Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of suppressing an excessive speculative mind.SOLUTION: A game machine has a first game state, and a second game state that can be started when a bonus is won. A first small winning combination is won if multiple stop buttons are operated in a correct operation mode when a specific winning mode is won in the second game state, and a second small winning combination is won also if one of multiple kinds of specific winning modes is won when multiple stop buttons are operated in an operation mode for stopping a first reel first from among operation modes different from the correct operation mode. A probability of winning of the first small winning combination when the specific winning mode is won in the first game state is lower than a probability of winning of the first small winning combination when the specific winning mode is won in the second game state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a gaming machine (rotary gaming machine, slot machine) having a plurality of reels with symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface has been known. This type of gaming machine gives a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and performs a game for acquiring such gaming media. Further, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery and starts the rotation of a plurality of reels upon a rotation start operation by a player, and controls to stop the plurality of reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon a stop operation 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, as an effect state for executing a winning assist for assisting a winning of a combination, a configuration is known in which the winning probability of a combination is varied and it is made easier to obtain a gaming value by shifting to an assist time state. Further, a configuration for suppressing an excessive grant of a gaming value by starting a period during which the winning assist is not executed after the end of the assist time state is disclosed (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 the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, the system is configured to determine by lottery whether or not to end the period during which no prize-winning assistance is performed. If the lottery quickly determines that the period during which no prize-winning assistance is performed will end, the assist time state may be restarted prematurely, which could make it difficult to suppress the excessive gambling aspect of the gaming machine.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can suppress excessive gambling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention relates to a plurality of reels, Multiple stop buttons, An internal lottery method for conducting an internal lottery, Game state transition control means for controlling transitions between multiple types of game states. And, equipped with, 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 scenarios is determined. The aforementioned multiple types of winning patterns include specific winning patterns. The aforementioned specific winning patterns include the first minor role, the second minor role, and the third minor role. The aforementioned first minor role is set to have a higher payout than the aforementioned second minor role and the aforementioned third minor role. For each of the multiple types of specified winning patterns, a correct operation pattern is set as the operation pattern of the multiple stop buttons. The operation mode in which the first reel is stopped first is not set as the correct operation mode in any of the aforementioned specific winning modes. The specified winning mode includes an operation mode in which the second reel is stopped first that is the correct operation mode, and an operation mode in which the third reel is stopped first that is the correct operation mode, and the specified winning mode does not include an operation mode in which the first reel is stopped first that is the correct operation mode. The aforementioned multiple types of game states include a first game state and a second game state, The second game state can be entered when a bonus is won in the internal lottery during the first game state. In the case where the internal lottery in the second game state results in the selection of the specific winning pattern, When the multiple stop buttons are operated in the correct operation mode described above, the first minor prize is awarded. If the multiple stop buttons are operated in an operation mode different from the correct operation mode described above, specifically in an operation mode that stops the first reel first, then in any of the multiple types of specific winning modes, the second small win will be awarded. If, among the operation modes different from the correct operation mode, the multiple stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which the second reel or the third reel is stopped first, and the third small win is awarded with a predetermined probability, and if the third small win is not awarded, then no win is awarded. The probability of winning the first small prize when the internal lottery in the first game state selects the specific winning pattern is lower than the probability of winning the first small prize when the internal lottery in the second game state selects the specific winning pattern. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can suppress excessive gambling tendencies. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining the functional blocks of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the winning combinations included in each winning area, and the number of lottery values associated with each winning area. [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining the symbol arrangement of the reels in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the symbol combinations showing the winning forms of Bell A to Bell L and One-card Combination A1 to One-card Combination A4 in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining the symbol combinations showing the winning forms of One-card Combination B1 to One-card Combination E4 in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining the symbol combinations showing the winning forms of One-card Combination F1 to One-card Combination G4, Rare Combination A, Special Small Combination A, and Special Small Combination B in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a state transition diagram of the game state in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a transition diagram related to the normal section and the advantageous section controlled by the AT control means in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the production state during the advantageous section. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing the winning combinations that can be won in each batting order when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A", and winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B" in the non-RT state in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing the winning combinations that can be won in each batting order when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A", and winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B" in the bonus establishment state in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12]This figure shows the roles that can be won in each batting order when winning in the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" to the winning area "Batting Order Chance 4A" in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This flowchart shows the control process executed when the AT control means in the first embodiment of the present invention sets an initial value for the standby game counter. [Figure 14] This figure shows the winning areas in the internal lottery of a gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the winning roles included in each winning area, and the lottery value number associated with each winning area. [Figure 15] This diagram illustrates the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This diagram illustrates the symbol combinations that represent the winning patterns for 15-coin combinations A to 15-coin combinations C, bell combinations A to bell combinations E, and 3-coin combinations A to 3-coin combinations F in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] This diagram illustrates the symbol combinations that show the winning patterns for single-coin combinations A to J in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This diagram illustrates the symbol combinations that represent the winning patterns for single-coin combinations K to S in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] This figure shows the winning combinations that can be achieved when a winning area containing a minor role is hit during a non-RT state in a gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] This figure shows the winning combinations that can be awarded when a winning area containing a minor role is selected in the bonus-established state of a gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] This figure shows the payout rate for each game method in each game state in a game machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [First Embodiment] The first embodiment will be described below. The first embodiment described below is not intended to unduly limit the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the first embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[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 the first embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is a so-called reel-type gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine that uses tokens as a gaming medium.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment has a box-shaped casing consisting of a cabinet BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD, which houses a reel unit 310 (see Figure 2) consisting of multiple reels, from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. A hopper unit 320 (see Figure 2), which serves as a medal dispensing device, is housed below the reel unit 310 inside the cabinet. The cabinet of the slot machine 1 of the first 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 provided with a display window DW that allows observation of the rotation and stopped states of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper row symbols, middle row symbols, and lower row symbols) 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 window DW.

[0015] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display position for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and an active line L1 is set for the combination of display positions on each reel. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the number of tokens required for one game, the so-called prescribed number of tokens, is set to 3 in all game states, and when tokens equivalent to the prescribed number of tokens are inserted, the active line L1, which consists of the upper position of the left reel R1, the middle position of the middle reel R2, and the lower position of 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 in the display window DW. If the combination of symbols on the active line L1 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, the winning combination is considered to have been achieved, and medals are dispensed from the hopper unit 320.

[0017] Furthermore, the front upper door UD is equipped with a display device 330 for performing effects. The display device 330 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various videos and images to assist or enhance the gameplay. In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, multiple sound devices 340 for performing effects are provided on the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD. The sound devices 340 consist of speakers and output various sounds to assist or enhance the gameplay.

[0018] Furthermore, the front upper door UD is equipped with a game information display unit DS. The game information display unit DS consists of LEDs, lamps, a 7-segment display, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or acquired in one game, the total number of medals paid out or acquired in bonus mode, information on the winning combination in the current game, and information suggesting how to press stop buttons B1, B2, and B3, which are related to medal payouts.

[0019] The game information display unit DS includes a main control display device 500 consisting of a 7-segment display. When a specified number of tokens are inserted and the start lever SL is operated, a notification display is shown, which corresponds to a winning combination command, a control signal created based on winning information, which is information about the winning combination in this game. After the notification display is shown, when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop, the notification display ends and the number of tokens dispensed or acquired is displayed. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, a notification display is executed in which each segment of the main control display device 500 lights up and turns off in a display mode corresponding to the winning combination command.

[0020] Furthermore, the main control display device 500 is equipped with a section notification unit 500A, which is a dot on a 7-segment display and lights up when the advantageous section is started by the AT control means 200 (see Figure 2), described later, and the expected value of medal acquisition is 1 or more due to the assistance of winning small roles. In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, multiple sound devices 340 for sound effects are provided on the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD. Various sounds are output from the sound devices 340 to assist in the game or to liven up the game.

[0021] Furthermore, the front upper door UD is equipped with a performance button PU, which is activated at a predetermined trigger and, when pressed, starts a specific performance. The performance button PU is a roughly circular button with "PUSH" written inside. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the performance button PU is pressed, the performance signal output from the performance switch 270 to the performance control means 180 (see Figure 2) is activated, and a performance is executed on the display device 330 to inform the player that the performance button PU has been pressed.

[0022] The front lower door DD is equipped with various operating means. These operating means include a single bet button BT for inserting one coin and a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of coins, which are used for inserting credited (stored) coins; a start lever SL for initiating the start operation that rotates the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to begin playing; stop buttons B1 to B3 for initiating the stop operation that stops the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, which are rotated by stepping motors, which are used by the player; and a settlement button BS for settling credited coins.

[0023] Furthermore, a medal payout port MO and a medal receiving tray MP are provided at the bottom of the front lower door DD, and the number of medals corresponding to the game result are dispensed from the medal payout port MO to the medal receiving tray MP. Also, when the settlement button BS is pressed while the number of credited medals is stored in the game machine, a settlement process is executed in response to the pressing of the settlement button BS, dispensing a number of medals corresponding to the number of credits (the number of medals credited) from the hopper unit 320, and the medals are dispensed from the medal payout port MO to the medal receiving tray MP.

[0024] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment. The slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment is controlled by a game control means 10 which serves as a control board. The game control means 10 receives input signals from input means, which are a plurality of operation detection means, such as a coin insertion switch 210, a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change permission switch 250, and a setting change switch 260, and performs various calculations to execute the game. Based on the calculation results, it controls the operation of output means such as the performance device 300, the reel unit 310, the hopper unit 320, and the main control display device 500.

[0025] Furthermore, the game control means 10 includes 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 replay processing means 160, a game state transition control means 170, a performance control means 180, a storage means 190, and an assist time control means (AT control means) 200. Each means constituting the game control means 10 reads and executes the respective control program pre-stored in the storage means 190 when executing each control process.

[0026] 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 storage means 190. In the setting change permission state, when the front upper door UD is open and the setting change permission switch 250 is ON and setting changes are permitted, the setting change means 100 receives an input signal output from the setting change switch 260 provided on the power supply and cyclically changes the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 in the order of setting 1 → setting 2... setting 6 → setting 1... In the slot machine 1, the setting change permission state is terminated by confirming the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 based on the start signal from the start switch 230 which is activated by the operation of the start lever SL in the setting change permission state. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, 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 a setting value, which is a value that can change the probability of winning a role in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120.

[0027] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, when the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is executed, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 200 are initialized, and the game state is set to the non-replay time state (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT"), and the normal section is set. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, the control related to auxiliary games that was executed by the AT control means 200 before the setting change is also initialized. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when the power supply to the game control means 10 is cut off (power out), and then the power supply is restored, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 200 are restored to their state before the power outage. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, when a power outage occurs and then the power supply is restored, the control related to auxiliary games that was executed by the AT control means 200 before the power outage is also maintained to its state before the power outage.

[0028] The coin insertion acceptance means 105 performs a process to activate the game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that a specified number of coins (3 coins) have been inserted during the coin insertion acceptance period in which coins are inserted. Specifically, when coins are inserted into the coin slot MI (see Figure 1), the coin insertion switch 210 is activated, and the coin insertion acceptance means 105 sets the inserted coins to the inserted state, up to the specified number. Furthermore, when a bet operation is performed by pressing the single bet button BT or the max bet button MB while coins are credited, the coin insertion acceptance means 105 is activated, and the bet switch 220 is activated, setting the credited coins to the inserted state, up to the specified number.

[0029] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the first press of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a specified number of 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.

[0030] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for the lottery. In the first embodiment, the term "random number" includes not only values ​​that occur 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 the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 230 detects the start operation, 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 storage 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) generated by the random number generation means 110 for each game is obtained based on the start signal output from the start switch 230. 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 the first 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 addition, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is provided with lottery flags whose established state can be carried over to subsequent games until a win is achieved (carry-over flags) and lottery flags whose established state is 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). Furthermore, the lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the storage 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 start signal output from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL. 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 detected by the stop switch 240 when the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel are pressed. Then, when the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation outputs a reel stop signal, the reel control means 130 performs control to stop each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation (reel stop control).

[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 presses the valid stop buttons B1 to B3 respectively, the first press will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second press as the second stop operation, and the third press as the third stop operation.

[0038] In the slot machine 1 of the first 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 190ms from the time when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed (when the stop switch 240 detects the stop operation). Here, when stopping the rotating reels within 190ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stopping position of each rotating reel is configured to allow a maximum of 4 frames of rotation from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops, based on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel.

[0039] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the range in which symbols can be pulled onto the active line L1 (pulling 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 stop control table storage means 194 of the storage 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 first embodiment of the slot machine 1, 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 medals paid out 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 storage 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 the first 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 medals to be paid out; if a replay is won, the replay processing means 160 is instructed to execute the next game without consuming medals; and if a prize that triggers a transition to a game state such as a bonus is won, the game state transition control means 170 is instructed to transition to a game state.

[0044] The payout control means 150 performs payout processing related to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a minor win is achieved, it determines the number of medals to be paid out in the game based on the predetermined payout for each win, and controls the hopper unit 320, which acts as a payout device, to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the determined payout amount.

[0045] The hopper unit 320 dispenses the number of medals instructed by the dispensing control means 150. The hopper unit 320 is equipped with a dispensing medal detection switch 325 that operates each time a medal is dispensed. The dispensing control means 150 is configured to manage the number of medals actually dispensed from the hopper unit 320 based on the input signal from the dispensing medal detection switch 325. If medal credit is permitted, instead of actually dispensing medals, the hopper unit 320 performs a credit addition process, which adds the number of medals dispensed to the number of credits (number of credited medals) stored in the credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means 190, thereby virtually dispensing medals.

[0046] The replay processing means 160, when the winning determination means 140 determines 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 processing (re-play processing) to set the machine to a ready state that allows the next game to be played without requiring the insertion of tokens. In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when a replay is won, an automatic insertion process is performed in which a predetermined number of tokens are automatically inserted without using the player's tokens (including credit tokens), 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.

[0047] The game state transition control means 170 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 performance control means 180 controls performances related to the game, such as image and video performances performed using the display device 330 as a performance display device, and sound performances performed using the sound device 340, based on performance data stored in the performance control data storage means 196. Specifically, when a player operates the various components of the slot machine 1, such as inserting medals, operating the single bet button BT, the max bet button MB, the start lever SL, and the stop buttons B1 to B3, or when a game event occurs, such as a change in the game state, the performance control means 180 controls the execution of performances that enhance the game or assist the game by performing effects such as lighting or flashing lamps and LEDs, outputting sound from the sound device 340, and delaying the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 when a start signal is output from the start switch 230.

[0049] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 causes each component of the performance device 300 to execute performances based on each performance state. In the first embodiment, for each lottery process using random numbers, the performance control means 180 obtains a random number from the random number storage area of ​​the random number generation means 110 and executes each lottery process using the performance lottery table necessary for each lottery process from among the multiple performance lottery tables stored in the performance control data storage means 196.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the performance control means 180 executes a prize-winning assistance performance using the performance device 300 to announce the contents to be announced by the prize-winning assistance (for example, announcement of the correct batting order when the winning area "batting order bell 1A" is won) when the AT control means 200 performs prize-winning assistance.

[0051] The AT control means 200 functions as an auxiliary game control means configured to execute control related to auxiliary games. The AT control means 200 executes control related to the transition between an advantageous section (advantageous period), which is a section (period) in which an auxiliary game capable of assisting in winning specific roles is executed, and a normal section (non-advantageous period, non-advantageous section), which is a section (period) in which a game in which control related to auxiliary games based on the results of an internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed, using data stored in the AT control data storage means 197. The AT control data storage means 197 stores an advantageous section transition lottery table used in an advantageous section transition lottery to determine whether or not to start an advantageous section in a normal section, and data used in various controls related to multiple types of performance states, including AT states and normal states, executed within the advantageous section (various flags, counters, etc. that are set to ON or OFF in a predetermined control process), and functions as an auxiliary game storage means that stores information related to auxiliary games controlled in the advantageous section.

[0052] The AT control means 200 sets the performance state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions during the advantageous section, and performs prize-winning assistance (correct button-press notification) to help the player win specific roles by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation order (correct button-press order) of stop buttons B1 to B3 that enables the winning of specific roles on the main control display device 500, which consists of a 7-segment display. In addition, when prize-winning assistance by the AT control means 200 is performed in the slot machine 1, the performance control means 180 performs a prize-winning assistance performance that displays an indicator corresponding to the correct button-press order on the display device 330. In this way, in the slot machine 1, when prize-winning assistance is performed in the AT state, the operation pattern of stop buttons B1 to B3 is notified by prize-winning assistance, thereby performing an advantageous auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) for the player.

[0053] The AT control means 200, when a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous period (more specifically described later) is met, executes a predetermined termination process to end the advantageous period and start the normal period from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process to initialize various flags, numerical values, and other information related to the advantageous period that were set within the advantageous period. Furthermore, the AT control means 200 lights up the section notification unit 500A when the expected value of medal acquisition becomes 1 or more due to the start of the advantageous period and the execution of prize-winning assistance. For this reason, even when the advantageous period has started, the AT control means 200 is configured to turn off the section notification unit 500A if the performance state does not involve prize-winning assistance.

[0054] The AT control means 200, in a game in which the advantageous period has started, adds a value "1", which is equivalent to one game, to the value stored in the first advantageous period counter 197a (stored value) each time a game is played, and performs a game count update process that cumulatively increments the stored value of the first advantageous period counter 197a. The AT control means 200 also performs a difference in tokens update process that cumulatively records the difference (difference in tokens) obtained by subtracting the number of tokens paid out by the number of tokens inserted from the game in which the advantageous period started, in the second advantageous period counter 197b.

[0055] In the first embodiment, the AT control means 200, when controlled in an advantageous section, performs a game count update process that cumulatively adds (updates) a value of "1", which corresponds to one game, to the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a each time a game is executed, regardless of the game state, and a difference in the number of medals update process that cumulatively updates the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b to a value corresponding to the difference in the number of medals.

[0056] Here, in the AT control means 200, in the difference in the number of tokens update process that updates the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b, if the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes less than the value "0" when the number of tokens paid out in the game is less than the prescribed number of tokens inserted, the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b is set to the value "0". As a result, the AT control means 200 can fix the value of the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b at its lowest point to the value "0", so in the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b, it is no longer necessary to change the value that serves as the threshold for judgment according to the specific numerical value at the lowest point, and the load on the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b can be reduced.

[0057] The AT control means 200 determines that a specific termination condition has been met as a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous section when 1500 games have been played, that is, when the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a reaches the first value of "1500", or when the player has acquired more than 2400 medals from the point in the advantageous section when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b reaches the value of "2401" from the point in time when it was at its lowest value (lowest point), and executes a predetermined initialization process which initializes information related to the advantageous section, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous section and starts the normal section from the next game.

[0058] The AT control means 200 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 200 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 200 in the first embodiment will be described later.

[0059] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in the first embodiment Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 13, the details of each component of the slot machine 1 in the first embodiment will be described.

[0060] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> Figure 3 is a diagram showing the winning areas that are subject to internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the winning numbers and winning combinations associated with each winning area, and the number of lottery values ​​associated with each winning area in each game state.

[0061] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, a regular big bonus (hereinafter, the regular big bonus is also referred to as "RBB") is provided as a bonus, which is a continuous activation device for a special first-class feature. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 has game states controlled by the game state transition control means 170, which include a non-RT state (general mode) where the RBB is not set to be established and is not operating, a bonus established state (internal mode) which is the state to which the machine transitions when the RBB is set to be established and the RBB is maintained internally until the RBB is activated, and a bonus state (operating mode) which is the state to which the machine transitions when the RBB is activated and the RBB is operating.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, the winning areas that are subject to internal lottery include the winning area "All Small Wins", the winning area "All 1-Coin Wins", the winning area "Normal Replay 1", the winning area "Normal Replay 2", the winning area "Rare Replay 1", the winning area "Rare Replay 2", the winning area "Rare Win 1", the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 12A", the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1B" to "Bat Order Bell 12B", the winning area "Bat Order Chance 1A" to "Bat Order Chance 4A", the winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Wins", and the winning area "RBB", and the winning numbers 1 to 37 are associated with each of these areas. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with the result of the internal lottery when the result is not won (a miss).

[0063] Here, "batting order" refers to the sequence in which the stop buttons B1 through B3 are pressed. In the following description, the timing at which the stop buttons B1 through B3 are pressed will also be referred to as "press timing."

[0064] The internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is correct or incorrect in the random number determination process, starting from the winning area associated with winning number 37 and moving towards the losing area associated with winning number 0.

[0065] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, the winning combinations that can be obtained when selected by internal lottery include Bell A to Bell L, 1-coin combination A1 to 1-coin combination G4, Rare combination A, Special combination A, and Special combination B, and the winning combinations that can be obtained by internal lottery include Replay A, Replay B, Rare Replay A, and Rare Replay B. Each winning combination and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combinations shown in Figure 3. In addition, as shown in Figure 3, the slot machine 1 has a winning area "RBB&1-coin combination" which includes both bonuses and winning combinations.

[0066] In the first embodiment, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A" and "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B" are configured as winning areas in which the winning combination of small prizes differs depending on the game state in the winning game and the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3. In addition, the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" are configured as winning areas in which the winning combination of small prizes differs depending on the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3. Details of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A", "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B", and "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" will be described later.

[0067] Rare Role A, a minor role included in the winning area "Rare Role 1," is awarded when the timing of pressing stop button B2 is such that Rare Role A can be awarded. If the timing of pressing stop button B2 is such that Rare Role A cannot be awarded, a combination of symbols different from the winning symbol combinations of any role will be displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed win (non-award).

[0068] The winning area "Normal Replay 1" is a winning area where Replay A is awarded regardless of the order and timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3. The winning area "Normal Replay 2" is a winning area where Replay A and Replay B are awarded simultaneously, but Replay A is awarded regardless of the order and timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0069] In the first 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.

[0070] <Internal Lottery Table> In the first embodiment, the slot machine 1 stores in the internal lottery table storage means 192 an internal lottery table used in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120, which includes 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 bonus establishment state (internal mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the bonus state (operating mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C). In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, as shown in Figure 3, the number of lottery values ​​is associated with the winning area that is the target of the lottery.

[0071] <Random number generation process> In the first 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.

[0072] Furthermore, the random number generation means 110 of the first embodiment is configured to generate a total of 65,536 random numbers ranging from 0 to 65,535 for use in the internal lottery. Also, as shown in Figure 3, in the internal lottery table A, the total number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB" to the winning area "Normal Replay 1" is 65,536, and in the internal lottery table B, the total number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB & 1-coin win" to the winning area "Normal Replay 1" is 65,536. Therefore, in the internal lottery during non-RT states or bonus states, the system is configured to ensure that one of the wins is achieved and that no loss occurs.

[0073] <Bonus Winning Determination Process> As described above, in the first embodiment, the internal lottery means 120 has a lottery value set in the winning area "RBB & 1-coin win" when a bonus is established. Therefore, in the internal lottery when the game state is a bonus established state, there is a possibility that an RBB may be won again when an RBB has already been set to be established. To prevent the newly won RBB from being set to be established, 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 a random number determination process, is a winning area that includes a bonus.

[0074] 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 winning state if the winning area including a bonus is a win and the game state is a bonus winning state. In this way, the slot machine 1 prevents a new RBB from being set to the winning state when an RBB is already set to the winning state.

[0075] <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 the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the white 7 symbol "White 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the replay symbol "RP", the bell A symbol "BLA", the bell B symbol "BLB", the cherry symbol "CH", the watermelon symbol "WM", the blank A symbol "BKA", the blank B symbol "BKB", and the blank C symbol "BKC" are arranged on the circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. In addition, 20 symbols are arranged on the circumferential surfaces of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the BAR symbol "BAR" and the white 7 symbol "white 7" have a wider width than other symbols when viewed from the front, and are configured to be more visible than other symbols during the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. In addition, in the first embodiment, the BAR symbol "BAR" is composed of a red image, and the white 7 symbol "white 7" is composed of a white image.

[0077] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of the first 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 performs a stop control that prioritizes the small win or replay over the bonus.

[0078] <Payouts for minor roles> In the first embodiment, the payout for Bells A to Bells L is set to be 13 coins, which is more than the prescribed number of coins inserted (3 coins). Also, the payout for Rare Role A is set to be 3 coins, which is the same as the prescribed number of coins inserted. Also, the payout for Single Coin Roles A1 to G4, Special Small Role A, and Special Small Role B is set to be 1 coin, which is less than the prescribed number of coins inserted.

[0079] <Winning combinations for minor roles> Figures 5 to 7 show the combinations of winning symbols for Bell A to Bell L, Single Symbol A1 to Single Symbol G4, Rare Symbol A, Special Small Symbol A, and Special Small Symbol B. First, we will explain Bell A to Bell L using Figures 4 and 5.

[0080] As shown in Figure 4, the left reel R1 has Bell A symbols "BLA" arranged at intervals of no more than 4 frames, and Watermelon symbols "WM" arranged at intervals of no more than 4 frames. In addition, the left reel R1 has Cherry symbols "CH" or Blank B symbols "BKB" arranged at intervals of no more than 4 frames.

[0081] Additionally, on the middle reel R2, Bell A symbols "BLA" are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less, Bell B symbols "BLB" are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less, and Replay symbols "RP" are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less. Furthermore, on the middle reel R2, Watermelon symbols "WM" or Cherry symbols "CH" are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less.

[0082] Additionally, on the right reel R3, Bell A symbols "BLA" are arranged at intervals of no more than 4 frames, and Watermelon symbols "WM" are arranged at intervals of no more than 4 frames. Furthermore, on the right reel R3, Cherry symbols "CH" or Blank B symbols "BKB" are arranged at intervals of no more than 4 frames.

[0083] Given this configuration, Bells A to L, which are composed of the winning symbol combinations shown in Figure 5, are configured to stop and display the symbols constituting the winning symbol combinations on the active line L1 when the first stop operation is performed at the press timing set to enable winning (described later).

[0084] Next, we will explain the single-coin combinations A1 to G4 using Figures 4 to 6. As shown in Figure 4, on the left reel R1, the BAR symbol "BAR" is positioned at stop number 4, and the blank C symbol "BKC" is positioned at stop number 19. Also on the left reel R1, the blank A symbol "BKA" is positioned at stop number 9, and the white 7 symbol "White 7" is positioned at stop number 14.

[0085] Therefore, on the left reel R1, the pull-in range in which the BAR symbol "BAR" or the blank C symbol "BKC" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 is the range of 10 out of 20 frames from the replay symbol "RP" at stop number 8 to the cherry symbol "CH" at stop number 0, and the blank C symbol "BKC" at stop number 19. In addition, the pull-in range in which the white 7 symbol "White 7" or the blank A symbol "BKA" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 is the range of 10 out of 20 frames from the replay symbol "RP" at stop number 18 to the blank A symbol "BKA" at stop number 9, and consists of a range that does not overlap with the pull-in range of the BAR symbol "BAR" or the blank C symbol "BKC".

[0086] On the middle reel R2, the BAR symbol "BAR" is positioned at stop number 4, and the blank A symbol "BKA" is positioned at stop number 9. Additionally, on the middle reel R2, the white 7 symbol "White 7" is positioned at stop number 14, and the blank C symbol "BKC" is positioned at stop number 19.

[0087] Therefore, in the middle reel R2, the pull-in range in which the BAR symbol "BAR" or the blank A symbol "BKA" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 is the range of 10 out of 20 frames from the bell A symbol "BLA" at stop number 13 to the BAR symbol "BAR" at stop number 4. Also, the pull-in range in which the white 7 symbol "White 7" or the blank C symbol "BKC" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 is the range of 10 out of 20 frames from the bell A symbol "BLA" at stop number 3 to the replay symbol "RP" at stop number 0, and from the blank C symbol "BKC" at stop number 19 to the white 7 symbol "White 7" at stop number 14, and consists of a range that does not overlap with the pull-in range of the BAR symbol "BAR" or the blank A symbol "BKA".

[0088] On the right reel R3, the BAR symbol "BAR" is positioned at stop number 4, and the blank A symbol "BKA" is positioned at stop number 9. Additionally, on the right reel R3, the white 7 symbol "White 7" is positioned at stop number 14, and the blank C symbol "BKC" is positioned at stop number 19.

[0089] Therefore, in the right reel R3, the range in which the BAR symbol "BAR" or the blank A symbol "BKA" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 is the range of 10 out of 20 frames from the replay symbol "RP" at stop number 13 to the BAR symbol "BAR" at stop number 4. In addition, the range in which the white 7 symbol "White 7" or the blank C symbol "BKC" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 is the range of 10 out of 20 frames from the replay symbol "RP" at stop number 3 to the bell A symbol "BLA" at stop number 0, and from the blank C symbol "BKC" at stop number 19 to the white 7 symbol "White 7" at stop number 14, and is composed of a range that does not overlap with the range in which the BAR symbol "BAR" or the blank A symbol "BKA" can be stopped and displayed.

[0090] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the winning symbol combinations for single-coin combinations A1 to G4 are as follows: the symbols on the left reel R1 consist of one of the following: bell A symbol "BLA", BAR symbol "BAR" and blank C symbol "BKC", white 7 symbol "White 7" and blank A symbol "BKA", and the symbols on the middle reel R2 consist of bell A symbol "BLA", bell B symbol "BLB", BAR symbol "BAR", white 7 symbol "White 7", blank A symbol "BKA", blank C symbol "BKC", and BAR The symbols on the right reel R3 consist of either the "BAR" symbol and the blank A symbol "BKA", or the white 7 symbol "White 7" and the blank C symbol "BKC", and the symbols on the right reel R3 consist of either the bell A symbol "BLA", the watermelon symbol "WM", the BAR symbol "BAR", the white 7 symbol "White 7", the blank A symbol "BKA", the blank C symbol "BKC", the BAR symbol "BAR" and the blank A symbol "BKA", or the white 7 symbol "White 7" and the blank C symbol "BKC".

[0091] In this configuration, slot machine 1 is configured such that, for example, for a single-coin win where the winning symbol combination is "BLA-BAR(BKA)-BAR(BKA)", the symbol on the middle reel R2 and the symbol on the right reel R3 are composed of symbols that are drawn within a range of 10 out of 20 frames, the probability of winning is 1 / 4. For example, for a single-coin win where the winning symbol combination is "BAR(BKC)-BLA-BAR", the symbol on the middle reel R2 or the right reel R3 are composed of symbols that are not drawn within a range of 5 out of 20 frames, the probability of winning is 1 / 8.

[0092] Next, special small wins A and B will be explained using Figures 4 and 7. As shown in Figure 7, the winning symbol combination for special small win A consists of "WM-ANY-RP", and for the left reel R1 and the right reel R3, it consists of symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 and B3, and for the middle reel R2, the winning symbol combination is made up of any symbol (ANY) from all the symbols arranged on the middle reel R2. The winning symbol combination for special small win B consists of "WM-RP-ANY", and for the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2, it consists of symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 and B2, and for the right reel R3, the winning symbol combination is made up of any symbol (ANY) from all the symbols arranged on the right reel R3.

[0093] Due to this configuration, in slot machine 1, when the symbol combination "WM-RP-RP" is displayed on the active line L1, both the winning symbol combination for special small win A "WM-ANY-RP" and the winning symbol combination for special small win B "WM-RP-ANY" are displayed, resulting in a configuration where both special small win A and special small win B are awarded at the same time.

[0094] <Game state transition control means> Figure 8 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 170 of the first embodiment.

[0095] As shown in Figure 8, 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 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using internal lottery table A, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3.

[0096] The bonus establishment state is a gaming state that transitions when winning in the internal lottery in the non-RT state in either the winning area "RBB" or the winning area "RBB & one-card combination", and when RBB is set to the established state. In the bonus establishment state, the game state transition control means 170 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 approximately 1 / 7.3.

[0097] The bonus state is a gaming state that transitions when RBB wins and RBB activates. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 determines whether the end condition of the activated RBB is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out, and when more than a predetermined number of payouts (for example, 100 medals) are paid out, ends the activation of RBB to end the bonus state and transitions the game state to the non-bonus state, which is the non-RT state. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C. Details of the bonus state will be described later.

[0098] <AT control means> FIG. 9 is a state transition diagram showing details of the normal section and the advantageous section controlled by the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment, and the effect state controlled during the advantageous section.

[0099] As described above, the normal 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 configured to be inexecutable. The AT control means 200 executes an advantageous section lottery, which is a lottery to determine whether to end the normal section and start the advantageous section based on the winning area won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 during the game in the normal section.

[0100] In the advantageous section lottery, the AT control means 200 first obtains an advantageous section transition lottery table from the AT control data storage means 197, 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 200 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.

[0101] The AT control means 200 performs a favorable section lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the probability of winning a winning area in the internal lottery by the probability of winning "start of favorable section" in the favorable section lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0102] In the first embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to perform a favorable section lottery when an internal lottery in a non-RT state or a bonus-established state results in a winning area other than the winning area "Normal Replay 2," but does not perform a favorable section lottery when an internal lottery in a non-RT state or a bonus-established state results in the winning area "Normal Replay 2," or when an internal lottery in a bonus state results in a winning area that can be won. Furthermore, the AT control means 200 performs a favorable section lottery with a high probability of approximately 1 / 1.5 in which it wins "Start of Favourite Section."

[0103] In the advantageous period, the AT control means 200 has states (performance states) related to the instruction function, namely a normal state, a premonition state, a first CZ state, a second CZ state, a first pseudo-bonus state, and a second pseudo-bonus state. In the normal state and the premonition state, the AT control means 200 is configured not to perform assistance for the entry of bells A to bell L when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1A" to "batting order bell 12A" and "batting order bell 1B" to "batting order bell 12B". In the first CZ state, second CZ state, first pseudo-bonus state, and second pseudo-bonus state, the AT control means 200 is configured to perform assistance for the entry of bells A to bell L when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1A" to "batting order bell 12A" and "batting order bell 1B" to "batting order bell 12B". Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that the proportion of time spent in the advantageous period during the overall gameplay can be 70% or more.

[0104] In the first embodiment, when the AT control means 200 wins in the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" in the internal lottery during the normal state and the pre-announcement state, it performs a prize-winning assistance by notifying the player of a batting order (set batting order) that enables the simultaneous winning of special small wins A and special small wins B, which are advantageous to the player because they result in a larger number of winning small wins. Furthermore, when the AT control means 200 wins in the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" in the internal lottery during a state in which prize-winning assistance for bells A to bells L is possible, it performs a prize-winning assistance by notifying the player of a batting order (unset batting order) that enables the winning of bells A, bells B, bells G and bells H, which are advantageous to the player because they result in the largest number of medals paid out when they are won. Details of prize-winning assistance when winning in the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" will be described later.

[0105] Furthermore, as described above, the AT control means 200 executes a predetermined initialization process, which initializes information related to the advantageous section, and a predetermined termination process, which ends the advantageous section and starts the normal section from the next game, when either of the following specific termination conditions is met: when 1500 games have been played in the advantageous section, that is, when the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a reaches the value "1500"; or when the difference in the number of medals from the point in the advantageous section when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b reaches the lowest point exceeds a predetermined difference of 2400 medals, that is, when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b reaches the value "2401" or more.

[0106] The normal state is the performance state (normal performance state) that corresponds to the initial state among several types of performance states. In the first embodiment, the AT control means 200 has a normal mode as a variable used when executing various controls related to auxiliary games in the normal state.

[0107] The normal mode consists of five types of modes, from the first normal mode to the fifth normal mode, with the modes being in the order of first normal mode < second normal mode < third normal mode < fourth normal mode < fifth normal mode, in which order the controls are more advantageous to the player. The AT control means 200 executes a mode setting process to set the normal mode when the second CZ state is started, and in the normal state that is executed after the CZ state or AT state ends, it executes various controls using the normal mode set in the mode setting process.

[0108] In the mode setting process, the AT control means 200 first determines whether the conditions for setting the fifth normal mode are met. In the first embodiment, the AT control means 200 determines that the conditions for setting the fifth normal mode are met if, in the AT state that was being executed before transitioning to the normal state, the second pseudo-bonus state described later was executed three times and the AT state ended.

[0109] If the AT control means 200 determines that the conditions for setting the fifth normal mode are not met, it performs a fourth normal mode lottery to determine whether or not to set the fourth normal mode, and if it decides to set the fourth normal mode, it sets the fourth normal mode as the normal mode. On the other hand, if the AT control means 200 decides not to set the fourth normal mode in the fourth normal mode lottery, it adds the value "1" to the stored value of the AT lottery reference value counter 197e, which stores the AT lottery reference value that is referenced when determining the pseudo-bonus state to be executed in the AT state, and performs a third normal mode lottery to determine whether or not to set the third normal mode.

[0110] If the AT control means 200 decides to set the third normal mode in the third normal mode lottery, it sets the third normal mode as the normal mode. If it decides not to set the third normal mode in the third normal mode lottery, it adds the value "1" to the stored value of the AT lottery reference value counter 197e and performs a second normal mode lottery to determine whether or not to set the second normal mode.

[0111] If the AT control means 200 decides to set the third normal mode in the second normal mode lottery, it sets the second normal mode as the normal mode. If it decides not to set the second normal mode in the second normal mode lottery, it adds the value "1" to the stored value of the AT lottery reference value counter 197e and sets the first normal mode as the normal mode.

[0112] By executing the mode setting process, the AT control means 200 can set the normal mode to be used in the normal state, and can also set the AT lottery reference value to be referenced when determining the pseudo-bonus state to be executed in the AT state.

[0113] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 stores the AT lottery reference value in the AT lottery reference value counter 197e according to the results of the second normal mode lottery to the fourth normal mode lottery. In other words, both the normal mode used in the normal state and the AT lottery reference value used in the AT state are set in a mode setting process executed based on the start of the second CZ state. This reduces the program size by allowing the information used for control in the AT state and the information used for control in the normal state to be set in a single triggering process. Additionally, the control of content corresponding to the control in the AT state granted as a bonus can be executed in the normal state executed after the bonus ends, thereby enhancing the gameplay in the normal state transitioning from the AT state by associating it with the AT state.

[0114] In the first embodiment, the normal mode set in the mode setting process is configured to be set with different probabilities for each setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191. Specifically, in the mode setting process, if the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 is setting 1, the first normal mode is set with a probability of approximately 90%, the second normal mode with a probability of approximately 7%, the third normal mode with a probability of approximately 2%, and the fourth normal mode with a probability of approximately 1%. If the setting is 2, the first normal mode is set with a probability of approximately 80%, the second normal mode with a probability of approximately 12%, the third normal mode with a probability of approximately 6%, and the fourth normal mode with a probability of approximately 2%. If the setting is 3, the first normal mode is set with a probability of approximately 70%, the second normal mode with a probability of approximately 15%, the third normal mode with a probability of approximately 10%, and the fourth normal mode with a probability of approximately 5%. Furthermore, if the setting is 4, there is approximately a 60% chance of setting it to the first normal mode, approximately a 20% chance of setting it to the second normal mode, approximately a 12% chance of setting it to the third normal mode, and approximately an 8% chance of setting it to the fourth normal mode. Furthermore, if the setting is 5, there is approximately a 50% chance of setting it to the first normal mode, approximately a 25% chance of setting it to the second normal mode, approximately a 15% chance of setting it to the third normal mode, and approximately a 10% chance of setting it to the fourth normal mode. And if the setting is 6, there is approximately a 40% chance of setting it to the first normal mode, approximately a 28% chance of setting it to the second normal mode, approximately a 20% chance of setting it to the third normal mode, and approximately a 12% chance of setting it to the fourth normal mode.

[0115] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the higher the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191, the higher the probability of setting to the fourth normal mode, and the lower the setting value, the higher the probability of setting to the first normal mode.

[0116] As described above, the AT control means 200 performs an award assistance by notifying the batting order (set batting order) that enables the simultaneous awarding of special small role A and special small role B when the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" is selected in the internal lottery in the normal state. The AT control means 200 performs an AT stock award lottery to determine whether or not to award a bonus that enables the execution of one set of the first pseudo-bonus state or the second pseudo-bonus state when the game is played in the AT state when the internal lottery in the normal state is selected in the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the set batting order. If the AT stock allocation lottery results in "stocking one set of pseudo-bonus states," the AT control means 200, when the performance state transitions to the second CZ state while the advantageous section continues, confirms the transition from the second CZ state to the AT state, and in the transitioned AT state, makes it possible to execute the number of stocked pseudo-bonus states.

[0117] The AT control means 200 performs the following processes in a game in which the normal state is started based on a transition from the CZ state or AT state: setting an initial value to the normal game counter 197c, which is a counter that counts the number of games played in the normal state and the pre-announcement state; setting an initial value to the standby game counter 197d, which is a counter that manages the period during which the player waits in the normal state and the pre-announcement state without transitioning to the CZ state until the next CZ state is started; and setting a determination value used to determine whether or not to end the advantageous section when transitioning from the first CZ state to the second CZ state to the advantageous section end determination counter 197f.

[0118] In the process of setting the initial value of the normal game counter 197c, the AT control means 200 is configured to set the initial value by referring to the normal mode. If the first normal mode is set, the value "1000" is set as the initial value; if the second normal mode is set, the value "700" is set as the initial value; if the third normal mode is set, the value "500" is set as the initial value; and if the fourth normal mode or the fifth normal mode is set, the value "200" is set as the initial value. The AT control means 200 performs a decrement update (update process) each time a game is played in the normal state or pre-game state, subtracting the stored value of the normal game counter 197c by a value "1" corresponding to one game.

[0119] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 is configured to perform a normal shortening lottery to determine whether or not to perform a shortening process that reduces the number of games from the normal state to the CZ state via the pre-announcement state, by subtracting the stored value of the normal game counter 197c by a larger amount than the update process when the winning area "Rare Role 1", winning area "Rare Replay 1", or winning area "Rare Replay 2" is selected in the internal lottery.

[0120] If it is decided to perform the shortening process during the normal shortening lottery, the AT control means 200 determines by lottery which value to subtract from the normal game counter 197c to be: 20, 30, 50, 100, or 300, and subtracts the value stored in the normal game counter 197c by the determined value. The AT control means 200 is configured to subtract the value stored in the normal game counter 197c for shortening processes in games where execution has been decided during the normal shortening lottery.

[0121] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 performs an excess stock lottery to determine whether or not to stock one set of the second pseudo-bonus state when the stored value of the normal game counter 197c becomes a negative value due to the execution of the shortening process, that is, when subtraction is performed by a value exceeding the stored value of the normal game counter 197c. In the excess stock lottery, the AT control means 200 performs a lottery in which the larger the value exceeding the stored value of the normal game counter 197c, the more likely it is to win "stocking one set of the second pseudo-bonus state".

[0122] The AT control means 200 performs a CZ transition lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the CZ state in each game played in the normal state. In the CZ transition lottery, the AT control means 200 performs a CZ transition lottery in which the probability of winning "transition to CZ state" is higher than when the stored value of the normal game counter 197c is a predetermined value set for each normal mode.

[0123] Specifically, when the first normal mode is set, the AT control means 200 executes a CZ transition lottery with a higher probability of winning "transition to CZ state" than when the stored value of the normal game counter 197c is "200", "400", "600", or "800", compared to when the value is any other value. When the second normal mode is set, the AT control means 200 executes a CZ transition lottery with a higher probability of winning "transition to CZ state" than when the stored value of the normal game counter 197c is "100", "200", "300", or "400", compared to when the value is any other value. A CZ transition lottery is performed to determine if the "Row" is selected. If the 3rd normal mode is set, a CZ transition lottery is performed with a higher probability of winning "Transition to CZ state" than if the normal game counter 197c has a value of "100" or "200". If the 4th normal mode or 5th normal mode is set, a CZ transition lottery is performed with a higher probability of winning "Transition to CZ state" than if the normal game counter 197c has a value of "50" or "100".

[0124] In the process of setting an initial value for the standby game counter 197d, the AT control means 200 is configured to determine the value to be set as the initial value based on the performance state during gameplay before transitioning to the normal state. Details of the process of setting an initial value for the standby game counter 197d will be described later.

[0125] The AT control means 200 performs a decrement update each time a game is played in the normal state or pre-announcement state, subtracting the stored value of the standby game counter 197d by a value of "1" which corresponds to one game. If the stored value of the standby game counter 197d becomes "0", the AT control means 200 stops further decrement updates until a new initial value is set.

[0126] Thus, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to decrement the stored value of the normal game counter 197c and the stored value of the standby game counter 197d by a value of "1" corresponding to one game each time a game is played, when the normal state is started. In other words, it is configured to start a first period whose progress is managed by the stored value of the normal game counter 197c and a second period whose progress is managed by the stored value of the standby game counter 197d. The timing at which the normal state is started, by starting the decrement update of the stored value of the standby game counter 197d, which starts the calculation of the second period, constitutes a predetermined timing in the first embodiment.

[0127] The AT control means 200 decides to transition to the CZ state when the stored value of the normal game counter 197c becomes "0", or when the CZ transition lottery is won for "transition to CZ state". When the AT control means 200 decides to transition to the CZ state, it refers to the stored value of the standby game counter 197d. If the stored value of the standby game counter 197d is "1" or greater, it maintains the normal state until the stored value of the standby game counter 197d becomes "0". If the stored value of the standby game counter 197d is "0", it transitions to the CZ state via a pre-announcement state.

[0128] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 is configured to perform a pre-announcement transition lottery to determine whether or not to transition the performance state from the normal state to the pre-announcement state, even if the conditions for transitioning to the CZ state are not met. The AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to perform a pre-announcement transition lottery in each game played in the normal state.

[0129] In the process of setting a judgment value in the advantageous period end determination counter 197f, the AT control means 200 determines by a judgment value lottery whether to set a value within the range of "300" to "1000" in the advantageous period end determination counter 197f, and is configured to maintain the determined value until it is initialized or the next setting is made.

[0130] The pre-announcement state is a performance state that transitions from the normal state. The AT control means 200 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (for example, 10 games) in the pre-announcement game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the pre-announcement state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the pre-announcement game counter by a value of "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0131] The AT control means 200 executes an AT stock granting lottery when, in an internal lottery during the pre-announcement state, the player wins a winning area from "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" and the player presses stop buttons B1 to B3 in the set batting order. If the AT stock granting lottery wins "Stock 1 set of pseudo-bonus state", the AT control means 200 confirms the transition from the 2nd CZ state to the AT state when the performance state transitions to the 2nd CZ state while the advantageous section continues, and makes it possible to execute the number of stocked pseudo-bonus states in the transitioned AT state.

[0132] The AT control means 200 transitions the performance state from the pre-announcement state to the normal state when the memory value of the pre-announcement game counter becomes "0" in the pre-announcement state which is started when the conditions for transitioning to the CZ state have not been met. The AT control means 200 is configured not to execute the process of setting the initial values ​​of each counter or the process of setting the judgment value which would be executed when transitioning from the CZ state or the AT state to the normal state if the pre-announcement state is transitioned to the normal state.

[0133] On the other hand, the AT control means 200 transitions the performance state from the pre-announcement state to the first CZ state when the memory value of the pre-announcement game counter becomes "0" in the pre-announcement state which is started when the conditions for transitioning to the CZ state are met. Furthermore, at the start of the pre-announcement state which is started when the conditions for transitioning to the CZ state are met, the AT control means 200 compares the memory value of the first advantageous section counter 197a with the judgment value stored in the advantageous section end judgment counter 197f. If the memory value of the first advantageous section counter 197a is greater than or equal to the judgment value, the AT control means 200 decides to end the advantageous section when transitioning the performance state from the first CZ state to the second CZ state. If the memory value of the first advantageous section counter 197a is less than the judgment value, the AT control means 200 decides to continue the advantageous section when transitioning the performance state from the first CZ state to the second CZ state.

[0134] As described above, the AT control means 200 is configured so that the judgment value to be stored in the advantageous section end determination counter 197f is one of the values ​​from "300" to "1000" by lottery. For this reason, in slot machine 1, when transitioning from the CZ state or AT state to the normal state, the player cannot determine whether the advantageous section will end after the end of the first CZ state in the next CZ state.

[0135] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, as mentioned above, when the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" is selected in the internal lottery during the normal or pre-announcement state, instead of the winning assistance that maximizes the number of medals paid out when a medal is won, the winning assistance that increases the number of winning combinations is performed. Therefore, in games where the winning assistance is performed during the normal or pre-announcement state, pressing stop buttons B1 to B3 in a batting order that does not follow the winning assistance will result in winning more medals than pressing stop buttons B1 to B3 in a batting order that follows the winning assistance.

[0136] However, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute an AT stock lottery and grant a bonus to the player if, in an internal lottery during the normal state or pre-announcement state, the player wins one of the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A", and if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the batting order according to the prize-winning assistance. If the advantageous period does not end between transitioning from the normal state to the CZ state and transitioning from the 1st CZ state to the 2nd CZ state, it is configured to be more advantageous for the player if one set of pseudo-bonus states is stocked through the AT stock grant lottery than if the player wins medals by hitting bells A, B, G, and H in the game without following the prize-winning assistance.

[0137] Given this configuration, if a player can determine whether the advantageous period ends when the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment transitions from the normal state to the CZ state and the first CZ state ends, it becomes possible to exploit this by, for example, by executing a game that does not follow the prize-winning assistance if it is performed in the normal state or pre-announcement state when the advantageous period ends when the first CZ state ends, and by, if the advantageous period does not end even when the first CZ state ends, executing a game that follows the prize-winning assistance if it is performed in the normal state or pre-announcement state. However, by setting the judgment value referenced when determining whether or not to end the advantageous period to a value in the range of "300" to "1000" by lottery, it is possible to configure the machine so that the player cannot determine whether or not the advantageous period ends when the first CZ state ends, thereby preventing the game machine from becoming exploitable.

[0138] The CZ state is a state composed of two performance states: the 1st CZ state and the 2nd CZ state. When the AT control means 200 transitions from the pre-announcement state to the CZ state, it sets the performance state to the 1st CZ state.

[0139] The first CZ state is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state because it provides assistance for the entry of bells A to L when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A" and "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B", and also provides assistance for the entry of bells A, B, G, and H when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A".

[0140] At the start of the first CZ state, the AT control means 200 sets the number of times (for example, 5 times) that it will perform prize-winning assistance for bells A to bells L when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A" and "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B", and prize-winning assistance for bells A, bells B, bells G, and bells H when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A", and each time prize-winning assistance is performed, it performs a decrement update which subtracts the stored value of the first CZ prize-winning assistance counter by a value of "1" which corresponds to one time.

[0141] If the AT control means 200 determines in the pre-stage state before transitioning to the first CZ state that the advantageous section should be terminated based on the end of the first CZ state when the stored value of the CZ entry assist counter becomes "0", it determines that the normal termination condition among the conditions for terminating the advantageous section has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which initializes the information related to the advantageous section, and a predetermined termination process which terminates the advantageous section and starts the normal section from the next game. On the other hand, if the AT control means 200 determines in the pre-stage state before transitioning to the first CZ state that the advantageous section should continue even after the end of the first CZ state, it transitions the performance state from the first CZ state to the second CZ state.

[0142] The second CZ state is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state because it provides assistance for the entry of bells A to L when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A" and "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B", and also provides assistance for the entry of bells A, B, G, and H when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A".

[0143] The AT control means 200 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (for example, 20 games) in the second CZ game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the second CZ state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the second CZ game counter by a value of "1" which corresponds to 1 game. In addition, the AT control means 200 performs the mode setting process described above at the start of the second CZ state, setting the normal mode and setting a reference value in the AT lottery reference value counter 197e.

[0144] The AT control means 200 decides to transition to the AT state after the end of the second CZ state if one or more sets of pseudo-bonus states have been stocked up until the start of the second CZ state. The AT control means 200 also performs a pseudo-bonus set number lottery in the second CZ state to determine the number of sets of pseudo-bonus states to be executed in the AT state.

[0145] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, the number of pseudo-bonus states that can be executed in AT state is configured to be a maximum of 3 sets, and the total number of stocked pseudo-bonus states that have been accumulated up until the start of the second CZ state, plus the number of sets of pseudo-bonus states whose execution is determined by the pseudo-bonus set number lottery, does not exceed 3 sets.

[0146] The AT control means 200, when it is determined in the pseudo-bonus set number lottery that there are no pseudo-bonus states stocked and that the number of sets in which the pseudo-bonus state will be executed is 0, transitions the performance state from the 2nd CZ state to the normal state after the memory value of the 2nd CZ game counter becomes "0". On the other hand, the AT control means 200, when it is determined in the pseudo-bonus set number lottery that there are no pseudo-bonus states stocked or that the number of sets in which the pseudo-bonus state will be executed is 1 or more, executes a pseudo-bonus determination lottery to determine whether the pseudo-bonus state to be executed in each set in the AT state will be the 1st pseudo-bonus state or the 2nd pseudo-bonus state.

[0147] In the pseudo-bonus determination lottery, the AT control means 200 determines the type of pseudo-bonus state to be executed in each of the 1st to 3rd sets. The AT control means 200 also refers to the reference value stored in the AT lottery reference value counter 197e and obtains the lottery table to be used in the pseudo-bonus determination lottery. In the pseudo-bonus determination lottery, regardless of the number of stocked pseudo-bonus states, it is determined whether to execute the first pseudo-bonus state or the second pseudo-bonus state in each of the three sets of pseudo-bonus states.

[0148] The AT control means 200 determines the details of the pseudo-bonus state to be executed in the AT state using the result of the pseudo-bonus determination lottery and the number of sets of pseudo-bonus states that have been determined to be executed. For example, if the pseudo-bonus determination lottery determines that the pseudo-bonus states to be executed in the order of "second pseudo-bonus state, first pseudo-bonus state, first pseudo-bonus state" and the number of sets of pseudo-bonus states that have been determined to be executed is 2 sets, then in the AT state, the AT control means 200 first executes one set of the second pseudo-bonus state, then executes one set of the first pseudo-bonus state, and then terminates the AT state.

[0149] The AT state is a state composed of two performance states: the first pseudo-bonus state and the second pseudo-bonus state. The AT control means 200 sets the performance state to the first set of pseudo-bonus states determined in the second CZ state.

[0150] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 is configured to perform an AT shortening lottery in the normal state, which is executed after the end of the AT state, when the winning area "Rare Role 1", winning area "Rare Replay 1", winning area "Rare Replay 2", or winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Role" is won in the internal lottery during the AT state, after setting the initial value of the normal game counter 197c, and then deciding whether or not to perform a shortening process that subtracts the initial value.

[0151] In the AT shortening lottery during the first pseudo-bonus state, if it is decided to perform the shortening process, the AT control means 200 will determine by lottery which of the following values ​​will be subtracted from the normal game counter 197c: "50", "100", or "300". Also, in the AT shortening lottery during the second pseudo-bonus state, if it is decided to perform the shortening process, the AT control means 200 will determine by lottery which of the following values ​​will be subtracted from the normal game counter 197c: "20", "30", "50", "100", or "300".

[0152] If the AT control means 200 determines at the start of the AT state that the number of sets of pseudo-bonus states to be executed is determined to be 1 or 2 sets, it executes a second pseudo-bonus grant lottery to determine whether or not to add 1 set of second pseudo-bonus states at the start of the AT state. If the AT control means 200 wins "add 1 set of second pseudo-bonus states" in the game in which the second pseudo-bonus grant lottery was executed, and the number of sets of pseudo-bonus states scheduled to be executed is 3 sets, it terminates the second pseudo-bonus grant lottery. If the number of sets of pseudo-bonus states scheduled to be executed is 2 sets, it executes the second pseudo-bonus grant lottery again in the next game. After the game in which the second pseudo-bonus grant lottery was executed has ended, the AT control means 200 transitions the performance state to the first set of pseudo-bonus states that was scheduled.

[0153] The first pseudo-bonus state is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state because it provides assistance for the entry of bells A to L when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A" and "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B", and also provides assistance for the entry of bells A, B, G, and H when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A".

[0154] At the start of the first pseudo-bonus state, the AT control means 200 generates a freeze that delays the progress of the game based on the start operation of the start lever SL, and causes the reel control means 130 to execute the first reel animation as a reel animation using the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. In the first reel animation, the reel control means 130 starts rotating the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and after they have rotated at a constant speed, it stops the left reel R1, the middle reel R2, and the right reel R3 in that order, and stops and displays the BAR symbol "BAR" in the middle of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the reel control means 130 starts rotating the left reel R1, the middle reel R2, and the right reel R3 in that order. The AT control means 200 ends the freeze after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have reached a steady rotation, and enables pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0155] The AT control means 200 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined difference in tokens (for example, 150 tokens) in the first pseudo-bonus token difference counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the first pseudo-bonus state, and subtracts the stored value of the first pseudo-bonus token difference counter by a value corresponding to the difference in tokens each time a game is played. The AT control means 200 determines that the termination condition for one set of the first pseudo-bonus state has been met when the value of the first pseudo-bonus token difference counter becomes "0" or less after subtracting the difference in tokens. If the next set of pseudo-bonus states is scheduled, a new set of pseudo-bonus states will start from the next game. If this first pseudo-bonus state was the last set that was scheduled, the AT control means 200 determines that the termination condition for the AT state has been met and transitions from the AT state to the normal state.

[0156] The second pseudo-bonus state is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state because it provides assistance for the entry of bells A to L when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A" and "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B", and also provides assistance for the entry of bells A, B, G, and H when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A".

[0157] At the start of the second pseudo-bonus state, the AT control means 200 generates a freeze that delays the progress of the game based on the start operation of the start lever SL, and causes the reel control means 130 to execute the first reel animation as a reel animation using the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. In the first reel animation, the reel control means 130 starts rotating the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and after they have rotated at a constant speed, it stops the left reel R1, middle reel R2, and right reel R3 in that order, and stops and displays the white 7 symbol "white 7" in the middle of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the reel control means 130 starts rotating the left reel R1, middle reel R2, and right reel R3 in that order. The AT control means 200 ends the freeze after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have reached a steady rotation, and enables pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0158] The AT control means 200 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined difference in tokens (for example, 700 tokens) in the second pseudo-bonus token difference counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the second pseudo-bonus state, and subtracts the stored value of the second pseudo-bonus token difference counter by a value corresponding to the difference in tokens each time a game is played. The AT control means 200 determines that the termination condition for one set of the second pseudo-bonus state has been met when the value of the second pseudo-bonus token difference counter becomes "0" or less after subtracting the difference in tokens. If the next set of pseudo-bonus states is scheduled, a new set of pseudo-bonus states will start from the next game. If the current first pseudo-bonus state was the last set that was scheduled, the AT control means 200 determines that the termination condition for the AT state has been met and transitions from the AT state to the normal state.

[0159] Thus, the second pseudo-bonus state is configured as a state in which more medals can be won than the first pseudo-bonus state, and is configured as the most advantageous state for the player in slot machine 1.

[0160] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to continue the advantageous section and start the normal state after the end of the CZ state or AT state, except when the special termination conditions for the advantageous section are met and the advantageous section ends, such as when the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a becomes the value "1500" or when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes the value "2401" or more.

[0161] 3. Details of the winning mechanism for batting order-based minor roles. As described above, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment has the following winning areas (winning patterns based on batting order) in which the winning combinations that can be obtained differ depending on the batting order: winning area "batting order bell 1A" to winning area "batting order bell 12A", winning area "batting order bell 1B" to winning area "batting order bell 12B", and winning area "batting order chance 1A" to winning area "batting order chance 4A".

[0162] <Details of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A", and "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B"> First, let's explain the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A" and "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B". In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, when a player wins in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A" and "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B", the control content of the reel stop control by the reel control means 130 is changed according to the state of play, so that different winning combinations can be achieved.

[0163] Figure 10 shows the possible winning combinations depending on the order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 12A" and the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1B" to "Bat Order Bell 12B" are selected in the non-RT state. As shown in Figure 10, in slot machine 1, when the internal lottery in the non-RT state selects the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 12A" and the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1B" to "Bat Order Bell 12B", regardless of the order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, bells A to L, which are set to pay more than the specified number of coins (13 coins), will not be awarded, and single-coin combinations A1 to G4, which are set to pay less than the specified number of coins (1 coin), will be awarded with the winning probabilities shown in Figure 10.

[0164] Using the example of winning in the "Batting Order Bell 1A" area, we will explain the details of the winning probabilities for single-coin combinations A1 to G4. As shown in Figure 3, in the "Batting Order Bell 1A" area, Bell A, single-coin combination A1, single-coin combination A4, single-coin combination C1, and single-coin combination E1 can all be won at the same time.

[0165] If the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" is selected and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 1 or batting order 2, the reel control means 130, based on the fact that stop button B1 has been pressed as the first stop operation, executes a coin-priority control as reel stop control and stops and displays the bell A symbol "BLA" which constitutes the winning symbol combination "BLA-BLA-BLA" for bell A on the active line L1. As a result, in the slot machine 1, the winning combinations that can be won in that game are limited to bell A, which consists of the winning symbol combination "BLA-BLA-BLA", 1-coin combination A1, which consists of the winning symbol combination "BLA-BAR(BKA)-BAR(BKA)", and 1-coin combination A4, which consists of the winning symbol combination "BLA-White 7(BKC)-White 7(BKC)".

[0166] Next, the reel control means 130 executes a number-priority control as reel stop control based on the fact that stop button B2 or stop button B3 has been performed as a second stop operation. When the winning area "Battle Order Bell 1A" is won and the bell A symbol "BLA" is stopped and displayed on the upper part of the left reel R1 which constitutes the active line L1, the slot machine 1 has one symbol combination that can be displayed when the bell A symbol "BLA" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 on the middle reel R2 or the right reel R3, and there are two symbol combinations that can be displayed when any of the BAR symbol "BAR", blank A symbol "BKA", white 7 symbol "White 7", or blank C symbol "BKC" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 on the reel corresponding to the stop button on which the second stop operation was performed.

[0167] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the middle reel R2 and the right reel R3 are set to have non-overlapping ranges for the pull-in range in which the BAR symbol "BAR" or the blank A symbol "BKA" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and for the pull-in range in which the white 7 symbol "White 7" or the blank C symbol "BKC" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and each range is set to 10 out of 20 frames.

[0168] Given this configuration, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" is selected and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting order 1 or batting order 2, the winning combinations that can be awarded in that game are limited to either a single-coin combination A1 consisting of the winning symbol combination "BLA-BAR(BKA)-BAR(BKA)" or a single-coin combination A4 consisting of the winning symbol combination "BLA-White 7(BKC)-White 7(BKC)".

[0169] In slot machine 1, the third stop operation is performed by stopping and displaying the symbols that constitute the winning combination of the single-coin win A1 or single-coin win A4, which are limited to the small wins that can be won in that game, on the active line L1 at the time of the second stop operation. This ensures that the single-coin win A1 or single-coin win A4 is won, and the timing of pressing the third stop operation, which makes it possible to win the single-coin win A1 or single-coin win A4, is such that symbols within a range of 10 out of 20 frames are rotating and displayed on the active line L1.

[0170] With this configuration, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" is hit in the non-RT state and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in bat order 1 or bat order 2, there is a 1 / 2 probability that a single-coin win A1 or a single-coin win A4 will be awarded depending on the timing of pressing the third stop operation, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that a combination of symbols different from the winning combinations of either will be displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed win (non-winning).

[0171] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" is won in a non-RT state and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in bat order 3 or bat order 4, based on the fact that stop button B2 has been pressed as the first stop operation, the reel stop control is performed with priority control of the number of symbols, and the bell B symbol "BLB" which constitutes the winning symbol combination "BAR(BKC)-BLB-BAR(BKA)" of the single-coin win C1 is stopped and displayed on the active line L1. As a result, in slot machine 1, the only wins that can be won in that game are limited to the single-coin win C1 whose winning symbol combination consists of "BAR(BKC)-BLB-BAR(BKA)".

[0172] As mentioned above, in slot machine 1, the pull-in range in which the white 7 symbol "White 7" or the blank A symbol "BKA" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 on the left reel R1 is set to a range of 10 out of 20 frames.

[0173] Therefore, in slot machine 1, at the time of the first stop operation, the only small win that can be achieved in that game is the single-coin win C1. The timing of pressing the second stop operation, which makes it possible to win the single-coin win C1, and the timing of pressing the third stop operation, which are both at the timing when symbols within a range of 10 out of 20 frames are displayed rotating on the active line L1, result in a 1 / 4 probability of winning the single-coin win C1, and a 3 / 4 probability of missing out (not winning) when a combination of symbols different from any of the winning combinations is displayed on the active line L1.

[0174] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" is selected in a non-RT state and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting order 5 or 6, when stop button B3 is pressed as the first stop, the only small win that can be achieved in that game is limited to the single-coin win E1. The timing of pressing the second stop operation that makes the single-coin win E1 possible, and the timing of pressing the third stop operation, are such that symbols within a range of 10 out of 20 frames are rotating and displayed on the active line L1. As a result, there is a 1 / 4 probability that the single-coin win E1 will be achieved, and a 3 / 4 probability that a combination of symbols different from any of the winning combinations will be displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed win (non-winning).

[0175] Figure 11 shows the possible winning combinations when the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1A" to "Beat Order Bell 12A" and the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1B" to "Beat Order Bell 12B" are selected in the bonus state, and the winning combinations are determined by the order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. As shown in Figure 11, in slot machine 1, when the internal lottery in the bonus state selects the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1A" to "Beat Order Bell 12A" and the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1B" to "Beat Order Bell 12B", a specific batting order (correct batting order) is set for each winning area that allows for the winning combination of Bell A to Bell L.

[0176] In slot machine 1, if you win in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 12A" or "Bat Order Bell 1B" to "Bat Order Bell 12B", and the batting order of stop buttons B1 to B3 is the correct batting order, then one of the winning bells A to L will be awarded.

[0177] In addition, in slot machine 1, if you win in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 12A" or the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1B" to "Bat Order Bell 12B", and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a different batting order than the correct batting order (incorrect batting order), then one of the winning single-coin combinations A1 to G4 will be awarded according to the winning probability shown in Figure 11.

[0178] <Details of the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A"> Figure 12 shows the possible winning combinations when the player wins in the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" during non-RT (Replay Time) and bonus-established states, and the winning combinations are determined by the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. As shown in Figure 12, in slot machine 1, when the player wins in the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" during the internal lottery during non-RT and bonus-established states, the winning combinations that can be obtained in that game are limited to either Bell A, Bell B, Bell G, or Bell H, which are set to pay 13 coins, or Special Small Winning Combination A or Special Small Winning Combination B, which are set to pay 1 coin each.

[0179] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, in the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A", the batting orders that allow you to win Bell A, Bell B, Bell G, and Bell H (unset batting orders) are set to batting orders 1 and 2, where stop button B1 is the first stop operation, and the batting orders that allow you to win special small role A and special small role B (set batting orders) are set to batting orders 3 to 6, where stop buttons B2 and B3 are the first stop operations.

[0180] The details of the reel stop control when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" will be explained using the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A". In slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a non-set batting order where stop button B1 is the first stop operation, the reel stop control by the reel control means 130 performs a coin-priority control, and the bell A symbol "BLA", which constitutes the winning symbol combination "BLA-BLA-BLA" of bell A, which is set to pay 13 coins, which is more than special small role A and special small role B set to pay 1 coin, is stopped and displayed in the upper position of the left reel R1 which constitutes the active line L1, thereby limiting the small role that can be won in that game to bell A.

[0181] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" is won and stop button B2 is pressed as the first stop in the set batting order (batting order 3, batting order 4), then when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, the bell A symbol "BLA" will stop and display in the middle of the middle reel R2, allowing two symbol combinations to be displayed on active line L1: the winning symbol combination for bell A "BLA-BLA-BLA" and the winning symbol combination for special small role A "WM-ANY-RP". Additionally, when the replay symbol "RP" stops and displays in the middle of the middle reel R2, two symbol combinations to be displayed on active line L1 will be allowed: the winning symbol combination for special small role A "WM-ANY-RP" and the winning symbol combination for special small role B "WM-RP-ANY".

[0182] The reel control means 130 determines that the number of winning symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 is the same when the bell A symbol "BLA" and the replay symbol "RP" are stopped and displayed in the middle of the middle reel R2. Therefore, since priority cannot be given to the bell A symbol "BLA" and the replay symbol "RP" by quantity priority control, the reel stop control means 130 determines to stop and display the replay symbol "RP" on the active line L1 by using the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 194. As a result, the replay symbol "RP" is stopped and displayed in the middle of the middle reel R2 that constitutes the active line L1, and the winning combinations that can be won in that game are limited to special combination A and special combination B.

[0183] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" is won and stop button B3 is pressed as the first stop in the set batting order (batting order 5, batting order 6), then by stopping the bell A symbol "BLA" on the lower part of the right reel R3, two symbol combinations can be displayed on the active line L1: the winning symbol combination for bell A "BLA-BLA-BLA" and the winning symbol combination for special small role B "WM-RP-ANY". Also, by stopping the replay symbol "RP" on the lower part of the right reel R3, two symbol combinations can be displayed on the active line L1: the winning symbol combination for special small role A "WM-ANY-RP" and the winning symbol combination for special small role B "WM-RP-ANY".

[0184] The reel control means 130 determines that the number of winning symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 is the same when the bell A symbol "BLA" and the replay symbol "RP" are stopped and displayed on the lower part of the right reel R3. Therefore, since priority cannot be given to the bell A symbol "BLA" and the replay symbol "RP" by quantity priority control, the reel stop control means 130 determines to stop and display the replay symbol "RP" on the active line L1 by using the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 194. As a result, the replay symbol "RP" is stopped and displayed on the middle part of the right reel R3 which constitutes the active line L1, and the winning combinations that can be won in this game are limited to special winning combination A and special winning combination B.

[0185] Then, if the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" is selected and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the set batting order from batting order 3 to batting order 6, in slot machine 1, when stop button B1 is pressed, the watermelon symbol "WM" is stopped and displayed on the upper part of the left reel R1, and the replay symbol "RP" is stopped and displayed on the middle part of the middle reel R2 and the lower part of the right reel R3, and the symbol combination "WM-RP-RP" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1. As mentioned above, the winning symbol combination for special small win A is "WM-ANY-RP", and since the winning symbol combination is made up of any symbol (ANY) from all the symbols arranged on the middle reel R2, the replay symbol "RP" is also included as one of the arbitrary symbols, and therefore "WM-RP-RP" displayed on the active line L1 also constitutes the winning symbol combination for special small win A. Furthermore, the winning symbol combination for special small win B is "WM-RP-ANY," and since the winning symbol combination is made up of any symbol (ANY) from all the symbols arranged on the right reel R3, the replay symbol "RP" is also included as one of the arbitrary symbols. Therefore, "WM-RP-RP" displayed on the active line L1 also constitutes the winning symbol combination for special small win B.

[0186] In other words, the symbol combination "WM-RP-RP" that stops and is displayed on the active line L1 is a symbol combination that satisfies either the winning symbol combination for special small win A or the winning symbol combination for special small win B. As a result, in slot machine 1, when the symbol combination "WM-RP-RP" stops and is displayed on the active line L1, both special small wins A and B are awarded (double win).

[0187] 4. Relationship between the probability of winning small prizes in each game state <Probability of winning a minor role in a non-bonus state and probability of winning a minor role in a bonus state> Next, we will explain in detail the relationship between the probability of winning a small role in the non-RT state and the bonus state when the bonus is not activated (non-bonus state) and the probability of winning a small role in the bonus state in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment.

[0188] As shown in Figure 3, in the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with two winning areas: "All Small Wins," where all small wins (Bell A to Bell L, Special Small Win A, Special Small Win B, Single-Coin Win A1 to Single-Coin Win G4, and Rare Win A) are won simultaneously; and "All Single-Coin Wins," where all small wins (excluding Special Small Win A and Special Small Win B) with a payout of 1 coin are won simultaneously.

[0189] Figures 3, 11, and 12 will be used to explain the non-bonus state and the bonus state in detail. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, in the bonus state in which the internal lottery table C is selected, the probability of winning the winning area "All Small Wins" is 5129 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 12.8), and the probability of winning the winning area "All Single Wins" is 51430 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 1.3). Therefore, the probability of winning either the winning area "All Small Wins" or the winning area "All Single Wins" is 56559 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 1.2).

[0190] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, the probability of winning in either the winning area, including small wins, in the internal lottery table selected in the non-bonus state, namely internal lottery table A or internal lottery table B, is 56554 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 1.2).

[0191] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the probability of winning a small win in the bonus state is configured to be higher than the probability of winning a small win in the non-bonus state.

[0192] Furthermore, in bonus mode, since the single-coin combinations A1 to G4 are included in both the "all small combinations" winning area and the "all single-coin combinations" winning area, the probability of winning each of the single-coin combinations A1 to G4 is 56559 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 1.2). For this reason, the probability of winning each of the single-coin combinations A1 to G4 in bonus mode is higher than the probability of winning each of the single-coin combinations A1 to G4 in non-bonus mode.

[0193] Furthermore, in bonus mode, Bell A to Bell L, Special Small Role A, Special Small Role B, and Rare Role A are included in the winning area "All Small Roles," and the probability of winning Bell A to Bell L, Special Small Role A, Special Small Role B, and Rare Role A is 5129 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 12.8).

[0194] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, Bell A is included in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1A", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1B", and the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A" when not in bonus mode. As a result, the probability of winning Bell A is 2716 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 24.1), and the probability of winning Bell A is higher in bonus mode than in non-bonus mode. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, Bell B, Bell G, and Bell H, which have the same probability of winning as Bell A in non-bonus mode, are also configured to have higher winning probabilities in bonus mode than in non-bonus mode.

[0195] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, bell C is included in the winning area "Battle Order Bell 3A" and the winning area "Battle Order Bell 3B" when not in bonus mode, resulting in a winning probability of bell C of 3900 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 16.8). The probability of winning bell C is higher in bonus mode than in non-bonus mode. Also, in slot machine 1, bells D to F and I to L, which have the same winning probability as bell C in non-bonus mode, are also configured to have a higher winning probability in bonus mode than in non-bonus mode.

[0196] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, special small win A is included in each of the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A" when not in bonus mode, resulting in a winning probability of 2464 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 26.6). The probability of winning special small win A is higher in bonus mode than in non-bonus mode. Also, in slot machine 1, special small win B, which has the same winning probability as special small win A when not in bonus mode, is also configured to have a higher winning probability in bonus mode than in non-bonus mode.

[0197] In slot machine 1, rare role A is included in the winning area "rare role 1" when not in bonus mode, resulting in a winning probability of rare role A of 790 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 83.0). The probability of winning rare role A is higher in bonus mode than in non-bonus mode.

[0198] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the probability of winning each of the small wins in the bonus state is set to be higher than the probability of winning each of the small wins in the non-bonus state.

[0199] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the probability of winning one of the bells A to L, which are set to pay 13 coins in a non-bonus state, that is, the sum of the winning probabilities for each of the bells A to L, is 42064 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 1.6), which is the sum of the winning probabilities for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A", "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B", and "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A". This is a higher winning probability than the probability of winning one of the bells A to L in a bonus state, that is, the winning probability for the winning area "All Small Wins", which is 5129 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 12.8).

[0200] Thus, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment has multiple types of first winning patterns (winning area "Ball Order Bell 1A" to winning area "Ball Order Bell 12A", winning area "Ball Order Bell 1B" to winning area "Ball Order Bell 12B") in which multiple types of first small wins (Ball Order Bell 1A to Bell L) set to pay out more than the number of game value inputs required to start the game do not overlap with each other and are awarded in conjunction with second small wins different from the first small wins, and a third winning pattern (winning area "All Small Wins") in which multiple types of first small wins are awarded in conjunction with each other. The internal lottery means 120 is configured to conduct an internal lottery so that multiple types of first winning patterns exist in the normal game state (non-RT state) and the bonus state, and to conduct an internal lottery so that a third winning pattern exists in the bonus state. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, the probability of winning the third winning pattern in the internal lottery during the bonus state is lower than the probability of winning any of the multiple first winning patterns in the internal lottery during normal gameplay and the bonus state, and the probability of winning each of the small roles in the internal lottery during the bonus state is set to be higher than or equal to the probability of winning each of the small roles in the internal lottery during normal gameplay and the bonus state.

[0201] Therefore, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, the expected value of the medal acquisition rate during the bonus state is less than 100%.

[0202] In this bonus state, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 12A" and the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1B" to "Bat Order Bell 12B" are won, the configuration is such that Bell A to Bell L cannot be awarded unless the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order. Therefore, the probability of winning any of Bell A to Bell L is limited to when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order from the six possible batting orders. Thus, the probability of winning any of Bell A to Bell L when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" to "Bat Order Bell 12A" and the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1B" to "Bat Order Bell 12B" are won is set to 1 / 6.

[0203] On the other hand, when an AT game is played in which prize-winning assistance is performed by the AT control means 200, the correct batting order is announced when the winning area "batting order bell 1A" to the winning area "batting order bell 12A" and the winning area "batting order bell 1B" to the winning area "batting order bell 12B" are won, so that bells A to L can be reliably won. As a result, the probability of winning any of bells A to L can be increased by up to 6 times compared to when prize-winning assistance is not performed.

[0204] Thus, in the first embodiment, 12 types of winning combinations (specific combinations) are set, from Bell A to Bell L, which pay out more medals than the prescribed number of medals that would be awarded if the stopping operation is performed in the correct sequence. Furthermore, the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in the bonus state is compressed to approximately 1 / 6 of the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in a game state other than the bonus state.

[0205] <Details of the bells that can be used to win prizes in batting order 1 and 2> As shown in Figures 11 and 12, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, Bell A is configured to be able to hit in the following cases: when the internal lottery in the bonus state selects the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1A" or the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1B" and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 1; and when the internal lottery in the non-bonus state selects the winning area "Bat Order Chance 1A" and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 1 or batting order 2. The probability of winning Bell A is set to 2716 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 24.1), which is lower than the probability of winning Bells C to F and Bells I to L, where batting orders 3 to 6 are set as the correct batting orders.

[0206] With this configuration, in slot machine 1, Bell A can be won in the internal lottery during non-bonus states not only in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" and "Batting Order Bell 1B", but also in the winning area "Batting Order Chance 1A". However, the combined probability of winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A", "Batting Order Bell 1B", and "Batting Order Chance 1A" is lower than the probability of winning the 13-coin payout that can be won when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order such as Bell C to Bell F and Bell I to Bell L. Therefore, it does not affect the design of the winning probability for the winning area "All Small Wins" during bonus states.

[0207] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, bells B, G, and H, which are set as the correct batting order (batting order 1 or batting order 2) and are also included in the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 2A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A", have the same winning probability as bell A.

[0208] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment can compress the probability of obtaining a winning probability including a specific role in the bonus state, not only for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A", "Batting Order Bell 2A", "Batting Order Bell 7A", "Batting Order Bell 8A", "Batting Order Bell 1B", "Batting Order Bell 2B", "Batting Order Bell 7B", and "Batting Order Bell 8B", but also for Bell A, Bell B, Bell G, and Bell H which are included in the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A". This allows the lower limit of the medal acquisition rate in the bonus state to be lowered to less than 100% and enables the design of medal acquisition performance related to AT gameplay, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1 equipped with AT function.

[0209] Bells A, B, G, and H each constitute the first specific small win in the first embodiment, Bells C to F and Bells I to L each constitute the second specific small win in the first embodiment, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A", "Batting Order Bell 2A", "Batting Order Bell 7A", "Batting Order Bell 8A", "Batting Order Bell 1B", "Batting Order Bell 2B", "Batting Order Bell 7B", and "Batting Order Bell 8B" each constitute the first specific winning pattern in the first embodiment, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 3A" to "Batting Order Bell 6A", "Batting Order Bell 9A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A", "Batting Order Bell 3B" to "Batting Order Bell 6B", and "Batting Order Bell 9B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B" each constitute the second specific winning pattern in the first embodiment.

[0210] 5. Details of the effects related to the shortening process Next, we will describe the details of the performances performed by the performance control means 180 of the first embodiment.

[0211] <Effects related to the shortening process in normal conditions> In the first embodiment, the performance control means 180 is configured to display a shortening notification icon below the front view of the display device 330 when the shortening process is executed in the normal state. The performance control means 180 is configured to display an additional shortening notification icon below the front view of the display device 330 each time the shortening process is executed. For example, if the shortening process is executed three times without transitioning to a premonition state, three shortening notification icons will be displayed. Furthermore, if the shortening process is executed five or more times without transitioning to a premonition state, the performance control means 180 will display an indication of the number of times the shortening process has been executed from the fifth time onward (for example, if the shortening process has been executed five times, four shortening notification icons and the text "STOCK×1" will be displayed).

[0212] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 is configured to indicate the expected duration of the shortened period by the shortening process based on the color of the shortened notification icon when it is displayed. Specifically, the performance control means 180 is configured to display white, yellow, blue, and purple icons as shortened notification icons. A white shortened notification icon indicates that the probability of the shortened period being 20 games is highest, a yellow shortened notification icon indicates that the probability of the shortened period being 30 games is highest, a blue shortened notification icon indicates that the probability of the shortened period being 50 games is highest, and a purple shortened notification icon indicates that the probability of the shortened period being 100 games is highest. In other words, in slot machine 1, the expected duration of the shortened period increases in the order of white < yellow < blue < purple for the shortened notification icon color.

[0213] Furthermore, due to this configuration, slot machine 1 uses a shortening notification icon to indicate that the shortening process has been executed, but it does not use the shortening notification icon to indicate the period that has been shortened by the shortening process.

[0214] The performance control means 180 is configured to display a special shortening notification icon with a different design from the shortening notification icon at a different location (for example, the upper left when viewed from the front of the display device 330) than where the shortening notification icon is displayed on the display device 330 when the shortening process shortens the game by 300 games. The special shortening notification icon is displayed at a different location than where the shortening notification icon is displayed on the display device 330, regardless of the number of shortening notification icons displayed on the display device 330. The performance control means 180 is also configured to display a purple shortening notification icon in the icon display area 330b instead of the special shortening notification icon when the shortening process shortens the game by 300 games, and is configured to determine by lottery whether to display the shortening notification icon or the special shortening notification icon.

[0215] <Presentation related to shortened processing during the premonition state> In the first embodiment, when the performance state controlled by the AT control means 200 transitions from a normal state to a premonition state, the performance control means 180 changes the position where up to four of the shortened notification icons, which were displayed at the lower front of the display device 330, are displayed to approximately the center of the display device 330. In addition, the performance control means 180 displays a performance button operation indicator prompting the user to press the performance button PU near the bottom of the shortened notification icons that have started to be displayed approximately in the center of the display device 330.

[0216] Furthermore, if the position where the abbreviated notification icon is displayed is changed, the performance control means 180 changes the display indicating the execution of the abbreviated process, which was previously indicated by a display that indicated the number of times it had been executed rather than the abbreviated notification icon, to a display that uses the abbreviated notification icon and displays it below the front of the display device 330.

[0217] Each time the performance button PU is pressed, the performance control means 180 changes the display of the shortening notification icon near the center of the display device 330 to a period notification icon that indicates the period shortened in the shortening process that was announced by the shortening notification icon. For example, if the first shortening process shortens the game by 30 games, the second shortening process shortens it by 20 games, the third shortening process shortens it by 50 games, and the fourth shortening process shortens it by 100 games, the four shortening notification icons are changed to period notification icons that display "30G", "20G", "50G", and "100G", respectively, thereby indicating that the set period managed by the normal game counter 197c has been shortened by 200 games by the four shortening processes.

[0218] In addition, for the display indicating the execution of the shortening process displayed by the special shortening notification icon, after the effect of changing the display of the shortening notification icon to the display of the period notification icon has ended, the effect control means 180 displays the special shortening notification icon at approximately the center of the display device 330, so that it is not displayed below the front view of the display device 330. The effect control means 180 performs an effect button operation display near the lower part of the special shortening notification icon, and when the effect button PU is pressed, the special shortening notification icon at approximately the center of the display device 330 is changed to a display of a period notification icon that notifies the period shortened in the shortening process notified by the special shortening notification icon.

[0219] In this way, when the effect control means 180 of the first embodiment displays the special shortening notification icon in the normal state, after changing all of the shortening notification icons to the display of the period notification icons, the special shortening notification icon is changed to the display of the period notification icon. That is, by finally displaying the result of the shortening process with the highest expected degree, which is the number of times with the largest number of shortened game times among the plurality of executed shortening processes, the player's interest in the effect of notifying the results of a series of shortening processes can be maintained until the end.

[0220] Further, when a plurality of shortening processes are executed before transitioning to the precursor state and a plurality of shortening notification icons and special shortening notification icons are displayed, the effect control means 180 of the first embodiment changes the display of all the shortening notification icons and special shortening notification icons to the period notification icon based on the transition to the precursor state, so as to notify the results of the plurality of shortening processes executed before transitioning to the precursor state.

[0221] <Effect Regarding Shortening Process in AT State> When the effect control means 180 of the first embodiment executes the shortening process by the AT control means 200 in the AT state, it displays a shortened notification icon below the front view of the display device 330 in substantially the same manner as in the normal state. The effect control means 180 is configured to continue displaying the shortened notification icon below the front view of the display device 330 even when the state transitions to the normal state for the shortened notification icon that started displaying in the AT state, and is configured not to notify the number of games shortened by the shortening process until the effect state transitions to the precursor state. When the AT control means 200 transitions the state from the normal state to the precursor state and the effect button PU is pressed, the effect control means 180 is configured to notify the number of game plays shortened by the shortening process executed in the AT state by changing the display of the shortened notification icon to the display of the period notification icon.

[0222] <Relationship between state transition by AT control means and effect by effect control means> As described above, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment sets an initial value corresponding to the normal mode in the normal game number counter 197c as the set period from the start of the normal state that has transitioned from the CZ state or the AT state until it transitions from the normal state to the CZ state, and executes an update process of subtracting the stored value of the normal game number counter 197c each time a game is played. Further, when winning in the shortening lottery, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute the shortening process. In the shortening process, the AT control means 200 is configured to be able to subtract the stored value of the normal game number counter 197c by a value larger than the value (value "1") subtracted in the update process, and by executing the shortening process, it is configured to be able to shorten the set period from the normal state until it transitions to the CZ state.

[0223] In the first embodiment, the performance control means 180 displays a shortening notification icon to indicate that the shortening process has been executed when the shortening process is performed in the normal state by the AT control means 200, but does not perform any performance to indicate the result of the shortening process, that is, the number of games shortened by the shortening process, in the normal state. The performance control means 180 is configured to notify the result of the shortening process by performing a performance that changes the display of the shortening notification icon to a period notification icon at a predetermined timing during a game in which the premonition state has started.

[0224] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 of the first embodiment is configured to notify the results of the multiple shortening processes performed before transitioning to the pre-announcement state if multiple shortening notification icons or special shortening notification icons are displayed when multiple shortening processes are performed before transitioning to the pre-announcement state, and when the game transitions to the pre-announcement state, the display of all shortening notification icons and special shortening notification icons is changed to a period notification icon.

[0225] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment can shorten the time from the normal state to the CZ state by enabling the shortening process to be executed in the normal state, and by not informing the player of the specific number of games shortened by the shortening process until the transition to the pre-announcement state, it can inform the player that an advantageous process has been executed but not allow the player to determine how advantageous it is, thereby giving the player an incentive to continue playing until the transition to the pre-announcement state. Furthermore, if the shortening process is executed multiple times before the transition to the pre-announcement state, the player is not allowed to determine the results of the multiple shortening processes until the transition to the pre-announcement state, and the results of the multiple shortening processes are announced in the pre-announcement state, thereby giving the player an even stronger incentive to continue playing until the transition to the pre-announcement state and improving the player's willingness to continue playing.

[0226] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to execute the shortening process even when the performance state is the AT state, and when the shortening process is executed in the AT state, the result of the shortening process is reflected in the normal game counter 197c in the normal state after the AT state has ended.The performance control means 180 displays a shortening notification icon when the shortening process is executed in the AT state, but does not execute the performance that notifies the number of games shortened by the shortening process in the AT state or the normal state.Instead, it is configured to notify the player when the player transitions from the normal state to the pre-announcement state, and when the player presses the performance button PU, it executes a performance that changes the display of the shortening notification icon to a period notification icon.

[0227] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment can shorten the period from the normal state after the end of the AT state to the CZ state by enabling the execution of a shortening process in the AT state. Furthermore, the shortening notification icon notifies the player that the shortening process has been executed in the AT state, and the shortening notification icon also notifies the player that the shortening process executed in the AT state will be carried over to the normal state after the end of the AT state. This notifies the player that an advantageous process has been executed in the AT state and that it continues to be stocked in the normal state, thereby giving the player an incentive to continue playing until the transition to the premonition state, and improving the player's willingness to continue playing.

[0228] 6. Details of the control of the normal game counter and the standby game counter. Next, we will describe the details of the control of the normal game counter 197c and the standby game counter 197d that are performed in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment.

[0229] <Initial setting for the waiting game count counter> Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the AT control means 200 when setting an initial value for the standby game counter 197d. The AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to execute the control process shown in Figure 13 during the first game in the normal state.

[0230] In the control process for setting an initial value for the standby game counter 197d, the AT control means 200 first determines whether the current normal state is a transition from the CZ state (S1). In this process, the AT control means 200 determines whether the transition to the normal state occurred without transitioning from the 2nd CZ state to the AT state by determining whether the performance state that was executed in the previous game was the 2nd CZ state.

[0231] In the process of step S1, if it is determined that the current normal state has not transitioned from the CZ state (NO), the AT control means 200 determines whether or not the second pseudo-bonus state has been executed (S2). In this process, the AT control means 200 determines whether or not one or more sets of the second pseudo-bonus state have been executed in the AT state that was being executed while transitioning to the normal state.

[0232] In step S2, if it is determined that the second pseudo-bonus state was being executed (YES), the AT control means 200 determines whether three sets of the second pseudo-bonus state were executed in the AT state before transitioning to the normal state (S3). In this process, the AT control means 200 determines whether all three sets of pseudo-bonus states were the second pseudo-bonus state in the AT state configured to execute three sets of pseudo-bonus states.

[0233] In step S1, if it is determined that the current normal state was transitioned from the CZ state (YES), in step S2, if it is determined that the second pseudo-bonus state was not executed in the AT state before transitioning to the normal state (NO), or in step S3, if it is determined that three sets of the second pseudo-bonus state were executed in the AT state before transitioning to the normal state (YES), the AT control means 200 sets the value "200" as the initial value of the standby game counter 197d (S4), and terminates the control process of setting the initial value of the standby game counter 197d.

[0234] On the other hand, in the process of step S3, if it is determined that one or two sets of the second pseudo-bonus state have been executed in the AT state before transitioning to the normal state (NO), the AT control means 200 performs a waiting game count lottery to determine the initial value to be set for the waiting game count counter 197d (S5). In this process, the AT control means 200 performs a waiting game count lottery to determine one of the values ​​"200", "300", or "400" as the initial value.

[0235] Next, the AT control means 200 sets the value determined by the waiting game count lottery (lottery result) as the initial value of the waiting game count counter 197d (S6), and ends the control process of setting the initial value of the waiting game count counter 197d.

[0236] <Relationship between normal game count counter and standby game count counter> As shown in Figure 13, in step S4 of the control process for setting an initial value for the standby game counter 197d, the AT control means 200 sets the standby game counter 197d to a value "200" which is the same as the smallest value among the initial values ​​that can be set for the normal game counter 197c: "200", "500", "700", and "1000".

[0237] By setting the standby game counter 197d to an initial value of "200", the AT control means 200 does not perform a shortening process until the stored value of the normal game counter 197c becomes "0". At the time the stored value of the normal game counter 197c is updated to "0" and the transition to the CZ state is decided, the stored value of the standby game counter 197d also becomes "0", so the AT control means 200 transitions from the normal state to the CZ state via the pre-announcement state.

[0238] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment determines that the player has not acquired enough medals if the state being executed before transitioning to the normal state was the CZ state, or if the AT state was being executed but the second pseudo-bonus state was not executed. It then sets the initial value to be set to the standby game counter 197d to "200", which is the same as the smallest initial value that can be set to the normal game counter 197c. This increases the likelihood that the stored value of the standby game counter 197d will also be "0" when the normal game counter 197c is updated to "0" and the transition to the CZ state is determined. This prevents the transition from the normal state to the CZ state via the pre-announcement state from being excessively suppressed by the value stored in the standby game counter 197d, thereby improving the player's anticipation for the next CZ state and preventing a decrease in the player's interest in playing.

[0239] Furthermore, if the second pseudo-bonus state is executed for one or two sets in the AT state before transitioning to the normal state, the AT control means 200 executes steps S5 and S6 in the control process for setting an initial value in the standby game counter 197d, thereby setting one of the values ​​"200", "300", or "400" determined by the standby game lottery as the initial value to be set in the standby game counter 197d.

[0240] By setting the standby game counter 197d to initial values ​​of "300" and "400", the AT control means 200 maintains the performance state in the normal state even when the memory value of the normal game counter 197c is updated to "0" and the transition to the CZ state is decided, because the memory value of the standby game counter 197d is still "1" or greater, in cases where the initial value of the normal game counter 197c is set to less than the initial value of the standby game counter 197d, or when the memory value of the normal game counter 197c is significantly reduced by the shortening process.

[0241] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that, if the state being executed before transitioning to the normal state is the AT state and one or two sets of the second pseudo-bonus state have been executed in the AT state, it is determined that the player has acquired enough medals, and the initial value to be set to the standby game counter 197d is set to a value of "300" or "400", which is greater than the smallest initial value that can be set to the normal game counter 197c. This increases the likelihood that the stored value of the standby game counter 197d will be "1" or greater even when the value stored in the normal game counter 197c is updated to "0" and the transition to the CZ state is determined, and by maintaining the normal state even when the value stored in the normal game counter 197c becomes "0" and the transition to the CZ state is determined, excessive gambling can be suppressed.

[0242] Furthermore, if three sets of the second pseudo-bonus state have been executed in the AT state before transitioning to the normal state, the AT control means 200, in the process of step S4 in the control process for setting an initial value in the standby game counter 197d, sets the standby game counter 197d to a value "200", which is the same as the smallest value that can be set in the normal game counter 197c.

[0243] With this configuration, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, if the state being executed before transitioning to the normal state is the AT state and three sets of the second pseudo-bonus state have been executed, then if 700 or more medals have been acquired in one set of the second pseudo-bonus state, that is, at the end of the AT state, the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b is 2100 or more and close to 2400, and by quickly transitioning to the CZ state in which prize-winning assistance is performed, the specific termination condition of the advantageous section can be met in the CZ state. Furthermore, if the normal state continues for a long period of time, the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b will become a small value, and A When the T state is started, a new AT state can be run for a long period of time, which may lead to excessive payouts of medals. Therefore, the initial value set for the standby game counter 197d is set to "200", which is the same as the smallest initial value that can be set for the normal game counter 197c. By increasing the likelihood that the memory value of the standby game counter 197d will also be "0" when the normal game counter 197c is updated to the value "0" and the transition to the CZ state is decided, it is possible to prevent the transition from the normal state to the CZ state via the pre-announcement state from being excessively suppressed by the value stored in the standby game counter 197d, thereby suppressing excessive gambling.

[0244] The normal state, which is controllable by the AT control means 200, constitutes the first state, which is included in the state related to the auxiliary game in the first embodiment. The second state in the first embodiment is the CZ state and the AT state, which are more advantageous to the player than the normal state, when the following are performed: assistance for winning bells A to L when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1A" to "Batting Order Bell 12A" and "Batting Order Bell 1B" to "Batting Order Bell 12B", and assistance for winning bells A, B, G, and H when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Chance 1A" to "Batting Order Chance 4A".

[0245] 7. Summary of the First Embodiment As described above, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that, if the state being executed before transitioning to the normal state is the AT state and one or two sets of the second pseudo-bonus state have been executed in the AT state, the player is determined to have acquired enough medals, and the initial value to be set to the standby game counter 197d is determined to be a value of "300" or "400", which is greater than the smallest initial value that can be set to the normal game counter 197c. This increases the likelihood that the stored value of the standby game counter 197d will be "1" or greater even when the value stored in the normal game counter 197c is updated to "0" and the transition to the CZ state is determined. By maintaining the normal state even when the value stored in the normal game counter 197c becomes "0" and the transition to the CZ state is determined, excessive gambling can be suppressed.

[0246] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the slot machine 1, which is a modified version of the first embodiment, will be described. The second embodiment of the slot machine 1 differs from the first embodiment in its configuration regarding the winning patterns that can be won by internal lottery, the arrangement of symbols on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the reel stop control according to the game state, and the payout rate for each operation pattern of the stop buttons B1 to B3. In addition, the second embodiment of the slot machine 1 has an active line L1 consisting of the lower row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the middle reel R2, and the upper row of the right reel R3. As other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment, components common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0247] 1. Configuration of the gaming machine in the second embodiment Referring to Figures 14 to 21, the details of each component of the slot machine 1 in the second embodiment will be described.

[0248] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> Figure 14 is a diagram showing the winning areas that are subject to internal drawing in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, the winning numbers and winning combinations associated with each winning area, and the number of drawing values ​​associated with each winning area in each game state.

[0249] As shown in Figure 14, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment has the following winning areas that are subject to internal drawing: winning area "All small wins", winning area "All 8-coin wins", winning area "All 3-coin wins", winning area "All 1-coin wins", winning area "Normal replay 1", winning area "Normal replay 2", winning area "Bat order bell 1" to winning area "Bat order bell 8", winning area "Bat order 3-coin win 1" to winning area "Bat order 3-coin win 4", winning area "Bat order 15-coin win 1" to winning area "Bat order 15-coin win 4", winning area "Common 3-coin win", winning area "Rare win 1", winning area "Rare win 2", winning area "Common 9-coin win", winning area "RBB & rare replay", winning area "RBB & rare win 3", winning area "RBB & common 1-coin win", and winning area "RBB", and the numbers from 1 to 30 are associated with each of them. In addition, in slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with the result of the internal lottery, which is a loss (a losing spin).

[0250] The internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is correct or incorrect in the random number determination process, starting from the winning area associated with winning number 30 and moving towards the losing area associated with winning number 0.

[0251] In the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, the winning combinations that can be won when selected by internal lottery include Bell A to Bell E, 15-coin combination A to 15-coin combination C, 3-coin combination A to 3-coin combination F, and 1-coin combination A to 1-coin combination S, and the winning combinations that can be won by internal lottery include Replay A, Replay B, and Rare Replay. Each winning combination and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combinations shown in Figure 14. Also, as shown in Figure 14, in the slot machine 1, the winning areas that include bonuses and winning combinations are set as winning area "RBB&Rare Combination 3" and winning area "RBB&Common 1-coin Combination", and the winning area that includes bonuses and replays is set as winning area "RBB&Rare Replay".

[0252] In the second embodiment, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are configured as winning areas in which the winning combination of small prizes differs depending on the game state in the winning game and the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3. Furthermore, the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Prize 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Prize 4" and "Batting Order 15-Coin Prize 1" to "Batting Order 15-Coin Prize 4" are configured as winning areas in which the winning combination of small prizes differs depending on the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3. In addition, the winning area "Rare Prize 1" is configured so that a prize is awarded if the timing of pressing stop button B3 is such that a 3-coin prize C can be awarded, and if the timing of pressing stop button B3 is such that a 3-coin prize C cannot be awarded, a combination of symbols different from the winning combinations of any of the combinations is displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed prize (non-winning). Details regarding the winning combinations and their probabilities when a winning area including minor roles is reached will be described later.

[0253] <Arrangement of patterns> FIG. 15 is a diagram showing each symbol arranged on the circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, on the outer circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, there are arranged a red 7 symbol "RED 7", a white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", a BAR symbol "BAR", a replay symbol "RP", a bell symbol "BL", a cherry A symbol "CHA", a cherry B symbol "CHB", a watermelon A symbol "WMA", a watermelon B symbol "WMB", and a blank symbol "BK". Also, on the circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, 20 frames of symbols are arranged respectively.

[0254] In the second embodiment, the BAR symbol "BAR" has a wider width than other symbols in a front view and is configured as a symbol with higher visibility than other symbols during the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0255] As shown in FIG. 15, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the replay symbol "RP" and the bell symbol "BL" are arranged at intervals within 4 frames respectively. When the replay symbol "RP" stops and is displayed on the effective line L1 and when the bell symbol "BL" stops and is displayed on the effective line L1, it can stop and be displayed on the effective line L1 regardless of the pressing timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0256] For the left reel R1, the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" is arranged in the frames of stop number 0, stop number 5, and stop number 10, and the red 7 symbol "RED 7" is arranged in the frame of stop number 15. For the middle reel R2 and the right reel R3, the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" is arranged in the frames of stop number 1, stop number 6, and stop number 11, and the red 7 symbol "RED 7" is arranged in the frame of stop number 16. Therefore, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the drawing ranges of the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" and the red 7 symbol "RED 7" do not overlap.

[0257] In the slot machine 1, when the white 7 symbol "White 7" or the red 7 symbol "Red 7" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, it can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the pressing timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3. When the white 7 symbol "White 7" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, it can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at the timing when the symbols within the range of 15 out of 20 frames that can draw in the white 7 symbol "White 7" are rotating and displayed on the active line L1. When the red 7 symbol "Red 7" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, it can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at the timing when the symbols within the range of 5 out of 20 frames that can draw in the red 7 symbol "Red 7" are rotating and displayed on the active line L1.

[0258] On the left reel R1, the blank symbol "BK" is arranged in the frames of stop number 1, stop number 6, and stop number 11, and the BAR symbol "BAR" is arranged in the frame of stop number 16. On the middle reel R2, the blank symbol "BK" is arranged in the frames of stop number 2, stop number 7, and stop number 12, and the BAR symbol "BAR" is arranged in the frame of stop number 17. On the right reel R3, the blank symbol "BK" is arranged in the frames of stop number 0, stop number 5, and stop number 10, and the BAR symbol "BAR" is arranged in the frame of stop number 15. Therefore, in the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the drawing ranges of the blank symbol "BK" and the BAR symbol "BAR" do not overlap.

[0259] In slot machine 1, when stopping and displaying the blank symbol "BK" or the BAR symbol "BAR" on the active line L1, it is possible to stop and display it on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3. When stopping and displaying the blank symbol "BK" on the active line L1, it is possible to stop and display it on the active line L1 when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at the timing when symbols within the range of 15 out of 20 frames in which the blank symbol "BK" can be pulled are rotating on the active line L1. When stopping and displaying the BAR symbol "BAR" on the active line L1, it is possible to stop and display it on the active line L1 when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at the timing when symbols within the range of 5 out of 20 frames in which the BAR symbol "BAR" can be pulled are rotating on the active line L1.

[0260] On the left reel R1, the Watermelon A symbol "WMA" is positioned at stop number 2, the Watermelon B symbol "WMB" is positioned at stop number 7, the Cherry A symbol "CHA" is positioned at stop number 12, and the Cherry B symbol "CHB" is positioned at stop number 17. On the middle reel R2 and the right reel R3, the Watermelon A symbol "WMA" is positioned at stop number 4, the Watermelon B symbol "WMB" is positioned at stop number 9, the Cherry A symbol "CHA" is positioned at stop number 14, and the Cherry B symbol "CHB" is positioned at stop number 19. Therefore, the pull-in ranges for the watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", cherry A symbol "CHA", and cherry B symbol "CHB" do not overlap in the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0261] In slot machine 1, when stopping and displaying the watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", cherry A symbol "CHA", or cherry B symbol "CHB" on active line L1, it is possible to stop and display them on active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3. When stopping and displaying the watermelon A symbol "WMA" or watermelon B symbol "WMB" on active line L1, symbols within the range of 10 out of 20 frames in which the watermelon A symbol "WMA" or watermelon B symbol "WMB" can be pulled in will be on active line L1. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at the timing when the symbols are displayed rotating on the top line, the symbols can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1. In order to stop and display the cherry A symbol "CHA" or the cherry B symbol "CHB" on the active line L1, the symbols can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at the timing when the symbols within the range of 10 out of 20 frames in which the cherry A symbol "CHA" or the cherry B symbol "CHB" can be pulled in are displayed rotating on the active line L1.

[0262] <Payouts for minor roles> In the second embodiment, the payout for 15-coin combinations A to C is set to a payout of 15 coins, which is more than the prescribed number of coins inserted (3 coins). Also, the payout for bell combinations A to E is set to a payout of 8 coins, which is more than the prescribed number of coins inserted. Also, the payout for 3-coin combinations A to F is set to a payout of 3 coins, which is the same as the prescribed number of coins inserted. Also, the payout for 1-coin combinations A to S is set to a payout of 1 coin, which is less than the prescribed number of coins inserted.

[0263] <Winning combinations for minor roles> Figures 16 to 18 show the combinations of winning symbols for 15-coin combinations A to C, bells A to E, 3-coin combinations A to F, and 1-coin combinations A to S.

[0264] First, let's explain the 15-coin combinations A to C. The winning symbol combination for 15-coin combination A is "RP-Red 7 (White 7)-BL", and when reel stop control is executed to stop and display the winning symbol combination for 15-coin combination A on the active line L1, it is configured so that it can be stopped and displayed regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3. In the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when the winning area "All Small Wins" is won in the bonus state, reel stop control is executed to stop and display the winning symbol combination for 15-coin combination A "RP-Red 7 (White 7)-BL" on the active line L1.

[0265] The winning combination for the 15-coin payout B is "Red 7 (White 7) - BAR - Red 7 (White 7)". When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning combination for the 15-coin payout B on the active line L1, the stop button B2 is configured to stop and display the BAR symbol "BAR" when pressed within a pull-in range of 5 out of 20 frames that can be stopped on the active line L1.

[0266] The winning symbol combination for the 15-coin payout C is "BL-BL-BAR". When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning symbol combination for the 15-coin payout C on the active line L1, the stop button B3 is configured to stop and display the BAR symbol "BAR" when pressed within a pull-in range of 5 out of 20 frames that can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1.

[0267] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the winning symbol combinations for Bell A to Bell E are arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 at intervals of no more than 4 frames each. When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning symbol combinations for Bell A to Bell E on the active line L1, the system is configured to stop and display on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0268] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the winning symbol combinations for 3-coin combinations A, B, E, and F are arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 at intervals of no more than 4 frames. When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning symbol combinations for 3-coin combinations A, B, E, and F on the active line L1, the reels are configured to stop and display on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0269] The winning symbol combination for the 3-symbol combination C is "RP-WMA(WMB,CHA,CHB)-Red 7(BAR)". When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning symbol combination for the 3-symbol combination C on the active line L1, the stop button B3 is configured to stop and display either the Red 7 symbol "Red 7" or the BAR symbol "BAR" when pressed within a pull-in range of 6 out of 20 frames that can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1.

[0270] The winning symbol combination for the 3-symbol combination D is "RP-WMA(WMB,CHA,CHB)-BK". When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning symbol combination for the 3-symbol combination C on the active line L1, the stop button B3 is configured to stop and display the blank symbol "BK" when pressed within a pull-in range of 15 out of 20 frames on the active line L1.

[0271] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the winning symbol combinations for single-coin wins A and B are arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 at intervals of no more than 4 frames each. When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning symbol combinations for single-coin wins A and B on the active line L1, the reels are configured to stop and display on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0272] The winning symbol combinations for single-coin combinations C to S consist of the symbol combinations shown in Figures 17 and 18. Details regarding the winning symbol combinations for single-coin combinations C to S and the reel stop control related to single-coin combinations C to S will be described later.

[0273] <Probability of winning small prizes depending on the operation method> Figure 19 shows the winning combinations that can be obtained when a winning area containing a small win is hit in a non-RT state, depending on the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0274] First, let's explain the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8". In the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when a player wins in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8", the control content of the reel stop control by the reel control means 130 is changed according to the game state so that different winning combinations can be won. In the non-RT state, regardless of the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, bells A to D, which are set to pay more than the specified number of coins (8 coins), will not be won, and 1-coin combinations A to N, which are set to pay less than the specified number of coins (1 coin), will be won with the probabilities shown in Figure 19.

[0275] Using the example of winning in the "Batting Order Bell 1" area, we will explain the details of the winning probabilities for single-coin combinations A through N. As shown in Figure 14, in the "Batting Order Bell 1" area, Bell A, single-coin combination A, single-coin combination C, single-coin combination F, and single-coin combination K can all be won at the same time.

[0276] When the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" is selected and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 1 or batting order 2, the reel control means 130 executes a number-priority control as reel stop control based on the fact that stop button B1 has been performed as the first stop operation. In slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" is selected, there are two symbol combinations that can be displayed when the red 7 symbol "Red 7", white 7 symbol "White 7", cherry A symbol "CHA", and cherry B symbol "CHB" are stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and there are four symbol combinations that can be displayed when the bell symbol "BL", watermelon A symbol "WMA", and watermelon B symbol "WMB" are stopped and displayed on the active line L1.

[0277] Since the number of winning symbol combinations that can be displayed on the valid line L1 when each of the bell symbol "BL", watermelon A symbol "WMA", and watermelon B symbol "WMB" is stopped and displayed at the lower stage of the left reel R1 is the same, a priority order cannot be assigned among the bell symbol "BL", watermelon A symbol "WMA", and watermelon B symbol "WMB" by the number priority control. Therefore, by the reel stop control using the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 194, it is determined to stop and display the bell symbol "BL" on the valid line L1. The bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed at the lower stage of the left reel R1 that constitutes the valid line L1, and the small winning combination that can be won in this game is limited to the single winning combination A that can be won regardless of the pressing timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0278] When winning in the winning area "batter order bell 1" and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batter order 3 or batter order 4, based on the fact that the stop button B2 has been operated for the first stop, the reel control means 130 executes the number priority control as the reel stop control, and stops and displays the bell symbol "BL" common to the winning symbol combination "red 7 (white 7)-BL-red 7 (white 7)" of bell A, the winning symbol combination "WMA (WMB)-BL-WMA (WMB)" of the single winning combination C, and the winning symbol combination "CHA (CHB)-BL-CHA (CHB)" of the single winning combination F on the valid line L1.

[0279] When winning in the winning area "batter order bell 1" and the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed in the middle stage of the middle reel R2 that constitutes the valid line L1 in the slot machine 1, in either case where the second stop operation is executed on the stop button B1 or the second stop operation is executed on the stop button B3, the number priority control is executed as the reel stop control.

[0280] When the second stop operation is performed on stop button B1, in slot machine 1, regardless of whether the red 7 symbol "Red 7", white 7 symbol "White 7", watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", cherry A symbol "CHA", or cherry B symbol "CHB" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 on the lower row of the left reel R1, there are 2 possible symbol combinations to display. Therefore, due to the number priority control, the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the white 7 symbol "White 7", and watermelon Since it is not possible to assign a priority order to the A symbol "WMA", the watermelon B symbol "WMB", the cherry A symbol "CHA", and the cherry B symbol "CHB", the reel stop control using the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 194 determines whether to stop and display one of the watermelon A symbol "WMA", the watermelon B symbol "WMB", the cherry A symbol "CHA", or the cherry B symbol "CHB" on the active line L1.

[0281] When the second stop operation is performed on stop button B3, in slot machine 1, regardless of whether the red 7 symbol "Red 7", white 7 symbol "White 7", watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", cherry A symbol "CHA", or cherry B symbol "CHB" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 on the upper row of the right reel R3, there are 2 possible symbol combinations to display. Therefore, due to the number priority control, the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the white 7 symbol "White 7", and watermelon Since it is not possible to assign a priority order to the A symbol "WMA", the watermelon B symbol "WMB", the cherry A symbol "CHA", and the cherry B symbol "CHB", the reel stop control using the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 194 determines whether to stop and display one of the watermelon A symbol "WMA", the watermelon B symbol "WMB", the cherry A symbol "CHA", or the cherry B symbol "CHB" on the active line L1.

[0282] As described above, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, the left reel R1 and the right reel R3 are set to have non-overlapping ranges for the pull-in range in which the watermelon A symbol "WMA" or the watermelon B symbol "WMB" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and for the pull-in range in which the cherry A symbol "CHA" or the cherry B symbol "CHB" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and each range is set to be 10 out of 20 frames.

[0283] Given this configuration, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting order 3 or batting order 4, the winning combinations that can be awarded in that game are limited to either a single-coin combination C consisting of the winning symbol combination "WMA(WMB)-BL-WMA(WMB)" or a single-coin combination F consisting of the winning symbol combination "CHA(CHB)-BL-CHA(CHB)".

[0284] In slot machine 1, if the third stop operation is performed within the range of 10 out of 20 possible symbols that make up either the winning combination of single-coin combination C or single-coin combination F, then either single-coin combination C or single-coin combination F will be awarded, resulting in a 1 / 2 probability of either single-coin combination C or single-coin combination F being awarded. However, in slot machine 1, if the third stop operation is performed at a timing when neither single-coin combination C nor single-coin combination F is awarded, a symbol combination different from the winning combinations of either combination will be displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed win (non-winning).

[0285] When the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" is selected and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 5 or batting order 6, the reel control means 130 executes a number-priority control as reel stop control based on the fact that stop button B3 has been performed as the first stop operation. In slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" is selected, there are two symbol combinations that can be displayed when the red 7 symbol "Red 7", white 7 symbol "White 7", watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", cherry A symbol "CHA", and cherry B symbol "CHB" are stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and there are four symbol combinations that can be displayed when the bell symbol "BL" and replay symbol "RP" are stopped and displayed on the active line L1.

[0286] The reel control means 130 determines that the number of winning symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 is the same when the bell symbol "BL" and the replay symbol "RP" are stopped and displayed on the upper part of the right reel R3. Therefore, since priority cannot be given to the bell symbol "BL" and the replay symbol "RP" by quantity priority control, the reel stop control means 130 determines to stop and display the bell symbol "BL" on the active line L1 by using the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 194. As a result, the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed on the upper part of the right reel R3 which constitutes the active line L1, and the winning combinations that can be won in this game are limited to the single-coin combination K.

[0287] In slot machine 1, the single-coin payout K is awarded when the second and third stop operations are performed within a range of 10 out of 20 possible symbols that make up the winning symbol combination "WMA(WMB)-WMA(WMB)-BL". Therefore, there is a 1 / 4 probability of winning the single-coin payout K. However, in slot machine 1, if the second or third stop operation is performed at a timing when the single-coin payout K is not awarded, a symbol combination different from any of the winning symbol combinations will be displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed payout (non-winning).

[0288] By performing reel stop control using such quantity priority control and stop control tables, slot machine 1 is configured such that when a win occurs in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 8" during a non-RT state, single-coin wins A, C, and N can be awarded according to the order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, with the winning probabilities shown in Figure 19.

[0289] Next, we will explain the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4". In the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when a player wins in one of the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4", the control content of the reel stop control by the reel control means 130 is changed according to the state of play, so that different winning combinations can be won. In the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" and "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 2", if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting order 3 or 4, the reel stop control is performed with priority given to the number of coins, resulting in a 3-coin win A. In addition, in the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 3" and "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4", if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting order 5 or 6, the reel stop control is performed with priority given to the number of coins, resulting in a 3-coin win B.

[0290] In slot machine 1, if a player wins in the winning area "Bat Order 3-Coin Payout 1" to "Bat Order 3-Coin Payout 4" and presses stop buttons B1 to B3 in a batting order that does not result in winning 3-coin payouts A and B, the reel stop control is performed using a number priority control and stop control table similar to that used for winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8," so that 1-coin payouts A, G to N can be won with the winning probabilities shown in Figure 19.

[0291] Next, we will explain the winning areas "Batting Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Batting Order 15-Coin Payout 4". As shown in Figure 19, in the winning areas "Batting Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Batting Order 15-Coin Payout 4", when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a batting order that is capable of awarding 15-coin payouts B and C, there is a 1 / 4 probability that 15-coin payouts B and C will be awarded, and a 3 / 4 probability that 1-coin payout A will be awarded.

[0292] As mentioned above, the 15-coin payout B consists of the winning symbol combination "Red 7 (White 7) - BAR - Red 7 (White 7)". The 15-coin payout B can be won when the first stop operation is performed on stop button B2 within 5 of the 20 frames in which the BAR symbol "BAR" on the middle reel R2 can be pulled in. Therefore, there is a 1 / 4 probability of winning the 15-coin payout B, and within the 20 frames in which the BAR symbol "BAR" on the middle reel R2 cannot be pulled in. If the first stop operation is performed on stop button B2 within a range of 15 frames, one of the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination for single-coin payout A, "BL-WMA(WMB,CHA,CHB)-RP", namely watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", cherry A symbol "CHA", or cherry B symbol "CHB", will stop and be displayed in the middle position of the middle reel R2, making it possible to win single-coin payout A. Therefore, there is a 3 / 4 probability of winning single-coin payout A.

[0293] Furthermore, the 15-coin payout C consists of the winning symbol combination "BL-BL-BAR". If the first stop operation is performed on stop button B3 within the range of 5 out of 20 frames in which the BAR symbol "BAR" on the right reel R3 can be pulled in, the 15-coin payout C can be won, resulting in a 1 / 4 probability of winning the 15-coin payout C. If the first stop operation is performed on stop button B3 within the range of 15 out of 20 frames in which the BAR symbol "BAR" on the right reel R3 cannot be pulled in, the replay symbol "RP" which makes up the winning symbol combination "BL-WMA(WMB,CHA,CHB)-RP" for the 1-coin payout A will stop and be displayed in the middle of the right reel R3, making the 1-coin payout A possible to win, resulting in a 3 / 4 probability of winning the 1-coin payout A.

[0294] In slot machine 1, if a player wins in the winning area "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 4" and the player does not win 15-coin payouts B and C, and the player presses stop buttons B1 to B3, the machine is configured to perform reel stop control using a number priority control and stop control table similar to that used for the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8," so that 1-coin payouts A, C to F, R and S can be won with the winning probabilities shown in Figure 19.

[0295] In the winning areas "Rare Role 1", "Rare Role 2", "Common 9-Coin Role", "RBB & Rare Role 3", and "RBB & Common 1-Coin Role", the winning combinations are awarded according to the winning probabilities shown in Figure 19.

[0296] Figure 20 shows the winning combinations that can be awarded when a winning area containing a small win is hit during a bonus-established state, depending on the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0297] In the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when a bonus is established and the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1" to "Beat Order Bell 8" is selected, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct order, the reel stop control is performed by prioritizing the number of coins, making it possible to win bells A to D, which are set to pay out more than the specified number of coins (8 coins). If stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in an incorrect order different from the correct order, the reel stop control is performed by prioritizing the number of coins and using a stop control table, making it possible to win 1-coin combinations A, C to N with the winning probabilities shown in Figure 20.

[0298] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when a bonus is triggered and the player wins in one of the winning areas "3-coin payout 1" to "3-coin payout 4", if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in one batting order that allows for the winning of 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B (for example, batting order 3 if the winning area is "3-coin payout 1"), 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B, which are set to have the same payout (3 coins) as the specified number of coins, will be made available for winning. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in any other batting order, reel stop control using quantity priority control and a stop control table will be executed, so that 1-coin payouts A, 1-coin payouts C to 1-coin payouts N, which are set to have a payout (1 coin) less than the specified number of coins, will be available for winning with the winning probabilities shown in Figure 20.

[0299] In other words, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a random order when the winning area "3-coin payout 1" to "3-coin payout 4" is won, the frequency of winning 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B is higher in the non-RT state where there are two types of batting orders that allow for winning 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B than in the bonus state where there is one type of batting order that allows for winning 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B.

[0300] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 19 and 20, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured such that the winning combinations that can be won in the winning areas "Bat Order 15-Coin Combination 1" to "Bat Order 15-Coin Combination 4", "Rare Combination 1", "Rare Combination 2", "Common 9-Coin Combination", "RBB & Rare Combination 3", and "RBB & Common 1-Coin Combination" do not change between the non-RT state and the bonus-established state.

[0301] <Probability of winning a minor role in a non-bonus state and probability of winning a minor role in a bonus state> Next, we will explain in detail the relationship between the probability of winning a small role in the non-RT state and the bonus state when the bonus is not activated (non-bonus state) and the probability of winning a small role in the bonus state in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment.

[0302] As shown in Figure 14, in the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with the following winning areas: "All Small Wins" where all small wins (15-coin wins A to 15-coin wins C, bells A to bells E, 3-coin wins A to 3-coin wins F, and 1-coin wins A to 1-coin wins S) are won simultaneously; "All 8-Coin Wins" where all small wins (bells A to bells E, 3-coin wins A to 3-coin wins F, and 1-coin wins A to 1-coin wins S, excluding 15-coin wins A to 15-coin wins C) are won simultaneously; "All 3-Coin Wins" where 3-coin wins A to 3-coin wins F and 1-coin wins A to 1-coin wins S are won simultaneously; and "All 1-Coin Wins" where 1-coin wins A to 1-coin wins S are won simultaneously.

[0303] In the bonus state where internal lottery table C is selected, the probability of winning the "All Small Wins" area is 2600 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 25.2), the probability of winning the "All 8-Coin Wins" area is 2440 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 26.9), the probability of winning the "All 3-Coin Wins" area is 18200 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 3.6), and the probability of winning the "All 1-Coin Wins" area is 33315 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 2.0). Therefore, the probability of winning either the "All Small Wins" area or the "All 1-Coin Wins" area is 56555 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 1.2).

[0304] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, the probability of winning in either the winning area, including small wins, in the internal lottery table selected in the non-bonus state, namely internal lottery table A or internal lottery table B, is 56554 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 1.2).

[0305] Therefore, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, the probability of winning a small prize in the bonus state is configured to be higher than the probability of winning a small prize in the non-bonus state.

[0306] Furthermore, in bonus mode, the 15-coin combinations A through C are included in the winning area "All Small Combinations," and the winning probabilities for each of the 15-coin combinations A through C are 2600 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 25.2). In non-bonus mode, the 15-coin combination A is included in the winning area "Batting Order 15-Coin Combination 1," the 15-coin combination B is included in the winning areas "Batting Order 15-Coin Combination 1" and "Batting Order 15-Coin Combination 2," and the 15-coin combination C is included in the winning areas "Batting Order 15-Coin Combination 3" and "Batting Order 15-Coin Combination 4." As a result, the winning probability for the 15-coin combination A is 1300 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 50.4), and the winning probabilities for the 15-coin combinations B and C are 2600 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 25.2). Therefore, the probability of winning the 15-coin combination A in bonus mode is higher than the probability of winning the 15-coin combination A in non-bonus mode, while the probability of winning the 15-coin combination B and C in bonus mode is the same as the probability of winning the 15-coin combination B and C in non-bonus mode.

[0307] In other words, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, the probability of winning at least one predetermined small win in the bonus state is configured to be higher than the probability of winning the predetermined small win in the non-bonus state.

[0308] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, the probability of winning either the 15-coin payout B or 15-coin payout C, which are set to pay 15 coins in a non-bonus state, that is, the sum of the winning probabilities for 15-coin payout B and 15-coin payout C, is 5200 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 12.6), which is the sum of the winning probabilities for the winning areas "Batting Order 15-coin Payout 1" to "Batting Order 15-coin Payout 4". This is a higher winning probability than the probability of winning either the 15-coin payout B or 15-coin payout C in a bonus state, that is, the winning probability for the winning area "All Small Payouts", which is 2600 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 25.2).

[0309] Also, the probability of winning any one of Bells A to E set for the eight payouts in the non-bonus state, that is, the sum of the winning probabilities of each of Bells A to E, is 20488 / 65536 (about 1 / 3.2), which is the sum of the winning probabilities of the winning areas "Batter's Bell 1" to "Batter's Bell 8", the winning probability of the winning area "Common 9-Card Hand", and the winning probability of the winning area "Rare Hand 3", and is higher than the probability of winning any one of Bells A to E in the bonus state, that is, the sum of the winning probability of the winning area "All Small Hands" and the winning probability of the winning area "All 8-Card Hands", which is 5040 / 65536 (about 1 / 13.0).

[0310] Therefore, for the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, regarding the bonus state, the expected value of the medal acquisition rate is less than 100%.

[0311] Also, for the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, regarding the winning areas "Batter's 15-Card Hand 1" to "Batter's 15-Card Hand 4" and the winning areas "Batter's Bell 1" to "Batter's Bell 8", when the prize assistance is not executed and the operation modes of the stop buttons B1 to B3 are appropriate, 15-Card Hand B, 15-Card Hand C, and Bells A to D can win, and when the prize assistance is executed, the game according to the prize assistance is executed, so that 15-Card Hand B, 15-Card Hand C, and Bells A to D can be surely won.

[0312] Thus, in the second embodiment, the probability of obtaining a winning mode including a small hand set for a payout greater than the specified input number in the bonus state is compressed compared to the probability of obtaining a winning mode including a small hand set for a payout greater than the specified input number in the game state other than the bonus state, and after lowering the lower limit of the medal acquisition rate in the bonus state to less than 100%, the medal acquisition performance regarding the AT game can be designed, so that the design freedom of the slot machine 1 equipped with the AT function can be significantly improved.

[0313] <Prize Assistance in the AT State> In the second embodiment, the AT control means 200 performs prize-winning assistance by notifying the batting order that makes it possible to win Bell A to Bell D, 3-coin payout A, and 3-coin payout B when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" or the winning area "Batting Order 3-coin payout 1" to "Batting Order 3-coin payout 4" is won in the CZ state or AT state. Furthermore, the AT control means 200 performs prize-winning assistance by notifying the batting order that makes it possible to win 15-coin payout B and 15-coin payout C, and the timing for pressing the first stop operation when the winning area "Batting Order 15-coin payout 1" to "Batting Order 15-coin payout 4" is won in the CZ state or AT state.

[0314] The performance control means 180 executes an award-winning support performance by displaying on the display device 330 the batting order that makes it possible to win Bell A to Bell D, 3-coin A, and 3-coin B when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" or the winning area "Batting Order 3-coin 1" to "Batting Order 3-coin 4" is won in the CZ state or AT state. The performance control means 180 also executes an award-winning support performance by displaying on the display device 330 the batting order that makes it possible to win 15-coin B and 15-coin C, and the timing for pressing the first stop operation when the winning area "Batting Order 15-coin 1" to "Batting Order 15-coin 4" is won in the CZ state or AT state.

[0315] In the prize-winning support performances for 15-coin combination B and 15-coin combination C, the performance control means 180 displays an image having a design similar to the BAR symbol "BAR" on the display device 330 as a stop button to execute the first stop operation and a first prize-winning support performance indicator to notify the timing of pressing the stop button.

[0316] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured not to transmit information (selection group information) to the performance control means 180 indicating which of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" was won when the winning area is "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" in the normal state or pre-announcement state. On the other hand, the AT control means 200 is configured to transmit information (selection group information) to the performance control means 180 indicating which of the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4" or "Batting Order 15-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 15-Coin Win 4" was won when the winning area is "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4" in the normal state or pre-announcement state.

[0317] 2. Payout rate in each game state Next, we will explain the payout rates for each operation method (gameplay method) of stop buttons B1 to B3 in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1. Figure 21 is a table summarizing the payout rates for each gameplay method in each gameplay state.

[0318] Of the game methods shown in Figure 21, batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) are game methods in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at random timings within a single batting order. Batting order 1 (precise timing) to batting order 6 (precise timing) are game methods in which, within a single batting order, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a batting order that allows for the winning of 15-coin payouts B and C, the first stop operation is performed by pressing the buttons at a timing that allows for the winning of 15-coin payouts B and C, and also by pressing stop button B3 at a timing that allows for the winning of 3-coin payout C.

[0319] Random play is a gameplay method in which the order and timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3 are randomized. AT (Aimed Stop) is a gameplay method in which, when a winning area is reached in the winning areas "Ball Order Bell 1" to "Ball Order Bell 8", "Ball Order 3-Coin Payout 1" to "Ball Order 3-Coin Payout 4", or "Ball Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Ball Order 15-Coin Payout 4", the game is played according to the prize-winning assistance, resulting in the winning of 15-Coin Payout B, 15-Coin Payout C, Bell A to Bell D, 3-Coin Payout A, and 3-Coin Payout B.

[0320] When stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting order 1 and batting order 2, the probability of winning the 3-coin combination C when the winning area "Rare Combination 1" is hit is higher when batting order 1 is played with precise timing and batting order 2 is played with precise timing than when batting order 1 is played with random timing and batting order 2 is played with random timing. Therefore, the payout rate is higher when batting order 1 is played with precise timing and batting order 2 is played with precise timing than when batting order 1 is played with random timing and batting order 2 is played with random timing.

[0321] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of slot machine 1, when played randomly during normal play (non-RT state), the payout rate is set to an extremely low 49.6%. However, as shown in Figure 14, in the second embodiment of slot machine 1, the probability of winning one of the winning areas (winning area "RBB & Rare Replay", winning area "RBB & Rare Role 3", winning area "RBB & Common 1-Coin Role", winning area "RBB") in the non-RT state is 7304 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 9.0). Therefore, the configuration has a high probability that the number of plays performed from the non-RT state to the bonus-establishing state will be extremely small.

[0322] Furthermore, when playing with batting order 1 (skill-based stopping) and batting order 2 (skill-based stopping), the payout rate is slightly higher when a bonus is established than when the game is not in RT (Replay Time) mode. This is because, as shown in Figure 14, the probability of winning in the "Normal Replay 2" area increases when a bonus is established.

[0323] The slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured such that, in the non-RT state, the highest payout rate is approximately 73.6% when playing in order 3 (skill stop) to order 6 (skill stop), and is lower than the payout rate of approximately 74.5% in the bonus state.

[0324] In the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when playing with batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) in a non-RT state, the payout rates for batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random) are set to approximately 55.2%, and the payout rates for batting order 3 (random), batting order 4 (random), batting order 5 (random), and batting order 6 (random) are set to approximately 57.2%.

[0325] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when playing with batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) in a bonus-established state, the payout rate for batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random) is set to approximately 55.2%, while the payout rates for batting order 3 (random), batting order 4 (random), batting order 5 (random), and batting order 6 (random) are set to approximately 76.4%.

[0326] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, the payout rate when playing with batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) during the bonus state is set to approximately 74.5% regardless of which batting order (random) is selected.

[0327] <Relationship between winning area and payout rate for each game method> As shown in Figures 19 and 20, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when a player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8", the winning area "Bat Order 3-Coin Payout 1" to "Bat Order 3-Coin Payout 4", or the winning area "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 4", regardless of whether the game state is non-RT state or bonus state, pressing stop buttons B1 to B3 in Bat Order 1 or Bat Order 2 will result in a 1-coin payout A being awarded with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0328] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 21, can set the payout rate to 55% or more when the game is played in turn 1 or turn 2, and can set the payout rate to 60% or more (approximately 64.5% for the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment) when the game is played randomly. This prevents excessive consumption of tokens when the game is played for a long period of time, such as 17,500 games or more, and enables the machine to achieve performance that complies with the standards for the performance of gaming machines related to the acquisition of game tokens.

[0329] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, for the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8", in the non-RT state, reel stop control is performed so that bells A to D, which are set to pay out more than the prescribed number of coins (8 coins), do not enter the winning area regardless of the batting order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. In the bonus state, reel stop control is performed so that bells A to D enter the winning area if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order.

[0330] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, for the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Payout 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Payout 4", in non-RT state, reel stop control is performed so that 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B, which are set to pay the same number of coins as the specified number of coins, can be won with multiple batting orders. In the bonus state, reel stop control is performed so that 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B can be won when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed with one of the pre-set batting orders.

[0331] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, for the winning areas "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 4", regardless of whether the game state is non-RT state or bonus state, if the batting order and the timing of pressing the first stop operation are appropriate, a reel stop control is executed that makes it possible to win 15-coin payouts B and C, which are set to have a specified number of coins and a larger payout (15 coins).

[0332] With this configuration, as shown in Figure 21, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment can be configured such that, in both the non-RT state and the bonus state, the payout rates for playing with batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) are higher for batting order 3 (random), batting order 4 (random), batting order 5 (random), and batting order 6 (random) than for batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random). This configuration ensures that even when the game state transitions from the non-RT state to the bonus state, the degree of advantage for the player does not change depending on the game method. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 21, in the bonus state, the slot machine 1 is configured to have the same payout rate for batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random), so the degree of advantage for the player does not change regardless of which batting order is used in the bonus state.

[0333] Therefore, even if the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured to perform control to adjust the difference between the payout rate when the game is played in turn 1 or turn 2, based on the state (performance state) related to the instruction function controlled by the AT control means 200 when the game is played in turn 3 to turn 6 (for example, not performing a decrement update of the normal game counter 197c when the game is played in turn 3 to turn 6 in the normal state), there is no risk of the player suffering an unfair disadvantage due to the game state, and control can be performed according to the game method while maintaining the fairness of the game.

[0334] The probability of winning Bell A to Bell D (first small win) in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" is set to a payout (8 coins) greater than the prescribed number of coins, and the probability of winning is set to be higher when in the bonus state (second game state) than when in the non-RT state (first game state), and the probability of winning 3-coin win A and 3-coin win B (second small win) in the winning areas "Batting Order 3-coin win 1" to "Batting Order 3-coin win 4" is set to the same payout (3 coins) greater than the prescribed number of coins, Multiple second winning patterns are configured such that the probability is higher when in a non-RT state (first game state) than when in a bonus-established state (second game state), and multiple third winning patterns are configured such that the probability of winning 15-coin payouts B and C (third small payouts), where the winning areas "Batting Order 15-coin Payout 1" to "Batting Order 15-coin Payout 4" are set to pay more than the prescribed number of coins (15 coins), is the same when in a non-RT state (first game state) and when in a bonus-established state (second game state).

[0335] Furthermore, batting orders 3 through 6, which allow for the winning of the first, second, and third small prizes, constitute the first operation mode, while batting orders 1 and 2, which do not result in the winning of the first, second, and third small prizes, constitute the second operation mode.

[0336] Furthermore, the first winning probability, which is the probability of winning one of the multiple first winning patterns, the second winning probability, which is the probability of winning one of the multiple second winning patterns, and the third winning probability, which is the probability of winning one of the multiple third winning patterns, are configured such that the payout rate when the game is played using the first operation pattern in the first game state is higher than the payout rate when the game is played using the second operation pattern in the first game state, and the payout rate when the game is played using the first operation pattern in the second game state is higher than the payout rate when the game is played using the second operation pattern in the second game state.

[0337] Furthermore, as described above, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment includes winning patterns that include small wins with payouts greater than the prescribed number of spins, where, when a bonus is established and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct spinning order, bells A to D, which are set to pay out 8 coins, can be won in winning areas "Spinning Order Bell 1" to "Spinning Order Bell 8", and when the first stop operation is performed at a timing that allows the BAR symbol "BAR" to be pulled in with a predetermined spinning order (specific spinning order) and with a pull-in range set to 5 out of 20 frames, 15-coin wins B and 15-coin wins C, which are set to pay out 15 coins, can be won. The game has winning areas "Batting Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Batting Order 15-Coin Payout 4" where prizes can be awarded. When prize assistance is performed, the gameplay involves consciously timing the button press to stop the BAR symbol "BAR" on the active line L1, and there is a difference in the payout rate depending on whether or not this timing is performed. (When the game is played according to prize assistance and timing is performed, resulting in the winning of 15-coin payouts B and 15-coin payouts C, the payout rate is approximately 176.4%, while when the game is played according to prize assistance but timing is not performed and 15-coin payouts B and 15-coin payouts C are not won, the payout rate is approximately 156.1%).

[0338] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment can prevent the payout rate from becoming excessively high when the game is played in accordance with the prize-winning assistance and without the player performing a stop-and-reach motion, and when the 15-coin payouts B and C are not won, thereby reducing the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0339] Furthermore, as described above, in the second embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured not to transmit information (selection group information) to the performance control means 180 indicating which of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" was won when the winning area is "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" in the normal state or pre-announcement state. On the other hand, the AT control means 200 is configured to transmit information (selection group information) to the performance control means 180 indicating which of the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4" was won when the winning area is "Batting Order 15-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 15-Coin Win 4" in the normal state or pre-announcement state.

[0340] Therefore, in the second embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured not to perform any effects using the selection group information when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8" during the normal state or pre-announcement state, and thus does not perform prize-winning assistance using the main control display device 500. On the other hand, the slot machine 1 is configured to perform prize-winning assistance using the main control display device 500 when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "Bat Order 3-Coin Win 4" and "Bat Order 15-Coin Win 1" to "Bat Order 15-Coin Win 4" during the normal state or pre-announcement state, and thus does perform any effects using the selection group information.

[0341] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment does not perform prize-winning assistance when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8" in the normal state or pre-announcement state. This prevents the payout rate from becoming excessively high, as it becomes possible to win Bells A to Bell D even in the normal state or pre-announcement state. This improves the medal acquisition performance after transitioning to the CZ state or AT state, that is, after AT gameplay has started, thus improving the marketability of the slot machine 1 equipped with AT functionality.

[0342] [Other embodiments] In the first and second embodiments, the AT control means 200 is configured to start the calculation of the second period by starting to decrement the stored value of the standby game counter 197d at the timing when the normal state is started, but it is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured to start the second period at a timing (a predetermined timing) after the first period has elapsed in the normal state. Alternatively, the AT control means 200 may be configured to perform a lottery to determine whether or not to start the second period in the normal state and during the elapsed time of the first period, and to start the second period at the timing (a predetermined timing) when the lottery results in "start the second period".

[0343] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the AT control means 200 is configured to determine an initial value to be set to the standby game counter 197d at the start of the normal state based on the results of the game played in the state that was being played before transitioning to the normal state, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured to determine an initial value to be set to the standby game counter 197d by referring to the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b at the time the normal state is started, based on the results of the game played in the CZ state or AT state that was being played before transitioning to the normal state.

[0344] In this configuration, the AT control means 200 may be configured to set an initial value in the standby game counter 197d if, for example, the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b is 700 or more (i.e., a predetermined result) as a result of the game when the CZ state or AT state ends.

[0345] Furthermore, in such a configuration, the AT control means 200 may be configured to maintain the normal state while continuing to shorten the period by decrementing the stored value of

[0346] In other words, the AT control means 200 may be configured to set a second period if the result of the game when the CZ state or AT state ends is a predetermined result or better, and to set the second period in effect from the start of the normal state by predetermining the length of the period at the start of the normal state (by adding a fixed value such as the value "150" to the normal game counter 197c), or it may be configured to set the second period after the first period has elapsed in the normal state by adding a value determined by lottery from a plurality of values ​​after the first period has elapsed.

[0347] In a configuration in which a second period is substantially set at the start of the normal state, the AT control means 200 may be configured to start the second period, which is set by adding to the initial value of the normal game counter 197c, at a timing (predetermined timing) after the first period, whose progress is managed by an initial value set in the normal game counter 197c, has elapsed.

[0348] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the second period is substantially set at the start of the normal state, the AT control means 200 may be configured to start the second period, which is set by adding to the initial value of the normal game counter 197c at the timing when the normal state starts (a predetermined timing). Alternatively, the AT control means 200 may be configured to, for example, perform a lottery to determine whether or not to start the second period while in the normal state and during the elapsed time of the first period, and start the second period at the timing (a predetermined timing) when the lottery results in "start the second period".

[0349] In a configuration where the calculation of the second period begins at the start of the normal state or before the first period has elapsed, the AT control means 200 should be configured to decrement and update the stored value of the normal game counter 197c by the value "2" until the second period has elapsed.

[0350] In a configuration in which a second period is set after a first period has elapsed in the normal state, the AT control means 200 may be configured to start the second period, which is set by adding to the initial value of the normal game counter 197c, at a timing (predetermined timing) after the first period, whose elapsed time is managed by an initial value set in the normal game counter 197c, has elapsed.

[0351] Furthermore, when configured in this manner, the AT control means 200 is configured to decide to transition from the normal state to the CZ state via the pre-announcement state when the value set as the initial value of the normal game counter 197c becomes "0" due to a decrement update or shortening process.

[0352] With this configuration, if the number of medals acquired by the player as a result of playing in the CZ state or AT state that was being played before transitioning to the normal state is 700 or more, the slot machine 1 will determine that the player has acquired enough medals, and even if the initial value set in the normal game counter 197c becomes "0" through a decrement update or shortening process and a transition to the CZ state is decided, the normal state will be maintained by adding a predetermined value to the stored value of the normal game counter 197c, thereby suppressing excessive gambling tendencies.

[0353] Furthermore, since slot machine 1 decides to transition to the CZ state when the first period has elapsed, there is no need to change the control process that determines the transition to the CZ state. In addition, since the first and second periods can be counted by a single normal game counter 197c, it is possible to suppress excessive gambling while preventing an increase in program capacity and data capacity of the storage means 190.

[0354] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the AT control means 200 is configured to determine an initial value to be set to the standby game counter 197d at the start of the normal state based on the results of the game played in the state that was being played before transitioning to the normal state, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured, for example, to be able to stock pseudo-bonus states to be executed in the next AT state when the normal state is started, and to execute a standby game lottery when the number of such stocks exceeds a predetermined number.

[0355] In other words, the AT control means 200 may be configured to set the initial value of the standby game counter 197d based on whether or not there is a pseudo-bonus state in the AT state that starts after the normal state ends.

[0356] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the AT control means 200 is configured to refer to whether or not a second pseudo-bonus state is executed and the number of times it is executed as a result of the game, but is not limited thereto. The AT control means 200 may be configured to manage the AT state by the number of games, and may be configured to refer to whether or not an additional processing that adds (adds) the period for which the AT state continues is executed in an additional processing state, which is executed with a higher probability than in a normal AT state, and the number of times it has been executed, as a result of the game.

[0357] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the AT control means 200 is configured to count the number of games played using a normal game counter 197c as the first period and to count the number of games played using a standby game counter 197d as the second period, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured to count the number of times a predetermined winning area is hit as the first and second periods, for example. In other words, the first and second periods are not limited to the number of games played, but may also be the number of times a predetermined winning area is hit, or the number of times a predetermined combination is won, and are not limited to the first and second embodiments.

[0358] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the payout rate for batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) in the non-RT state differs depending on the batting order, as shown in Figure 21, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured such that, for example, the payout rate for batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) in the non-RT state is approximately the same regardless of the batting order. Similarly, the slot machine 1 may be configured such that the payout rate is approximately the same regardless of the batting order even when a bonus is established.

[0359] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the payout rate does not change regardless of the gameplay method used during the bonus state, but is not limited to this. For example, if the slot machine 1 has a difference in payout rate depending on the batting order, such as from batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random), in at least one of the non-RT state and the bonus state, the slot machine 1 may also be configured so that the payout rate differs depending on the batting order during the bonus state.

[0360] If the slot machine is configured such that there is a difference in the payout rate depending on the order of batting in at least one of the game states, the non-RT state and the bonus state, and in the bonus state, then the slot machine 1 must be configured so that the relative magnitudes of the payout rates for each batting order do not change between the non-RT state and the bonus state, and in the bonus state. Specifically, if the slot machine 1 is configured such that in the bonus state, the payout rate for batting order 1 (random) = payout rate for batting order 2 (random) < payout rate for batting order 3 (random) = payout rate for batting order 4 (random) = payout rate for batting order 5 (random) = payout rate for batting order 6 (random), then in the bonus state, the payout rate for batting order 1 (random) = payout rate for batting order 2 (random) < payout rate for batting order 3 (random) = payout rate for batting order 4 (random) = payout rate for batting order 5 (random) = payout rate for batting order 6 (random).

[0361] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the slot machine 1 has winning areas "Beat Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Beat Order 15-Coin Payout 4" in which 15-coin payouts B and C can be won when the hit order is set in advance and the timing of pressing the first stop operation is such that the BAR symbol "BAR" can be drawn onto the active line L1, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to have, for example, a winning area "15-Coin Payout 1" in which 15-coin payout B is won individually, and a winning area "15-Coin Payout 2" in which 15-coin payout C is won individually.

[0362] When configured in this way, slot machine 1 is configured such that when the winning area "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 1" is won, regardless of the batting order, if the timing of pressing stop button B2 is such that the BAR symbol "BAR" can be drawn in, the 15-coin payout B is awarded, and if the timing of pressing stop button B2 is such that the BAR symbol "BAR" cannot be drawn in, a combination of symbols different from the winning combinations of any of the payouts will be displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed payout (non-winning). When the winning area "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 2" is won, regardless of the batting order, if the timing of pressing stop button B3 is such that the BAR symbol "BAR" can be drawn in, the 15-coin payout C is awarded, and if the timing of pressing stop button BC is such that the BAR symbol "BAR" cannot be drawn in, a combination of symbols different from the winning combinations of any of the payouts will be displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed payout (non-winning).

[0363] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, 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]

[0364] 1. Slot machine (amusement machine) 120 Internal drawing method 200 AT control means (auxiliary game control means) R1 Left reel R2 Middle Reel R3 Right reel

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple reels, Multiple stop buttons, An internal lottery method for conducting an internal lottery, It includes a game state transition control means that controls the transition between multiple types of game states, The aforementioned plurality of reels include a first reel, a second reel, and a third reel. In the aforementioned internal lottery, the success or failure of multiple types of winning scenarios is determined. The aforementioned multiple types of winning patterns include specific winning patterns. The aforementioned specific winning patterns include a first minor role, a second minor role, and a third minor role. The aforementioned first minor role is set to have a higher payout than the aforementioned second minor role and the aforementioned third minor role. For each of the multiple types of specified winning patterns, a correct operation pattern is set as the operation pattern of the multiple stop buttons. The operation mode in which the first reel is stopped first is not set as the correct operation mode in any of the aforementioned specific winning modes. The specific winning mode includes an operation mode in which the second reel is stopped first that is the correct operation mode, and an operation mode in which the third reel is stopped first that is the correct operation mode, and the specific winning mode does not include an operation mode in which the first reel is stopped first that is the correct operation mode. The aforementioned multiple types of game states include a first game state and a second game state, The second game state can be entered when a bonus is won in the internal lottery in the first game state. When the internal lottery in the second game state results in the selection of the specific winning pattern, When the multiple stop buttons are operated in the correct operation mode described above, the first minor prize is awarded. If the multiple stop buttons are operated in an operation mode different from the correct operation mode described above, in which the first reel is stopped first, the second small prize is awarded regardless of which of the multiple types of specific winning modes is won. If, among the operation modes different from the correct operation mode described above, the multiple stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which the second reel or the third reel is stopped first, the third small win is awarded with a predetermined probability, and if the third small win is not awarded, then no win is awarded. The probability of winning the first small prize when the internal lottery in the first game state selects the specific winning pattern is lower than the probability of winning the first small prize when the internal lottery in the second game state selects the specific winning pattern. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

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