stopped. On the other hand, if the symbols constituting a winning combination that have been won in the internal lottery are not within that pull-in range, then symbols that do not constitute any winning combination are pulled onto the winning line LN, so that symbols that do not constitute a winning combination that have not been won in the internal lottery do not stop on the winning line LN, and the rotation of the reel whose stop switch has been operated is stopped.

[0052] Furthermore, in the stop control, if a special role (BB in this embodiment) that involves a transition in the game state is carried over, and a minor role that awards medals is won in the internal lottery, resulting in a situation where both a special role and a minor role are won simultaneously, the control is set to prioritize pulling the winning minor role's constituent symbols into the winning line LN within the aforementioned pull-in range. If it is not possible to pull the winning minor role's constituent symbols into the winning line LN, the control is set to pull the winning special role's constituent symbols into the winning line LN. As a result, in games where both a special role and a minor role are won simultaneously, it becomes difficult to award the winning special role.

[0053] Furthermore, in the stop control, if a special role (BB in this embodiment) is carried over, and a re-play role that grants a re-play is won through internal lottery, and both a special role and a re-play role are won simultaneously, the symbols that make up the won re-play role are prioritized and pulled into the winning line LN. The symbols that make up the re-play role on each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R are arranged within a predetermined pull-in range, and when a re-play role is won, the symbols that make up the re-play role are always pulled into the winning line LN. For this reason, in games where both a special role and a re-play role are won simultaneously, the won special role cannot be awarded.

[0054] A game ends when all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R stop. If a predetermined combination of winning symbols stops on the winning line LN on each reel 2L, 2C, and 2R, a win occurs and control is performed accordingly. When a minor win occurs, a predetermined number of medals are awarded to the player according to the type of win and added to the credits. When the credits reach the upper limit (50 in this embodiment), medals are dispensed directly from the medal payout port 9 (see Figure 1). If a re-play win occurs, the player is granted a re-play option that allows them to continue playing without inserting medals. If a special win occurs, the game state is changed to another game state.

[0055] In this embodiment, the game starts when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected while the start switch 7 is active, and the game ends when all reels have stopped. Furthermore, one unit of control for executing the game (game control) starts when all controls associated with the end of the previous game are completed, and ends when all controls associated with the end of the current game are completed.

[0056] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the types of winning combinations (hereinafter referred to as "winning combinations") are determined according to the game state and include minor combinations that result in the payout of medals, replay combinations that grant the ability to start the next game without needing to set the number of bets, and special combinations that result in a transition in the game state. Hereafter, minor combinations and replay combinations will be collectively referred to as general combinations. In order for each combination determined according to the game state to result in a win, it is necessary to win the internal lottery and set the winning flag for that combination. The internal lottery is performed by the main control unit 41, which uses random numbers to determine whether or not to allow the winning of each of the aforementioned combinations before the display results of all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are derived (specifically, when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected with a predetermined number of bets set).

[0057] Furthermore, among the winning flags for each role, the winning flags for minor roles and replay roles are valid only in the game in which the flag is set and become invalid in the next game. However, the winning flag for special roles remains valid until the combination of roles permitted by that flag is achieved, and becomes invalid in the game in which the permitted combination of roles is achieved. In other words, once a special role winning flag is triggered, even if the combination of roles permitted by that flag is not achieved, the winning flag is not invalidated and is carried over to the next game.

[0058] Furthermore, in the internal lottery, when the stopping operation is performed in a predetermined sequence of operations (e.g., button press order, timing), it is possible to win a small win or a re-play win (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "navigation target win") that is more advantageous than when the stopping operation is performed in other sequences of operations. Navigation target wins include, for example, wins where the stopping sequence is more advantageous when the stopping operation is performed in a predetermined sequence of operations than when the stopping operation is performed in other sequences of operations, and wins where the probability of stopping in an advantageous sequence is higher when the stopping operation is performed in a predetermined sequence of operations than when the stopping operation is performed in other sequences of operations. In addition, advantageous stopping sequences include not only stopping sequences that result in the awarding of medals, but also stopping sequences that result in a transition to an advantageous game state, and stopping sequences that avoid a transition to an unfavorable game state.

[0059] The main control unit 41 can control the game to an assist time (AT) state, which is a notification period during which navigation notifications can be executed, in which navigation information that identifies the operation patterns of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R that are advantageous to the player according to the results of an internal lottery is indicated by the lighting patterns of the game assistance display 12. The main control unit 41 starts controlling the game to an AT state when the player is granted the right to be controlled to an AT state. When the game is controlled to an AT state, if the player wins a target role, the main control unit 41 executes a navigation notification, informing the player of the operation patterns of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R that are advantageous to the player (e.g., order of pressing, timing of operation, etc.) using the game assistance display 12, and also sends a command that identifies the operation patterns that are advantageous to the player to the sub-control unit 91, causing the sub-control unit 91 to execute a navigation effect that notifies the player of the operation patterns using the liquid crystal display 51, etc. By operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R according to the operation patterns notified by the navigation notification and navigation effect, the player can reliably win the target role that was won in the internal lottery.

[0060] In this embodiment, the main control unit 41 is equipped with a game assistance display 12 capable of displaying the number of medals dispensed, error codes, and navigation information, and the game assistance display 12 is used to notify navigation information in the control of navigation notification. However, it is also possible to have a dedicated display that can only display navigation information, and to use this dedicated display to notify navigation information in the control of navigation notification.

[0061] [Regarding the game state] The main control unit 41 can control the game state to one of the following: non-internal, internal, or special state.

[0062] During the non-internal state, no special winning combinations (BB) have been carried over. In the factory default state of slot machine 1, or when the game-related data stored in RAM41c has been initialized due to a setting change, the game is first controlled to the non-internal state. The game is also controlled to the non-internal state when the special state ends. The non-internal state ends when a special winning combination (BB) is won in the internal lottery during that non-internal game, and that special winning combination is not claimed, causing the game to transition back to the internal state. The non-internal state also ends when a special winning combination (BB) is claimed in the game in which it was won in the internal lottery, causing the game to transition back to the special state.

[0063] Furthermore, during non-internal operations, if the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in a manner that is advantageous to the player during a predetermined period, the payout rate of medals per game during that period will exceed 100%. Conversely, if the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are not operated in a manner that is advantageous to the player, the payout rate of medals per game during that period will not exceed 100%. During non-internal operations, if the operator is not notified of an operation manner that is advantageous to the player, the payout rate of medals per game will not exceed 100%.

[0064] During the internal phase, the winning of a special role (BB) is carried over. The game starts when a special role (BB) is won in the internal lottery during the non-internal phase.

[0065] Internally, during a game within a predetermined period, if the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated in a manner that is advantageous to the player, the payout rate of medals per game during that period will exceed 100%. Conversely, if the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are not operated in a manner that is advantageous to the player, the payout rate of medals per game during that period will not exceed 100%. During periods when a player-advantaged operation is announced, the payout rate of medals per game will exceed 100%, while during periods when a player-advantaged operation is not announced, the payout rate of medals per game will not exceed 100%.

[0066] The special state is a game state controlled in conjunction with the winning of a special role (BB). It is started when a special role (BB) is won during non-internal mode and ends when a predetermined termination condition is met (for example, the total number of medals paid out during the special state exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 50 medals)). After the special state ends, the game returns to non-internal mode.

[0067] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a special role (BB) is won at a predetermined probability (for example, about 1 / 4.2) during the non-internal state, and the game transitions to the internal state. During the internal state, i.e., when the special role (BB) winning flag is carried over, if the game is not controlled to the AT state described later, the payout rate of medals per game does not exceed 100%, while if the game is controlled to the AT state, the payout rate of medals per game exceeds 100%.

[0068] In addition, in the stop control of the reel, when a special combination and a minor combination are both winning, control is performed to prioritize and align the minor combination. Furthermore, within the internal lottery, for all minor combinations that are the targets of the internal lottery, the drawing range of the constituent symbols of the special combination (BB) overlaps with the drawing range of the constituent symbols of the minor combination. Regardless of which minor combination wins, the constituent symbols of the winning minor combination will stop at the winning line LN. Also, when a special combination and a replay combination are both winning, control is always performed to align the replay combination. That is, when a minor combination or a replay combination is winning within the internal lottery, the special combination (BB) is designed not to win.

[0069] Also, within the internal lottery, it is certain that either a minor combination or a replay combination will win. Therefore, once the internal lottery is entered, the special combination (BB) is designed not to win, and after entering the internal lottery, the internal lottery state will be maintained.

[0070] For this reason, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, since the game is controlled to be within the internal lottery for most of the time, assuming that the game is under internal lottery control, the medal payout rate corresponding to the set value (in this embodiment, 1 to 6) is set to a value determined according to each set value. Specifically, whether to control to the AT within the internal lottery, that is, by setting the winning probability of the internal lottery, the transition probability to the AT state, etc., the medal payout rate corresponding to the set value is set.

[0071] In addition, the main control unit 41 can perform control of the AT to notify the operation mode (correct pressing order) of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R that are advantageous by navigation notification within the internal lottery where the winning of the special combination (BB) is carried over, and it is designed such that the medal payout rate is appropriate within the internal lottery.

[0072] [Regarding the target combinations of the internal lottery] As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, a normal replay that allows a winning of a normal replay with a bonus game, a rare replay that allows a winning of a rare replay with a bonus game, 12 types of push-order winning combinations that allow a winning of a main minor role with the awarding of 12 medals and a sub-minor role with the awarding of 1 medal, a rare minor role A that allows a winning of a rare minor role A with the awarding of 1 medal, a rare minor role B that allows a winning of a rare minor role B with the awarding of 3 medals, a rare minor role C that allows a winning of a rare minor role C with the awarding of 3 medals, a rare minor role D that allows a winning of a rare minor role D with the awarding of 6 medals, a 1-medal minor role that allows a winning of a 1-medal minor role with the awarding of 1 medal, a BB that allows a winning of a BB with a transition to a special state, a BB + rare minor role A that allows a winning of both BB and rare minor role A, a BB + rare minor role B that allows a winning of both BB and rare minor role B, a BB + rare minor role C that allows a winning of both BB and rare minor role C, a BB + rare minor role D that allows a winning of both BB and rare minor role D, and a BB + 1-medal minor role that allows a winning of both BB and 1-medal minor role can be the subject of an internal lottery. In non-internal, normal replay, rare replay, 16 types of push-order winning combinations, BB + rare minor role A, BB + rare minor role B, BB + rare minor role C, BB + rare minor role D, BB + 1-medal minor role, and BB are the subject of an internal lottery. In the internal lottery in non-internal, the winning probability of normal replay is about 1 / 7.54, the winning probability of rare replay is about 1 / 228, the winning probability of push-order winning combination is about 1 / 1.59 (each winning probability is about 1 / 12.7), the winning probability of BB + rare minor role A is 1 / 8192, the winning probability of BB + rare minor role B is about 1 / 199, the winning probability of BB + rare minor role C is about 1 / 60, the winning probability of BB + rare minor role D is about 1 / 33, the winning probability of BB + 1-medal minor role is about 1 / 5.46, and the winning probability of BB is set to 1 / 16384.

[0073] Also, inside, normal replay, rare replay, 16 types of pressing order hands, rare minor hands A, rare minor hands B, rare minor hands C, rare minor hands D, and single-card minor hands are subject to internal lottery, and hands including special hands are not subject to internal lottery. In the internal lottery inside, the winning probability of normal replay is about 1 / 7.53, the winning probability of rare replay is about 1 / 228, the winning probability of pressing order hands is about 1 / 1.59 (each winning probability is about 1 / 12.7), the winning probability of rare minor hand A is 1 / 8192, the winning probability of rare minor hand B is about 1 / 199, the winning probability of rare minor hand C is about 1 / 60, the winning probability of rare minor hand D is about 1 / 33, and the winning probability of single-card minor hands is about 1 / 5.46.

[0074] The pressing order hands are hands in which a plurality of minor hands (in this embodiment, main minor hands and sub-minor hands) win as described above. By performing a stop operation in the stop operation order corresponding to each pressing order hand (any of the operation orders of middle - left - right, middle - right - left, right - left - middle, right - middle - left), regardless of the stop operation timing, the main minor hand accompanied by the awarding of 12 medals wins, while by performing a stop operation in a stop operation order other than the corresponding stop operation order, depending on the stop operation timing, either the sub - minor hand accompanied by the awarding of 1 medal wins or it is a losing hand where the sub - minor hand does not win, which is the navigation target hand. That is, it is a minor hand in which the expected value of the number of medals awarded changes due to the difference in the stop operation order, and the expected value of the number of medals awarded changes when the stop operation order corresponding to each pressing order hand is notified by navigation.

[0075] In this embodiment, only the stop order in which the middle or right reel is stopped first is assigned as the stop order for push-order small wins. Playing with the stop order in which the middle or right reel is stopped first increases the medal award rate. However, in the normal state, pre-announcement state, CZ1 state, and CZ2 state described later, penalties are given in relation to the transition to the AT state, resulting in a disadvantage. Therefore, the medal award rate considering the transition to the AT state is lower than when playing with the stop order in which the left reel is stopped first. Specifically, in the normal state and pre-announcement state described later, if the stop order in which anything other than the left reel is stopped first is performed, the end game count described later will not be updated, and in the CZ1 state and CZ2 state described later, the AT lottery will not be performed. For this reason, in the normal state, pre-announcement state, CZ1 state, and CZ2 state described later, playing with the stop order in which the left reel is stopped first is encouraged.

[0076] Furthermore, winning numbers from 1 to 29 are assigned to each of the following: normal replay, rare replay, 16 types of button presses, rare small role A, rare small role B, rare small role C, rare small role D, 1-coin small role, BB + rare small role A, BB + rare small role B, BB + rare small role C, BB + rare small role D, BB + 1-coin small role, and BB. The winning number of the role won in the internal lottery is set in RAM41c. Winning numbers are assigned values ​​of 1 or less to roles that do not transition to the advantageous section described later, and values ​​of 2 or more to roles that transition to the advantageous section. For this reason, the main control unit 41 does not identify the individual winning numbers to determine whether an advantageous section transition role has been won in the normal section, but rather determines whether the winning number is 2 or more, and if the winning number is 2 or more, it determines that an advantageous section transition role has been won.

[0077] Furthermore, each role that is subject to internal lottery is assigned a flag category (FC), and the flag category (FC) of the role that is won in the internal lottery is set in RAM41c. Flag categories (FC) are assigned common values ​​to roles that have common attributes, such as multiple types of push-order roles, multiple roles with similar winning probabilities, and roles that are won by the same role. Therefore, when the main control unit 41 performs the AT lottery described later, and determines the probability according to the winning role, it does not determine the probability according to the winning role from each individual winning number, but rather determines the probability according to the flag category (FC) assigned to the winning role. As a result, it is not necessary to determine the probability for each individual winning number, and it is possible to determine the probability according to the attributes of the winning role by determining the probability for each flag category (FC), which is fewer than the number of winning numbers.

[0078] [Regarding navigation announcements and navigation effects] The modes of navigation notification performed by the main control unit 41 and the modes of navigation display performed by the sub-control unit 91 will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

[0079] The main control unit 41 can perform navigation notification during a predetermined game (from the start of reel rotation until all reels have stopped rotating) by displaying a navigation display on the game assistance display unit 12 corresponding to the navigation target role that has been won in the internal lottery, thereby notifying the player of a stopping pattern that is advantageous to the player according to the navigation target role. In addition, the main control unit 41 can send a command to the sub-control unit 91 at the start of a predetermined game in which navigation notification processing is performed, which includes a navigation number that can identify a stopping pattern that is advantageous to the player.

[0080] In response to this, the sub-control unit 91 can, in games where it is possible to identify a stopping pattern that is advantageous to the player based on a command received from the main control unit 41, perform a navigation display using the LCD display 51 or the like to notify the player of the stopping pattern.

[0081] The main control unit 41 performs processing related to navigation notification, and in games where the navigation number is set to "1", it displays navigation display 1 (displaying "21" on the game support display unit 12) on the game support display unit 12, suggesting that the most advantageous stopping pattern for the player is the middle-left-right stopping order. In games where the navigation number is set to "2", it displays navigation display 2 (displaying "23" on the game support display unit 12) on the game support display unit 12, suggesting that the most advantageous stopping pattern for the player is the middle-right-left stopping order. During a game in which the navigation number is set to "3" and displayed on the device 12, navigation display 3 (displaying "31" on the game support display 12) is displayed on the game support display 12, suggesting that the most advantageous stopping pattern for the player is the order of right, left, and center stops. During a game in which the navigation number is set to "4", navigation display 4 (displaying "32" on the game support display 12) is displayed on the game support display 12, suggesting that the most advantageous stopping pattern for the player is the order of right, center, and left stops.

[0082] In response to this, the sub-control unit 91 displays navigation image 1 on the liquid crystal display 51 in the case of a game in which navigation number "1" is identified based on a command received from the main control unit 41, indicating that the most advantageous stopping pattern for the player is the middle-left-right stopping order; displays navigation image 2 on the liquid crystal display 51 in the case of a game in which navigation number "2" is identified, indicating that the most advantageous stopping pattern for the player is the middle-right-left stopping order; displays navigation image 3 on the liquid crystal display 51 in the case of a game in which navigation number "3" is identified, indicating that the most advantageous stopping pattern for the player is the right-left-right stopping order; and displays navigation image 4 on the liquid crystal display 51 in the case of a game in which navigation number "4" is identified, indicating that the most advantageous stopping pattern for the player is the right-center-left stopping order.

[0083] In this embodiment, the navigation notification is configured to notify the player of the stop operation order (correct pressing order) as an advantageous operation method for stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. However, the navigation notification may also be configured to suggest the advantageous operation timing for stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, or to suggest a combination of the advantageous stop operation order and operation timing for stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R. For example, if the advantageous operation method for stop switches is a predetermined operation timing for a predetermined reel, the game assistance display 12 can display the number of the symbol corresponding to the predetermined operation timing along with the number of the predetermined reel, or the liquid crystal display 51 can display the image of the symbol corresponding to the predetermined operation timing at the position corresponding to the predetermined reel, thereby suggesting the operation method.

[0084] [Regarding the gaming area] As shown in Figure 6, the main control unit 41 can control the game to either a normal section or a favorable section.

[0085] The normal section is a game section in which no navigation notifications are given. It begins when the next game starts after the game-related data (data indicating the game state, data indicating the game section, BB winning flag, etc.) has been reset due to a setting change, or after the advantageous section has ended. Subsequently, the normal section ends in a game in which the game state other than the special state is controlled, and the advantageous section transition role is won in the internal lottery.

[0086] The advantageous section is a game section in which navigation notifications may be issued, and it is a game section that is more advantageous to the player compared to the normal section because navigation notifications can be issued. The advantageous section begins when, in a game in the normal section that is controlled to a game state other than a special state, the advantageous section transition role is won in an internal lottery, and it is decided that the game will transition to the advantageous section, and the next game starts. After that, the advantageous section ends when the termination conditions (termination conditions 1 and 2 described below) are met.

[0087] During the advantageous period, when predetermined notification conditions are met (in this embodiment, the game is controlled to be in the AT state described later, and the target role for navigation is won in the internal lottery), navigation notification is made possible. When navigation notification is made, the player is notified of the operation methods of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, which are advantageous to the player.

[0088] The main control unit 41 controls the game to be in an advantageous section, and when it is in an AT state where navigation notifications are made, when a navigation target role is won in the internal lottery, it controls the navigation notification (controlling the game auxiliary display unit 12 to display a navigation display, controlling the transmission of a command that can identify the navigation number corresponding to the navigation display, etc.) and notifies the player of the operation of stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R which are advantageous to the player. The advantageous section is a game section that is more advantageous to the player compared to the normal section.

[0089] The conditions for ending the advantageous period include termination condition 1, which is met when the net increase in medals during the advantageous period (number of medals given - number of medals used) exceeds a predetermined upper limit (2400 in this embodiment), and termination condition 2, which is met when a predetermined arbitrary condition is satisfied (in this embodiment, the remaining net increase in medals (upper limit - net increase in medals during the advantageous period) at the end of the AT2 state described later is less than or equal to a specific value (200 in this embodiment)). The advantageous period ends when at least one of termination conditions 1 or 2 is met. The net increase in medals during the advantageous period is also counted as a negative value, and if the number of medals decreases, it can take a negative value. In this case, if the number of medals then increases and recovers to 0, and becomes a positive value and exceeds the predetermined number, termination condition 1 will be met. Therefore, it is possible for the number of medals to increase by more than 2400 from the time the net increase in medals during the advantageous period starts to increase while the number of medals is negative until termination condition 1 is met.

[0090] In this embodiment, the game transition to the advantageous section occurs when a predetermined advantageous section transition role is won while the game section is controlled to the normal section. However, it is also possible to have a configuration in which, when the game section is controlled to the normal section, an advantageous section transition lottery is held when an advantageous section transition target role is won in an internal lottery, and the game transition to the advantageous section occurs when the winner of the advantageous section transition lottery is selected.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the advantageous period ends when the net increase in medals during the advantageous period (number of medals awarded - number of medals used) exceeds a predetermined number set as the upper limit (2400 in this embodiment). However, the advantageous period may also end when a termination condition is met, which is when the number of games in the advantageous period (number of games in the advantageous period) reaches a predetermined number set as the upper limit (for example, 1500 games), or when any of these multiple conditions are met.

[0092] [Regarding the transitions between game periods and advantageous periods] Next, the transitions in the advantageous section state during the game section and the advantageous section, as controlled by the main control unit 41, will be explained based on Figures 6 and 7.

[0093] The main control unit 41, in a game played within the normal section, will switch the game section to the advantageous section from the next game if the advantageous section transition role is won in an internal lottery. The advantageous section consists of multiple game section states, including the normal state, pre-announcement state, CZ1 state, CZ2 state, AT1 state, AT2 state, and preparation state.

[0094] As shown in Figure 7, the normal state is a state in which no navigation notifications are given, and is relatively disadvantageous to the player. The pre-announcement state is a state that is entered after the normal state ends, and no navigation notifications are given, but it is a state in which the player will always enter the CZ1 state afterward, and in this respect it is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. The CZ1 state is a state in which no navigation notifications are given, but it is a state in which the player may enter the AT1 state afterward, and is more advantageous to the player than the normal state and the pre-announcement state. The CZ2 state is a state in which no navigation notifications are given, but it is a state in which the player may enter the AT2 state afterward, and is more advantageous to the player than the normal state and the pre-announcement state. Furthermore, the CZ2 state is more advantageous to the player than the CZ1 state because the probability of winning the AT lottery is higher than in the CZ1 state, and as will be described later, when the AT lottery is won, the player will enter the AT2 state, which is more advantageous than the AT1 state. In this embodiment, the CZ2 state is more advantageous than the CZ1 state in that the probability of winning the AT lottery is higher than the CZ1 state, and when the AT lottery is won, the player transitions to the AT2 state, which is more advantageous than the AT1 state. However, it is sufficient that the CZ2 state is more advantageous than the CZ1 state in at least one of the following ways: the probability of winning the AT lottery is higher than the CZ1 state, when the AT lottery is won, the player transitions to the AT2 state, which is more advantageous than the AT1 state, or when the AT lottery is won, the probability of winning to the AT2 state is higher than the CZ1 state. The AT1 state is an AT state in which navigation notifications are made, and is more advantageous for the player than the normal state, the pre-announcement state, the CZ1 state, and the CZ2 state. The AT2 state is an AT state in which navigation notifications are made, and is more advantageous for the player than the normal state, the pre-announcement state, the CZ1 state, and the CZ2 state. Furthermore, the AT2 state is more advantageous for the player than the AT1 state because it offers the potential for a greater increase in medals, the possibility of additional games, and a guaranteed transition to the CZ2 state after its completion. The preparation state is a state in which no navigation notifications are given, and is controlled before the start of the CZ2 state when the advantageous period continues after the end of the AT2 state.

[0095] In these advantageous zone states, during the normal state, pre-announcement state, CZ1 state, and CZ2 state, where navigation notifications are not provided, a penalty is imposed if the game is played with a stopping order in which a reel other than the left reel is stopped first. Specifically, in the normal state and pre-announcement state, the end game count described later is not updated, and in the CZ1 state and CZ2 state, even if a target role for AT lottery is won, the AT lottery is not performed. Furthermore, in the normal state, pre-announcement state, CZ1 state, and CZ2 state, the sub-control unit 91 issues a warning notification informing the player that a penalty has been imposed if the game is played with a stopping order in which a reel other than the left reel is stopped first, and urging the player to play with a stopping order in which the left reel is stopped first.

[0096] On the other hand, in AT1 and AT2 states where navigation notifications are displayed, no penalty is given and no warning is issued even if the game is played with a stopping order that includes a reel other than the left reel as the first stop. Also, in the preparation state, although navigation notifications are not displayed, no penalty is given and no warning is issued even if the game is played with a stopping order that includes a reel other than the left reel as the first stop.

[0097] The main control unit 41 transitions the game section to the advantageous section when a bonus trigger for transitioning to the advantageous section is won during the normal section. At this time, it determines whether the game state is in the non-internal or internal state, and if it is determined to be in the non-internal state, it performs a mode lottery and a game count lottery and controls the game to the normal state. When in the non-internal state, a bonus trigger that transitions to the internal state will always result in a transition to the advantageous section. Therefore, the game is controlled to the normal section while in the non-internal state only after the game-related data (data indicating the game state, data indicating the game section, bonus trigger flag, etc.) has been initialized by a setting change. For this reason, when transitioning to the advantageous section for the first time after a setting change, the game will be controlled to the normal state first.

[0098] The mode lottery determines the mode of the normal state that will be controlled thereafter. The game count lottery determines one of several ranges of game counts according to the mode determined in the mode lottery, and then determines the final number of games from the determined range.

[0099] The main control unit 41, in the normal state, adds to the number of games played since the system was controlled to the normal state (referred to as the normal game count) for each game played. The normal game count may be configured to add a predetermined value (for example, 1) for each game played, or it may be configured to determine the number of games to add based on the result of an internal lottery, and then add the determined number of games. Alternatively, the number of games to add may be increased during a specific period.

[0100] The main control unit 41 determines whether the number of normal games after addition has reached the number of ending games determined by the game number lottery. If the number of ending games has been reached, it terminates the normal state and controls the system to a pre-announcement state for a predetermined period (16 to 32 games in this embodiment). When the pre-announcement state ends, it controls the system to the CZ1 state.

[0101] In this embodiment, the system is configured to control the pre-announcement state and the subsequent CZ1 state based on the normal state ending when the number of normal games reaches a number of games selected according to the mode of the normal state. However, the system may also be configured to control the pre-announcement state and the subsequent CZ1 state based not only on the number of normal games reaching the number of games, but also on the normal state ending when the termination lottery, which is held every game or when a specific role is won or awarded, is won. Alternatively, the system may be configured to control the pre-announcement state and the subsequent CZ1 state based solely on the normal state ending when the termination lottery, which is held every game or when a specific role is won or awarded, is won.

[0102] The CZ1 state is controlled for a maximum period of 20 games, during which time the main control unit 41 performs an AT lottery to determine whether or not to control the game to the AT state each time an AT lottery target role is won. As shown in Figure 8, the probability of winning the AT lottery is set for each lottery trigger and each FC assigned to the AT lottery target role, and whether or not the game is controlled to the AT state is determined by the winning probability corresponding to the lottery trigger and the FC of the won AT lottery target role.

[0103] If the AT lottery is won within 20 games after the start of the CZ1 state, the main control unit 41 terminates the CZ1 state and controls the system to the AT1 state from the next game. On the other hand, if 20 games have passed without winning the AT lottery, the CZ1 state is terminated, and then the mode lottery and game count lottery described above are performed to determine the mode and end game count for the subsequent normal state, and the system controls the system to the normal state from the next game.

[0104] AT1 mode consists of 15 point-boosting games and up to 3 condition-determining games. In either game, if a target role for navigation notification is won, navigation notification will be given, so an increase in medals can be expected.

[0105] The main control unit 41, upon the start of the AT1 state, first controls the system to a point-up game, and after 15 games have elapsed, controls the system to a condition-determining game of up to 3 games.

[0106] In this embodiment, the point-up game consists of 15 games. However, the system may also be configured to terminate the point-up game when a predetermined trigger occurs (such as winning a specific role) or after each game, and to terminate the point-up game and control the system to a condition judgment game if the termination lottery is won. Alternatively, the number of point-up games may be determined by lottery from a number of games, so that the number of point-up games can vary.

[0107] The main control unit 41 performs a condition determination lottery for each game in the condition determination game. If the condition determination lottery is won for three consecutive games, the condition is met, the AT1 state ends, and the system switches to the AT2 state from the next game. On the other hand, if the condition determination lottery is not won even once, the AT1 state ends for that game as the condition is not met. Then, the mode lottery and game count lottery described above are performed to determine the mode and end game count for the subsequent normal state, and the system switches to the normal state from the next game.

[0108] In the conditional judgment lottery, the winning probability used is calculated by adding the winning probability based on the number of points accumulated since the start of the advantageous period to the initial winning probability. Points are awarded by winning point lotteries conducted in the normal state, pre-announcement state, and AT1 state, and are accumulated until the transition to the AT2 state.

[0109] In this embodiment, the system is controlled to the AT2 state when a condition is met in a condition determination game in the AT1 state. However, it is also possible to have a system where an AT lottery is held in the AT1 state, and the system is controlled to the AT2 state when the AT lottery is won.

[0110] The main control unit 41 sets the initial number of remaining games to 30 when the AT2 state starts. Then, it subtracts the number of remaining games with each game played, and terminates the AT2 state when the number of remaining games reaches 0.

[0111] Furthermore, in AT2 state, when a winning combination for additional games (a lottery combination corresponding to FC4-6) is won, the main control unit 41 conducts an additional game lottery to determine whether or not to add games to the remaining game count and the number of games to add. If the additional game lottery is won, the winning number of games is added to the remaining game count. Also, even if a winning combination for additional games is won in AT2 state, if the remaining net increase in coins (maximum number of coins - net increase in coins during the advantageous section) is less than or equal to a specific number (200 in this embodiment), the additional game lottery is not conducted, and the addition of games to the remaining game count is limited. The specific number is a value greater than the number of coins that are expected to increase by the addition of games when the winning combination for additional games (a lottery combination corresponding to FC6) that is expected to add the most games is won. As a result, it becomes less likely that the number of games added will exceed the maximum number of coins that are added during the advantageous section.

[0112] In this embodiment, if a winning combination for additional payouts is won in the AT2 state, and the remaining net increase in payouts (maximum payout - net increase in payouts during the advantageous period) is less than or equal to a specific number (200 in this embodiment), the additional payout lottery is not performed. However, for example, the system may be configured to control the system to an additional payout state in which the number of winning combinations for additional payouts increases, or the probability of winning the additional payout lottery increases. In such a configuration, if the remaining net increase in payouts is less than or equal to a specific number in the AT2 state, the system may restrict the control of the additional payout state while still performing the additional payout lottery if a winning combination for additional payouts is won. Furthermore, in a configuration that can be controlled to control multiple types of additional payout states with different expected number of games for additional payouts, if the remaining net increase in payouts is less than or equal to a specific number in the AT2 state, the system may restrict only certain types of additional payout states in which the expected number of games for additional payouts is relatively large.

[0113] Furthermore, the main control unit 41 conducts a stock lottery in the AT2 state to determine whether or not to grant the right to control the AT2 state again when a stock lottery target role (a lottery role corresponding to FC5 to 7) is won, and if the stock lottery is won, the right to win the AT is stocked. When the right to win the AT is stocked, the sub-control unit 91 notifies that fact and also notifies the number of remaining AT winning rights in a identifiable manner. In addition, even if a stock lottery target role is won in the AT2 state, if the remaining net increase in coins (maximum number of coins - net increase in coins during the advantageous period) is less than or equal to a specific number (200 in this embodiment), the stock lottery is not conducted, and control of the AT2 state again is restricted.

[0114] The main control unit 41 terminates the AT2 state when the number of remaining games becomes 0. At this time, if there are AT winning rights stocked, the stocked AT winning rights are deducted by 1, and the system is controlled to return to the AT2 state from the next game. If there are no AT winning rights stocked, the system determines whether the remaining net increase in coins (maximum number of coins - net increase in coins during the advantageous section) is less than or equal to a specific number (200 in this embodiment). If the remaining net increase in coins is less than or equal to the specific number, the system terminates the advantageous section and transitions the game section to the normal section. At this time, all data related to AT (net increase in coins during the advantageous section, number of points accumulated since the start of the advantageous section, etc.) is initialized. Furthermore, if there are no AT winning rights stocked, and the remaining net increase in coins is not less than or equal to the specific number (if it exceeds the specific number), the system is controlled to the preparation state from the next game while continuing the advantageous section.

[0115] In this way, at the end of the AT2 state, it is determined whether the remaining net increase in coins (maximum number of coins - net increase in coins during the advantageous section) is less than or equal to a specific number (200 in this embodiment). If the remaining net increase in coins is less than or equal to the specific number, the advantageous section is terminated and the game section is returned to the normal section. This prevents the AT2 state from ending abruptly due to the net increase in coins during the advantageous section exceeding the maximum number of coins, and also prevents the addition of remaining game counts through bonus draws and the granting of AT2 state rights through stock draws from being restricted in order to avoid reaching the maximum number of coins.

[0116] Furthermore, if the remaining net increase in tokens (maximum tokens - net increase in tokens during the advantageous period) is less than or equal to a specific number (200 in this embodiment), a bonus draw may be won, resulting in a large number of games being added at once, which may lead to an increase in tokens exceeding the specific number. Also, even if an increase in tokens exceeding the specific number is not expected due to the addition of games, the AT2 state may be controlled again when the remaining net increase in tokens is less than or equal to the specific number, due to previously stocked AT winning rights. In such cases, even before the remaining number of games reaches 0 in the AT2 state, the net increase in tokens during the advantageous period may exceed the maximum number, thus fulfilling the advantageous period termination condition 1.

[0117] Therefore, if, as a result of the bonus draw, the remaining number of games is added and the sum of the current net increase in coins during the advantageous section and the net increase in coins expected to increase based on the current remaining number of games and the stocked AT rights exceeds the upper limit, the main control unit 41 controls the system to the ED state. Regardless of the remaining number of games, the AT2 state continues until the net increase in coins during the advantageous section exceeds the upper limit and the termination condition 1 of the advantageous section is met. When termination condition 1 is met, the AT2 state ends along with the advantageous section. In such cases, the main control unit 41 also ends the AT2 state and the advantageous section, and transitions the game section to the normal section. In addition, all data related to AT (net increase in coins during the advantageous section, number of points accumulated since the start of the advantageous section, etc.) is initialized. Furthermore, when the sub-control unit 91 controls the system to the ED state, it executes an ED effect (Figure 17(a)) that is different in form from the AT2 effect (Figure 16(a)) described later. In the ED (ending) sequence, the remaining number of games and the number of AT win rights stocked, which are displayed in the AT2 sequence, are not shown. Instead, the number of medals remaining until termination condition 1 is met is announced.

[0118] The main control unit 41 terminates the preparation state when a favorable section transition role is won, and if the favorable section transition role is an AT lottery target role, it conducts an AT lottery. Since the preparation state ends when a favorable section transition role is won, it is controlled for a period of at least one game. If a favorable section transition role is won in the preparation state and the AT lottery is won, the control is returned to the AT2 state from the next game. If the AT lottery is not won, the control is returned to the CZ2 state from the next game. If the won favorable section transition role is not an AT lottery target role, i.e., if it is a push-order role, the AT lottery is not conducted and the control is returned to the CZ2 state from the next game.

[0119] The CZ2 state is controlled for a maximum period of 20 games, during which time the main control unit 41 conducts an AT lottery each time an AT lottery target role is won. If the AT lottery is won within 20 games after the start of the CZ2 state, the main control unit 41 terminates the CZ2 state and controls the system to the AT2 state from the next game. On the other hand, if 20 games have passed without winning the AT lottery, after terminating the CZ2 state, the main control unit 41 conducts the aforementioned mode lottery and game count lottery to determine the mode and end game count of the subsequent normal state, and controls the system to the normal state from the next game.

[0120] Furthermore, when the main control unit 41 determines that the game state is "internal" when a winning combination for transitioning to the advantageous section is achieved during the normal section, it performs an AT lottery if the winning combination is an AT lottery target combination. If the AT lottery is won, the game is controlled to the AT2 state from the next game. If the AT lottery is not won, the game is controlled to the CZ2 state from the next game. If the winning combination for transitioning to the advantageous section is not an AT lottery target combination, i.e., if it is a push-order combination, the game is controlled to the CZ2 state from the next game without performing an AT lottery.

[0121] As mentioned above, when a BB is won during a non-internal state, the game will always transition to the advantageous state. Therefore, the game will only be controlled to the normal state during an internal state after the advantageous state has ended, not after the game-related data (data indicating the game state, data indicating the game state, BB winning flag, etc.) has been initialized due to a setting change. Furthermore, the conditions for ending the advantageous state are rarely met in any advantageous state other than the AT2 state, so in practice, it is the state when the AT2 state ends and the game transitions to the normal state. For this reason, when the game transitions back to the advantageous state from the normal state after the advantageous state has ended due to the end of the AT2 state, an AT lottery is held. If the AT lottery is won, the game will first be controlled to the AT2 state. If the AT lottery is not won (including when the advantageous state transition role is a push-order role), the game will first be controlled to the CZ2 state. After that, if the AT lottery is not won in the CZ2 state, the game will be controlled to the normal state.

[0122] [About AT lottery] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, AT lottery is conducted using the following triggers: when a favorable section transition role is won, which is the trigger for transitioning from the normal section to the favorable section after the favorable section ends along with the end of the AT2 state (favorable section transition (internal)); when an AT lottery target role is won in the CZ2 state, which is controlled at the start of the favorable section transitioned from the normal section after the favorable section ends along with the end of the AT2 state (CZ2 state (favorable section start)); when an AT lottery target role is won in the CZ1 state, which is controlled after the end of the CZ2 state via the normal state and pre-announcement state (CZ1 state); when a favorable section transition role is won, which is the trigger for transitioning from the preparation state to the CZ2 state while the favorable section continues after the end of the AT2 state (preparation state end (favorable section transition role win)); and when an AT lottery target role is won in the CZ2 state, which is controlled while the favorable section continues after the end of the AT2 state (CZ2 state (1-3 times after the end of the AT2 state), CZ2 state (4 times or more after the end of the AT2 state)).

[0123] As shown in Figure 8, in the AT lottery when transitioning to the advantageous section (internal), the target AT state is the AT2 state, and the probability of winning is set to 10% when the advantageous section transition role belongs to FC1 (when a single small win is achieved), and to 100% when the advantageous section transition role belongs to FC3 to FC7 (when a rare replay, rare small win A, rare small win B, rare small win C, or rare small win D is achieved).

[0124] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, in the AT lottery during the CZ2 state (start of the advantageous period), the target AT state is the AT2 state, and the probability of winning is set to 10% when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC1 (when a single small win is achieved), 25% when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC2 (when a normal replay is achieved), and 100% when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC3 to FC7 (when a rare replay, rare small win A, rare small win B, rare small win C, or rare small win D is achieved).

[0125] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, in the AT lottery in CZ1 state, the target AT state is AT1 state, and the probability of winning is set as follows: when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC1 (when a single small role is won), the probability of winning is 2.5% when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC2 (when a normal replay is won), the probability of winning is 5%, when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC3 (when a rare small role D is won), the probability of winning is 6.25%, when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC4 (when a rare small role C is won), the probability of winning is 12.5%, when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC5 (when a rare small role B is won), the probability of winning is 25%, when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC6 (when a rare replay is won), the probability of winning is 50%, and when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC7 (when a rare small role A is won).

[0126] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, in the AT lottery at the end of the preparation state (winning a role that transitions to the advantageous section), the target AT state is the AT2 state, and the probability of winning is set to 10% when the role that transitions to the advantageous section belongs to FC1 (when a single-coin role is won), and to 100% when the role that transitions to the advantageous section belongs to FC3 to FC7 (when a rare replay, rare role A, rare role B, rare role C, or rare role D is won).

[0127] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, in the AT lottery in the CZ2 state after the end of the AT2 state, the target AT state is the AT2 state. In this case, the probability of winning differs depending on whether the number of times the AT2 state has been controlled after the AT1 state is 1 to 3 times or 4 or more times. If the number of times the AT2 state has been controlled after the AT1 state is 1 to 3 times, the probability of winning is 5% when the target role for the AT lottery belongs to FC1 (when a single small win is achieved), 10% when the target role for the AT lottery belongs to FC2 (when a normal replay is achieved), 12.5% ​​when the target role for the AT lottery belongs to FC3 (when a rare small win D is achieved), 25% when the target role for the AT lottery belongs to FC4 (when a rare small win C is achieved), and The probability of winning is set to 50%, 66% when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC6 (when a rare replay is won), and 100% when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC7 (when a rare small role A is won). If the number of times the game is controlled to AT2 state after AT1 state is 4 or more, the probability of winning is set to 10% when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC1 (when a single small role is won), 25% when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC2 (when a normal replay is won), and 100% when the AT lottery target role belongs to FC3 to FC7 (when a rare replay, rare small role A, rare small role B, rare small role C, or rare small role D is won).

[0128] In this embodiment, an AT lottery is held when an AT lottery target role is won in either the CZ2 state, which is controlled at the start of the advantageous period transitioned from the normal period after the advantageous period ends with the end of the AT2 state, or the CZ1 state, which is controlled after the end of the CZ2 state via the normal state and the pre-announcement state. However, if the AT lottery is won in the CZ1 state, the system is controlled to the AT1 state, whereas if the AT lottery is won in the CZ2 state, the system is controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state. Thus, after the advantageous period begins and the CZ2 state ends, the system may be controlled to the AT2 state, which is expected to yield more medals than the AT1 state, after the AT1 state. Furthermore, if the advantageous period ends at the end of the AT2 state, when the advantageous period starts afterward, the system is designed to allow the system to be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0129] Furthermore, the probability of winning the AT lottery is set higher when the AT lottery target role is won in the CZ2 state than when it is won in the CZ1 state. If the advantageous period ends at the end of the AT2 state, it can be expected that when the advantageous period starts afterward, it will be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0130] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when an AT lottery target role is won, an AT lottery is held when an AT lottery target role is won, which triggers a transition from the normal section to the advantageous section after the advantageous section ends with the end of the AT2 state, or in either the normal state or the pre-announcement state controlled after the end of the CZ2 state. If the AT lottery is won in the CZ1 state, the system is controlled to the AT1 state, whereas if the AT lottery is won when transitioning to the advantageous section, the system is controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state. Thus, after the start of the advantageous section and the end of the CZ2 state, the system may be controlled to the AT2 state, which is expected to yield more medals than the AT1 state, after the AT1 state. However, if the advantageous section ends at the end of the AT2 state, when the advantageous section starts afterward, the system is designed so that it can be expected to be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0131] Furthermore, the probability of winning the AT lottery is set higher when the AT lottery target role is won when transitioning to the advantageous section than when the AT lottery target role is won in the CZ1 state. If the advantageous section ends when the AT2 state ends, it can be expected that when the advantageous section starts afterward, it will be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0132] Furthermore, during the AT lottery when transitioning to the advantageous section (internal), the probability of winning the advantageous section transition role, which is eligible for the AT lottery, and winning the AT lottery is both less than 50%. In other words, when transitioning to the advantageous section, the probability of not being controlled to the AT state is higher than the probability of being controlled to the AT state, and the proportion of being controlled to the AT state at the same time as transitioning to the advantageous section is suppressed, so that excessive gambling instincts are not stimulated. In addition, there is a role (normal replay) that is eligible for the AT lottery in the advantageous section but is not an advantageous section transition role. If this role is won in the normal section, the game does not transition to the advantageous section and no AT lottery is held, so the normal section is never as advantageous as the advantageous section. Furthermore, for roles such as FC3 to FC7, which guarantee a 100% AT lottery win upon winning, it is also possible to have a configuration where they are eligible for the AT lottery in the advantageous section but are not advantageous section transition roles. By using such a configuration, the difference in the degree of advantage between the normal section and the advantageous section becomes even clearer.

[0133] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in both the CZ2 state, which is controlled while the advantageous period continues after the end of the AT2 state, and the CZ1 state, which is controlled after the end of the CZ2 state via the normal state and the pre-announcement state, an AT lottery is held when an AT lottery target role is won. However, if the AT lottery is won in the CZ1 state, the system is controlled to the AT1 state, whereas if the AT lottery is won in the CZ2 state, the system is controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state. After the end of the AT2 state, regardless of whether the advantageous period has ended or not, it is possible to expect that the system will be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0134] Furthermore, the probability of winning the AT lottery is set higher when winning an AT lottery target role in the CZ2 state than when winning an AT lottery target role in the CZ1 state. After the end of the AT2 state, regardless of whether the advantageous period has ended or not, it can be expected that the game will be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0135] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a role that triggers a transition from the advantageous section to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continues after the end of the AT2 state is won, and in either the CZ1 state which is controlled after the end of the CZ2 state via the normal state and the pre-announcement state, an AT lottery is held when a role that is eligible for AT lottery is won. However, if the AT lottery is won in the CZ1 state, the system is controlled to the AT1 state, whereas if the AT lottery is won at the end of the preparation state (winning the role that triggers a transition to the advantageous section), the system is controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state. Regardless of whether the advantageous section has ended at the end of the AT2 state, when a role that triggers a transition to the advantageous section is won for the first time after the end of the AT2 state, the system is designed to allow the system to be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0136] Furthermore, the probability of winning the AT lottery is set higher when the AT lottery target role is won at the end of the preparation state (when the advantageous section transition role is won) than when the AT lottery target role is won in the CZ1 state. Regardless of whether the advantageous section has ended at the end of the AT2 state, when the advantageous section transition role is won for the first time after the end of the AT2 state, it can be expected that the game will be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0137] Furthermore, in this embodiment, once the system is controlled to the normal state during the advantageous period, in the CZ1 state where an AT lottery is subsequently held, if the AT lottery is won, the system is first controlled to the relatively disadvantageous AT1 state, and only after fulfilling the conditions in the condition determination game in the AT1 state is the system controlled to the more advantageous AT2 state.

[0138] On the other hand, once the system is controlled to the AT2 state, after the AT2 state ends, it is put into the CZ2 state, which has a high probability of being controlled to the AT2 state again. Therefore, once the system is controlled to the AT2 state, it can be expected that the AT2 state will continue.

[0139] Furthermore, in the CZ2 state controlled after the AT2 state ends, the probability of winning the AT lottery is set higher when the number of times the AT2 state is controlled after the AT1 state is 4 or more is higher than when the number of times the AT2 state is controlled after the AT1 state is 1 to 3. Therefore, when the number of times the AT2 state is controlled after the AT1 state is 4 or more, it can be expected that the AT2 state will continue.

[0140] Furthermore, in AT2 state, if the net increase in coins during the advantageous period exceeds the upper limit and the advantageous period ends along with the AT2 state, or if the remaining net increase in coins falls below a certain number when the AT2 state ends and the advantageous period ends, the AT-related data will be initialized. However, at the start of the subsequent advantageous period, the player will be placed in CZ2 state, which has a high probability of being controlled to AT2 state. Therefore, once controlled to AT2 state, it can be expected that the AT2 state will continue even if the advantageous period ends midway.

[0141] Furthermore, the end of the advantageous period at the end of the AT2 state is highly likely to occur if the number of times the AT2 state has been controlled after the AT1 state is four or more. Similarly, in the CZ2 state controlled at the start of the advantageous period, the probability of winning the AT lottery is set higher than when the number of times the AT2 state has been controlled after the AT1 state is four or more, compared to when the number of times the AT2 state has been controlled after the AT1 state is 1 to 3. Therefore, if the number of times the AT2 state has been controlled after the AT1 state is four or more, it can be expected that the AT2 state will continue even if the advantageous period ends midway.

[0142] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main control unit 41 controls the game to the CZ2 state when transitioning to an advantageous section, if the advantageous section is a transition from a normal section after the advantageous section has ended along with the end of the AT state. However, when transitioning from a normal section to an advantageous section for the first time after a setting change, it does not control the game to the CZ2 state at the start of the advantageous section, but controls it to the normal state. This ensures that even if a game parlor changes the settings, the game will not be intentionally controlled to the CZ2 state, which is advantageous to the player.

[0143] Furthermore, the main control unit 41 determines whether the game state is internal or non-internal when transitioning to a favorable section, thereby identifying whether it is a favorable section transitioned from a normal section after the favorable section ended with the end of the AT2 state, or the first favorable section transitioned from a normal section after a setting change. This makes it possible to identify whether it is a favorable section transitioned from a normal section after the favorable section ended with the end of the AT2 state, or the first favorable section transitioned from a normal section after a setting change, even if all AT-related data has been initialized at the end of the favorable section.

[0144] [Regarding control at the start of CZ1 state] Next, the control at the start of the CZ1 state will be explained based on Figures 9 and 10.

[0145] As shown in Figure 9, after the pre-announcement state ends following the normal state, the main control unit 41 controls the game to enter the CZ1 state from the next game. At this time, the CZ / AT signal is switched from the off state to the on state, and the CZ / AT LED 19a is switched from the unlit state to the lit state. The AT signal remains in the off state, and the AT LED 19b also remains unlit.

[0146] Furthermore, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the normal effects performed in the normal state and the pre-announcement state to the CZ1 effects when the CZ1 state begins. The normal effects are effects that display the normal background image, etc., while the CZ1 effects are effects that display the CZ1 background image, etc., which are specific to the CZ1 state.

[0147] Subsequently, if the AT lottery is won in the CZ1 state, the main control unit 41 controls the system to the AT1 state from the next game. At this time, the CZ / AT signal is kept ON, the AT signal is switched ON, the CZ / AT LED 19a is kept lit, and the AT LED 19b is switched from the unlit state to the lit state.

[0148] Furthermore, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the CZ1 presentation to the AT1 presentation when the AT1 state begins. The AT1 presentation is a presentation that displays AT1 background images and other elements specific to the AT1 state. Also, at the start of the AT1 presentation, the acquired coin counter value, which counts the number of coins acquired during the series of ATs, is reset to 0, and the acquired coin notification, which displays the acquired coin counter value, is started.

[0149] On the other hand, if the CZ1 state ends without winning the AT lottery in the CZ1 state, the main control unit 41 controls the system to return to the normal state from the next game. At this time, it switches the CZ / AT signal and the AT signal from the on state to the off state, and switches the CZ / AT LED 19a and AT LED 19b from the lit state to the unlit state. In addition, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the CZ1 performance to the normal performance when the CZ1 state ends.

[0150] The main control unit 41 controls the system to the AT2 state from the next game if the conditions are met in the condition determination game in the AT1 state. At this time, the CZ / AT signal and the AT signal are kept in the ON state, and the CZ / AT LED 19a and AT LED 19b are kept lit.

[0151] Furthermore, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the AT1 presentation to the AT2 presentation when the AT2 state begins. The AT2 presentation is a presentation that displays AT2 background images and other elements specific to the AT2 state. Also, even when the AT2 presentation starts, the acquired coin counter value is carried over, and the acquired coin notification continues.

[0152] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10, if the condition is not met in the condition determination game in the AT1 state, the main control unit 41 controls the system to the normal state from the next game. At this time, the CZ / AT signal and the AT signal are switched from the on state to the off state, and the CZ / AT LED 19a and AT LED 19b are switched from the lit state to the unlit state. In addition, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the CZ1 performance to the normal performance when the CZ1 state ends, and the notification of the number of acquired coins also ends.

[0153] [Regarding control when AT2 state ends] Next, the control at the end of the AT2 state will be explained based on Figures 11 to 17.

[0154] As shown in Figure 11, the main control unit 41, when the AT2 state ends and the advantageous section ends while the net increase in coins during the advantageous section is less than or equal to the upper limit, transitions to the normal section from the next game. At this time, the CZ / AT signal and the AT signal are switched from the on state to the off state, and the CZ / AT LED 19a and AT LED 19b are switched from the lit state to the unlit state.

[0155] Furthermore, upon the termination of the AT2 state, the sub-control unit 91 terminates the AT2 performance (Figure 16(a)) and executes a result notification performance (Figure 16(b)) that notifies the net increase in coins and the number of games controlled by the AT during the series of AT periods (the period from the AT1 state), and consequently terminates the notification of the number of coins acquired. After that, triggered by the operation to start the next game, it switches from the result notification performance (Figure 16(b)) to the standby performance (Figure 16(c)). The standby performance is a performance in which a standby image and the like are displayed.

[0156] Subsequently, the main control unit 41 determines that if the advantageous section transition role is won in the normal section, the normal section ends and the advantageous section begins from the next game. If the AT lottery held at this time is not won, the system controls the system to the CZ2 state at the start of the advantageous section. At this time, the CZ / AT signal is switched from the off state to the on state, and the CZ / AT LED 19a is switched from the unlit state to the lit state. The AT signal remains in the off state, and the AT LED 19b also remains unlit.

[0157] Furthermore, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the standby animation (Figure 16(c)) to the CZ2 animation (Figure 16(d)) when the CZ2 state begins. The CZ2 animation is an animation in which a background image specific to the CZ2 state is displayed.

[0158] On the other hand, the main control unit 41 controls the system to enter the AT2 state at the start of the advantageous period if the AT lottery is won when transitioning to the advantageous period. At this time, the CZ / AT signal and the AT signal are switched from the off state to the on state, and the CZ / AT LED 19a and AT LED 19b are switched from the unlit state to the lit state.

[0159] Furthermore, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the standby animation (Figure 16(c)) to the AT2 animation (Figure 16(a)) when the AT2 state begins. The acquired coin counter value is carried over without being initialized even if the advantageous period ends at the end of the previous AT2 state, and when the AT2 animation begins, the acquired coin notification starts based on the acquired coin counter value that has been carried over and counted since the end of the previous AT2 state.

[0160] The main control unit 41 controls the system to enter the AT2 state from the next game if the AT lottery is won in the CZ2 state. At this time, the CZ / AT signal is kept in the ON state, the AT signal is switched from the OFF state to the ON state, the CZ / AT LED 19a is kept lit, and the AT LED 19b is switched from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0161] Furthermore, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the CZ2 presentation (Figure 16(d)) to the AT2 presentation (Figure 16(a)) when the AT2 state begins. The acquired coin counter value is carried over without being reset even if the advantageous section ends at the end of the previous AT2 state, and when the AT2 presentation begins, the acquired coin count notification starts based on the acquired coin counter value that has been carried over and counted since the end of the previous AT2 state.

[0162] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 13, if the CZ2 state ends without winning the AT lottery in the CZ2 state, the main control unit 41 controls the system to return to the normal state from the next game. At this time, the CZ / AT signal is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, and the CZ / AT LED 19a is switched from the lit state to the unlit state. In addition, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the CZ2 performance (Figure 16(d)) to the normal performance (Figure 16(e)) upon the end of the CZ2 state.

[0163] As shown in Figure 12, when the AT2 state ends and the advantageous period continues, the main control unit 41 controls the system to the preparation state from the next game. At this time, similar to when the advantageous period ends, the CZ / AT signal and the AT signal are switched from the on state to the off state, and the CZ / AT LED 19a and AT LED 19b are switched from the lit state to the unlit state.

[0164] Furthermore, upon the termination of the AT2 state, the sub-control unit 91 terminates the AT2 performance (Figure 16(a)), executes the result notification performance (Figure 16(b)), and consequently terminates the notification of the number of acquired coins. Subsequently, triggered by the operation to start the next game, it switches from the result notification performance (Figure 16(b)) to the standby performance (Figure 16(c)), similar to when transitioning to the normal section.

[0165] Subsequently, the main control unit 41 terminates the preparation state if a favorable section transition role is won during the preparation state. If the AT lottery held at this time is not won, the system controls the system to the CZ2 state from the next game. At this time, the CZ / AT signal is switched from the off state to the on state, and the CZ / AT LED 19a is switched from the unlit state to the lit state. The AT signal remains in the off state, and the AT LED 19b also remains unlit.

[0166] Furthermore, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the standby animation (Figure 16(c)) to the CZ2 animation (Figure 16(d)) when the CZ2 state begins.

[0167] On the other hand, if the AT lottery is won at the end of the preparation state, the main control unit 41 controls the system to the AT2 state from the next game. At this time, the CZ / AT signal and the AT signal are switched from the off state to the on state, and the CZ / AT LED 19a and AT LED 19b are switched from the unlit state to the lit state.

[0168] Furthermore, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the standby animation (Figure 16(c)) to the AT2 animation (Figure 16(a)) when the AT2 state begins. The acquired coin counter value is carried over without being initialized even if the advantageous period ends at the end of the previous AT2 state, and when the AT2 animation begins, the acquired coin notification starts based on the acquired coin counter value that has been carried over and counted since the end of the previous AT2 state.

[0169] The main control unit 41 controls the system to enter the AT2 state from the next game if the AT lottery is won in the CZ2 state. At this time, the CZ / AT signal is kept in the ON state, the AT signal is switched from the OFF state to the ON state, the CZ / AT LED 19a is kept lit, and the AT LED 19b is switched from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0170] Furthermore, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the CZ2 presentation (Figure 16(d)) to the AT2 presentation (Figure 16(a)) when the AT2 state begins. The acquired coin counter value is carried over without being reset even if the advantageous section ends at the end of the previous AT2 state, and when the AT2 presentation begins, the acquired coin count notification starts based on the acquired coin counter value that has been carried over and counted since the end of the previous AT2 state.

[0171] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 14, if the CZ2 state ends without winning the AT lottery in the CZ2 state, the main control unit 41 controls the system to return to the normal state from the next game. At this time, the CZ / AT signal is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, and the CZ / AT LED 19a is switched from the lit state to the unlit state. In addition, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the CZ2 performance (Figure 16(d)) to the normal performance (Figure 16(e)) upon the end of the CZ2 state.

[0172] As shown in Figure 15, even if the main control unit 41 controls the game to the aforementioned ED state by adding to the remaining number of games, and as a result the net increase in coins in the advantageous section exceeds the upper limit, causing the AT2 state to end and the advantageous section to terminate, the game will transition to the normal section from the next game. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 starts the ED performance (Figure 17(a)) when the ED state starts, and when the AT2 state ends, it ends the ED performance (Figure 17(a)), and in addition to the results of the series of AT periods (period from the AT1 state), such as the net increase in coins and the number of games controlled by AT, it executes a result notification / advantageous section termination performance (Figure 17(b)) which notifies that the advantageous section has ended as a result of the net increase in coins exceeding the upper limit of the advantageous section, and consequently terminates the notification of acquired coins. After that, triggered by the operation to start the next game, it switches from the result notification / advantageous section termination performance (Figure 17(b)) to the normal performance (Figure 17(c)).

[0173] Subsequently, the main control unit 41 determines that if a role for transitioning to the advantageous section is won in the normal section, the normal section will end and the advantageous section will start from the next game. If the AT lottery held at this time is not won, the system will be controlled to the CZ2 state at the start of the advantageous section. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 executes a revival sequence (Figure 17(d)) ​​upon the start of the CZ2 state, and then switches to the CZ2 sequence (Figure 17(e)).

[0174] On the other hand, the main control unit 41 controls the system to the AT2 state when it wins the AT lottery during the transition to the advantageous section, as soon as the advantageous section begins. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 executes a revival sequence (Figure 17(d)) ​​as the AT2 state begins, and then switches to the AT2 sequence. The acquired coin counter value is carried over without being reset even if the advantageous section ends at the end of the previous AT2 state, and as the AT2 sequence begins, the system starts notifying the acquired coin count based on the acquired coin counter value that has been carried over and counted since the end of the previous AT2 state.

[0175] The main control unit 41 controls the system to enter the AT2 state from the next game if the AT lottery is won in the CZ2 state. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the CZ2 presentation (Figure 17(e)) to the AT2 presentation when the AT2 state begins. The acquired coin counter value is not reset even if the advantageous period ends at the end of the previous AT2 state, and when the AT2 presentation begins, the acquired coin notification starts based on the acquired coin counter value that has been counted since the end of the previous AT2 state.

[0176] On the other hand, if the CZ2 state ends without winning the AT lottery in the CZ2 state, the main control unit 41 controls the system to return to the normal state from the next game. At this time, the sub-control unit 91 switches from the CZ2 presentation (Figure 17(e)) to the normal presentation (Figure 17(f)) upon the end of the CZ2 state.

[0177] In this embodiment, after the AT2 state ends, there are two possibilities: one is to control the CZ2 state, which is highly likely to be controlled to the AT2 state while the advantageous section continues; and the other is to control the CZ2 state after the AT2 state ends, after the advantageous section ends and the system transitions to the normal section, and then transitions back to the advantageous section. When the system is controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continues, it proceeds through a preparation phase before being controlled to the CZ2 state. When the system is controlled to the CZ2 state after the AT2 state ends and the system transitions back to the advantageous section, there is always a waiting period between the end of the AT2 state and the start of the CZ2 state. However, even when the system is controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continues, the CZ2 state does not start immediately, but proceeds through a predetermined preparation phase before being controlled to the CZ2 state. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether the system was controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continued, or whether the system was controlled to the CZ2 state after the advantageous section ended.

[0178] Furthermore, in the normal section, when a winning combination for transitioning to the advantageous section is achieved, the game transitions to the advantageous section. In addition, in the preparation state, which is controlled when the game is controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continues, when a winning combination for transitioning to the advantageous section is achieved, the preparation state ends and the game is controlled to the CZ2 state. This means that when the game is controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continues, the game is controlled to the CZ2 state at the same trigger as when the advantageous section ends once and then the game is controlled to the CZ2 state. Therefore, it becomes difficult to determine whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continued, or whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state after the advantageous section ended once.

[0179] Furthermore, in the normal section, no control related to AT is performed, and even if the game is played with a stopping order that starts with a reel other than the left reel, no penalty related to AT is given, and no warning notification is issued. However, even if the game is played in the preparation state with a stopping order that starts with a reel other than the left reel, unlike the normal state, pre-announcement state, CZ1 state, and CZ2 state, no penalty related to AT is given, the advantage related to AT does not change as in the normal section, and no warning notification is issued for AT. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continued, or whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state after the advantageous section ended.

[0180] Furthermore, when the AT2 state ends and the advantageous period ends, the CZ / AT signal and AT signal are temporarily turned off. After the advantageous period begins and the CZ2 state starts, the CZ / AT signal and AT signal turn on again. However, even when the advantageous period continues and the system is controlled to the CZ2 state, the CZ / AT signal and AT signal are temporarily turned off during the preparation state. After that, they remain off for at least one game, and then after the CZ2 state starts, the CZ / AT signal and AT signal turn on again. This makes it difficult to determine whether the system was controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous period continued, or whether the system was controlled to the CZ2 state after the advantageous period ended.

[0181] In particular, when the advantageous period continues, the CZ / AT signal remains on when switching from one state to the other, such as when transitioning from CZ1 state to AT1 state, from AT1 state to AT2 state, or from CZ2 state to AT2 state, in situations where the advantageous period continues. However, when switching from AT2 state to CZ2 state while the advantageous period continues, there is a preparation state in between, during which the CZ / AT signal is temporarily turned off. This makes it difficult to determine whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous period was continuing, or whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state after the advantageous period ended.

[0182] Furthermore, when the AT2 state ends and the advantageous period ends, the CZ / AT LED19a and AT LED19b will temporarily change from lit to unlit, and after transitioning to the advantageous period and starting the CZ2 state, the CZ / AT LED19a and AT LED19b will change back to lit. However, even when the advantageous period continues and the game is controlled to enter the CZ2 state, the CZ / AT LED19a and AT LED19b will temporarily change from lit to unlit in the preparation state, and then remain unlit for at least one game. After the lights are turned on, and after the CZ2 state begins, the CZ / AT LED19a and AT LED19b will change back to the lit state. Even if the advantageous period continues and the game is controlled to the CZ2 state, the CZ / AT LED19a and AT LED19b will temporarily turn off, just as if the advantageous period had ended once before the game was controlled to the CZ2 state. This makes it difficult to determine whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous period continued, or whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state after the advantageous period had ended.

[0183] In particular, when the advantageous period continues, the LED 19a during CZ / AT will remain lit when switching from one state to the other, such as when transitioning from CZ1 to AT1, from AT1 to AT2, or from CZ2 to AT2, in which case the LED 19a during CZ / AT will remain lit. However, when switching from AT2 to CZ2 while the advantageous period continues, there is a preparation state in between, during which the LED 19a during CZ / AT will temporarily become unlit. Therefore, it becomes difficult to determine whether the game was controlled to enter CZ2 while the advantageous period was still continuing, or whether the game was controlled to enter CZ2 after the advantageous period had ended.

[0184] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main control unit 41 conducts a stock lottery in the AT2 state to determine whether or not to grant the right to control the system back to the AT2 state when a stock lottery target role (a lottery role corresponding to FC5 to 7) is won. If the stock lottery is won, the right to win an AT is stocked. The sub-control unit 91 notifies the system when the right to win an AT is stocked and also notifies the number of remaining AT winning rights in a identifiable manner. If the right to win an AT is stocked at the end of the AT2 state, the system controls the system back to the AT2 state from the next game without going through the preparation state or CZ2 state. In situations where it is confirmed that the AT2 state will continue, the AT2 state can be continued quickly without any unnecessary delays.

[0185] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 is equipped with a coin count counter value that counts the number of coins acquired during a series of ATs (the period from the start of the AT1 state until the CZ2 state ends without winning the AT lottery in the CZ2 state), and during the AT1 performance in the AT1 state and the AT2 performance in the AT2 state, it performs a coin count notification that announces the number of coins acquired during the series of ATs based on the coin count counter value. Also, when the AT2 state ends and the advantageous section ends and the game transitions to the normal section, the coin count counter value is not reset but carried over, and thereafter, when the advantageous section is transitioned or when the AT lottery is won in the first CZ2 state controlled after the advantageous section is transitioned, and the game is controlled to the AT2 state, the coin count notification is performed based on the coin count counter value that has been carried over and counted from the AT2 state before the end of the advantageous section, making it appear as if the AT2 state is occurring continuously even if the advantageous section is interrupted.

[0186] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the AT2 state ends with the net increase in coins in the advantageous section being less than or equal to the upper limit, and after the advantageous section ends, a new advantageous section starts and the CZ2 state or AT2 state begins, the sub-control unit 91 executes a result notification animation (Figure 16(b)) at the end of the AT2 state and the advantageous section, similar to when the advantageous section continues, and then executes a standby animation (Figure 16(c)) in the normal section, and when the CZ2 state or AT2 state starts, switches from the standby animation (Figure 16(c)) to the CZ2 animation (Figure 16(d)) or AT2 animation (Figure 16(a)), whereas as a result of the game count being increased, it is controlled to the ED state, and the net increase in coins in the advantageous section is less than or equal to the upper limit. When the AT2 state ends and the advantageous period ends, and a new advantageous period begins and the CZ2 state or AT2 state starts, unlike when the advantageous period continues, the ED performance (Figure 17(a)) is executed when the control of the ED state begins, and when the AT2 state and the advantageous period end, in addition to the result notification, a result notification / advantageous period end performance (Figure 17(b)) is executed to notify that the advantageous period has ended as a result of the net increase in coins exceeding the upper limit of the advantageous period. After that, the normal performance is executed in the normal period, and when the CZ2 state or AT2 state starts, the revival performance (Figure 17(d)) ​​is executed, and then it switches to the CZ2 performance (Figure 17(e)) or AT2 performance. Thus, when a new advantageous period begins after the net increase in coins during an advantageous period exceeds the upper limit and the advantageous period ends, the presentation differs from when a new advantageous period begins after the net increase in coins during the advantageous period has not exceeded the upper limit. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity caused by the AT2 state continuing even though the advantageous period has ended after the net increase in coins during the advantageous period exceeded the upper limit.

[0187] [Effect 1] In this embodiment, in both the CZ2 state, which is controlled at the start of the advantageous period transitioning from the normal period after the advantageous period ends with the end of the AT2 state, and the CZ1 state, which is controlled after the end of the CZ2 state via the normal state and the pre-announcement state, an AT lottery is held when an AT lottery target role is won. However, if the AT lottery is won in the CZ1 state, the player is controlled to the AT1 state, whereas if the AT lottery is won in the CZ2 state, the player is controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state. Thus, after the advantageous period begins and the CZ2 state ends, the player may be controlled to the AT2 state, which is expected to yield more medals than the AT1 state, after the AT1 state. Furthermore, if the advantageous period ends at the end of the AT2 state, when the advantageous period starts afterward, the player can expect to be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0188] In this embodiment, the system is configured to control the system to the CZ2 state at the start of the advantageous period that follows the end of the advantageous period after the AT2 state ends, and not to control the system to the CZ2 state at the start of the first advantageous period that follows a setting change. However, it is also possible to configure the system to control the system to the CZ2 state at the start of the first advantageous period that follows a setting change.

[0189] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT lottery in the CZ1 state targets the AT1 state, and the AT lottery in the CZ2 state at the start of the advantageous section targets the AT2 state. However, it is also possible to configure the AT lottery in the CZ1 state to target both the AT1 and AT2 states, or to configure the AT lottery in the CZ2 state at the start of the advantageous section to target both the AT1 and AT2 states, or to configure the AT lottery in either the CZ1 state or the CZ2 state at the start of the advantageous section to target both the AT lottery and the AT lottery in the CZ2 state at the start of the advantageous section. Even with this configuration, for example, as shown in Figure 18, in the AT lottery when an AT lottery target role is won in the CZ1 state, the probability of winning to the AT1 state is high among the AT1 state and the AT2 state. Similarly, in the AT lottery when an AT lottery target role is won in the CZ2 state at the start of the advantageous section, the probability of winning to the AT2 state is high among the AT1 state and the AT2 state. By setting the winning probabilities in this way, if the advantageous section ends at the end of the AT2 state, it can be expected that when the advantageous section starts afterward, the player will be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0190] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after transitioning to the advantageous section and after the CZ2 state ends, no AT lottery is performed in the normal state and pre-stage state until the system is controlled to the CZ1 state. However, it is also possible to configure the system so that an AT lottery is performed if an AT lottery target role is won in the normal state and pre-stage state until the system is controlled to the CZ1 state. Even in such a configuration, the AT lottery in the normal state and pre-stage state is configured so that only the AT1 state is won, or the probability of winning the AT1 state is set to be higher than that of the AT1 state and AT2 state. Similarly, the AT lottery in the CZ2 state at the start of the advantageous section is configured so that only the AT2 state is won, or the probability of winning the AT2 state is set to be higher than that of the AT1 state and AT2 state. This allows the system to anticipate that if the advantageous section ends when the AT2 state ends, when the advantageous section starts again, the system will be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0191] In this embodiment, when an advantageous period transition role is won, which triggers a transition from the normal period to the advantageous period after the end of the AT2 state, and in either the normal state or the pre-announcement state controlled after the end of the CZ2 state, an AT lottery is held when an AT lottery target role is won. If the AT lottery is won in the CZ1 state, the player is controlled to the AT1 state, whereas if the AT lottery is won when transitioning to the advantageous period, the player is controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state. After the start of the advantageous period and the end of the CZ2 state, the player may be controlled to the AT2 state after the AT1 state, where more medals can be expected to be acquired than in the AT1 state. If the advantageous period ends when the AT2 state ends, the player can expect to be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, when the advantageous period starts afterward, without going through the AT1 state.

[0192] In this embodiment, an AT lottery is conducted when the advantageous section transition role, which triggers the transition from the normal section to the advantageous section after the end of the AT2 state and the end of the advantageous section, is won. However, after a setting change, an AT lottery is not conducted when the advantageous section transition role, which triggers the transition to the advantageous section for the first time, is won. However, it is also possible to configure the system to conduct an AT lottery when the advantageous section transition role, which triggers the transition to the advantageous section for the first time, is won after a setting change.

[0193] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT lottery in the CZ1 state targets the AT1 state, and the AT lottery when transitioning to the advantageous section targets the AT2 state. However, it is also possible to configure the AT lottery in the CZ1 state to target both the AT1 and AT2 states, or to configure the AT lottery when transitioning to the advantageous section to target both the AT1 and AT2 states, or to configure the AT lottery in both the CZ1 state and the advantageous section to target both the AT1 and AT2 states. Even with this configuration, for example, as shown in Figure 18, in the AT lottery when an AT lottery target role is won in the CZ1 state, the probability of winning the AT1 state is high among the AT1 state and the AT2 state. Similarly, in the AT lottery when an AT lottery target role is won when transitioning to the advantageous section, the probability of winning the AT2 state is high among the AT1 state and the AT2 state. By setting the winning probabilities in this way, if the advantageous section ends when the AT2 state ends, it can be expected that when the advantageous section starts afterward, the player will be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0194] Furthermore, even if the system is configured such that an AT lottery is held when an AT lottery target role is won in the normal state and pre-stage state before being controlled to the CZ1 state, as mentioned above, the AT lottery in the normal state and pre-stage state is configured so that only the AT1 state is won, or the probability of winning the AT1 state is set to be higher than that of the AT1 state and AT2 state. In the AT lottery when transitioning to the advantageous section, the system is configured so that only the AT2 state is won, or the probability of winning the AT2 state is set to be higher than that of the AT1 state and AT2 state. This allows the player to expect that if the advantageous section ends when the AT2 state ends, when the advantageous section starts afterward, the player will be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0195] In this embodiment, in both the CZ2 state, which is controlled while the advantageous period continues after the end of the AT2 state, and the CZ1 state, which is controlled after the end of the CZ2 state via the normal state and the pre-announcement state, an AT lottery is held when an AT lottery target role is won. However, if the AT lottery is won in the CZ1 state, the system is controlled to the AT1 state, whereas if the AT lottery is won in the CZ2 state, the system is controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state. After the end of the AT2 state, regardless of whether the advantageous period has ended or not, it can be expected that the system will be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0196] In this embodiment, the AT lottery in the CZ1 state targets the AT1 state, and the AT lottery in the CZ2 state after the AT2 state ends targets the AT2 state. However, it is also possible to configure the AT lottery in the CZ1 state to target both the AT1 and AT2 states, or to configure the AT lottery in the CZ2 state after the AT2 state ends to target both the AT1 and AT2 states, or to configure the AT lottery in either the CZ1 state or the CZ2 state after the AT2 state ends to target both the AT1 and AT2 states. Even with this configuration, for example, as shown in Figure 18, in the AT lottery when an AT lottery target role is won in the CZ1 state, the probability of winning to the AT1 state is high among the AT1 state and the AT2 state. Similarly, in the AT lottery when an AT lottery target role is won in the CZ2 state after the AT2 state has ended, the probability of winning to the AT2 state is high among the AT1 state and the AT2 state. By setting the winning probabilities in this way, it is possible to expect that after the AT2 state has ended, regardless of whether the advantageous period has ended or not, the player will be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0197] Furthermore, even if the system is configured such that an AT lottery is held when an AT lottery target role is won in the normal state and pre-stage state before being controlled to the CZ1 state, as mentioned above, the AT lottery in the normal state and pre-stage state is configured so that only the AT1 state is won, or the probability of winning the AT1 state is set to be higher than that of the AT1 state and AT2 state. Similarly, the AT lottery in the CZ2 state after the end of the AT2 state is configured so that only the AT2 state is won, or the probability of winning the AT2 state is set to be higher than that of the AT1 state and AT2 state. This makes it possible to expect that after the end of the AT2 state, regardless of whether the advantageous period has ended or not, the system will be controlled to the AT2 state, which is relatively more advantageous than the AT1 state, without going through the AT1 state.

[0198] In this embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 is equipped with a coin count counter value that counts the number of coins acquired during a series of ATs (the period from the start of the AT1 state until the CZ2 state ends without winning the AT lottery in the CZ2 state). During the AT1 performance in the AT1 state and the AT2 performance in the AT2 state, it performs a coin count notification that announces the number of coins acquired during the series of ATs based on the coin count counter value. When the AT2 state ends and the advantageous section ends and the player transitions to the normal section, the coin count counter value is not reset but carried over. Subsequently, when the player transitions to the advantageous section or wins the AT lottery in the first CZ2 state controlled after the transition to the advantageous section and is controlled to the AT2 state, it performs a coin count notification based on the coin count counter value that has been carried over and counted from the AT2 state before the end of the advantageous section, making it appear as if the AT2 state is occurring continuously even if the advantageous section is interrupted.

[0199] In this embodiment, the number of acquired coins is announced during the AT1 performance while in AT1 state and during the AT2 performance while in AT2 state. However, it is also possible to have the number of acquired coins announced during the CZ2 performance while in CZ2 state.

[0200] In this embodiment, at the end of the AT2 state, it is determined whether the remaining net increase in coins (maximum number of coins - net increase in coins during the advantageous section) is less than or equal to a specific number (200 in this embodiment). If the remaining net increase in coins is less than or equal to the specific number, the advantageous section is terminated and the game section is returned to the normal section. This prevents the AT2 state from ending abruptly due to the net increase in coins during the advantageous section exceeding the maximum number of coins, and prevents the AT2 state from ending suddenly, as well as the restriction of increasing the remaining number of games through bonus draws or granting the right to the AT2 state through stock draws to prevent reaching the maximum number of coins.

[0201] In this embodiment, when the AT2 state ends with the net increase in coins in the advantageous section being less than or equal to the upper limit, and after the advantageous section ends, a new advantageous section starts and the CZ2 state or AT2 state begins, the sub-control unit 91 executes a result notification animation (Figure 16(b)) at the end of the AT2 state and the advantageous section, similar to when the advantageous section continues, and then in the normal section, it executes a standby animation (Figure 16(c)), and when the CZ2 state or AT2 state starts, it switches from the standby animation (Figure 16(c)) to the CZ2 animation (Figure 16(d)) or the AT2 animation (Figure 16(a)). However, when the number of games is increased and the control is set to the ED state, and the net increase in coins in the advantageous section exceeds the upper limit, and the AT2 state ends, and after the advantageous section ends, a new advantageous section starts and the CZ2 state or AT2 state begins, unlike when the advantageous section continues, at the start of control of the ED state, The ED (Ending) sequence (Figure 17(a)) is executed, and at the end of the AT2 state and the advantageous section, in addition to the result notification, a result notification / advantageous section end sequence (Figure 17(b)) is executed to notify that the advantageous section has ended as a result of the net increase in coins exceeding the upper limit of the advantageous section. After that, the normal sequence (Figure 17(c)) is executed in the normal section, and when the CZ2 state or AT2 state starts, the revival sequence (Figure 17(d)) ​​is executed, and then it switches to the CZ2 sequence (Figure 17(e)) or AT2 sequence. When the advantageous section ends after the net increase in coins exceeds the upper limit and a new advantageous section starts, the sequence is different from when the advantageous section ends without the net increase in coins exceeding the upper limit and a new advantageous section starts. Therefore, the sense of incongruity when the AT2 state continues even though the advantageous section has ended after the net increase in coins exceeded the upper limit can be reduced.

[0202] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19, if the net increase in coins during the advantageous period exceeds the upper limit and the AT2 state ends, and after the advantageous period ends, a new advantageous period begins and the CZ2 state or AT2 state starts, the result notification / advantageous period end animation (Figure 17(b)) is executed when the AT2 state and the advantageous period end, and then the normal animation (Figure 17(c)) is executed in the normal period, and the normal animation (Figure 17(c)) is continued in the CZ2 state after transitioning to the advantageous period, and when the AT lottery is won in the CZ2 state and the AT2 state starts, the animation may be switched from the normal animation (Figure 17(c)) to the AT2 animation. With this configuration, if the net increase in coins during the advantageous period exceeds the upper limit and the advantageous period ends, the connection with the subsequent AT2 state becomes weak, thus reducing the sense of incongruity that the AT2 state continues even though the net increase in coins during the advantageous period has exceeded the upper limit and the advantageous period has ended. Furthermore, in such a configuration, if the AT lottery is won when transitioning to the advantageous section, the system should switch from the normal presentation to the AT2 presentation when the AT2 state begins. If the CZ2 state ends after transitioning to the advantageous section without winning the AT lottery, the system should continue with the normal presentation. In addition, in such a configuration, if the AT lottery is won when transitioning to the advantageous section or in the CZ2 state after transitioning to the advantageous section, and the system is controlled to the AT2 state, it is preferable to reset the net increase counter value to 0 and not carry over the number of coins acquired in the AT2 state before the end of the advantageous section. With such a configuration, if the net increase in coins in the advantageous section exceeds the upper limit and the advantageous section ends, the connection with the subsequent AT2 state becomes even weaker, further reducing the sense of incongruity that the AT2 state continues even though the net increase in coins in the advantageous section has exceeded the upper limit and the advantageous section has ended.

[0203] [Effect 2] In this embodiment, after the AT2 state ends, there are two possibilities: one is to control the CZ2 state, which is highly likely to be controlled to the AT2 state while the advantageous section continues; and the other is to control the CZ2 state after the AT2 state ends, after the advantageous section ends and the game transitions to the normal section, and then transitions to the advantageous section again. When the game is controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continues, it is controlled to the CZ2 state after a preparation state. When the game is controlled to the CZ2 state after the AT2 state ends and the advantageous section ends and then transitions to the advantageous section again, there is always a waiting period between the end of the AT2 state and the start of the CZ2 state. However, even when the game is controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continues, the CZ2 state does not start immediately, but is controlled to the CZ2 state after a predetermined preparation period. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continued, or whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state after the advantageous section ended once.

[0204] In this embodiment, during the normal section, the game transitions to the advantageous section when a role for transitioning to the advantageous section is won. Furthermore, in the preparation state, which is controlled when the game is controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continues, the preparation state ends and the game is controlled to the CZ2 state when a role for transitioning to the advantageous section is won. This means that when the game is controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continues, the game is controlled to the CZ2 state at the same trigger as when the advantageous section ends once and then the game is controlled to the CZ2 state. Therefore, it becomes difficult to determine whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continued, or whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state after the advantageous section ended once.

[0205] In this embodiment, during the normal section, no control related to AT is performed, and even if the game is played with a stopping operation order in which a reel other than the left reel is stopped first, no penalty related to AT is given, and no warning notification is executed. However, even if the game is played in the preparation state with a stopping operation order in which a reel other than the left reel is stopped first, unlike the normal state, pre-announcement state, CZ1 state, and CZ2 state, no penalty related to AT is given, the advantage related to AT does not change as in the normal section, and no warning notification is executed for AT. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous section continued, or whether the game was controlled to the CZ2 state after the advantageous section ended once.

[0206] In this embodiment, when the AT2 state ends and the advantageous period ends, the CZ / AT signal and AT signal are temporarily turned off, and after the advantageous period is re-entered and the CZ2 state begins, the CZ / AT signal and AT signal turn on again. However, even when the advantageous period continues and the system is controlled to the CZ2 state, the CZ / AT signal and AT signal are temporarily turned off in the preparation state, and then remain off for at least one game before the CZ2 state begins and the CZ / AT signal and AT signal turn on again. Therefore, even when the advantageous period continues and the system is controlled to the CZ2 state, the CZ / AT signal and AT signal are temporarily turned off, just as when the advantageous period ends once and then the system is controlled to the CZ2 state. This makes it difficult to determine whether the system was controlled to the CZ2 state while the advantageous period continued, or whether the system was controlled to the CZ2 state after the advantageous period ended.

[0207] In this embodiment, when the AT2 state ends and the advantageous period ends, the CZ / AT LED 19a and AT LED 19b temporarily change from lit to unlit, and after transitioning to the advantageous period and starting the CZ2 state, the CZ / AT LED 19a and AT LED 19b change back to lit. However, even when the advantageous period continues and the system is controlled to the CZ2 state, in the preparation state, the CZ / AT LED 19a and AT LED 19b temporarily change from lit to unlit, and then remain unlit for at least one game. After the indicator lights are turned off, the CZ / AT LED19a and AT LED19b will turn on again once the CZ2 state begins. This makes it difficult to determine whether the CZ2 state was initiated while the advantageous period was still ongoing, or whether the CZ / AT LED19a and AT LED19b were turned off once before the advantageous period ended, just as in the case where the CZ2 state was initiated after the advantageous period ended.

[0208] In this embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 is equipped with a coin count counter value that counts the number of coins acquired during a series of ATs (the period from the start of the AT1 state until the CZ2 state ends without winning the AT lottery in the CZ2 state). During the AT1 performance in the AT1 state and the AT2 performance in the AT2 state, it performs a coin count notification that announces the number of coins acquired during the series of ATs based on the coin count counter value. When the AT2 state ends and the advantageous section ends and the player transitions to the normal section, the coin count counter value is not reset but carried over. Subsequently, when the player transitions to the advantageous section or wins the AT lottery in the first CZ2 state controlled after the transition to the advantageous section and is controlled to the AT2 state, it performs a coin count notification based on the coin count counter value carried over from the AT2 state before the end of the advantageous section, making it appear as if the AT2 state is occurring continuously even if the advantageous section is interrupted.

[0209] In this embodiment, the main control unit 41 performs a stock lottery in the AT2 state to determine whether or not to grant the right to control the system back to the AT2 state when a stock lottery target role (a lottery role corresponding to FC5 to 7) is won. If the stock lottery is won, the right to win an AT is stocked. The sub-control unit 91 notifies the system when the right to win an AT is stocked and notifies the number of remaining AT winning rights in a identifiable manner. If the right to win an AT is stocked at the end of the AT2 state, the system controls the system back to the AT2 state from the next game without going through the preparation state or CZ2 state. In situations where it is confirmed that the AT2 state will continue, the AT2 state can be continued quickly without any unnecessary delays.

[0210] In this embodiment, when an AT winning right is stocked, the system notifies the player of this fact and also notifies the number of remaining AT winning rights in a identifiable way. However, it is not necessary for all rights to be notified in an identifiable way; the system may be configured to notify only some of the rights in an identifiable way. In such a configuration, if an AT winning right is notified in an identifiable way, and if an AT winning right is stocked at the end of the AT2 state, the system may be controlled to return to the AT2 state from the next game without going through the preparation state or CZ2 state. If an AT winning right is stocked but is not notified in an identifiable way, the system may be configured to go through the preparation state or CZ2 state before consuming the stock and controlling the system to the AT2 state. With such a configuration, even if the AT2 state does not start immediately after the end of the AT2 state, the player can expect that an AT winning right is stocked.

[0211] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that any modifications or additions that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0212] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine in which the number of bets is set using medals and credits as the value of play. However, it may also be applied to a slot machine in which the number of bets is set using game balls as the value of play, or to a medal-free slot machine in which the number of bets is set using only credits without using medals as the value of play. [Explanation of symbols]

[0213] 1 Slot Machine 2L, 2C, 2R Reels 6 MAXBET switch 7. Start switch 8L, 8C, 8R Stop Switch 51 LCD display 41 Main Control Unit 91 Sub-control unit

Claims

[Claim 1] It is equipped with a variable display unit capable of displaying multiple types of identification information that can be identified by each individual, In a slot machine in which a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display unit, and a prize can be awarded according to the display result, A means for deriving a result that the player operates to derive the displayed result, An advantageous state control means that can control the state to an advantageous state, A section control means that can control the section to either a normal section that is not controlled to the advantageous state, or an advantageous section that can be controlled to the advantageous state, Equipped with, In the aforementioned advantageous interval, the unadvantageous state includes a normal state and a high-probability state in which it is more likely to be determined to control the state to the advantageous state than the normal state. There are two cases: one in which, after the advantageous state ends, the system is controlled to the high-probability state while continuing the advantageous interval; and another in which, after ending the advantageous state and the advantageous interval and transitioning to the normal interval, the system is controlled to the high-probability state again when transitioning back to the advantageous interval. When the advantageous state ends and the system is to be controlled to the high-probability state while continuing the advantageous period, the system is controlled to the high-probability state after a predetermined preparation period. In the advantageous interval, during the normal state and the high probability state, the degree of advantage regarding the transition to the advantageous state differs depending on whether the derivation operation means is operated in the first mode or in the second mode. In the aforementioned normal section, the degree of advantage regarding the transition to the advantageous state remains unchanged regardless of how the derivation operation means is operated. In the aforementioned preparation state, the degree of advantage regarding the transition to the advantageous state remains unchanged regardless of how the derivation operation means is operated.

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