Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a gaming machine that can reduce the design cost of the configuration of minor roles. [Solution] Small wins 14 to 23 can be won with a probability of 1 / 2 if the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4D" is selected, and multiple stop buttons are stopped in the same incorrect batting order as the correct batting order in which the first stop operation allows for the winning of small wins 1 to 8. Small wins 29 to 44 can be won with a probability of 1 / 8 if the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4D" is selected, and multiple stop buttons are stopped in the same incorrect batting order as the correct batting order in which the first stop operation is selected. The symbols on the left reel that make up the winning symbol combinations for small wins 14 to 23 and the symbols on the left reel that make up the winning symbol combinations for small wins 29 to 44 are different from each other.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

[0003] In the above-described gaming machine, in order to reduce the data capacity related to the winning combinations, a configuration is known in which winning combinations that win when a small winning combination set with a payout higher than a specified number is missed are shared (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, there has been a demand for gaming machines to be designed so that a winning combination can be obtained by operating multiple stop buttons in a predetermined manner, resulting in a greater-than-specified amount of game value, or by operating them in the same manner as the specified amount of game value. When such a winning combination is achieved, there is a demand to design the machine so that a smaller-than-specified amount of game value can be obtained if multiple stop buttons are operated in a manner different from the specified manner. However, in order to obtain a smaller-than-specified amount of game value, it is necessary to design the symbols that make up the winning combinations for each small win so that small wins with a lower payout than the specified amount can be stopped and displayed on the active lines, which may increase the design cost of designing the configuration of small wins.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can reduce the design cost of the configuration of minor roles. However, the problems that the embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings aim to solve are not limited to the above problems. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention comprises multiple reels, Multiple stop buttons, It comprises an internal lottery means for conducting an internal lottery, The aforementioned plurality of reels include a first reel, a second reel, a third reel, In the aforementioned internal lottery, the success or failure of multiple types of winning patterns, each having at least one of multiple types of roles, is determined. The aforementioned multiple types of winning patterns include multiple specific winning patterns (for example, winning areas "batting order bell 1A" to "batting order bell 4D", paragraph

[0074] , Figure 3), The aforementioned multiple types of specific winning patterns include, for example, a first type of minor role (e.g., minor roles 1 to 8, paragraph

[0102] , Figure 5), a second type of minor role (e.g., minor roles 14 to 23, paragraph "0102", Figure 6), and a third type of minor role (e.g., minor roles 29 to 44, paragraph "0102", Figure 7), respectively. The first type of minor role is awarded when the specific winning pattern is selected and the multiple stop buttons are stopped in the first operation pattern. With a third probability It is possible to win an award, The second type of minor prize can be won with a first probability when the specific winning pattern is selected and the multiple stop buttons are stopped in the second operation pattern. The third type of minor prize can be won with a second probability when the specific winning pattern is selected and the multiple stop buttons are stopped in the third operation pattern. When the aforementioned specific winning pattern is achieved, and the first type of minor role is awarded, it is more advantageous for the player than when the second type of minor role or the third type of minor role is awarded. The first operating mode is an operating mode in which a stop button corresponding to a reel different from the first reel is first stopped, The second operating mode is an operating mode in which the stop button that is first stopped is the same as the stop button that is first stopped in the first operating mode, and the stop button that is second stopped is different from the stop button that is second stopped in the first operating mode. The third operating mode is an operating mode in which a stop button corresponding to a reel different from the first reel is first stopped, and the stop button that is first stopped is a different operating mode from the stop button that is first stopped in the first operating mode. The first probability is lower than the third probability. The first probability teeth , the second probability Higher It is a probability, The symbols on the first reel that constitute the winning symbol combination for the second type of minor role included in the specified winning pattern, and the symbols on the first reel that constitute the winning symbol combination for the third type of minor role, are different symbols from each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can reduce the design cost of the configuration of minor roles. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the functional block of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the winning areas in the internal lottery of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the winning combinations included in each winning area. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows the combinations of winning symbols for minor roles 1 to 13 and the payouts for minor roles 1 to 13 in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows the combinations of winning symbols for minor roles 14 to 28 and the payouts for minor roles 14 to 28 in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows the combinations of winning symbols for minor roles 29 to 44 and the payouts for minor roles 29 to 44 in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a transition diagram relating to the non-advantageous period and the advantageous period controlled by the AT control means, and the performance state during the advantageous period. [Figure 9] This figure shows the game results for each turn when a winning area containing a minor role is hit in a non-RT state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]This is a diagram showing the game results for each batting order when winning in a winning area including a minor winning combination in the internal state of the RBB in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] (A) is a diagram explaining combinations of minor winning combinations with a winning probability of 1 / 2 when the stop button B2 is first stopped and when the stop button B3 is first stopped in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. (B) is a diagram explaining a combination of minor winning combinations with a winning probability of 1 / 8 when the stop button B2 is first stopped. (C) is a diagram explaining a combination of minor winning combinations with a winning probability of 1 / 8 when the stop button B3 is first stopped. [Figure 12] This is a diagram explaining the winning symbol combinations and payouts of minor winning combinations included in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 1D" in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a diagram explaining the winning symbol combinations and payouts of minor winning combinations included in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 2A" to "Batting Order Bell 2D" in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a diagram explaining the winning symbol combinations and payouts of minor winning combinations included in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 3A" to "Batting Order Bell 3D" in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This is a diagram explaining the winning symbol combinations and payouts of minor winning combinations included in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 4A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D" in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is a diagram explaining the minor winning combinations included in the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Card Combination 1" to "RBB & Batting Order 3-Card Combination 6" and the minor winning combinations that can be won for each batting order in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, not all configurations described in these embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present invention. Also, in the following description, the side facing the player (near the player) will be referred to as "front," and the opposite side as "rear."

[0011] 1. Overview of the configuration of the gaming machine Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to this embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called reel-type gaming machine, and is a so-called medalless gaming machine that records the gaming value that can be used by the player by an electromagnetic method based on a lending signal output from an external device provided outside the slot machine 1 and a dedicated unit SU (see Figure 2) which is a specific unit, and the gaming value that can be used by the player by an electromagnetic method. The slot machine 1 stores information on the number of recorded electronic medals as the number of gaming medals, and is configured to transmit the stored number of gaming medals to the dedicated unit SU. The dedicated unit SU settles the electronic medals by recording the number of gaming medals received from the slot machine 1 on a recording medium such as an IC card and dispensing it.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a box-shaped casing consisting of a cabinet BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD, within which a reel unit RU consisting of multiple reels, from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, is housed. The casing of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment also houses a control board that controls the operation of the slot machine 1, which is equipped with a CPU, ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM, etc.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are each divided into 20 regions (hereinafter referred to as "frames") at regular intervals on their outer surface, and one of several types of symbols is arranged in each frame.

[0014] The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided to be individually openable and closable. The front upper door UD is equipped with a display device 410, which serves as a display means for displaying various videos and images to assist or enhance the gameplay. The display device 410 has a display area 410a for displaying images, and a specific area 410b facing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is made of a transparent liquid crystal display, allowing the rotation and stopping states of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to be observed through the display device 410. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower) that are arranged consecutively on the outer surface of each of the multiple types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer surface of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display device 410.

[0015] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each reel is provided with upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing the symbols through the display device 410, and an active line L1 is set for the combination of display positions on each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of electronic tokens required for one game, the so-called specified number (specified number), is set to 3, and when the specified number of electronic tokens is inserted, the active line L1, which is composed of the middle sections of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, is activated.

[0016] The game result is determined by the combination of symbols that stop and are displayed on the active line L1. If the combination of symbols on the active line L1 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that combination is considered to have been won, and control corresponding to the winning combination is executed.

[0017] The front lower door DD is equipped with various operating means. These operating means include a max bet button MB, which is an insertion operation means for setting the electronic medals stored in the slot machine 1 to the insertion state; a start lever SL, which is a game start operation means for allowing the player to perform an operation to start the game by rotating the left reel R1 to the right reel R3; stop buttons B1 to B3, which are stop operation means for allowing the player to perform an operation to stop the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, which are rotated by stepping motors; a counting button KB, which is a counting operation means for transmitting the number of game medals stored in the slot machine 1 to a dedicated unit SU; and a settlement button AB, which is a settlement operation for releasing the insertion state and returning the electronic medals set to the insertion state to the medal counter 311 (see Figure 2).

[0018] Furthermore, the front lower door DD is equipped with a main control display device 10D controlled by the CPU of the main control board 10 (see Figure 2). The main control display device 10D consists of a 7-segment display and other components, and displays various game information such as information on the winning combination in the current game, and information (notification display) indicating how to press stop buttons B1, B2, and B3, which are related to the payout of electronic tokens. The notification display shown on the main control display device 10D corresponds to the winning combination command, which is a control signal created based on the winning combination information in the current game when a specified number of electronic tokens are inserted and the start lever SL is operated.

[0019] Furthermore, the front lower door DD is equipped with a game token count display device MD controlled by the token count control CPU 31 (see Figure 2). The game token count display device MD consists of a 7-segment display and functions as a conceptual container by displaying the number of game tokens stored in the slot machine 1.

[0020] Furthermore, a panel unit for decorating the exterior of the slot machine 1 is provided at the bottom of the front lower door DD. On the back side of the panel unit, a light source (LED) for illumination, controlled by the performance control means 200 of the sub-control CPU 21 (see Figure 2), is provided, and the panel unit is configured to emit light when it is illuminated from behind by the light emitted from this light source.

[0021] Furthermore, multiple sound devices 420 for sound-based effects are provided behind the panel unit. The sound devices 420 output various sounds to assist or enhance the gameplay.

[0022] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a main control board 10, a sub-control board 20, and a medal count control board 30 as control boards. The main control board 10 has a main control CPU 11 (game control means) that controls the progress of the game by controlling the game played using game value. The sub-control board 20 has a sub-control CPU 21 that controls the effects related to the game. The medal count control board 30 has a medal count control CPU 31 that manages electronic medals and is configured to communicate with a dedicated unit SU to perform control related to the number of game medals.

[0023] The main control CPU 11 functions as a setting change means 100, an input acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a prize determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a game state transition control means 160, an assist time control means (AT control means) 170, and a complete control means 180. Each means constituting the main control CPU 11 reads and executes the respective control program pre-stored in the main memory means 190 when executing each control process.

[0024] The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the main memory means 190. The setting change means 100 operates when a setting key is inserted into the setting key cylinder KC provided on the main control board 10 and the setting key is turned, causing the setting change switch SS provided inside the setting key cylinder KC to turn ON. When the setting change switch SS is ON and the power is turned on, the setting change means 100 transitions to a setting change permission state, which allows setting changes. On the other hand, the setting change means 100 is configured not to transition to the setting change permission state if the setting change switch SS is ON while the power is on.

[0025] The setting change means 100, in the setting change permission state, receives an input signal output when the setting change button BS on the power supply is operated, and cyclically changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... → setting 6 → setting 1 → ..., and confirms the setting value based on the reception of a start signal output when the start lever SL is operated. In the slot machine 1, the probability of winning in some of the winning areas among the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value confirmed in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the probability of winning a role in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0026] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when setting change control is performed by the setting change means 100, the control related to the game state performed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control related to the advantageous section performed by the AT control means 170 are initialized, the game state is set to the non-replay time (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT") state described later, and the control related to the instruction function that the AT control means 170 was performing before the setting change is also initialized and the non-advantageous section is set. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when the power supply to the main control CPU 11 is cut off (power out) and then the power supply is resumed, the control related to the game state performed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control related to the advantageous section performed by the AT control means 170 are resumed from the state before the power outage, and the control related to the instruction function that the AT control means 170 was performing before the power outage is also maintained in the state before the power outage.

[0027] The input receiving means 105, during the input receiving period for accepting the insertion of electronic tokens, receives an input signal output when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) while the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311 (described later) is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. Based on this, it sets the electronic tokens stored in the token counter 311 to the insertion state, up to a predetermined number set for each game state, and activates the game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that the electronic tokens corresponding to the predetermined number have been set to the insertion state.

[0028] In this embodiment of the slot machine 1, the initial press of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a predetermined number of electronic tokens, is accepted as the player's operation to start playing, triggering the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and also triggering the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to perform an internal lottery. Details of the predetermined numbers set for each game state will be described later.

[0029] Furthermore, the input receiving means 105, during the period between when the electronic tokens are set to the input state and when the start lever SL is started, receives an input signal output when the settlement button AB is operated, thereby releasing the input state and adding the same number of electronic tokens that were set to the input state to the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311, thereby settling the electronic tokens that were set to the input state.

[0030] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for the lottery. In this embodiment, "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in a mathematical sense, but also values ​​that, even if their generation is regular, can function as effectively random numbers because the timing of their acquisition is irregular.

[0031] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination is achieved based on a start signal output when a player performs a start operation on the start lever SL, and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0032] In the lottery table selection process, the system selects which of the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the main memory means 190 will be used to perform the internal lottery, based on the current game state. In each internal lottery table, each of the multiple random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535) is associated with various roles such as replays, minor roles, and bonuses, as well as losses (misses).

[0033] In the following description, "bonus" refers to a feature that activates a special mechanism or a continuous special mechanism activation device upon winning; "bonus activated" means that a bonus is won and the special mechanism or continuous special mechanism activation device is activated; and "bonus state" means the state in which the special mechanism or continuous special mechanism activation device is activated.

[0034] In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for drawing) is obtained for each game based on the start signal output when the start lever SL is started. The obtained random number is then compared with the internal drawing table selected in the drawing table selection process, and a determination is made based on the comparison result as to whether or not a winning combination has been achieved.

[0035] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to an established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if two or more combinations are won simultaneously, the lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more combinations that were won simultaneously is set to an established state. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, there are lottery flags that can be carried over to subsequent games until a win is achieved (carry-over flags) and lottery flags that are reset to a non-established state without being carried over to subsequent games regardless of whether a win is achieved (carry-over non-carry-over flags). The lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the main memory means 190.

[0036] The reel control means 130 starts the rotation drive of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and performs reel rotation control to control the rotation pattern of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 based on the player performing a start operation on the start lever SL and outputting a start signal. Furthermore, when the rotation state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 reaches a state of steady rotation at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 performs control to activate the stop operation by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel. Then, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and a reel stop signal is output, the reel control means 130 performs control (reel stop control) to stop each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stopped stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0037] In the following description, when the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and the player operates the valid stop buttons B1 to B3 respectively, the first operation will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second operation as the second stop operation, and the third operation as the third stop operation.

[0038] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within a predetermined period of 190 ms (milliseconds, msec) from the time the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. In the following description, pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 will also be referred to as the operation. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 may be configured to output a stop signal not only when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, but also, for example, when the operation of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 and then releasing the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 is performed.

[0039] In this case, if the spinning reels are to be stopped within 190ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stopping position of each spinning reel is configured such that, based on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel, it is possible for the reels to rotate a maximum of 4 frames from the time the stop button is pressed until they stop. Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the range in which symbols can be drawn onto the active line L1 (draw-in range) is a total of 5 frames from the frame displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until it rotates 4 frames.

[0040] When reel stop control is executed, the reel control means 130 performs a logic calculation process to determine the stopping position of the rotating reel based on a predetermined priority order, which includes a pull-in process that stops the rotating reel so that as many winning combinations as possible with the lottery flag set to the "established" state can be awarded, and a kick-off process that stops the rotating reel so that winning combinations with the lottery flag set to the "not established" state cannot be awarded, and a table reference process that determines the stopping position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the main memory means 190, thereby stopping the rotating reel and displaying a symbol on the active line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the rotating reel by reel stop control and displaying a symbol on the active line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

[0041] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when multiple types of small wins are won in the internal lottery, there are two methods for determining the priority of candidate stopping positions: one is to determine the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 (quantity priority control), and the other is to determine the priority according to the number of electronic medals dispensed based on the predetermined payout for each small win (coin priority control). However, when executing coin priority control, if the same small win with the same payout is won multiple times, the priority of candidate stopping positions that can award each of these small wins is treated as the same.

[0042] The prize determination means 140 performs a prize determination process to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping patterns of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the prize determination table stored in the prize determination table storage means 195 of the main memory means 190, it determines whether the symbol combinations displayed on the active line L1 when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped correspond to predetermined winning combinations. The prize determination table is provided so that the presence or absence of a bonus, replay, or minor win can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "prize determination") based on the symbol combinations displayed on the active line L1 in the state in which each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combinations that indicate the winning combination will also be referred to as "prize symbol combinations".

[0043] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each process is executed based on the result of the prize determination means 140 in the prize determination process. As for each process executed based on the result of the prize determination, for example, if a small prize is won, the payout control means 150 is instructed to determine the number of game tokens to be dispensed as electronic tokens; if a replay is won, the payout control means 150 is instructed to execute a process that will allow the next game to be played without consuming electronic tokens; and if a prize that triggers a transition to a game state such as a bonus is won, the game state transition control means 160 is instructed to transition to a game state.

[0044] The payout control means 150 performs payout processing related to the payout of electronic tokens according to the game result. Specifically, when a minor win occurs, it determines the number of electronic tokens to be paid out in the game based on the predetermined payout for each win, and virtually controls the payout by adding the number of game tokens corresponding to the determined payout number to the token counter 311.

[0045] Furthermore, the payout control means 150, when it is determined by the winning determination means 140 that a combination of symbols indicating the winning of one of the multiple types of replay symbols described later has stopped and is displayed on the active line L1, performs a replay process (re-play process) to set the machine to a ready state that allows the next game to be played without requiring the insertion of electronic tokens. In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a replay is won, an automatic insertion process is performed in which a predetermined number of electronic tokens are automatically inserted without using the electronic tokens held by the player, and the machine waits for the start operation of the next start lever SL with the same active line L1 as the previous game set.

[0046] In slot machine 1, the system is configured so that even if the settlement buttons A and B are operated during the period from when a replay is awarded until the start of the next game, that is, during the period when a predetermined number of electronic tokens are automatically inserted due to the replay process and the game has not yet started, the same number of game tokens as the predetermined number will not be added to the token counter 311.

[0047] The game state transition control means 160 performs the process of transitioning game states between multiple game states, and the process of activating and terminating bonuses. Here, the transition conditions for each game state may be defined as one condition or multiple conditions. If multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of any one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or on the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0048] The AT control means 170 executes control related to the transition between a favorable section (favorable period), which is a section (period) in which control related to an instruction function, including displaying a notification assisting in winning a specific role on the main control display device 10D, can be executed, and a non-favorable section (non-favorable period, normal section), which is a section (period) in which control related to auxiliary games (control related to the instruction function) based on the results of an internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, using data stored in the AT control data storage means 196, thereby constituting an auxiliary game control means (control means that performs control related to the instruction function) that performs control related to the non-favorable section, the favorable section, and auxiliary games.

[0049] The AT control data storage means 196 stores data used in various controls related to multiple types of performance states, including the normal state and the AT state, which are executed within the advantageous period (various flags, counters, etc., which are set to the ON state or OFF state in a predetermined control process).

[0050] The AT control means 170 sets the performance state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions during the advantageous section, and provides operation notification to assist in winning specific roles by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation patterns of stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable the winning of specific roles on the main control display device 10D, which consists of a 7-segment display. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when operation notification by the AT control means 170 is executed, the performance control means 200, described later, executes a navigation performance that displays an indicator corresponding to the correct sequence of hits on the display device 410. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, the operation patterns of stop buttons B1 to B3 are notified through operation notification and navigation performance assistance, thereby executing an advantageous auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) for the player.

[0051] The AT control means 170, when a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous period, as will be described in more detail later, is met, executes a predetermined termination process that ends the advantageous period and starts the non-advantageous period from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process that initializes information related to the advantageous period, such as various flags and numerical values ​​set within the advantageous period.

[0052] The AT control means 170 performs an update process (advantageous section difference in tokens update process) that cumulatively records the difference (difference in tokens, number of tokens acquired) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic tokens dispensed from the game in which the advantageous section started by the number of electronic tokens inserted into the advantageous section counter 196a. When the AT control means 170 is in an advantageous section, it performs an advantageous section difference in tokens update process that cumulatively updates the value stored in the advantageous section counter 196a to a value equivalent to the difference in electronic tokens, regardless of the game state.

[0053] Furthermore, in the process of updating the difference in the number of tokens in the advantageous section, the AT control means 170 subtracts the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a when the number of electronic tokens dispensed in the game is less than a specified number, and if the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a becomes less than "0", the AT control means 170 also sets the result of the subtraction to the advantageous section counter 196a. In other words, the AT control means 170 is configured to be able to set a negative value to the advantageous section counter 196a.

[0054] The AT control means 170 determines that a specific termination condition has been met as a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous period when more than 2400 electronic medals are acquired during the advantageous period, that is, when the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a exceeds the value "2400", and executes a predetermined termination process to end the advantageous period and start the non-advantageous period from the next game. For example, in slot machine 1, if the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a was a negative value of "-900" before transitioning to a performance state in which electronic medals can be acquired, a total of 3301 electronic medals can be acquired: 900 medals until the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a becomes "0", and 2401 medals until the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a becomes "2401" or more.

[0055] The AT control means 170 initializes all information used in various control processes during the advantageous period, such as each flag set to the ON state during the advantageous period and values ​​set during the advantageous period, during a predetermined initialization process. The AT control means 170 can also terminate the advantageous period if a predetermined termination condition (normal termination condition) other than the specific termination condition is met, and executes the predetermined initialization process and predetermined termination process when the normal termination condition is met. Details of the normal termination conditions set by the AT control means 170 in this embodiment will be described later.

[0056] The complete control means 180 controls the slot machine 1 to activate a complete function, which stops the game when the cumulative number of electronic tokens acquired since the slot machine 1 was powered on reaches a predetermined value (for example, 19,000 tokens). The complete control means 180 performs an update process (complete acquired number update process) in which the difference (difference in tokens, acquired number) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic tokens dispensed in each game from the number of electronic tokens inserted after the slot machine 1 is powered on is cumulatively recorded in the token acquired counter 197a of the complete storage means 197. However, the complete control means 180 does not update the stored value of the token acquired counter 197a when a replay is awarded.

[0057] The complete control means 180 activates the complete function when none of the following are activated: the regular bonus (RB) as a first-class special feature, the regular big bonus (RBB) as a continuous feature activation device related to the first-class special feature, and the challenge big bonus (CBB) as a continuous feature activation device related to the second-class special feature. Based on the fulfillment of the conditions for activating the complete function, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped during the game in which the conditions are met. On the other hand, if any of RB, RBB, or CBB is activated, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped during the game in which the activated RB, RBB, or CBB has finished.

[0058] The complete control means 180 sets the complete function activation flag stored in the complete flag storage means 197b of the complete storage means 197 to the ON state when activating the complete function. When the complete function activation flag is set to the ON state, the slot machine 1 enters a stop state, and no further play can be performed until the complete function activation flag is set to the OFF state. The complete function activation flag, which is set to the ON state, is reset to the OFF state when the front upper door UD of the slot machine 1 is opened and the setting change button BS located inside is operated to initialize it. Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured so that when the complete function is activated, the complete function cannot be deactivated by the player's operation.

[0059] The sub-control CPU 21 functions as a performance control means 200. Each means constituting the sub-control CPU 21 reads and executes the control program pre-stored in the sub-storage means 210 when executing each control process.

[0060] The performance control means 200 controls game-related effects based on performance data stored in the performance control data storage means 211 of the sub-storage means 210. These effects include, for example, image and video effects using the display device 410, sound effects using the sound device 420, and light-emitting effects using the panel unit. Specifically, when a player operates various components of the slot machine 1, such as the max bet button MB, start lever SL, stop buttons B1 to B3, and counting button KB, or when a game event occurs, such as a change in the game state, the performance control means 200 controls the execution of effects that enhance the game, assist the game, or notify the player that an operation has been performed. These effects include lighting or flashing lamps and LEDs, and outputting sound from the sound device 420. The performance control means 200 also causes each component of the performance device 400 to execute effects based on each performance state.

[0061] Furthermore, when the performance control means 200 performs control related to images and video, it draws to the corresponding layer among the multiple layers provided in the sub-storage means 210. The performance control means 200 superimposes the images drawn on the multiple layers onto the frame buffer 213 provided in the sub-storage means 210 to create a single image, and displays the superimposed image in the display area 410a of the display device 410. When the performance control means 200 draws images to the frame buffer 213, it draws the images drawn on the lower layers first, so that the images drawn on the higher layers are displayed in the display area 410a with priority over the images drawn on the lower layers.

[0062] The medal count control CPU 31 functions as a medal count control means 300. Each means constituting the medal count control CPU 31 reads and executes the control program pre-stored in the medal count storage means 310 when executing each control process.

[0063] The medal count control means 300 is configured to transmit signals to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and to receive signals transmitted from the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40. The medal count control CPU 31 stores the total number of electronic medals that can be used for playing games in the slot machine 1, which is the number of game medals, using the medal count counter 311, and displays the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 on the game medal count display device MD.

[0064] The medal count control means 300 primarily updates (adds or subtracts) the number of game medals stored (held) in the medal count counter 311 in response to commands received from the main control board 10, notifications received from the dedicated unit SU, or operations on the counting button KB which has a built-in counting switch 126. The medal count control means 300 also displays the updated number of game medals on the game medal count display device MD.

[0065] Specifically, the medal count control means 300, when the counting button KB is operated while the game is playable, transmits a value corresponding to the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the number of medals corresponding to the transmitted value from the medal count counter 311. Here, "while the game is playable" means that the game machine and the dedicated unit SU are electrically connected, power is supplied to both the game machine and the dedicated unit SU, neither the game machine nor the dedicated unit SU is undergoing maintenance, and no error has occurred that would prevent the game from being played. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is controlled so that the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is not subtracted by operation of the counting button KB when it is not connected to the dedicated unit SU, thereby preventing a situation in which the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is subtracted but no signal is transmitted to the dedicated unit SU.

[0066] If the counting button KB is pressed for less than 500ms, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value of "1" equivalent to one medal to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value of "1". If the counting button KB is pressed for 500ms or more, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value of "50" equivalent to 50 medals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40 at the counting timing after 500ms have elapsed, and subtracts the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value of "50". Thereafter, every 300ms that elapse while the counting button KB is pressed, a value of "50" equivalent to 50 medals is transmitted to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is subtracted by the value of "50". Furthermore, when 500ms or more have elapsed since the counting button KB was pressed, if the stored value of the medal counter 311 is less than "50", the medal count control means 300 transmits a value corresponding to the stored value of the medal counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the stored value of the medal counter 311 by the value corresponding to that stored value, thereby setting the stored value of the medal counter 311 to "0".

[0067] The medal count control means 300 determines that a medal overflow has occurred when the stored value of the medal count counter 311 exceeds the value "16369", which is set as the limit of 16368 medals to be stored in the slot machine 1. Based on the determination that a medal overflow has occurred, the slot machine 1 issues a medal overflow error, and when the counting button KB is operated and the stored number of medals in the medal count counter 311 is counted, the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes "16368" or less, the medal overflow error is cleared.

[0068] When the coin count control means 300 is powered on while the coin count clear button CL, which is located inside the gaming machine, is pressed, it initializes the coin count counter 311 and clears (initializes) the coin count, setting the stored value of the coin count counter 311 to "0". As a result, the slot machine 1 can initialize the information on the number of coins that remained in the coin count counter 311 before the power was turned off when the power is turned on.

[0069] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in this embodiment Next, with reference to Figures 2 to 16, the details of each component of the slot machine 1 in this embodiment will be described.

[0070] <Control related to the specified number via input acceptance means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, during the insertion acceptance period in which the insertion acceptance means 105 accepts the insertion of electronic tokens, when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) while the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the same number of input signals as the predetermined number set for each game state are output. Each time an input signal is received, the insertion acceptance means 105 adds a value of "1" corresponding to one electronic token to the insertion count storage means 198 of the main storage means 190, and continues to add values ​​to the insertion count storage means 198 up to the predetermined number set for each game state.

[0071] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the prescribed number is set to 3 regardless of whether the game state is non-RT state, RBB internal state, or RBB state. In other words, regardless of whether the game state is non-RT state, RBB internal state, or RBB state, the coin insertion receiving means 105 stores the value "3" in the coin insertion number storage means 198 based on the fact that an input signal is received 3 times when the max bet button MB is operated while the number of game coins is 3 or more stored in the coin count counter 311.

[0072] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> Figure 3 shows the winning areas that are subject to internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, and the winning numbers and winning combinations associated with each winning area. In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has an RBB as a bonus, which is a continuous activation device for a special first-class bonus.

[0073] As shown in Figure 3, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has the following winning areas that are subject to internal drawing: winning area "Bonus Small Role 1" to winning area "Bonus Small Role 3", winning area "Replay 1", winning area "Replay 2", winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to winning area "Bat Order Bell 1D", winning area "Bat Order Bell 2A" to winning area "Bat Order Bell 2D", winning area "Bat Order Bell 3A" to winning area "Bat Order Bell 3D", winning area "Bat Order Bell 4A" to winning area "Bat Order Bell 4D", winning area "RBB & Bat Order 3-Coin Role 1" to winning area "RBB & Bat Order 3-Coin Role 6", winning area "RBB & Common 3-Coin Role", winning area "RBB & Rare Role", winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Role", and winning area "RBB". In the following description, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 1D", "Batting Order Bell 2A" to "Batting Order Bell 2D", "Batting Order Bell 3A" to "Batting Order Bell 3D", and "Batting Order Bell 4A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D" will be collectively referred to as "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D".

[0074] Each winning area is associated with a winning number from 1 to 31. Additionally, in slot machine 1, the internal draw result of not winning (a loss) is associated with winning number 0.

[0075] Here, "batting order" refers to the sequence in which operations are performed on stop buttons B1 through B3. Furthermore, in the following description, the timing at which stop buttons B1 through B3 are operated will also be referred to as "operation timing."

[0076] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the order in which the three stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated consists of six types of stop orders, from stop order 1 to stop order 6. Stop order 1 is a stop order called "sequential pressing," in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3. Stop order 2 is a stop order called "scissors pressing," in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2. Stop order 3 is a stop order in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Stop order 4 is a stop order in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Stop order 5 is a stop order in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Furthermore, batting order 6 is a so-called reverse batting order, where the stopping operation is performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

[0077] The internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is a winner or loser in the random number determination process, starting from the winning area associated with winning number 31 and moving towards the losing area associated with winning number 0.

[0078] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, there are small wins 1 to 44 that can be won when selected in the internal lottery, and there are replays 1 and 2 that can be won in the internal lottery. Each small win and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combinations shown in Figure 3. Also, as shown in Figure 3, in the slot machine 1, there are winning areas that include both bonuses and small wins, from winning area "RBB&3-coin win 1" to winning area "RBB&3-coin win 6", winning area "RBB&common 3-coin win", winning area "RBB&rare win", and winning area "RBB&1-coin win", and there is a winning area "RBB" that includes only bonuses.

[0079] In Slot Machine 1, the winning area "Replay 2" has a lower winning probability than the winning area "Replay 1". Also, in Slot Machine 1, the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" has a lower winning probability than other winning areas, including minor roles.

[0080] In this embodiment of the slot machine 1, the carry-over flag is associated with the RBB, while the minor role and replay are associated with the non-carry-over flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, if the internal lottery hits a winning area including the RBB, the state in which the RBB lottery flag is established is carried over until the RBB is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 also performs an internal lottery to determine whether the minor role and replay are won, even in a game where the RBB lottery flag's established state has been carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game where the RBB lottery flag's established state has been carried over, if a minor role or replay is won, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more roles, consisting of the already won RBB lottery flag and the minor role or replay lottery flag won in the internal lottery, are set to the established state.

[0081] <Internal Lottery Table> In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 stores in the internal lottery table storage means 192 three internal lottery tables used in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120: an internal lottery table used in the non-RT state (general mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A), an internal lottery table used in the RBB internal mode (internal mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the RBB state (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C). In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value is associated with each winning area that is the target of the lottery.

[0082] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the internal lottery table A has 65,536 lottery values, each corresponding to one of the following winning areas: "Bonus Small Role 1" to "Bonus Small Role 3", "Replay 1", "Replay 2", "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 4D", "RBB & Bat Order 3-Coin Role 1" to "RBB & Bat Order 3-Coin Role 6", "RBB & Common 3-Coin Role", "RBB & Rare Role", "RBB & 1-Coin Role", and "RBB", and is configured so that the internal lottery results in winning either a small role, a replay, or a bonus.

[0083] Furthermore, the internal lottery table B has 65,536 lottery values, each corresponding to one of the following winning areas: "Bonus Small Role 1" to "Bonus Small Role 3", "Replay 1", "Replay 2", "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D", "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 1" to "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 6", "RBB & Common 3-Coin Role", "RBB & Rare Role", and "RBB & 1-Coin Role". The internal lottery is configured to result in winning either a small role, a replay, or a bonus.

[0084] Internal draw table A and internal draw table B are such that the number of draw values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB" in internal draw table A is associated with the winning area "Replay 2" in internal draw table B. The probability of winning for each winning area other than "Replay 2" and "RBB" in internal draw table A is the same as the probability of winning for each winning area other than "Replay 2" in internal draw table B. Specifically, for example, the probability of winning for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D" in internal draw table A is the same as the probability of winning for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D" in internal draw table B.

[0085] The internal lottery table C associates random numbers with three winning areas: "Bonus Small Win 1," which is the winning area for all small wins from small win 1 to small win 44; "Bonus Small Win 2," which is the winning area for small wins from small win 9 to small win 44; and "Bonus Small Win 3," which is the winning area for small wins from small win 14 to small win 44.

[0086] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the probability of winning in any of the winning areas "Bonus Small Win 1" to "Bonus Small Win 3" while the RBB is in operation is higher than the probability of winning in any of the winning areas including small wins when the RBB is not in operation, and when the RBB is in operation, the probability of winning in the winning area "Bonus Small Win 1" is set to be the same as the sum of the probabilities of winning any two of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D" when the RBB is not in operation. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the probability of winning in the winning area "Bonus Small Win 1" or the winning area "Bonus Small Win 2" while the RBB is in operation is set to be the same as or higher than the sum of the probabilities of winning any two of the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 6" when the RBB is not in operation.

[0087] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that, when the RBB is active during gameplay, the probability of winning all minor roles increases compared to when the RBB is not active during gameplay, and the probability of winning any minor role is the same or increases.

[0088] Furthermore, Slot Machine 1 is configured such that, during the operation of RBB, the probability of winning in the winning area "Bonus Small Role 1" is lower than the probability of winning in any of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D" (the sum of the winning probabilities for each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D"). Additionally, Slot Machine 1 is configured such that, during the operation of RBB, the probability of winning in the winning area "Bonus Small Role 1" or the winning area "Bonus Small Role 2" is lower than the probability of winning in any of the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 1" to "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 6" (the sum of the winning probabilities for each of the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 1" to "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 6").

[0089] With this configuration, in this embodiment, the lower limit of the expected value of medal acquisition rate when the RBB is operating can be lowered to less than 100%, and the medal acquisition performance when the RBB is not operating can be designed, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0090] <Random number generation process> In this embodiment, the internal lottery means 120, in the random number determination process, sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the number of lottery values ​​associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table obtained from the internal lottery table storage means 192. If the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it is determined that the player has won in the winning area corresponding to the number of lottery values ​​that was subtracted. Furthermore, if the result of the subtraction is a positive value after subtracting by all the number of lottery values ​​stored in the internal lottery table, it is determined that the player has not won any role and is therefore unsuccessful.

[0091] <Bonus Winning Determination Process> As described above, in the internal lottery table B of this embodiment, when the RBB is in the internal state, the lottery values ​​are set for the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 6", "RBB & Common 3-Coin Win", "RBB & Rare Win", and "RBB & 1-Coin Win". In the internal lottery when the game state is in the internal state of RBB, there is a possibility that RBB may be won again when RBB has already been set to be established. Therefore, the internal lottery means 120 is configured to execute a bonus win determination process that determines whether the winning area whose win or loss is determined by the random number determination process is a winning area that includes a bonus, in order to prevent the newly won RBB from being set to be established.

[0092] In the bonus winning determination process, the internal lottery means 120, when it determines in the random number determination process that a winning area including a bonus is subject to determination of win or loss, executes a process to skip the process of setting the bonus to the active state if the winning area including a bonus is a win and the game state is in the RBB internal state. In this way, the slot machine 1 prevents a new RBB from being set to the active state when an RBB is already set to the active state.

[0093] <Arrangement of patterns> Figure 4 shows the symbols arranged on the circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in this embodiment has 20 symbols arranged on its circumferential surface. In addition, each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 has nine types of symbols arranged on its circumferential surface: the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the bell symbol "BL", the replay symbol "RP", the watermelon symbol "WM", the cherry symbol "CH", the blank A symbol "BKA", the blank B symbol "BKB", and the blank C symbol "BKC".

[0094] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, regardless of the game state, the priority order for the winning combinations to be stopped on the active line L1 in the reel stop control is set to "Replay > Small Win > Bonus". In other words, when a bonus and a small win or a bonus and a replay are both won, the reel control means 130 executes a stop control that prioritizes the small win or replay over the bonus.

[0095] Furthermore, as described above, the reel control means 130 is configured to rotate up to 4 frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops. Therefore, it is configured to stop and display on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 for symbols arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less among the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0096] Specifically, the reel control means 130 is configured to stop the replay symbol "RP", bell symbol "BL", and watermelon symbol "WMA" on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and the cherry symbol "CH" on the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2, regardless of the timing of operation of the stop buttons B1 to B3, as long as they can be stopped on the active line L1.

[0097] Furthermore, the reel control means 130 is configured to stop any symbols that are arranged at intervals of four frames or less and are capable of being stopped, even if they are not the same symbol. For example, if either the blank C symbol "BKC" arranged at stop number 5 on the right reel R3, or the cherry symbol "CH" arranged at stop numbers 0, 10, and 15, can be stopped on the active line L1, the system is configured to stop either the cherry symbol "CH" or the blank C symbol "BKC" regardless of the timing of the stop button B3 operation.

[0098] Furthermore, the reel control means 130 is configured to receive a start signal output from the start switch built into the start lever SL when the start lever SL detects a start operation, and to start the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to start one game, and then set a waiting time (approximately 4.1 seconds), generally called a wait (or wait time), in the wait timer (not shown) of the main memory means 190 based on the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Then, if the reel control means 130 receives a start signal from the start switch within the period from the setting of the waiting time until the waiting time has elapsed, it is configured to start the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 after the waiting time has elapsed. With this configuration, the reel control means 130 can start a game after a minimum game time (approximately 4.1 seconds) has elapsed between the start of one game and the start of the next game.

[0099] <Details of minor roles> Figures 5 to 7 show the combinations of winning symbols for small wins 1 to 44, the payouts for small wins 1 to 44, and the number of combinations of winning symbols for small wins 1 to 44 that slot machine 1 has.

[0100] Among the minor roles 1 to 44 shown in Figures 5 to 7, for example, minor roles such as minor role 1, in which the winning symbol combination consists of "BL-CH-BL", and in which the symbols of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that constitute the winning symbol combination are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less on each reel, are configured to be displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 when reel stop control is performed to enable display on the active line L1.

[0101] On the other hand, among the minor roles 1 to 44, for example, minor role 14 in which the winning symbol combination consists of "WM-CH-Red 7 (BAR)" and the timing for operating the stop button B3 to stop the Red 7 symbol "Red 7" or the BAR symbol "BAR" on the active line L1 of the right reel R3 is limited, the minor role in which the winning symbol combination consists of symbols arranged at intervals of more than 4 frames on at least one of the symbols on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that make up the winning symbol combination is configured in such a way that if the stop button is operated at a timing different from the timing at which the symbol can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, it will not be possible to win.

[0102] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the payout for minor roles 1 to 8 is set at 13 coins, which is more than the standard number. The payout for minor roles 9 to 13 is set at 3 coins, which is the same as the standard number. And the payout for minor roles 14 to 44 is set at 1 coin, which is less than the standard number.

[0103] <Game state transition control means> Figure 8(A) is a state transition diagram showing the game states that can be transitioned from each game state in the control related to the transition of game states performed by the game state transition control means 160 of this embodiment.

[0104] As shown in Figure 8(A), the non-RT state is a game state that corresponds to the initial state among multiple types of game states (initial game state, normal game state), and is a non-bonus state in which a bonus is not activated or established. In the non-RT state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using internal lottery table A, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0105] The RBB internal middle state is a gaming state that transitions when winning in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and winning in either the winning area "RBB & 1-card combination" or the winning area "RBB", and the RBB is set to the established state, and it is in the bonus established state where the bonus is established. In the RBB internal middle state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table B in which the winning probability of replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (about 1 / 7.3).

[0106] The RBB state is a gaming state that transitions when the RBB wins and the RBB activates. In the RBB state, when the number of electronically converted medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number of payouts (for example, 100), the game state transition control means 160 determines that the end condition of the RBB is satisfied, terminates the activation of the RBB, and transitions the game state to the non-RT state. In the RBB state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C.

[0107] <AT control means> FIG. 8(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of the non-favorable section and the favorable section controlled by the AT control means 170 of the present embodiment, and the effect state controlled during the favorable section.

[0108] As described above, the non-favorable section is a period in which control related to the auxiliary game based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. The AT control means 170 executes a favorable section lottery, which is a lottery for determining whether to end the non-favorable section and start the favorable section based on the winning area won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 in the game within the non-favorable section.

[0109] In the advantageous section lottery, the AT control means 170 first obtains an advantageous section transition lottery table from the AT control data storage means 196, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous section" and "miss (failure)" are associated with each of several random numbers. Then, the AT control means 170 obtains a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the obtained random number with the advantageous section transition lottery table, and decides whether or not to start the advantageous section based on the comparison result.

[0110] The AT control means 170 performs a favorable section lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of a winning area selected in the internal lottery and the winning probability of "start of favorable section" in the favorable section lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0111] The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to perform a favorable section lottery when the winning area "Replay 1", winning area "Batting Order Bell 1A" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4D" are won in the internal lottery during the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and when the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 1" to winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 6", winning area "RBB & Common 3-Coin Role", winning area "RBB & Rare Role", winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Role", and winning area "RBB" are won in the internal lottery during the non-RT state, and does not perform a favorable section lottery when any other winning area is won. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 performs a favorable section lottery that wins "Start of Favourite Section" with an extremely high probability of about 1 / 1.0.

[0112] In the advantageous section, the AT control means 170 has states (performance states) related to the instruction function, namely a first start state, a second start state, a normal state, a CZ state, and an AT state. In the normal state and the CZ state, it is configured not to perform the following: assist in winning small roles 1 to 8 when winning in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1A" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4D", and assist in winning small roles 11 and 12 when winning in the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 1" to the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 6". In the AT state, it is configured to perform the following: assist in winning small roles 1 to 8 when winning in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1A" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4D", and assist in winning small roles 11 and 12 when winning in the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 1" to the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 6". Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that the proportion of time spent in the advantageous period during the overall gameplay can be 70% or more.

[0113] The first starting state is a performance state that is set when the game state is in a non-RT state and a non-advantageous section, and the player is selected as a target for the advantageous section lottery and transitions from a non-advantageous section to an advantageous section through an advantageous section lottery based on winning in an internal lottery in one of the winning areas that include RBB, such as winning area "RBB&3-coin role 1" to winning area "RBB&3-coin role 6", winning area "RBB&common 3-coin role", winning area "RBB&rare role", winning area "RBB&1-coin role", and winning area "RBB". In the first starting state, the AT control means 170 terminates the first starting state and transitions the performance state to the normal state when one game is played.

[0114] The second starting state is a performance state that is set when the game state is a non-RT state or RBB internal state and is in a non-advantageous section, and the player transitions from a non-advantageous section to an advantageous section through an advantageous section lottery based on winning in an internal lottery in one of the winning areas that are set as targets for the advantageous section lottery and do not include RBB, namely winning area "Replay 1", winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to winning area "Bat Order Bell 4D".

[0115] In the second start state, the AT control means 170 refers to the game state at the time the second start state is initiated. If the game state at the time the second start state is initiated is a non-RT state, the AT control means 170 terminates the second start state after one game is played and transitions the performance state to the normal state. Also, if the game state at the time the second start state is initiated is an RBB internal state, the AT control means 170 decides to execute the CZ state after the second start state ends, terminates the second start state after one game is played, and transitions the performance state to the CZ state.

[0116] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the game state is in the RBB internal state, the internal lottery is configured to result in winning either a small win or a replay. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, symbols that constitute the winning symbol combinations for small wins or replays are stopped and displayed on the active line L1, prioritizing bonuses. In addition, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated at an operation timing that makes it impossible to win a small win that has been won in the internal lottery, a symbol combination different from any of the winning symbol combinations for any of the roles is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed win (non-winning). Thus, the winning symbol combinations for RBB are never stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and the RBB internal state is maintained.

[0117] That is, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, once the game state is set to the RBB internal middle state, the game in the RBB internal middle state continues thereafter. Therefore, when the advantageous section is ended and the non-advantageous section is started based on the establishment of the normal end condition or the specific end condition in the advantageous section, the game state is in the RBB internal middle state and is controlled to the non-advantageous section. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, after the game state transitions from the advantageous section to the non-advantageous section while being in the RBB internal middle state, when winning the "transition to the advantageous section" in the advantageous section lottery and transitioning to the advantageous section, the production state is set to the second start state. Since the game state at the start of the second start state is the RBB internal middle state, after one game is executed in the second start state, the production state is configured to transition to the CZ state.

[0118] In the slot machine 1 having such game characteristics, as described above, when the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is executed, the control related to the game state and the control related to the advantageous section are initialized, so that the game state is set to the non-RT state and is configured to be set to the non-advantageous section. In other words, in the slot machine 1, within the limited period from when the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is executed until transitioning to the RBB internal middle state, the game is executed in the non-RT state or the RBB state.

[0119] The AT control means 170 is a winning area where the advantageous section lottery is executed only when winning in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, and is a winning area where the advantageous section is not executed when winning in the internal lottery in the RBB internal middle state. When winning in the winning areas "RBB & batting order three-card combination 1" to "RBB & batting order three-card combination 6", "RBB & common three-card combination", "RBB & rare combination", "RBB & single-card combination", and "RBB" and starting the advantageous section, by setting the production state at the start of the advantageous section to the first start state, even when the game state at the start of the advantageous section is the RBB internal middle state, the production state can be set to the normal state through the first start state.

[0120] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured such that when a winning area is selected in the winning area "Replay 1" or the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 4D", which are winning areas that can be selected even in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the AT control means 170 determines the performance state to be transitioned to after one game is played in the second start state to be the normal state if the game state at the time of playing in the second start state is the RBB internal state, and determines the performance state to be transitioned to after one game is played in the second start state to be the CZ state if the game state at the time of playing in the second start state is the RBB internal state.

[0121] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when playing in a non-advantageous section (first game), if the game transitions from a non-advantageous section to an advantageous section, the performance state is set to either the first start state or the second start state by a control process that sets the performance state by the AT control means 170 during the first game. Next, in the game following the first game (second game), the slot machine 1 executes a game with the performance state set to either the first start state or the second start state. If the performance state is the first start state, the game transitions to the normal state. If the performance state is the second start state, the performance state transitions to either the normal state or the CZ state depending on the game state in the second game.

[0122] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that, when setting change control is performed by the setting change means 100, the game state is set to a non-RT state and set to a non-advantageous section. However, when transitioning from a non-advantageous section to an advantageous section immediately after setting change control, it is set to a normal state based on the start of the advantageous section, and when transitioning from a non-advantageous section to an advantageous section when the game state is in the RBB internal state, it is set to a CZ state based on the start of the advantageous section. This prevents the development of a strategy that would make the probability of transitioning to the CZ state immediately after setting change control extremely high, thereby reducing the marketability of the game machine, while improving the marketability of the machine while still having an advantageous section.

[0123] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can prevent the development of a strategy that makes the immediate period after the setting change control is initiated excessively advantageous, and when the transition to the advantageous period immediately after the setting change control is executed, data and programs for executing different effects from the set effect state become unnecessary, thus preventing an increase in the program capacity related to the effects.

[0124] The normal state is the performance state that corresponds to the normal state among several types of performance states (normal performance state), which is set when the player has not transitioned to any other performance state. When the AT control means 170 transitions from the first start state, the second start state, or the CZ state to the normal state, it sets the value "700" as an initial value to the AT transition game counter (not shown), which counts the number of games played until the player transitions to the AT state.

[0125] The AT control means 170 performs a decrement update, subtracting the stored value of the AT transition game counter by a value of "1" corresponding to one game, each time a game is played in either the normal state or the CZ state. The AT control means 170 determines that the conditions for transitioning to the AT state (AT transition conditions) have been met when the stored value of the AT transition game counter becomes "0". If the game state in which the stored value of the AT transition game counter became "0" is the normal state, the AT control means 170 transitions the game state from the normal state to the AT state. On the other hand, if the game state in which the stored value of the AT transition game counter became "0" is the CZ state, the AT control means 170 transitions the game state from the CZ state to the AT state after 10 games have been played in the CZ state and the conditions for ending the CZ state have been met.

[0126] The CZ state is configured such that, as a control related to the instruction function, when a control is executed to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state, it is possible to transition to the AT state with a higher probability than the normal state, making it a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state. The AT control means 170 sets a value (for example, 10 games) corresponding to the number of games in which the CZ state can be continued in the CZ game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196 at the start of the CZ state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the CZ game counter by a value "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0127] The AT control means 170 is configured to perform a CZ-in AT lottery in each game played in the CZ state to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state. If the CZ-in AT lottery results in "transition to AT state", the AT control means 170 transitions the performance state from the CZ state to the AT state after 10 games have been played from the start of the CZ state.

[0128] The AT control means 170 executes a CZ game count increase lottery to determine whether or not to increase (add) the number of games played in the AT state that is transitioned from the CZ state to the AT state during the AT lottery in the CZ, when the "transition to AT state" is won and the CZ state ends. If the AT control means 170 decides in the CZ game count increase lottery to increase the number of games played in the AT state that is transitioned to, it adds the value that was decided to be added to the AT game count counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196.

[0129] On the other hand, if 10 games are played in the CZ state without winning the "transition to AT state" lottery during the CZ, the AT control means 170 terminates the CZ state and transitions the performance state back to the normal state.

[0130] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute lotteries related to instruction functions executed in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, lottery for adding sets during CZ) regardless of the results of the internal lottery. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured such that, with respect to lotteries related to auxiliary games executed in the CZ state, if the winning area "RBB & rare role" is won in the internal lottery, the probability of "not winning (losing)" is lower than if other winning areas are won, resulting in a more favorable outcome for the player (in the case of AT lottery during CZ, the probability of "transitioning to AT state" is higher). Specifically in this embodiment, in the AT lottery during CZ, if the winning area "RBB & rare role" is won, there is approximately a 50% chance of "transitioning to AT state", and if a winning area other than the winning area "RBB & rare role" is won, there is approximately a 30% chance of "transitioning to AT state".

[0131] The AT state is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state because it enables the execution of the following: assistance in winning small roles 1 to 8 when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D", and assistance in winning small roles 9 to 13 when winning in the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 1" to "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 6".

[0132] In this embodiment, the AT state is a performance state in which the duration of continuation is managed by the number of games played. The AT control means 170 adds a value (for example, 50 games) corresponding to the number of games in which the AT state can be continued to the AT game counter of the AT control data storage means 196 at the start of the AT state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the AT game counter by a value of "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0133] The AT control means 170, when the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" is won in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120, executes an AT game count increase lottery to determine whether or not to increase (add) the number of games played while the AT state continues. If the AT control means 170 decides in the AT game count increase lottery to increase the number of games played while the AT state continues, it adds the value decided to be added to the AT game count counter in the AT control data storage means 196.

[0134] The AT control means 170 determines that the AT termination conditions have been met when a game is played in the AT state and the stored value of the AT game counter becomes "0", and when the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds "2400" in the AT state, it terminates the AT state, and also determines that a specific termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous section has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which initializes information related to the advantageous section, and a predetermined termination process which terminates the advantageous section and starts the non-advantageous section from the next game.

[0135] As shown in Figure 8(B), slot machine 1 is configured to transition to the CZ state via a second starting state, which is initiated based on the transition from a non-advantageous period to an advantageous period, when the advantageous period ends.

[0136] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment transitions to the CZ state when the AT state ends and the advantageous period starts again. This increases the likelihood of starting the AT state again after the AT state ends and winning electronic tokens, thereby enhancing the player's enjoyment of the game.

[0137] 3. Gameplay in each game state Next, the gameplay characteristics of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment in each game state will be described.

[0138] <Game results in each game state> Figure 9 shows the game results for each operation method of stop buttons B1 to B3 when a winning area including a minor role is won in a non-RT state, and Figure 10 shows the game results for each operation method of stop buttons B1 to B3 when a winning area including a minor role is won in an RBB internal state.

[0139] As shown in Figure 9, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1C", "Bat Order Bell 1D", "Bat Order Bell 2C", "Bat Order Bell 2D", "Bat Order Bell 3C", "Bat Order Bell 3D", "Bat Order Bell 4C", or "Bat Order Bell 4D" is hit during a non-RT state, a small win with a payout of 1 coin in a 3-coin bet game is possible to win at the probability (winning probability) shown in Figure 9, regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10, in slot machine 1, when the player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1C", "Bat Order Bell 1D", "Bat Order Bell 2C", "Bat Order Bell 2D", "Bat Order Bell 3C", "Bat Order Bell 3D", "Bat Order Bell 4C", or "Bat Order Bell 4D" during the RBB internal state, the batting order (correct batting order) of stop buttons B1 to B3 is set so that the small wins 3, 4, 7, and 8, which are set to pay 13 coins in a 3-coin bet game, can be won with a 1 / 1 probability.

[0140] Let's explain this using the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1C". In slot machine 1, if the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1C" is selected in the internal lottery during the non-RT state, and stop button B2 is pressed as the first stop, and the replay symbol "RP" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, then the following five combinations of winning symbols will be awarded: the winning symbol combination for small win 3 "BL-RP-BL" shown in Figure 5, the winning symbol combination for small win 18 "WM-RP-Red 7 (BAR)" shown in Figure 6, and the winning symbol combination for small win 20 "Red 7 (BAR)-RP-WM". Since the combination of symbols can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and there are more combinations of symbols that can be stopped and displayed than when other symbols are stopped and displayed (for example, when the watermelon symbol "WM" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, the two symbol combinations of winning symbols for small role 27 "CH-WM-CH(BKC)" shown in Figure 6 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1), the replay symbol "RP" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 by reel stop control using quantity priority control.

[0141] As a result, in slot machine 1, if the internal lottery results in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1C" and the player wins multiple small wins (small wins 3, 18, 20, 27, and 44), the only small wins that can be achieved in that game are limited to small wins 3, 18, and 20.

[0142] In this state, when the stop button B1 is pressed as the second stop in slot machine 1, if the watermelon symbol "WM" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, it is possible to stop and display two symbol combinations of the winning symbols for the small prize 18 shown in Figure 6, "WM-RP-Red 7 (BAR)", on the active line L1. Since this is more than when other symbols are stopped and displayed, the reel stop control, which prioritizes the number of symbols, is used to stop and display the watermelon symbol "WM" on the active line L1.

[0143] As a result, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1C" is won in the internal lottery during the non-RT state, and the winning combinations of small wins 3, 18, 20, 27, and 44 are all won in that game, the only small win that can be awarded is small win 18. If the timing of the operation of stop button B3, which is used for the third stop operation, is such that 10 out of 20 symbols from stop number 4 (red 7 symbol) to stop number 8 (replay symbol) and from stop number 14 (BAR symbol) to stop number 18 (replay symbol) are rotating and displayed on the active line L1, then small win 18 will be awarded. If stop button B3 is used for the third stop operation at a timing different from this, it will be a miss (not awarded), so there is a 1 / 2 probability that small win 18 will be awarded.

[0144] Furthermore, when stop button B2 is pressed for the first stop operation, and the winning combinations are limited to combinations 3, 18, and 20, in slot machine 1, when stop button B3 is pressed for the second stop operation, if the watermelon symbol "WM" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, the two symbol combinations of winning combination 20, "red 7 (BAR)-RP-WM" shown in Figure 6, can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1. Since this is more than when other symbols are stopped and displayed, the reel stop control, which prioritizes the number of symbols, will stop and display the watermelon symbol "WM" on the active line L1.

[0145] As a result, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1C" is won in the internal lottery during the non-RT state, and the winning combinations of small wins 3, 18, 20, 27, and 44 are all won in that game, the only small win that can be awarded is small win 20. If the timing of the operation of stop button B1, which is used for the third stop operation, is when 10 out of 20 symbols, from the red 7 symbol "Red 7" at stop number 4 to the watermelon symbol "WM" at stop number 8, and from the BAR symbol "BAR" at stop number 14 to the watermelon symbol "WM" at stop number 18, are rotating and displayed on the active line L1, then small win 20 will be awarded. If stop button B1 is used for the third stop operation at a timing different from this, it will be a miss (not awarded), so there is a 1 / 2 probability that small win 20 will be awarded.

[0146] In slot machine 1, in the number priority control, if there is no difference in the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, the machine is configured to execute reel stop control using a stop control table.

[0147] Thus, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the player is not in RT state, if the player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1C", "Bat Order Bell 1D", "Bat Order Bell 2C", "Bat Order Bell 2D", "Bat Order Bell 3C", "Bat Order Bell 3D", "Bat Order Bell 4C", or "Bat Order Bell 4D", reel stop control using quantity priority control is executed, in a game where the player bets 3 coins. Even if you win in one of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1C", "Batting Order Bell 1D", "Batting Order Bell 2C", "Batting Order Bell 2D", "Batting Order Bell 3C", "Batting Order Bell 3D", "Batting Order Bell 4C", or "Batting Order Bell 4D", which include the winning combinations 3, 4, 7, and 8, which are set to pay out 13 coins, the machine is configured in such a way that you cannot win the combinations 3, 4, 7, or 8.

[0148] In slot machine 1, when the player wins in the non-RT state or RBB internal state, if the player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A", "Bat Order Bell 1B", "Bat Order Bell 2A", "Bat Order Bell 2B", "Bat Order Bell 3A", "Bat Order Bell 3B", "Bat Order Bell 4A", or "Bat Order Bell 4B", and when the player wins in the RBB internal state, if the player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1C", "Bat Order Bell 1D", "Bat Order Bell 2C", "Bat Order Bell 2D", "Bat Order Bell 3C", "Bat Order Bell 3D", "Bat Order Bell 4C", or "Bat Order Bell 4D", there is a set batting order (correct batting order) for stop buttons B1 to B3 that allows the player to win small wins 1 to 8, which are set to pay 13 coins, with a probability of 1 / 1. In slot machine 1, if the player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4D", and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order, making it possible to win small wins 1 to 8, then reel stopping control is performed with priority control of the number of coins, stopping the symbols that make up the winning symbol combinations for small wins 1 to 8 on the active line L1.

[0149] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when the player wins in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, if the player wins in the winning area "RBB & 3-coin payout 1" to the winning area "RBB & 3-coin payout 6", there is a set batting order (correct batting order) for stop buttons B1 to B3 that allows the player to win small payouts 9 to 13, which are set to pay 3 coins, with a probability of 1 / 1. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a different batting order (incorrect batting order) than the correct batting order, there is a probability of winning a small payout that is set to pay 1 coin.

[0150] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "RBB & Common 3-Coin Win" is selected in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, a small win set to pay 3 coins will be awarded with a 1 / 1 probability regardless of whether stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in any of the batting order 1 to 6. Specifically, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "RBB & Common 3-Coin Win" is selected in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1, small win 9 will be awarded; if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 2, small win 10 will be awarded; and if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to 6, small win 11 will be awarded.

[0151] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" is selected in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, a small role set to pay 3 coins will be awarded with a 1 / 4 probability regardless of whether stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in any of the batting order 1 to 6. Specifically, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" is selected in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, if stop button B3 is operated at the timing when 5 out of 20 symbols, from the blank C symbol "BKC" at stop number 5 to the blank A symbol "BKA" at stop number 9, are rotating and displayed on the active line L1, small role 13 will be awarded. If stop button B1 is operated as the third stop at a timing different from this, it will be a miss (not awarded), and small role 13 will be awarded with a 1 / 4 probability.

[0152] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "RBB & 1-coin payout" is hit during non-RT state or RBB internal state, regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated, the 28 small payouts, which are set to pay out 1 coin, will be awarded with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0153] <Control for setting the recommended batting order in a gaming machine> As described above, in this embodiment, when the game state is in the RBB internal state, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in turn 1 or turn 2, small wins 1 to 8, which are set to pay out more than the specified number, will not be awarded, and if stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in turn 3 to 6, small wins 1 to 8 will be awarded. Thus, the payout rate when the game is played by stopping stop buttons B1 to B3 in turn 1 or turn 2 is less than 50%, and the payout rate when the game is played by operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in turn 3 to 6 is more than 50%.

[0154] In other words, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, when the instruction function is not activated, the expected value of gameplay obtained when operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in a manner that stops the left reel R1 first is lower than the expected value of gameplay obtained when operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in a manner that stops the middle reel R2 first or when operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in a manner that stops the right reel R3 first.

[0155] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the machine is in a normal state or a CZ state where no prize-winning assistance is performed, the configuration is such that it is more likely to win electronic tokens in the game when stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in turn 3 to turn 6 than when stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in turn 1 to turn 2.

[0156] Given this configuration, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured such that, when no prize assistance is being performed, and when the winner is in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4D", the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to batting order 6, and the control related to the instruction function after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stops is not performed, and the game ends with the stored value of the AT high probability counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196 initialized to the value "0". When prize assistance is performed, or when the winner is in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4D", the game ends with the stored value of the AT high probability counter set to the value "1". When performing control related to the instruction function based on the start operation to the start lever SL, the stored value of the AT high probability counter is referenced, and the control is performed such that when the value is "1", it is more advantageous for the player than when the value is "0".

[0157] In other words, in slot machine 1, the AT control means 170 is configured to perform specific control such that, in the advantageous period, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in order 1 and order 2 when the operation method for stop buttons B1 to B3 that enables winning a prize is not indicated, the processing related to the instruction function in the next game will be more advantageous than if they were operated in order 3 to order 6.

[0158] Therefore, in the case where no prize-winning assistance is performed, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to recommend playing in the order of batting sequence 1 and batting sequence 2, in which the stop button B1 is first stopped (batting sequence 1 and batting sequence 2 are the recommended batting sequences).

[0159] Furthermore, control related to the instruction function after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop may include, for example, the increment update of the AT transition game count counter.In addition, control related to the instruction function based on the start operation to the start lever SL may include, for example, the normal CZ lottery.Specifically, in the AT lottery during the CZ when the memory value of the AT high probability counter is "1", if the winning area "RBB & rare role" is won, there is a probability of winning "transition to AT state" of approximately 50%, and if a winning area other than the winning area "RBB & rare role" is won, there is a probability of winning "transition to AT state" of approximately 30%, and in the AT lottery during the CZ when the memory value of the AT high probability counter is "0", there may be a probability of winning "transition to AT state" of approximately 0.4% (256 / 65536), regardless of the result of the internal lottery.

[0160] 4. Details of the winning areas where the winning combinations vary depending on the batting order. Next, we will explain in detail the winning areas of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, which have different winning combinations depending on the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. These winning areas are "Beat Order Bell 1A" to "Beat Order Bell 4D", and "RBB & Beat Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "RBB & Beat Order 3-Coin Win 6".

[0161] <Details of the symbols arranged on each reel> In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has one of the following symbols arranged on the circumferential surface of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3: the red 7 symbol "red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", and the blank B symbol "BKB", and the symbols are arranged so that the pull-in ranges of each of the red 7 symbol "red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", and the blank B symbol "BKB" do not overlap.

[0162] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, on the circumference of the left reel R1, the red 7 symbol "Red 7" is arranged at stop number 4, the blank A symbol "BKA" is arranged at stop number 9, the BAR symbol "BAR" is arranged at stop number 14, and the blank B symbol "BKB" is arranged at stop number 19. On the left reel R1, the pull-in range for the red 7 symbol "Red 7" is from the red 7 symbol "Red 7" at stop number 4 to the watermelon symbol "WM" at stop number 8, the pull-in range for the blank A symbol "BKA" is from the blank A symbol "BKA" at stop number 9 to the watermelon symbol "WM" at stop number 13, and the pull-in range for the BAR symbol "BAR" is from the BAR symbol "BAR" at stop number 14 to the watermelon symbol at stop number 18. The symbol is "WM", and the pull-in range for the blank B symbol "BKB" is from the blank B symbol "BKB" at stop number 19, to the replay symbol "RP" at stop number 0, and to the watermelon symbol "WM" at stop number 3. The pull-in ranges for the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", and the blank B symbol "BKB" are arranged so that they do not overlap with each other.

[0163] Given this configuration, in slot machine 1, if any one of the following symbols is set as a winning combination: the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", or the blank B symbol "BKB", the timing at which the stop button corresponding to the reel on which that symbol is set is operated is limited to the timing when 5 out of 20 symbols that can stop and display that symbol on the active line L1 are rotating and displayed on the active line L1. In other words, if it is not possible to determine which symbol can stop and display, the machine is configured so that there is a 1 / 4 probability that the symbol can stop and display on the active line L1.

[0164] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, if any two of the following symbols are set as symbols that make up a winning combination: the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", and the blank B symbol "BKB", the timing at which the stop button corresponding to the reel on which the symbols are set is operated is limited to the timing when 10 out of 20 symbols that can stop and display the symbol on the active line L1 are rotating and displayed on the active line L1. In other words, if it is not possible to determine which symbols can stop and display, the machine is configured so that there is a 1 / 2 probability that the symbol will be able to stop and display on the active line L1.

[0165] <A minor role with a winning probability set to 1 / 2 or 1 / 8> Figure 11(A) illustrates the combinations of small wins with a winning probability of 1 / 2 when stop button B2 is the first stop operation and when stop button B3 is the first stop operation. Figure 11(B) illustrates the combinations of small wins with a winning probability of 1 / 8 when stop button B2 is the first stop operation. Figure 11(C) illustrates the combinations of small wins with a winning probability of 1 / 8 when stop button B3 is the first stop operation.

[0166] As shown in Figure 11(A), the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has small wins 14 to 23, which are small wins with a payout of 1 coin and a winning probability of 1 / 2 when the stop button B2 or stop button B3 is pressed for the first stop operation. Small wins 14 and 15 have a configuration in which the symbols on the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2 are common among the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination, but the symbol on the right reel R3 is different. Small wins 16 and 17 have a configuration in which the symbols on the middle reel R2 and the right reel R3 are common among the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination, but the symbol on the left reel R1 is different. Small wins 18 and 19 have a configuration in which the symbols on the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2 are common among the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination, but the symbol on the right reel R3 is different. For minor wins 20 and 21, the symbols on the middle reel R2 and the right reel R3 are the same among the symbols that make up the winning combination, but the symbol on the left reel R1 is different. For minor wins 22 and 23, the symbols on the left reel R1 and the right reel R3 are the same among the symbols that make up the winning combination, but the symbol on the middle reel R2 is different.

[0167] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, in slot machine 1, if the winning area is between "Bat Order Bell 1A" and "Bat Order Bell 1D", and the winning area is between "Bat Order Bell 2A" and "Bat Order Bell 2D", and stop button B2 is pressed as the first stop, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed as the second stop in a different order than the correct batting order, a small win with a payout of 1 coin is awarded with a probability of 1 / 2. Also, in slot machine 1, if the winning area is between "Bat Order Bell 3A" and "Bat Order Bell 3D", and the winning area is between "Bat Order Bell 4A" and "Bat Order Bell 4D", and stop button B3 is pressed as the first stop, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed as the second stop in a different order than the correct batting order, a small win with a payout of 1 coin is awarded with a probability of 1 / 2.

[0168] Specifically, in slot machine 1, if the correct batting order is set to batting order 4 and the winning area "Battling Order Bell 2A" is selected, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated during batting order 3, then minor prize 14 can be won. If the correct batting order is set to batting order 4 and the winning area "Battling Order Bell 2B" is selected, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated during batting order 3, then minor prize 15 can be won. As mentioned above, minor prize 14 and minor prize 15 share the same symbols as the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2 among the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination.

[0169] Therefore, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 2A" or the winning area "Bat Order Bell 2B" is selected, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3, at the time of the second stop operation, the watermelon symbol "WM" is displayed on the lower part of left reel R1, and the cherry symbol "CH" is displayed on the lower part of middle reel R2, making it impossible to determine whether small win 14 or small win 15 is possible.

[0170] In other words, in slot machine 1, whether you win the "Bat Order Bell 2A" area and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3, or win the "Bat Order Bell 2B" area and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3, there is a 1 / 2 chance of winning small prize 14 or small prize 15.

[0171] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4D", if the stop button B1 to B3 is operated in an incorrect batting order where the first stop button is the same as the first stop button operated in the correct batting order, and the second stop button is different from the second stop button operated in the correct batting order, then at the time of the second stop operation, it becomes impossible to determine which of the small wins 14 to 23 is eligible to be won. Depending on the timing of the operation of the third stop button, one of the winning small wins 14 to 23 will be won with a probability of 1 / 2, and if none of the winning small wins 14 to 23 are won, it will be considered a missed win (non-win).

[0172] As shown in Figure 11(B), in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the stop button B2 is pressed for the first stop operation, there are minor wins 29 to 36, which are minor wins with a payout of 1 coin and a winning probability of 1 / 8.

[0173] For minor wins 29 to 32, the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combination are the red 7 symbol "Red 7" and the BAR symbol "BAR," respectively. The symbol on the left reel R1 can be stopped and displayed when the timing of operating the stop button B1 coincides with the timing when 10 out of 20 symbols that can stop and display the red 7 symbol "Red 7" or the BAR symbol "BAR" on the active line L1 are rotating on the active line L1. In addition, for minor wins 29 to 32, the symbols on the middle reel R2 that make up the winning combination are the bell symbol "BL," and can be stopped and displayed regardless of the timing of operating the stop button B2. For minor roles 29 to 32, the symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning combination are the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", or the blank B symbol "BKB", respectively. The timing for operating the stop button B3 is such that 5 out of the 20 symbols that can be stopped on the active line L1 that make up the winning combination for each minor role are rotating and displayed on the active line L1.

[0174] For minor wins 33 to 36, the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combination are blank A symbol "BKA" and blank B symbol "BKB", respectively. The symbol on the left reel R1 can be stopped when the timing of operating the stop button B1 is such that 10 out of 20 symbols that can stop and display either blank A symbol "BKA" or blank B symbol "BKB" on the active line L1 are rotating on the active line L1. In addition, for minor wins 33 to 36, the symbols on the middle reel R2 that make up the winning combination are bell symbols "BL", and can be stopped and displayed regardless of the timing of operating the stop button B2. For small wins 33 to 36, the symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning symbol combination are the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", or the blank B symbol "BKB", respectively. The timing for operating the stop button B3 is such that 5 out of the 20 symbols that can be stopped on the active line L1 that make up the winning symbol combination for each small win are rotating and displayed on the active line L1.

[0175] Due to this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a player wins between the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 3A" and "Bat Order Bell 3D", or between the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 4A" and "Bat Order Bell 4D", it becomes impossible to determine which of the small wins 29 to 36 is possible to win at the time the stop button B2 is first stopped. Therefore, if the timing of the stop button B1 operation is such that any of the winning small wins 29 to 36 can be won, and the timing of the stop button B3 operation is such that any of the winning small wins 29 to 36 can be won, then there is a 1 / 8 probability that one of the winning small wins 29 to 36 will be won. If none of the winning small wins 29 to 36 are won, it is considered a missed win (non-win).

[0176] As shown in Figure 11(C), in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the stop button B3 is pressed for the first stop operation, there are minor wins 37 to 44, which are minor wins with a payout of 1 coin and a winning probability of 1 / 8.

[0177] For minor wins 37 to 40, the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combination are the red 7 symbol "Red 7" and the BAR symbol "BAR", respectively. The symbol on the left reel R1 can be stopped when the timing of operating the stop button B1 is such that 10 out of 20 symbols that can stop and display the red 7 symbol "Red 7" or the BAR symbol "BAR" on the active line L1 are rotating and displayed on the active line L1. For minor wins 37 to 40, the symbols on the middle reel R2 that make up the winning combination are the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", or the blank B symbol "BKB", respectively. The symbols on the middle reel R2 can be stopped and displayed when the stop button B2 is pressed at the timing when 5 out of the 20 symbols that can stop and display the winning combination of each minor win on the active line L1 are rotating on the active line L1. Furthermore, for minor wins 37 to 40, the symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning combination are the replay symbol "RP", and can be stopped and displayed regardless of the timing of the stop button B3 being pressed.

[0178] For minor wins 41 to 44, the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combination are blank A symbol "BKA" and blank B symbol "BKB", respectively. The symbol on the left reel R1 can be stopped when the timing of operating the stop button B1 is such that 10 out of 20 symbols that can stop and display blank A symbol "BKA" or blank B symbol "BKB" on the active line L1 are rotating and displayed on the active line L1. For minor roles 41 to 44, the symbols on the middle reel R2 that make up the winning symbol combination are the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", or the blank B symbol "BKB", respectively. The symbols on the middle reel R2 can be stopped and displayed when the stop button B2 is pressed at the timing when 5 out of the 20 symbols that can stop and display the winning symbol combination for each minor role on the active line L1 are rotating and displayed on the active line L1. Furthermore, for minor roles 41 to 44, the symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning symbol combination are the replay symbol "RP", respectively, and can be stopped and displayed regardless of the timing of the stop button B3 being pressed.

[0179] Due to this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a win occurs in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1D" or the winning area "Bat Order Bell 2A" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 2D", it becomes impossible to determine which of the small wins 37 to 44 is possible to win at the time the stop button B3 is first stopped. If the timing of the operation of stop button B1 is such that any of the winning small wins 37 to 44 can be won, and the timing of the operation of stop button B2 is such that any of the winning small wins 37 to 44 can be won, then there is a 1 / 8 probability that one of the winning small wins 37 to 44 will be won. If none of the winning small wins 37 to 44 are won, it is considered a missed win (non-win).

[0180] <Winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D" include minor roles> Next, we will explain the details of the small wins included in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D" using Figures 12 to 15. Figure 12 is a diagram explaining the combination of winning symbols and payouts for the small wins included in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 1D", Figure 13 is a diagram explaining the combination of winning symbols and payouts for the small wins included in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 2A" to "Batting Order Bell 2D", Figure 14 is a diagram explaining the combination of winning symbols and payouts for the small wins included in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 3A" to "Batting Order Bell 3D", and Figure 15 is a diagram explaining the combination of winning symbols and payouts for the small wins included in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 4A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D".

[0181] As shown in Figures 12 to 15, in slot machine 1, in each of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 4D", the machine is configured to allow for the simultaneous winning of one of the following: small wins 1 to 8, which are awarded for a payout of 13 coins and can be won when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with the correct batting order; one of the small wins 27 or 28, which are awarded for a payout of 1 coin and have a 1 / 1 probability of being won when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with an incorrect batting order; at least one of the small wins 14 to 23, which are awarded for a payout of 1 coin and have a 1 / 2 probability of being won when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with an incorrect batting order; and a small win that is awarded for a payout of 1 coin and has a 1 / 8 probability of being won when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with an incorrect batting order.

[0182] Using the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1A" as an example, we will explain the details of winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D". In the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1A", the winning symbols are composed of small role 1 which is set to pay out 13 coins and symbols which can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of operation of stop buttons B1 to B3. It is configured to allow for simultaneous winning of small role 27 which has a winning probability of 1 / 1, small role 16 which has a winning probability of 1 / 2, and small role 41 which has a winning probability of 1 / 8.

[0183] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" is won, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and 2 where stop button B1 is the first stop operation, there is a 1 / 1 probability of winning small prize 27. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 where stop button B2 is the first stop operation, there is a 1 / 1 probability of winning small prize 1. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 4 where stop button B2 is the first stop operation, there is a 1 / 2 probability of winning small prize 16. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and 6 where stop button B3 is the first stop operation, there is a 1 / 8 probability of winning small prize 41.

[0184] As shown in Figure 12, the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combination of minor role 16 consist of the red 7 symbol "Red 7" and the BAR symbol "BAR", and the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combination of minor role 41 consist of the blank A symbol "BKA" and the blank B symbol "BKB".

[0185] In other words, among the winning combinations that can be won in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1A", the winning combination 16, which has a winning probability of 1 / 2, and the winning combination 41, which has a winning probability of 1 / 8, have different symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning symbol combination.

[0186] Due to this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1A" is won and the stop button B1 is pressed for the first stop operation, if the symbols of the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination for small win 16, namely the red 7 symbol "Red 7" and the BAR symbol "BAR", are stopped and displayed, the symbol combination that constitutes the winning symbol combination for small win 41 cannot be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and the symbols of the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination for small win 41 When the blank A symbol "BKA" and the blank B symbol "BKB" are stopped, it is not possible to stop and display the symbol combinations that constitute the winning symbol combinations for the small role 16 on the active line L1. Therefore, the left reel R1 is configured such that no matter which of the following symbols is stopped and displayed on the lower row of the left reel R1: the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", or the blank B symbol "BKB", the number of symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 will be the same, one.

[0187] With this configuration, in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A", the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination for the winning symbol 16, which has a winning probability of 1 / 2, and the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination for the winning symbol 41, which has a winning probability of 1 / 8, are different from each other. Therefore, when the stop button B1 is pressed as the first stop operation, there are no symbols on the left reel R1 that would allow the winning symbols for the winning symbols 16 and 41 to be awarded. As a result, the winning probability is set to 1 / 1 and the payout is set to 1 coin. When designing a configuration in which a small win 27 can be won by executing reel stop control by number priority control when stop button B1 is first stopped, the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed when the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination of small win 16 are stopped, and the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed when the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination of small win 41 are stopped, can be considered separately, and the winning symbol combination of small win 27 can be designed, thereby reducing the design cost of the small win configuration of the slot machine 1.

[0188] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1A" is won and stop button B1 is pressed as the first stop, the cherry symbol "CH" is stopped and displayed on the lower part of the left reel R1, making it possible to stop and display two symbol combinations of the winning symbol combination for small win 27, "CH-WM-CH(BKC)", on the active line L1. Since this is more than when other symbols are stopped and displayed, the reel stop control, which prioritizes the number of symbols, stops and displays the cherry symbol "CH" on the active line L1, and the small wins that can be won in that game are limited to small win 27.

[0189] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" is won and the stop button B1 is pressed as the first stop operation, the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed when the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of the small win 27, which can be won with a probability of 1 / 1, are stopped is greater than the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed when the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of the small win 16 are stopped and the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed when the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of the small win 41 are stopped.

[0190] In other words, in slot machine 1, the specific winning patterns include a fourth type of small win, the fourth type of small win can be won with a third probability when the specific winning pattern is won and multiple stop buttons are operated in the fourth operation pattern, the fourth operation pattern is the pattern in which the stop button corresponding to the first reel is stopped first, the third probability is higher than the first and second probabilities, and when the specific winning pattern is won and multiple stop buttons are operated in the fourth operation pattern, if the symbols on the first reel that constitute the winning symbol combination of the fourth type of small win are stopped on the active line, the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped on the active line is greater than if other symbols are stopped on the active line.

[0191] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1A" is won and the stop button B1 is pressed for the first stop operation, the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped on the active line L1 is greater when the symbol on the left reel R1 that constitutes the winning symbol combination for small win 27 is stopped on the active line L1 than when the symbol on the left reel R1 that constitutes the winning symbol combination for small win 16 or the winning symbol combination for small win 41 is stopped on the active line L1. In reel stop control based on the above, by performing reel stop control by number priority control without performing reel stop control using a stop control table based on a first stop operation to stop button B1, the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination for minor role 27 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 in priority to the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination for minor role 16 or the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination for minor role 41, thereby reducing the data capacity related to the stop control table and reducing the data capacity related to reel stop control.

[0192] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination of the winning symbol 27, which has a winning probability of 1 / 1 among the winning symbols that can be won multiple times in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1A", are different symbols from the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination of a different winning symbol from the winning symbol 27 among the winning symbols included in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1A".

[0193] In other words, in slot machine 1, the symbols on the first reel that constitute the winning combinations for the fourth type of small win included in the specific winning pattern, the symbols on the first reel that constitute the winning combinations for the second type of small win, and the symbols on the first reel that constitute the winning combinations for the third type of small win are all different symbols.

[0194] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1A" is won and the stop button B1 is pressed for the first stop operation, the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped on the active line L1 is greater when the symbol of the left reel R1 constituting the winning symbol combination of minor role 27 is stopped on the active line L1 than when the symbol of the left reel R1 constituting the winning symbol combination of minor role 16 or the symbol of the left reel R1 constituting the winning symbol combination of minor role 41 is stopped on the active line L1, and the symbol of the left reel R1 constituting the winning symbol combination of minor role 27 is also used for the symbol of the left reel R1 constituting the winning symbol combination of minor role 16 and the winning symbol combination of minor role 41. Because the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combination are different, by performing reel stop control using quantity priority control, the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combination of small win 27 are stopped and displayed on the active line L1, taking priority over the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combination of small win 16 or the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combination of small win 41. Furthermore, because the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combination of small win 27 are stopped and displayed on the active line L1, the small wins that can be won in this game are limited to small win 27. Therefore, reel stop control that makes small win 27 possible can be won without using a stop control table can be realized, and the data capacity related to reel stop control can be reduced.

[0195] As shown in Figures 12 to 15, in slot machine 1, for the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 1D", "Bat Order Bell 2A" to "Bat Order Bell 2D", "Bat Order Bell 3A", "Bat Order Bell 3B", "Bat Order Bell 4A", and "Bat Order Bell 4B", the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped when the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination of a small win with a winning probability set to 1 / 1 are stopped is greater than the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped when the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination of a small win with a winning probability set to 1 / 2 are stopped, and the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped when the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination of a small win with a winning probability set to 1 / 8 are stopped.

[0196] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 1D", "Batting Order Bell 2A" to "Batting Order Bell 2D", "Batting Order Bell 3A", "Batting Order Bell 3B", "Batting Order Bell 4A", and "Batting Order Bell 4B", the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combinations for the small wins with a winning probability set to 1 / 1 are different from the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combinations for other small wins that can be won simultaneously.

[0197] On the other hand, in slot machine 1, for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 3C", "Batting Order Bell 3D", "Batting Order Bell 4C", and "Batting Order Bell 4D", the symbol on the left reel R1 that constitutes the winning symbol combination of 28 small wins with a winning probability of 1 / 1, and the symbol on the left reel R1 that constitutes the winning symbol combination of small wins 22 and 23 among the small wins with a winning probability of 1 / 2, are both the same watermelon symbol "WM", and when stop button B1 is pressed as the first stop operation... In this game, reel stop control is performed using quantity priority control, causing the watermelon symbol "WM" to stop and be displayed on the lower part of the left reel R1. When stop button B2 or stop button B3 is pressed as the second stop, reel stop control using the stop control table is performed, causing the symbols on the middle reel R2 or the right reel R3 that constitute the winning symbol combination for small win 28 to stop and be displayed on the active line L1, thus limiting the small wins that can be won in this game to small win 28.

[0198] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, in addition to the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 1D", "Batting Order Bell 2A" to "Batting Order Bell 2D", "Batting Order Bell 3A", "Batting Order Bell 3B", "Batting Order Bell 4A", and "Batting Order Bell 4B", as well as the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 3C", "Batting Order Bell 3D", "Batting Order Bell 4C", and "Batting Order Bell 4D", the symbols on the left reel R1 that make up the winning combinations of small wins with a winning probability set to 1 / 2 and small wins with a winning probability set to 1 / 8 are all different symbols.

[0199] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in any of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 4D", the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of the winning symbols for the winning symbols with a winning probability set to 1 / 2 and the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of the winning symbols with a winning probability set to 1 / 8 are different from each other. Therefore, when the stop button B1 is pressed for the first stop operation, there are no symbols on the left reel R1 that would allow the winning symbols with a winning probability set to 1 / 2 and the winning symbols with a winning probability set to 1 / 8 to be won, so the winning probability is set to 1 / 1 and the payout is 1 coin. When designing a configuration in which a set small win is made possible by executing reel stop control by number priority control when the stop button B1 is pressed as the first stop operation, the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed when the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination of a small win with a winning probability set to 1 / 2 are stopped separately, and the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed when the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination of a small win with a winning probability set to 1 / 8 are stopped separately, and the winning symbol combination of a small win with a winning probability set to 1 / 1 can be designed, thereby reducing the design cost of the small win configuration of the slot machine 1.

[0200] In this embodiment, the left reel R1 constitutes the first reel, the middle reel R2 constitutes the second reel, and the right reel R3 constitutes the third reel. Furthermore, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D" constitute multiple types of specific winning patterns in this embodiment, and by setting the payout to 13 coins, which is higher than the payout for the single coins of the small wins 14 to 44, the small wins 1 to 8, which are more advantageous to the player when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D" than when winning the small wins 14 to 44, constitute the first type of small win in this embodiment. Furthermore, the winning combinations 14 to 23, which can be won with a probability of 1 / 2 as the first probability, constitute the second type of winning combination in this embodiment, the winning combinations 29 to 44, which can be won with a probability of 1 / 8 as the second probability, constitute the third type of winning combination in this embodiment, and the winning combinations 27 and 28, which can be won with a probability of 1 / 1 as the third probability, constitute the fourth type of winning combination in this embodiment. Furthermore, the game consists of either batting order 3 or batting order 4, in which the stop button B2 corresponding to the middle reel R2, which is different from the left reel R1, is first stopped, and batting order 5 or batting order 6, in which the stop button B3 corresponding to the right reel R3, which is different from the left reel R1, is first stopped. When the game is won in the winning area "batting order bell 1A" to the winning area "batting order bell 4D", the correct batting order set to enable winning combinations 1 to 8 constitutes the first operation mode in this embodiment, and the stop button that is first stopped in the correct batting order is the same as the second stop button. In this embodiment, an incorrect spin sequence in which the stop button being stopped is different from the second stop button being stopped in the correct spin sequence constitutes the second spin mode; in this embodiment, an incorrect spin sequence in which stop button B2 or stop button B3 is stopped first, and the stop button being stopped first is different from the first stop button being stopped in the correct spin sequence, constitutes the third spin mode; and in this embodiment, an incorrect spin sequence in which stop button B1 corresponding to the left reel R1 is stopped first constitutes the fourth spin mode.

[0201] <Winning Area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" ~ Winning Area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 6" - Minor Wins Included> Next, we will explain the details of the small wins included in the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 6" using Figure 16. Figure 16 is a diagram that explains the small wins included in the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 6", and the small wins that can be won for each batting order.

[0202] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, slot machine 1 is configured such that when a player wins in the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 6", the probability of winning a small prize is 1 / 1 regardless of the batting order in which the machine is operated.

[0203] As shown in Figure 16, in slot machine 1, if the correct batting order is set to batting order 1 and the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Payout 1" is selected, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 2, which is one of the incorrect batting orders and shares the same stop button as the correct batting order, then there is a 1 / 1 probability of winning small payout 27. In addition, in slot machine 1, if the correct batting order is set to batting order 2 and the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Payout 2" is selected, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1, which is one of the incorrect batting orders and shares the same stop button as the correct batting order, then there is a 1 / 1 probability of winning small payout 27.

[0204] As described above, the small win 27 is a small win that is set to pay out one coin with a 1 / 1 probability when the correct batting order is set to one of the following winning areas: "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 1D", "Batting Order Bell 2A" to "Batting Order Bell 2D", "Batting Order Bell 3A", "Batting Order Bell 3B", "Batting Order Bell 4A", or "Batting Order Bell 4B", and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with batting order 1 or 2, which are not set as the correct batting order in any of the following winning areas: "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 1D", "Batting Order Bell 2A" to "Batting Order Bell 2D", "Batting Order Bell 3A", "Batting Order Bell 3B", "Batting Order Bell 4A", or "Batting Order Bell 4B".

[0205] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning area "RBB&3-coin win 1" is set in the first turn of turn, which allows the player to win the small win 11, which is set to pay out 3 coins, and the small win is awarded when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the second turn; the winning area "RBB&3-coin win 2" is set in the second turn, which allows the player to win the small win 11, which is set to pay out 3 coins, and the small win is awarded when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the first turn; and the winning area "Battle Bell 1A" to "Battle Bell" is set in the first turn, which allows the player to win the small win 1 to 8, which are set to pay out 13 coins, and the winning area "Battle Bell 1A" to "Battle Bell" is set in the first turn, which allows the player to win the small win 11, which is set to pay out 3 coins, and the winning area "Battle Bell 1A" to "Battle Bell" is set in the first turn, which allows the player to win the small win 1 to 8, which are set to pay out 1 in the first turn, which allows the player to win the small win 1 to 8, which are set in the first turn, which allows the player to win the small win 1 to 8, which are set in the first turn, which allows the player to win the small win 1 to 8, which are set in the first turn, which allows the player to win the small win 1 to 8, which are set in the first turn, which allows the player to win The small prize awarded when a player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 2A" to "Bat Order Bell 2D", "Bat Order Bell 3A", "Bat Order Bell 3B", "Bat Order Bell 4A", or "Bat Order Bell 4B", and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 or batting order 2, which are not set as the correct batting order in any of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 1D", "Bat Order Bell 2A" to "Bat Order Bell 2D", "Bat Order Bell 3A", "Bat Order Bell 3B", "Bat Order Bell 4A", or "Bat Order Bell 4B", is the same small prize 27.

[0206] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a program and stop control data related to reel stop control used to make it possible to win a small win 27, which is set to pay out 1 coin, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a spinning sequence in which stop button B1 is operated as the first stop among incorrect spinning sequences, and the winning area "RBB&Spinning Sequence 3-coin win 1" and the winning area "RBB&Spinning Sequence 3-coin win 2" are set to pay out 3 coins for the small win that is won when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a correct spinning sequence, and the winning area "Spinning Sequence Bell 1A" to the winning area "Spinning Sequence Bell 1D" are set to pay out 13 coins for the small win that is won when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a correct spinning sequence, The selection area "Batting Order Bell 2A" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 2D", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 3A", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 3B", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4A", and the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4B" can be standardized, and the data capacity required for the program and stop control data related to reel stop control used to enable the winning of small role 27 when winning in the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 1", "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 2", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1A" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1D", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 2A" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 2D", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 3A", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 3B", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4A", and the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4B" can be reduced.

[0207] The winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 1D", "Batting Order Bell 2A" to "Batting Order Bell 2D", "Batting Order Bell 3A", "Batting Order Bell 3B", "Batting Order Bell 4A", and "Batting Order Bell 4B" constitute the first specific winning pattern in this embodiment, and the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Combination 1" and "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Combination 2" constitute the second specific winning pattern in this embodiment. In addition, minor roles 1 to 6 constitute the first minor role in this embodiment, minor role 11 constitutes the second minor role in this embodiment, and minor role 27 constitutes the third minor role in this embodiment. Furthermore, the correct batting order set in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 1D", "Batting Order Bell 2A" to "Batting Order Bell 2D", "Batting Order Bell 3A", "Batting Order Bell 3B", "Batting Order Bell 4A", and "Batting Order Bell 4B" constitutes the first specific operation mode in this embodiment, and the first stop operation is performed on the correct batting order among the incorrect batting orders set in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 1D", "Batting Order Bell 2A" to "Batting Order Bell 2D", "Batting Order Bell 3A", "Batting Order Bell 3B", "Batting Order Bell 4A", and "Batting Order Bell 4B". In this embodiment, the operation mode in which stop button B1 is first stopped constitutes the fifth specific operation mode, the correct batting order set in the winning area "RBB&3-coin batting order 1" and the winning area "RBB&3-coin batting order 2" constitutes the third specific operation mode, and the batting order in this embodiment where the first stop button among the incorrect batting orders set in the winning area "RBB&3-coin batting order 1" and the winning area "RBB&3-coin batting order 2" is the same as the first stop button in the correct batting order, and the second stop button is different from the second stop button in the correct batting order constitutes the sixth specific operation mode.

[0208] As shown in Figure 16, in slot machine 1, when the correct batting order is set to batting order 3 and the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 3" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with an incorrect batting order, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with batting orders 4 to 6 among the incorrect batting orders, then one of the small wins 29 to 36 is awarded, and the probability of winning a small win is set to 1 / 1.

[0209] Specifically, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "RBB & 3-coin win in batting order" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated during batting order 4 among the incorrect batting orders, stop button B3 is performed as the second stop operation, and reel stop control is performed by prioritizing the number of symbols. As a result, symbols that can be stopped on the active line L1 based on the timing of stop button B3 operation are stopped and displayed on the lower part of the right reel R3, which constitutes the winning symbol combinations of small wins 29 to small wins 36. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "RBB & 3-coin win in batting order" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated during batting order 5 and 6 among the incorrect batting orders, stop button B3 is performed as the first stop operation, and reel stop control is performed by prioritizing the number of symbols. As a result, symbols that can be stopped on the active line L1 based on the timing of stop button B3 operation are stopped and displayed on the lower part of the right reel R3, which constitutes the winning symbol combinations of small wins 29 to small wins 36.

[0210] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when the correct batting order is set to batting order 4 and the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with an incorrect batting order, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with batting order 3, 5, or 6 among the incorrect batting orders, then one of the small wins 29 to 36 will be awarded, resulting in a small win probability of 1 / 1.

[0211] Specifically, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "RBB & 3-coin win 4" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated during the 3rd incorrect batting order, stop button B1 is performed as the second stop, and reel stop control is executed by prioritizing the number of symbols. As a result, symbols that can be stopped on the active line L1 based on the timing of stop button B1 operation are stopped and displayed on the lower part of left reel R1, which constitutes the winning symbol combinations of small wins 29 to small wins 36. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "RBB & 3-coin win in batting order 4" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated during batting order 5 and 6 among the incorrect batting orders, stop button B3 is performed as the first stop operation, and reel stop control is performed by prioritizing the number of symbols. As a result, symbols that can be stopped on the active line L1 based on the timing of stop button B3 operation are stopped and displayed on the lower part of the right reel R3, which constitutes the winning symbol combinations of small wins 29 to small wins 36.

[0212] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when the correct batting order is set to batting order 5 and the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 5" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with an incorrect batting order, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with batting order 3 or 4 of the incorrect batting order, either small win 14 or small win 15 will be awarded, resulting in a small win probability of 1 / 1. Also, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with batting order 6 of the incorrect batting order, either small win 37 to small win 44 will be awarded, resulting in a small win probability of 1 / 1.

[0213] Specifically, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "RBB & 3-coin win 5" is selected, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated during incorrect batting sequences 3 and 4, stop button B2 is pressed as the first stop, and reel stopping control is performed by prioritizing the number of symbols. As a result, the cherry symbol "CH", which is the symbol of the middle reel R2 that constitutes the winning symbol combinations of small win 14 and small win 15, is displayed on the lower part of the middle reel R2, thus limiting the small wins that can be won in that game to either small win 14 or small win 15. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "RBB & 3-coin win 5" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated during the 6th incorrect batting order, stop button B2 is operated as the second stop, and reel stop control is performed by prioritizing the number of symbols. As a result, symbols that can be stopped on the active line L1 based on the timing of stop button B2 operation are stopped and displayed on the lower part of the middle reel R2, which constitutes the winning symbol combinations of small wins 37 to small wins 44. Thus, the small wins that can be won in that game are limited to any of small wins 37 to small wins 44.

[0214] In slot machine 1, when the correct batting order is set to batting order 6 and the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 6" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with an incorrect batting order, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with batting order 3 or 4 of the incorrect batting order, either small win 14 or small win 15 will be awarded, making the probability of winning a small win 1 / 1. Furthermore, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with batting order 5 of the incorrect batting order, either small win 37 to small win 44 will be awarded, making the probability of winning a small win 1 / 1.

[0215] Specifically, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "RBB & 3-coin win 6" is selected, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated during incorrect batting sequences 3 and 4, stop button B2 is pressed as the first stop, and reel stopping control is performed by prioritizing the number of symbols. As a result, the cherry symbol "CH", which is the symbol of the middle reel R2 that constitutes the winning symbol combinations of small win 14 and small win 15, is displayed on the lower part of the middle reel R2, thus limiting the small wins that can be won in that game to either small win 14 or small win 15. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "RBB & 3-coin win in batting order 6" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated during batting order 5 among the incorrect batting orders, stop button B1 is performed as the second stop operation, and reel stop control is performed by prioritizing the number of symbols. As a result, symbols that can be stopped on the active line L1 based on the timing of stop button B1 operation are stopped and displayed on the lower part of left reel R1, which constitutes the winning symbol combinations of small wins 37 to small wins 44.

[0216] As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 11, in slot machine 1, when it is possible to win small wins 14 and 15, the watermelon symbol "WM", which is the symbol of the left reel R1 that constitutes the winning symbol combination for small wins 14 and 15, can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of operation of stop button B1, and the cherry symbol "CH", which is the symbol of the middle reel R2 that constitutes the winning symbol combination for small wins 14 and 15, can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of operation of stop button B2. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when it is possible to win small wins 14 and 15, small win 14 is possible when the timing of operating stop button B3 is such that the red 7 symbol "red 7" can be stopped on active line L1, or the BAR symbol "BAR" can be stopped on active line L1. Small win 15 is possible when the timing of operating stop button B3 is such that the blank A symbol "BKA" can be stopped on active line L1, or the blank B symbol "BKB" can be stopped on active line L1.

[0217] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4, 7, and 11, in slot machine 1, when it is possible to win small wins 29 to 36, small wins 29 to 32 are possible when the timing of operating stop button B1 is such that the red 7 symbol "red 7" can be stopped on the active line L1, or when the BAR symbol "BAR" can be stopped on the active line L1. Small wins 33 to 36 are possible when the timing of operating stop button B1 is such that the blank A symbol "BKA" can be stopped on the active line L1, or when the blank B symbol "BKB" can be stopped on the active line L1. In addition, in slot machine 1, when it is possible to win small wins 29 to 36, the bell symbol "BL", which is the symbol of the middle reel R2 that constitutes the winning symbol combination of small wins 29 to 36, can be stopped on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of operating stop button B2. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when it is possible to win small wins 29 to 36, if the timing of operating stop button B3 is such that the red 7 symbol "red 7" can be stopped on active line L1, small wins 29 and 33 can be won; if the timing of operating stop button B3 is such that the BAR symbol "BAR" can be stopped on active line L1, small wins 30 and 34 can be won; if the timing of operating stop button B3 is such that the blank A symbol "BKA" can be stopped on active line L1, small wins 31 and 35 can be won; and if the timing of operating stop button B3 is such that the blank B symbol "BKB" can be stopped on active line L1, small wins 32 and 36 can be won.

[0218] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4, 7, and 11, in slot machine 1, when it is possible to win small wins 37 to 44, small wins 37 to 40 are possible when the timing of operating stop button B1 is such that the red 7 symbol "red 7" can be stopped on the active line L1, or when the BAR symbol "BAR" can be stopped on the active line L1. Small wins 41 to 44 are possible when the timing of operating stop button B1 is such that the blank A symbol "BKA" can be stopped on the active line L1, or when the blank B symbol "BKB" can be stopped on the active line L1. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when it is possible to win small wins 37 to 44, if the timing of operating stop button B2 is such that the red 7 symbol "Red 7" can be stopped on active line L1, small wins 37 and 41 can be won. If the timing of operating stop button B2 is such that the BAR symbol "BAR" can be stopped on active line L1, small wins 38 and 42 can be won. If the timing of operating stop button B2 is such that the blank A symbol "BKA" can be stopped on active line L1, small wins 39 and 43 can be won. If the timing of operating stop button B2 is such that the blank B symbol "BKB" can be stopped on active line L1, small wins 40 and 44 can be won. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when it is possible to win small wins 37 to 44, the replay symbol "RP", which is the symbol of the right reel R3 that constitutes the winning symbol combination of small wins 37 to 44, can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, regardless of the timing of operation of stop button B3.

[0219] As described above, in slot machine 1, the pull-in ranges of the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", and the blank B symbol "BKB" in the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 do not overlap with each other, and each consists of 5 out of 20 frames. Therefore, in each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, if any of the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", and the blank B symbol "BKB" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, then, depending on the timing of the operation of the stop button corresponding to each reel, one of the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the blank A symbol "BKA", and the blank B symbol "BKB" will be stopped and displayed on the active line L1.

[0220] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a win is possible when the timing of operating the stop button B3 is such that the symbols on the right reel R3 that constitute the winning symbol combination can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1. Since both the minor role 14 and minor role 15, which have a winning probability of 1 / 2, are included in the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 5" and the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 6", the machine is configured such that when the machine wins in the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 5" or the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 6", and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 and batting order 4, one of the minor roles set to pay 1 coin will be awarded regardless of the timing of the operation of the stop button B3.

[0221] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a win is possible when the timing of operation of stop buttons B1 and B3 is such that the symbols of the left reel R1 and right reel R3 that constitute the winning symbol combination can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1. Since all of the minor roles 29 to 36, which have a winning probability of 1 / 8, are included in the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 3" and the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 4", the machine is configured such that when the machine wins in the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 3" and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting orders 4 to 6, and when the machine wins in the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 4" and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting orders 3, 5, and 6, one of the minor roles set to pay out 1 coin will be awarded regardless of the timing of operation of stop buttons B1 and B3.

[0222] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a win is possible when the timing of operation of stop buttons B1 and B2 is such that the symbols of the left reel R1 and middle reel R2 that constitute the winning symbol combination can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1. Since all of the minor roles 37 to 44, which have a winning probability of 1 / 8, are included in the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 5" and the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 6", the machine is configured such that when the machine wins the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 5" and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 6, and when the machine wins the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 6" and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5, one of the minor roles set to pay out 1 coin will be awarded regardless of the timing of operation of stop buttons B1 and B2.

[0223] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 4D" are winning areas used to enhance the performance of acquiring game value in AT games by making it possible to win small wins 1 to 8, which are set to pay out 13 coins, when the game is played according to the prize-winning assistance. The winning areas "RBB & Bat Order 3-Coin Win 3" to "RBB & Bat Order 3-Coin Win 6" are winning areas used to suppress an excessive decrease in the performance of acquiring game value when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in each batting order from batting order 3 to batting order 6 in games where prize-winning assistance is not performed, by making it possible to win small wins 11 and 12, which are set to pay out 3 coins, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to batting order 6. Each of these winning areas has the common function of allowing different small wins depending on the batting order, but each has a different function related to the performance of acquiring game value in the gaming machine.

[0224] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment uses small roles 14, 15, 29 to 44, which are designed so that if the machine is operated with an incorrect batting order in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D", a small role set to pay out one coin can be won with a probability of 1 / 2 or 1 / 8, and when the machine is hit in the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 3" to "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Role 6", and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with an incorrect batting order, there is a 1 / 1 probability The system can be designed so that a small win with a payout of 1 coin is possible, and if the winning area is selected from "RBB&3-coin win 3" to "RBB&3-coin win 6" and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated with an incorrect batting order, there is no need to separately prepare a small win with a payout of 1 coin that has a 1 / 1 probability of being won. As a result, the data capacity related to the small win and the data capacity of the program and stop control data related to the reel stop control that makes the small win possible can be reduced.

[0225] The winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D" constitute multiple types of first winning patterns in this embodiment, and the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 3" to "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 6" constitute the second winning pattern in this embodiment. Furthermore, the small wins 1 to 8, which are set to pay out 13 coins, constitute the small wins of the first payout in this embodiment, the small wins 11 and 12, which are set to pay out 3 coins, constitute the small wins of the second payout in this embodiment, and the small wins 14 to 44, which are set to pay out 1 coin, constitute the small wins of the third payout in this embodiment.

[0226] Furthermore, if there are multiple types of first winning patterns, such as winning area "Batting Order Bell 1A" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 1D", winning area "Batting Order Bell 2A" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 2D", then the correct batting orders set in each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 1D" and winning area "Batting Order Bell 2A" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 2D" constitute the first specific operation pattern, batting orders 5 and 6 among the incorrect batting orders constitute the second specific operation pattern, and winning area "RBB & 3-coin batting order combination 5" and winning area "RBB & 3-coin batting order combination 6" constitute the second winning pattern. The correct batting order set for the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 5" and the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 6" constitute the third specific operation mode, and the batting order in which the first stop button operated is the same as the first stop button operated in the correct batting order, and the second stop button operated is different from the second stop button operated in the correct batting order constitutes the fourth specific operation mode, and the small wins 37 to 44 constitute multiple types of specific small wins, and the winning probability of small wins 37 to 44, which is 1 / 8, constitutes a predetermined probability.

[0227] Furthermore, if there are multiple types of first winning patterns, such as winning area "Batting Order Bell 3A" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 3D", winning area "Batting Order Bell 4A" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4D", the correct batting order set in each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 3A" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 3D" and winning area "Batting Order Bell 4A" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4D" constitutes the first specific operation pattern, batting order 3 and batting order 4 among the incorrect batting orders constitute the second specific operation pattern, winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Combination 3", winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Combination 4" constitutes the second winning pattern, and winning area " The correct batting order set for each of the winning areas, "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 3" and "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4", constitutes the third specific operation mode. Batting orders in which the first stop button operated is the same as the first stop button operated in the correct batting order, and the second stop button operated is different from the second stop button operated in the correct batting order, along with batting order 5 and batting order 6, constitute the fourth specific operation mode. Small wins 29 to 36 constitute multiple types of specific small wins, and the winning probability of small wins 29 to 36, which is 1 / 8, constitutes a predetermined probability.

[0228] Furthermore, if there are multiple types of first winning patterns, the winning area "Batting Order Bell 2A" and the winning area "Batting Order Bell 2B" are, then the correct batting order set in each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 2A" and "Batting Order Bell 2B" constitutes the first specific operation pattern, and among the incorrect batting orders, the stop button that is stopped first is the same as the stop button that is stopped first in the correct batting order, and the stop button that is stopped second is different from the stop button that is stopped second in the correct batting order is, The game consists of two specific operation modes, with the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 5" and the winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 6" constituting the second winning mode, the correct batting order set in each of the winning areas "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 5" and "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 6" constituting the third specific operation mode, batting order 3 and batting order 4 among the incorrect batting orders constituting the fourth specific operation mode, minor wins 14 and 15 constituting multiple types of specific minor wins, and the winning probability of minor wins 14 and 15, which is 1 / 2, constituting a predetermined probability.

[0229] 5. Summary of this embodiment As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in any of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 4D", the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations for the winning symbols with a winning probability of 1 / 2 and the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations for the winning symbols with a winning probability of 1 / 8 are different from each other. Therefore, when the stop button B1 is pressed for the first stop operation, there are no symbols on the left reel R1 that would allow the winning symbols with a winning probability of 1 / 2 and the winning symbols with a winning probability of 1 / 8 to be won, so the winning probability is set to 1 / 1 and the payout is set to 1 coin. When designing a configuration in which a winning combination is made possible by executing reel stop control by number priority control when the stop button B1 is pressed as the first stop operation, the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed when the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination of a winning combination with a winning probability set to 1 / 2 are stopped separately, and the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed when the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination of a winning combination with a winning probability set to 1 / 8 are stopped separately, and the winning symbol combination of a winning combination with a winning probability set to 1 / 1 can be designed, thereby reducing the design cost of the winning combination configuration of the slot machine 1.

[0230] 6. Variations In this embodiment, slot machine 1 has small wins 1 to 8, each with a payout of 13 coins as a first-payout small win, and small wins 11 and 12, each with a payout of 3 coins as a second-payout small win, but is not limited to this. The first-payout small win and the second-payout small win may, for example, have the same payout.

[0231] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a probability of winning each of the specific small win combinations 14 and 15 set to 1 / 2, and the probability of winning each of the small win combinations 29 to 44 set to 1 / 8, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may have a probability of winning each of the small win combinations that make up the specific small win combination, such as 1 / 4 or 1 / 16.

[0232] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a first type of small win which is set to pay 13 coins, making it more advantageous than the second and third types of small wins which are each set to pay 1 coin, but it is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may have a first type of small win which is set to pay the same amount, such as 1 coin, for all of the first to third types of small wins, and when a specific winning pattern is won, the game is executed in accordance with the prize-winning assistance performed by the AT control means 170, making it possible to win the first type of small win, and a bonus related to the instruction function is granted based on the fact that the bonus was won by executing the game in accordance with the prize-winning assistance, and when the second or third type of small win is won, the bonus is not granted or the probability of it being granted is lower than when the first type of small win is won.

[0233] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of the second type of small win (small wins 14 to 23), the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of the third type of small win (small wins 29 to 44), and the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination of the fourth type of small win (small win 27) are all different symbols, but the machine is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 only needs to consist of different symbols for the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of the second type of small win and the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of the third type of small win, and the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of the fourth type of small win may be configured to include either the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of the second type of small win or the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combinations of the third type of small win.

[0234] Even in this configuration, when the slot machine 1 is designed to allow the fourth type of small win to be awarded when the stop button corresponding to the first reel is first stopped in the event of winning one of several specific types of small wins, the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed when the symbols on the first reel constituting the winning symbol combinations of the second type of small win are stopped, and the number of symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed when the symbols on the first reel constituting the winning symbol combinations of the third type of small win are stopped, can be considered separately, and the winning symbol combinations of the fourth type of small win can be designed, thereby reducing the design cost of the small win configuration of the slot machine 1.

[0235] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a second small win, the payout of which is set to 3 coins, and the payout of which is set to be higher than 1 coin, but it is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 only needs to have a payout for the second small win that is higher than the payout for the third small win, and for example, the payout may be 2 coins, which is less than the specified number, or 4 coins or more, which is more than the specified number.

[0236] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a third-prize combination 27, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to have multiple types of third-prize combinations, and when a first winning pattern is achieved and multiple stop buttons are pressed in a fifth operation pattern, one of the multiple types of third-prize combinations is awarded, and when a second winning pattern is achieved and multiple stop buttons are pressed in a sixth operation pattern, one of the multiple types of third-prize combinations is awarded.

[0237] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has small wins 27 and 28, which are set to pay out one coin when a winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 4D" is won and the stop button B1 is stopped for the first time. The symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination for small win 27 and the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination for small win 28 are composed of different symbols, but are not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may have multiple types of small wins which are set to pay out one coin when a winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 4D" is won and the stop button B1 is stopped for the first time, and the symbols on the left reel R1 that constitute the winning symbol combination for each of the multiple types of small wins may be a common symbol.

[0238] With this configuration, when the stop button B1 is pressed as the first stop and the common symbol is displayed on the lower part of the left reel R1, it is not possible to determine which of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 4D" has been won, thus preventing the result of the internal lottery from being inferred and thus preventing it from affecting the player's enjoyment of the game. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the symbol displayed on the lower part of the left reel R1 when the stop button B1 is pressed as the first stop from frequently being a symbol different from the common symbol, thereby preventing the symbol different from the common symbol from being displayed on the lower part of the left reel R1 and giving the player an excessive sense of anticipation.

[0239] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has multiple types of second winning patterns, ranging from winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 3" to winning area "RBB & Batting Order 3-Coin Win 6," but is not limited to these. The slot machine 1 only needs to be configured to have at least one second winning pattern.

[0240] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to perform a third operation mode of prize-winning assistance, which enables the winning of small prizes 11 and 12 when the internal lottery in the AT state selects one of several second winning modes, namely winning areas "RBB & 3-coin win 3" to "RBB & 3-coin win 6". However, it is not limited to this. For example, if the slot machine 1 is configured to have a winning area where the second-paying small prize can be won when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 or batting order 2, the slot machine 1 may be configured not to perform prize-winning assistance even when the internal lottery in the AT state selects one of several second winning modes, namely winning areas "RBB & 3-coin win 3" to "RBB & 3-coin win 6".

[0241] In other words, the slot machine 1 may have a third specific operation mode that enables the winning of a second payout when the second winning mode is won, which may consist of either a recommended batting order or a batting order different from the recommended batting order, and may also have a configuration that provides prize-winning assistance when the second winning mode is won in AT state, or a configuration that does not provide prize-winning assistance.

[0242] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT control means 170 is configured not to perform assistance for winning minor roles 1 to 8 when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4D" is selected in the internal lottery during the CZ state, but it is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to perform assistance for winning minor roles 1 to 8 by determining by lottery whether or not to perform assistance for winning minor roles 1 to 8 when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4D" is selected in the internal lottery during the CZ state.

[0243] In the CZ state, if the slot machine 1 is configured to perform prize assistance for small wins 1 to 8 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 4D" is selected by lottery, it is preferable that the payout rate in the performance state in which prize assistance is performed by the lottery does not exceed 100%.

[0244] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to manage the duration of the AT state by the number of games played, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to manage the duration of the AT state by the difference in the number of tokens won, or by the number of times small wins 1 to 8 are won.

[0245] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to have a medal count control means 300 of a medal count control CPU 31 as a management control means that manages electronic medals and can communicate with a dedicated unit SU, and a main control CPU 11 as a game control means that controls games played using electronic medals, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured without a medal count control board 30, and the various functions mounted on the medal count control board 30 may be realized by various functions mounted on the main control board 10, so that the main control CPU 11 functions as a management control means that manages electronic medals and can communicate with a dedicated unit SU.

[0246] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured not to notify whether or not it is in a favorable period, but it is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to notify whether or not it is in a favorable period when, for example, the expected value of acquiring electronic medals becomes 1 or more due to the assistance of winning small roles.

[0247] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has multiple reels, from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and multiple stop buttons, from stop buttons B1 to stop buttons B3, corresponding to the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. However, it is not limited to this, and may also have, for example, a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0248] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a predetermined number of electronic tokens, but it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be configured to have a single bet button for inserting one electronic token in addition to the max bet button MB.

[0249] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set initial values ​​for the stored values ​​of each counter and storage means, and to perform decrement updates that subtract 1 each time a game is played, or increment updates that add 1 each time a game is played. However, the method for updating each counter and storage means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0250] 1. Slot machine (amusement machine) 120 Internal drawing method B1 Stop button B2 Stop button B3 Stop button R1 Left reel (1st reel) R2 Middle reel (2nd reel) R3 Right reel (3rd reel)

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple reels, Multiple stop buttons, It comprises an internal lottery means for conducting an internal lottery, The aforementioned plurality of reels include a first reel, a second reel, a third reel, In the aforementioned internal lottery, the success or failure of multiple types of winning patterns, each having at least one of multiple types of roles, is determined. The aforementioned multiple types of winning patterns include multiple types of specific winning patterns, The aforementioned multiple types of specific winning patterns include, respectively, a first type of minor role, a second type of minor role, and a third type of minor role. The first type of minor prize can be awarded with a third probability when the specific winning pattern is selected and the multiple stop buttons are stopped in the first operation pattern. The second type of minor prize can be won with a first probability when the specific winning pattern is selected and the multiple stop buttons are stopped in the second operation pattern. The third type of minor prize can be won with a second probability when the specific winning pattern is selected and the multiple stop buttons are stopped in the third operation pattern. When the aforementioned specific winning pattern is achieved, and the first type of minor role is awarded, it is more advantageous for the player than when the second type of minor role or the third type of minor role is awarded. The first operating mode is an operating mode in which a stop button corresponding to a reel different from the first reel is first stopped, The second operating mode is an operating mode in which the stop button that is first stopped is the same as the stop button that is first stopped in the first operating mode, and the stop button that is second stopped is different from the stop button that is second stopped in the first operating mode. The third operating mode is an operating mode in which a stop button corresponding to a reel different from the first reel is first stopped, and the stop button that is first stopped is a different operating mode from the stop button that is first stopped in the first operating mode. The first probability is lower than the third probability. The first probability is a higher probability than the second probability. The symbols on the first reel that constitute the combination of winning symbols for the second type of minor role included in the specified winning pattern, and the symbols on the first reel that constitute the combination of winning symbols for the third type of minor role, are different from each other. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

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