JP7701068B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

Gaming machines (reel type gaming machines, slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with patterns arranged on the outer circumference have been known for some time. This type of gaming machine provides a fixed gaming value for gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and players play to acquire such gaming media. This type of gaming machine allows a player to start playing when the player inserts gaming media into a designated slot and bets a specified number of gaming media. When the player operates to start the rotation, an internal lottery is performed and the multiple reels start to rotate, and when the player operates to stop the rotation, the multiple reels are stopped in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery. The result of the game is determined by the combination of symbols displayed on the pay line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals and the like are paid out according to the result of the game.

In recent years, gaming machines that implement an assist time game that can execute a winning assistance effect to assist winning combinations in the bonus state, which is reached when a bonus is won, have been popular (see Patent Document 1).

In this type of gaming machine, the bonus may be combined with a minor prize to prevent misses (non-wins) when a bonus is achieved, thereby raising the expected payout rate.

JP 2022-72043 A

And because the number of different winning patterns for minor prizes tends to increase in gaming machines with the above specifications, it is desirable to suppress the increase in the number of different minor prizes.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can suppress an increase in the number of minor prize types.

(1) The present invention is a device that includes a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface, an internal lottery means that performs an internal lottery to determine whether a plurality of types of roles including bonuses and minor roles are won, and a reel control means that starts the rotation of the plurality of reels and controls the reels to stop in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is performed, and in a first case in which a specific reel among the plurality of reels is stopped first and a second case in which a reel other than the specific reel is stopped first, the second case is more likely to be played than the first case when the bonus is not in operation. This relates to a gaming machine in which the expected value of game value is higher in the first case than in the second case, and the winning modes of the minor prize are a first winning mode and a second winning mode in which a specific minor prize is won in both cases, the first winning mode has a higher expected value of game value in the first case than the second winning mode, and the second winning mode may be won in an internal lottery in addition to the bonus, and the reel control means is capable of executing stop control so that the specific minor prize can be won in the second case when either the first winning mode or the second winning mode is obtained in an internal lottery.

In the present invention, the winning patterns of the small prize include a second winning pattern that can be won in an internal lottery in conjunction with a bonus, and a first winning pattern in which the expected value of game value gained when a specific reel stops first (first case) is higher than that of the second winning pattern. And in the present invention, the specific small prize that can be won when a reel other than the specific reel stops first in the first and second winning patterns (second case) is the same, so that an increase in the types of small prizes can be suppressed.

(2) In the gaming machine of the present invention, the internal lottery means performs an internal lottery so that, when the bonus is not in operation, there are multiple specific winning patterns in which multiple types of correct minor roles are not overlapped and are won, and, when the bonus is in operation, there are other winning patterns in which the correct minor roles overlap and are won, and the internal lottery is performed so that the probability of obtaining the other winning pattern is lower than the probability of obtaining any of the multiple specific winning patterns when the bonus is not in operation, and the first winning pattern may be included in the multiple specific winning patterns.

By doing this, the chances of winning the correct small winning combination can be reduced when the bonus is in operation compared to when the bonus is not in operation, thereby lowering the expected value of the game value.

1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an amusement machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an internal lottery table in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of minor prizes in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating the winning patterns of small prizes and replays in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on a reel in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the stopping mode of a reel in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating the stopping mode of a reel in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a transition diagram of a gaming state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. A transition diagram of the presentation state in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. A transition diagram of a game zone in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. A figure showing an image displayed in a menu presentation in an gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. A figure showing an image displayed in a menu presentation in an gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the settlement button and the blocker in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the settlement button and the blocker in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram comparing medal acquisition performance in each game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the winning mode of a one-coin small prize in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the winning mode of a one-coin small prize in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. A figure showing an example of a specific presentation in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in this embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

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

The gaming machine of this embodiment is a so-called slot machine or reel type gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine that uses medals as the gaming medium (gaming value).

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, a reel unit 310 consisting of a first reel R1 to a third reel R3 (multiple reels) is housed in a box-shaped housing consisting of a storage box BX (an example of a gaming machine body), an upper front door UD (an example of a front door), and a lower front door DD (an example of a front door). In addition, a power supply unit having a built-in power supply device and various switches such as a power switch and a reset switch, and a hopper unit 320 as a medal payout device are housed below the reel unit 310 in the housing. In addition, a control board that is equipped with a CPU (an example of a calculation means), a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM (an example of a temporary storage means), etc. and controls the operation of the gaming machine is also housed in the housing of the gaming machine of this embodiment. In this embodiment, multiple types of electronic circuit boards are provided as the control board, including a main board that controls the progress of the game, and a sub-board that receives a signal transmitted from the main board and controls the execution of a game presentation according to the progress of the game.

The first reel R1 to the third reel R3 shown in FIG. 1 have their outer periphery divided into 20 regions (each region is called a "frame") at regular intervals, and each frame has one of several types of symbols. The first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are supported by a stepping motor (reel drive means: not shown), and are rotated around the axis of the stepping motor, and are arranged so that they can be stopped in frame units (predetermined rotation angle units, predetermined rotation amount units) by controlling the number of pulses and pulse width of the drive pulse of the stepping motor. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stepping motor rotates the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 in response to the drive pulse supplied from the control board, and when a drive pulse of all phases is supplied from the control board, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 stop as the rotation of the stepping motor stops.

The upper front door UD and lower front door DD, which close the front (one example of the front) of the storage box BX in an openable and closable manner, are provided so as to be able to be opened and closed separately, and the upper front door UD is provided with a display window DW which allows the spinning and stopped states of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to be observed. When the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are stopped, of the multiple types of patterns arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, three patterns (upper row pattern, middle row pattern, lower row pattern) arranged consecutively on the outer periphery can be observed from the front of the gaming machine through the display window DW.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display position for observing the patterns through the display window DW, and the winning line is set by the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called specified insertion number, is set to three, and when a number of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number are inserted (bet), an active line L1 consisting of the upper row of the first reel R1, the middle row of the second reel R2, and the lower row of the third reel R3 is activated.

The game result is determined by the symbol combination that is stopped and displayed on the winning line in the display window DW, and if the symbol combination on the winning line corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is treated as a winning combination and medals are paid out from the hopper unit 320.

The upper front door UD is also provided with a game information display section DS. The game information display section DS is made up of LEDs, lamps, seven-segment displays, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game (the difference between the number of medals paid out and the number of medals inserted), the total number of medals paid out or won in bonus games, etc.

The upper front door UD is also equipped with a liquid crystal display LCD and a frame lamp AL for game presentation. The liquid crystal display LCD displays various videos (or images) to assist and liven up the game, and the frame lamp AL lights up and blinks to liven up the game.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, multiple speakers (not shown) for playing the game are provided on the upper front door UD and the lower front door DD. These speakers output various sounds to assist and liven up the game.

In addition, various operating means are provided on the lower front door DD. The operating means include a bet button (insertion operating means, game operating means) B0 for inserting credited (internal storage) medals, a start lever (game start operating means, game operating means) SL for spinning the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to start a game, stop buttons (stop operating means, game operating means) B1 to B3 for stopping each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are driven to rotate by a stepping motor, and a settlement button for settling credited (internal storage) medals. (Predetermined operation means, settlement operation means, game operation means) B4, an effect button (effect operation means) B5 for performing an operation that triggers a change in the effect performed on the gaming machine, a menu button (first effect operation means) B6 for performing an operation to start or end the display of the menu screen (an operation related to the transition between the display of the game screen and the display of the menu screen), and a cross key (second effect operation means) B7 for performing an operation to change the settings of the effect performed on the gaming machine (predetermined change operation), an operation to check the game history, and an operation to change the settings of the volume or light intensity (predetermined change operation). The cross key B7 is composed of an up button B7A, a down button B7B, a left button B7C, and a right button B7D.

In this embodiment of the gaming machine, when a player inserts a medal into the medal slot MI or presses the bet button B0, the machine is set to a ready state in which it is possible to start controlling the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and pressing the start lever is permitted (enabled). When the player presses the start lever SL, the control board starts rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by driving the stepping motor, and an internal lottery is performed using a random number value. On the condition that the rotation speed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 has increased to a predetermined speed, pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 is permitted (enabled).

After that, when the player presses the stop buttons B1 to B3 at any timing, the stop switch (stop signal output means: for example, a photosensor, a continuity sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.) built into each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 turns on, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from the OFF state to the ON state.

When the player releases any of the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 at any time, the stop switches corresponding to the stop buttons B1 to B3 turn off, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from on to off.

The control board then stops the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 at a stop position that corresponds to the result of the internal lottery based on the change from OFF to ON of the reel stop signal, whose state changes depending on when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed and released.

A medal payout port MO and a medal tray MP are provided at the bottom of the lower front door DD, and a number of medals according to the results of a game are paid out from the medal payout port MO to the medal tray MP. When medals are paid out according to the results of a game, if crediting (internal storage) of medals is permitted, medals equivalent to some or all of the payout number are credited up to a credit limit (50 in this embodiment), and the display value of the credit indicator consisting of a 7-segment display of the game information display unit DS is changed in accordance with changes in the number of medal credits. In this way, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, operations on a specified operating means are enabled according to the progress of the game, and the game progresses based on the valid operations on the operating means.

The gaming machine of this embodiment is also provided with a door sensor (detection means) 260 that detects the open/closed state of the upper front door UD, and a door sensor (detection means) 260 that detects the open/closed state of the lower front door DD, and is configured to be able to detect the open/closed state of each of the upper front door UD and the lower front door DD based on an input signal (detection signal) input from the door sensor 260 to the control board (main board).

Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a control board including a main board 10 and a sub-board 20. The main board 10 receives input signals from input means such as the bet switch 220, start switch 230, stop switch 240, settlement switch 250, door sensor 260, passage detection sensor 356, and insertion detection sensor 357, performs various calculations to execute a game, and controls the operation of output means such as the reel unit 310 and hopper unit 320 based on the calculation results. The sub-board 20 also receives input signals from input means such as the performance button switch 270, menu button switch 280, up button switch 290A, down button switch 290B, left button switch 290C, and right button switch 290D, as well as signals sent from the main board 10, performs various calculations to execute a performance according to the progress of the game, and controls the operation of output means such as the performance display device 330, sound device 340, and reel backlight BL based on the calculation results. The functions of each board, such as the main board 10 and the sub board 20, are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), ROMs (an example of an information storage medium), or RAMs, or by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in a ROM or the like.

The main board 10 is configured to include an input receiving means 105 (reception control means), a random number generating means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state control means 170, an AT control means 175 (auxiliary game control means), a communication control means 179, and a main memory 190M.

The coin insertion receiving means 105 receives the insertion of medals for each game, and controls the activation of the game start operation for the start lever SL (game start operating means) based on the insertion of the specified number of medals (3 medals). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first pressing of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of the specified number of medals, is accepted as the game start operation, which triggers the start of the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 and also triggers the execution of an internal lottery. In addition, when the game start operation for the start lever SL is activated, if the start lever SL is operated, the operation for the start lever SL is disabled.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot MI (predetermined insertion slot), the passage detection sensor 356 in the medal selector 350 shown in FIG. 2 is activated, and the insertion acceptance means 105 performs a medal insertion process in which the inserted medals are set to an inserted state (bet state) up to a specified insertion number (predetermined number range). In this embodiment, information indicating the number of medals (number of medals bet) set to the inserted state is stored in a bet number storage area provided in the bet number storage means 192 (game value storage means) of the main memory 190M. In this way, the bet number storage means 192 stores the accepted medals up to a specified insertion number.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, medals can be stored (accumulated) as credits up to a credit upper limit (predetermined number range: 50 in this embodiment) in a credit storage area provided in the credit storage means 191 (game value storage means) of the main memory 190M, and when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot MI with the specified number of medals set to an inserted state, the passage detection sensor 356 is activated and a credit addition process is performed to store the inserted medal as credits. In this way, the credit storage means 191 stores the accepted medals up to the credit upper limit.

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, medals inserted through the medal insertion port MI are sent to the hopper unit 320 through the medal selector 350 shown in FIG. 2. However, under certain conditions, such as after the start of play, a blocker 355 (insertion restriction means) built into the medal selector 350 controls the flow path toward the hopper unit 320 to be closed, and the medal flow path is switched so that the inserted medals are returned from the medal payout port MO. The blocker 355 is displaced between an allowed position (insertion permitted position) that allows the insertion of medals and an unallowed position (insertion unallowed position) that does not allow the insertion of medals.

2, the medal selector 350 is provided with an insertion detection sensor 357 and a passage detection sensor 356. The insertion detection sensor 357 is provided near the medal insertion port MI and upstream of the blocker 355. When it detects the insertion of a medal, it outputs a detection signal to the main board 10. If the insertion detection sensor 357 remains on for a certain period of time (e.g., 0.6 seconds) or more, there is a possibility of a medal jam or the insertion of a foreign object, and an error process is performed in the main board 10. The passage detection sensor 356 is provided downstream of the blocker 355. When it detects the insertion of a medal, it outputs a detection signal to the main board 10. The main board 10 determines that a medal has been inserted based on the detection signal from the passage detection sensor 356 and performs medal insertion process and credit addition process. In this embodiment, when the blocker 355 is in the permitted position, a medal inserted through the medal insertion port MI is guided by the blocker 355 to the passage detection sensor 356, and the insertion of the medal is detected, but when the blocker 355 is in the unauthorized position, the medal is guided by the blocker 355 to the medal payout port MO. At this time, the inserted medal does not pass through the passage detection sensor 356, and is returned from the medal payout port MO without being detected by the passage detection sensor 356.

When all processing related to one game has been completed, the deposit acceptance means 105 performs control to enable operation of the bet button B0, provided that medals have been stored as credits in the gaming machine. When the bet button B0 is pressed while operation of the bet button B0 is enabled, the bet switch 220 is activated and the deposit acceptance means 105 performs processing to set the medals stored as credits in the credit memory area to a deposited state (medal deposit processing and credit subtraction processing), up to a specified deposit number. When the number of medals stored as credits in the gaming machine becomes 0 or a game start operation is performed on the start lever SL, operation of the bet button B0 is disabled.

When all processing related to one game is completed, the insertion acceptance means 105 performs control to start accepting medals (control to permit acceptance of medals), specifically, control to position the blocker 355 of the medal selector 350 at the permitted position and control to permit (enable) detection of medals by the passing detection sensor 356. When the number of medals stored in the credits of the gaming machine reaches the credit upper limit number or a game start operation is performed on the start lever SL, it performs control to end acceptance of medals (control to not permit acceptance of medals), specifically, control to position the blocker 355 at the non-permitted position and control to not permit (disable) detection of medals by the passing detection sensor 356. When a medal is inserted from the medal insertion port MI in a state where no medals are being accepted, the inserted medal is returned from the medal payout port MO without being accepted. Even if the passing detection sensor 356 detects the insertion of a medal, if the passing detection sensor 356 is disabled, the medal insertion process and credit addition process are not performed.

When all processing related to one game is completed, the deposit acceptance means 105 performs control to enable operation of the settlement button B4, provided that medals have been credit-stored in the gaming machine. When a valid operation is performed on the settlement button B4, the settlement switch 250 is activated and the payout control means 150 (settling means) performs a process of paying out medals credit-stored in the credit memory area and medals set to the inserted state (a medal settlement process to settle medals). When all medals credit-stored and medals set to the inserted state have been paid out, the number of medals set to the inserted state is initialized to 0 and the operation on the settlement button B4 is disabled. The operation on the settlement button B4 is also disabled when a game start operation is performed on the start lever SL.

In addition, in this embodiment, when an operation is performed on the settlement button B4 in a settlement operation enabled state (settlement permitted state) in which operation on the settlement button B4 is enabled because medals have been credit stored or bet (set to a deposited state), the deposit acceptance means 105 determines that the operation on the settlement button B4 is a long press operation, which is an operation that continues (maintains) the pressed state for a predetermined reference time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) (when the on state of the settlement switch 250 continues for the reference time (e.g., 0.5 seconds)), as a valid operation with respect to the settlement of medals, and determines that the operation on the settlement button B4 is a short press operation, which is an operation with an operation time shorter than a long press operation (when the on state of the settlement switch 250 is less than the reference time (e.g., 0.5 seconds)), as an invalid operation with respect to the settlement of medals. Therefore, even if the operation on the settlement button B4 is enabled and the settlement operation is enabled, if the operation on the settlement button B4 is a short press operation, it becomes an invalid operation and the settlement process is not performed. Even if the operation on the settlement button B4 is a long press operation, if the operation on the settlement button B4 is disabled, it becomes an invalid operation and the settlement process is not performed.

In this embodiment, when the settlement button B4 is operated, control is performed to prevent the insertion of medals, so an "invalid operation" means that the original function (e.g., medal settlement) is not executed, and even an "invalid operation" may involve processing other than the original function (e.g., control to prevent the insertion of medals).

The random number generating means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for the lottery. The random numbers can be generated, for example, based on the count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numbers so as to circulate through a specified count range). Note that in this embodiment, the "random number" includes not only values that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values that, even if their generation is regular, can actually function as random numbers because the timing of their acquisition is irregular.

The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated by a game start operation on the start lever SL (the first press of the activated start lever SL), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which of the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage area provided in the main table storage means 198 of the main memory 190M will be used to perform the internal lottery. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables (internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 3) as shown in FIG. 3 are stored in the internal lottery table storage area. In each internal lottery table, various roles such as replays, small roles, and bonuses, and losses (non-wins) are associated with multiple random number values (for example, 65,536 random number values from 0 to 65,535).

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, minor prizes 1 to 45 are prepared as minor prizes, and the winning patterns of the minor prizes are set as follows, as shown in Figures 4 and 5: batting order bell A1 to batting order bell A8, batting order bell C1 to batting order bell C8, batting order bell D1 to batting order bell D4, watermelon, weak cherry, strong cherry, common 1-piece A, common 1-piece B, 1-piece prize 1 to 1-piece prize 4, and JAC1 to JAC3.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, replays are provided as Replay 1 to Replay 4, and normal Replay 1 and normal Replay 2 are set as winning modes of the replay, as shown in FIG. 5.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the winning probability and winning pattern of the small prize are the same on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, the winning probability of the replay is higher on internal lottery table 2 than on internal lottery table 1, replays are not included in the lottery on internal lottery table 3, and the lottery pattern of the small prize on internal lottery table 3 is different from that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, and the winning probability of the small prize is higher than that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a big bonus (BB) is prepared as a bonus, and the big bonus (BB) is the subject of a lottery in the internal lottery table 1. In the internal lottery table 1, the lottery mode is set so that the big bonus (BB) can be won in combination with the common 1-piece A, common 1-piece B, and 1-piece role 1 to 1-piece role 4, or can be won alone.

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

In the random number determination process, a random number value (random number for lottery) is obtained from the random number generating means 110 for each game based on a start signal from the start switch 230, and the obtained random number value is referenced in an internal lottery table to determine whether or not it has resulted in a winning combination.

In the lottery flag setting process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination determined to be a winning combination is set from a non-winning state (first flag state, off state) to a winning state (second flag state, on state) based on the result of the random number determination process. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are won in a overlapping manner, the lottery flags corresponding to each of the two or more types of combinations that are won in a overlapping manner are set to a winning state. The setting information for the lottery flag is stored in the lottery flag storage means 200 of the main memory 190M.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over a winning state to the next game or later until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to a non-winning state without carrying over a winning state to the next game or later regardless of whether a prize is won or not are prepared. The former carry-over flag corresponds to a big bonus (BB), and the latter non-carry-over flag corresponds to a small bonus and a replay. In the lottery flag setting process, for example, when a big bonus (BB) is won in an internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the winning state of the lottery flag of the big bonus (BB) until the big bonus (BB) is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether or not the small bonus and the replay are won, even in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag of the big bonus (BB) is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small win or replay is won in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag of the bonus associated with the carryover flag is carried over, the lottery flag corresponding to two or more types of roles consisting of the lottery flag of the already won bonus and the lottery flag of the small win or replay won in the internal lottery is set to the winning state.

The reel control means 130 starts the rotation drive of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by the stepping motor based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is operated by the start lever SL to start playing, and controls the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to start rotating at a predetermined speed (approximately 80 rpm: a rotation speed of approximately 80 rotations per minute) by pressing the stop button B1 to B3 (stop operation means) corresponding to the reel, and controls the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, which are rotated by the stepping motor, to stop in a manner according to the setting state of the lottery flag (result of the internal lottery).

When the player presses the stop button B1 to B3 and the stop switch 240 is activated while the stop operation for the stop buttons B1 to B3 is enabled, the reel control means 130 disables the operation for the operated stop button, and based on the reel stop signal from the stop switch 240, supplies a full-phase excitation drive pulse to the stepping motor of the reel unit 310, thereby controlling the stopping of each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3.

That is, each time one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed, the reel control means 130 determines the stop position of the reel among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that corresponds to the pressed button, and controls the reel to stop at the determined stop position. Note that in the gaming machine of this embodiment, pressing the stop button B1 corresponds to an operation for stopping the first reel R1, pressing the stop button B2 corresponds to an operation for stopping the second reel R2, and pressing the stop button B3 corresponds to an operation for stopping the third reel R3. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, if the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed is changed, the stop order of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is changed. In this embodiment, the stop operation corresponding to the first reel to be stopped among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is called the first stop operation, the stop operation corresponding to the second reel to be stopped the second stop operation, and the stop operation corresponding to the last reel to be stopped the third stop operation, and the stop of the reel corresponding to the first stop operation may be called the first stop, the stop of the reel corresponding to the second stop operation the second stop, and the stop of the reel corresponding to the third stop operation the third stop. Also, in this embodiment, the operation sequence of the stop operations that stops the first reel R1 (an example of a specific reel) first may be called the recommended hitting order (an example of a specific operation sequence), and the operation sequence of the stop operations that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first may be called the irregular hitting order (an example of a non-specific operation sequence).

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button B1 to B3 is pressed. When the reels are stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each reel is determined by the number of frames required from the time when the stop button is pressed until the reel stops, which is within the range of 0 to 4 frames (predetermined pull-in range). The reel control means 130 controls the reel to stop, which corresponds to the stop button B1 to B3 that was pressed, so that when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the internal lottery is located within the range of 0 to 4 frames from the display position on the pay line at the time when the stop button was pressed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state is displayed at the display position on the pay line on the outer periphery of the reel that corresponds to the stop button B1 to B3 that was pressed.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the red 7 symbol "RED 7", BAR symbol 1 "BAR1", BAR symbol 2 "BAR2", replay symbol "RP", bell symbol a "BLa", bell symbol b "BLb", watermelon symbol "WM", cherry symbol "CH", dummy symbol 1 "DUM1", and dummy symbol 2 "DUM2" are arranged on the outer periphery of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 constituting the reel unit 310. When symbols that are within four frames from the push detection position are drawn onto an active line, the symbols that are arranged at intervals of four frames or less on the outer periphery of each reel can be displayed on the active line regardless of the push detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time when the stop switch 240 is activated (the time when the push of the stop button is detected). In this embodiment, the push detection position is the display position of the upper row of each reel.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the reel unit 310 is equipped with a reel index consisting of a photosensor, and the reel control means 130 is able to monitor the current rotation state of the reel by determining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotating shaft of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the frame detected by the reel index 315) based on the reference position signal detected by the reel index each time the reel rotates once. In other words, the reel control means 130 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop switch 240 is activated by determining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

The reel control means 130 also determines the stopping position of the reel during rotation by referring to the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage area provided in the main table storage means 198 of the main memory 190M.

The stop control table sets the correspondence between the push detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time the stop switch 240 is activated (the time when the press of the stop button is detected), and the actual stop position, depending on the setting state of the lottery flag. Note that the stop control table may also set the correspondence between the push detection position and the number of sliding frames, which indicates the amount of rotation from the push detection position to the actual stop position, depending on the setting state of the lottery flag.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the priority order for small wins, replays, and bonuses is set as "replay > bonus" and "small win > bonus", and the stop control table is set so that a stop position containing the symbol that constitutes the winning form of the high-priority win is selected according to the priority order associated with each win.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, in the stop control table that is referenced when the lottery flags for multiple types of minor roles are set to a winning state in the internal lottery, there are cases where the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the active line (number priority control: an example of the first control) and cases where the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out based on a predetermined payout for the minor role (payout number priority control: an example of the second control). When the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the active line, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the stop position with a greater number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the active line is given priority, and when the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the stop position with a greater number of medals paid out based on the payout for the minor role corresponding to the pattern displayed at the display position on the active line (the stop position that can win a minor role with a greater payout) is given priority. However, when the stop positions are set according to the number of medals paid out, for multiple stop positions that pay out the same number of medals, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position is set relative to the press detection position, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on an active line, for multiple stop positions that pay out the same number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on an active line, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position is set relative to the press detection position.

In addition, in this embodiment, for example, small prizes with a payout of 15 coins (small prize 1 to small prize 8, small prize 13 to small prize 16) are referred to as 15 coin small prizes, small prizes with a payout of 3 coins (small prize 9 to small prize 12, small prize 39) are referred to as 3 coin small prizes, small prizes with a payout of 10 coins (small prize 17 to small prize 20) are referred to as 10 coin small prizes, small prizes with a payout of 1 coin (small prize 21 to small prize 38, small prize 40, small prize 41, small prize 43, small prize 45) are referred to as 1 coin small prizes, and small prizes with a payout of 8 coins (small prize 42, small prize 44) are referred to as 8 coin small prizes. For convenience of explanation, small prizes are categorized by payout and referred to collectively.

Then, in the stop control table that is referenced when any of the batting order bells is won in the internal lottery, the correct batting order is set for each batting order bell, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, and an operation order that differs from the correct batting order is treated as an incorrect batting order. Note that in this embodiment, as necessary, the mode of the stop operation that allows the 15-coin or 10-coin small win to be won may be referred to as the correct operation mode, and the mode of the stop operation that differs from the correct operation mode may be referred to as the failed operation mode.

First, in the stop control table that is referenced when any of the batting order bells A1 to A8 are won, as shown in FIG. 7, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, the stop positions are set relative to the press detection position so that a 15-coin small win (correct small win) or a 3-coin small win (incorrect small win) will be awarded, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the incorrect batting order, the stop positions are set relative to the press detection position so that a 3-coin small win (incorrect small win) or a 1-coin small win (incorrect small win) will be awarded (if batting order 3 to batting order 6 are incorrect, there may be a missed opportunity).

In addition, "1-coin small prize (1/4)" in Figures 7 and 8 means that in a situation where only a 1-coin small prize is possible, there is a 1/4 probability that a 1-coin small prize will win, and there is a 3/4 probability that no prize will win, resulting in a miss.

In this embodiment, if a stop operation is performed in the correct batting order when any of batting order bells A1 to A8 is won, the detection position of the first stop operation in the correct batting order determines whether or not a 15-coin small win will be won, and whether or not a 15-coin small win will be won is determined by whether the detection position of the first stop operation is the first or second press position shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the detection position of the first stop operation that allows a 15-coin small win to be won for batting order bells A1 to A8 is the correct position. As shown in FIG. 7, for batting order bells A1 to A4, if the batting order is correct and the first stop operation is in the first press position, a 15-coin small prize will be awarded, and if the batting order is correct but the first stop operation is in the second press position, a 3-coin small prize will be awarded instead of a 15-coin small prize. For batting order bells A5 to A8, if the batting order is correct and the first stop operation is in the second press position, a 15-coin small prize will be awarded, and if the batting order is correct but the first stop operation is in the first press position, a 3-coin small prize will be awarded instead of a 15-coin small prize.

In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when any of the batting order bells C1 to C8 are selected in the internal lottery, as shown in FIG. 8, the stop positions are set for the press detection positions so that when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, a 10-coin small win (correct small win) is awarded, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the incorrect batting order, a 1-coin small win is awarded (if batting order 3 to batting order 6 are incorrect, there is a possibility of a miss).

In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when any of the batting order bells D1 to D4 are selected in the internal lottery, as shown in FIG. 8, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, a 15-coin small prize is awarded, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the incorrect batting order, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that either a 1-coin small prize is awarded or no prize is awarded (a prize is missed).

For the batting order bells C1 to C8, all stop operation sequences are treated as incorrect batting orders in the normal state, and only when the BB is established, there are sequences of stop operations that are treated as correct batting orders and sequences of stop operations that are treated as incorrect batting orders. In other words, for the batting order bells C1 to C8, if a win occurs in the normal state, any operation mode will be a failed operation mode. Therefore, in the normal state, even if the stop operation is performed in an operation mode that can win a 10-coin small prize in the BB state, a 1-coin small prize will be won. For the batting order bells A1 to A8 and the batting order bells D1 to D4, the stop control is performed in the mode shown in Figures 7 and 8 in both the normal state and the BB state, and if the stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode in both the normal state and the BB state, a 15-coin small prize will be won.

In addition, when each batting order bell is won and the stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode, the stop position is set in each stop control table so that the symbols that make up the winning form of 15-coin small prizes or 10-coin small prizes are preferentially displayed on the active line by payout number priority control, and when the stop operation is performed in the unsuccessful operation mode, the symbols that make up the winning form of 3-coin small prizes or 1-coin small prizes are preferentially displayed on the active line by number priority control.

In addition, in this embodiment, when a 15-coin small prize (small prize 1 to small prize 8, small prize 13 to small prize 16), a 10-coin small prize (small prize 17 to small prize 20), or a 3-coin small prize (small prize 9 to small prize 12) wins when each batting order bell is won, a bell-lined symbol combination (specific symbol combination) is displayed on the valid line L1 or an invalid line (a line not used to determine whether or not a prize is won). Here, a bell-lined symbol combination refers to a symbol combination consisting of at least one of the bell symbols a "BLa" and bell symbol b "BLb". In this embodiment, the bell symbols a "BLa" and bell symbols b "BLb" are similar to each other, so when small prizes 1 to 20 win, a bell-lined symbol combination similar to each other is displayed.

For example, when minor wins 1 to 4 are won, as shown in Figures 9(A) to 9(D), a bell pattern combination is displayed on the middle invalid line consisting of the middle section of each reel. Minor win 1 is included in batting order bell A1, minor win 2 is included in batting order bell A5, minor win 3 is included in batting order bell A2, and minor win 4 is included in batting order bell A6. Different correct operation modes are set for these four types of batting order bells, but when a stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode, similar bell combinations are displayed on the same line.

When minor prizes 5 to 8 are awarded, a bell pattern combination is displayed on the active line L1, as shown in Figures 9(E) to 9(H). Minor prize 5 is included in batting order bell A3, minor prize 6 is included in batting order bell A7, minor prize 7 is included in batting order bell A4, and minor prize 8 is included in batting order bell A8. Different correct operation modes are set for these four types of batting order bells, but when a stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode, similar bell combinations are displayed on the same line.

When minor wins 9 to 10 are won, as shown in Figures 9(I) to 9(J), a bell pattern combination is displayed on the upper right-up invalid line consisting of the bottom of the first reel R1, the middle of the second reel R2, and the top of the third reel R3. Minor win 9 is included in batting order bell A1 and batting order bell A2, and minor win 10 is included in batting order bell A5 and batting order bell A6. These four types of batting order bells have different correct operation modes, but when the first stop operation is performed in the same failed operation mode as the correct batting order, similar bell combinations are displayed on the same line.

When minor wins 11 and 12 are won, as shown in Figures 10(A) and 10(B), a bell pattern combination is displayed on the lower invalid line consisting of the lower row of each reel. Minor win 11 is included in batting order bell A3 and batting order bell A4, and minor win 12 is included in batting order bell A7 and batting order bell A8. These four types of batting order bells have different correct operation modes set, but when the first stopping operation is performed in the same failed operation mode as the correct batting order, similar bell combinations are displayed on the same line.

When small wins 13 to 16 are won, as shown in Figures 10(C) to 10(F), a bell pattern combination is displayed on the upper invalid line consisting of the upper row of each reel. Small win 13 is included in batting order bell D1, small win 14 is included in batting order bell D2, small win 15 is included in batting order bell D3, and small win 16 is included in batting order bell D4. The same correct operation mode is set for these four types of batting order bells, and when a stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode, similar bell combinations are displayed on the same line.

When minor wins 17 and 18 are won, as shown in Figures 10(G) to 10(H), a bell combination is displayed on the upper right invalid line. Minor win 17 is included in batting order bell C1 and batting order bell C6, and minor win 18 is included in batting order bell C2 and batting order bell C5. The same correct operation mode is set for batting order bell C1 and batting order bell C5, and the same correct operation mode is set for batting order bell C2 and batting order bell C6. When a stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode, similar bell combinations are displayed on the same line.

When minor wins 19 to 20 are won, a bell combination is displayed on the lower invalid line, as shown in Figures 10(I) to 10(J). Minor win 19 is included in batting order bell C3 and batting order bell C8, and minor win 20 is included in batting order bell C4 and batting order bell C7. The same correct operation mode is set for batting order bell C3 and batting order bell C7, and the same correct operation mode is set for batting order bell C4 and batting order bell C8. When a stop operation is performed in the correct operation mode, similar bell combinations are displayed on the same line.

When small wins 9, 10, 17, and 18 are won, the bell pattern combination is displayed on the same line (upper right invalid line) as shown in Figures 9(I), 9(J), 10(G), and 10(H), and when small wins 11, 12, 19, and 20 are won, the bell pattern combination is displayed on the same line (lower invalid line) as shown in Figures 10(A), 10(B), 10(I), and 10(J).

In this embodiment, when the batting order bell A1 (an example of the first winning mode) or the batting order bell C1 (an example of the second winning mode) wins, in the first specific operation mode (an example of the specific operation mode) in which the batting order is 3 and the first stop operation is in the second pressing position, different small roles (small role 9, small role 17) are won, while similar bell combinations are displayed on the same line (upper right invalid line) as shown in FIG. 9 (I) and FIG. 10 (G). In the first specific operation mode, when the batting order bell A1 wins, a 3-coin small role (small role 9) is always won, and when the batting order bell C1 wins, a 10-coin small role (small role 17) is always won, so the expected medal winning value in the first specific operation mode is different between the batting order bell A1 and the batting order bell C1.

In addition, when the batting order bell A2 (an example of the first winning mode) or the batting order bell C2 (an example of the second winning mode) wins, in the second specific operation mode (an example of the specific operation mode) in which the batting order is 4 and the first stop operation is in the second pressing position, different small roles (small role 9, small role 18) will win, while similar bell combinations are displayed on the same line (upper right invalid line) as shown in Figures 9 (I) and 10 (H). In the second specific operation mode, when the batting order bell A2 wins, a 3-coin small role (small role 9) will always win, and when the batting order bell C2 wins, a 10-coin small role (small role 18) will always win, so the expected medal winning value in the second specific operation mode is different between the batting order bell A2 and the batting order bell C2.

In addition, when the batting order bell A5 (an example of the first winning mode) or the batting order bell C5 (an example of the second winning mode) wins, in the third specific operation mode (an example of the specific operation mode) in which the batting order is 3 and the first stop operation is in the first pressing position, different small roles (small role 10, small role 18) will win, while similar bell combinations are displayed on the same line (upper right invalid line) as shown in Figures 9 (J) and 10 (H). In the third specific operation mode, when the batting order bell A5 wins, the 3-coin small role (small role 10) will always win, and when the batting order bell C5 wins, the 10-coin small role (small role 18) will always win, so the expected medal winning value in the third specific operation mode is different between the batting order bell A5 and the batting order bell C5.

In addition, when the batting order bell A6 (an example of the first winning mode) or the batting order bell C6 (an example of the second winning mode) wins, in the fourth specific operation mode (an example of the specific operation mode) in which the batting order is 4 and the first stop operation is in the first pressing position, different small roles (small role 10, small role 17) will win, while similar bell combinations are displayed on the same line (upper right invalid line) as shown in Figures 9 (J) and 10 (G). In the fourth specific operation mode, when the batting order bell A6 wins, the 3-coin small role (small role 10) will always win, and when the batting order bell C6 wins, the 10-coin small role (small role 17) will always win, so the expected medal winning value in the fourth specific operation mode is different between the batting order bell A6 and the batting order bell C6.

In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when one of the 1-coin roles 1 to 4 is won in the internal lottery, as shown in FIG. 8, in the operation sequence in which stop button B1 is pressed first (batting order 1 to batting order 2), the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin small role will win, and in the operation sequence in which stop button B2 or stop button B3 is pressed first (batting order 3 to batting order 6), the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that there are cases in which a 1-coin small role will win and cases in which no role will win (missing the role). In batting orders 3 to 6, there is a 1/4 probability of a 1-coin small role winning and a 3/4 probability of missing the role.

In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when watermelon is won in the internal lottery, the stop position is set relative to the press detection position so that there are cases where an 8-coin minor combination wins and cases where no combination wins (missing out on a combination).

In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a weak cherry is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 3-coin small win will be awarded, and in the stop control table that is referenced when a strong cherry is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin small win will be awarded.

In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when Common 1 A or Common 1 B is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin minor prize is won.

In addition, in the stop control table referenced when JAC1 is selected in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 15-coin small win will be awarded, in the stop control table referenced when JAC2 is selected in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 3-coin small win will be awarded, and in the stop control table referenced when JAC3 is selected in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin small win will be awarded.

In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when normal replay 1 or normal replay 2 is selected in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that either replay will win.

As for the Big Bonus (BB), it can only be won if the Big Bonus (BB) is won alone in the normal state. There are no misses when the BB is formed, and since there are always overlapping wins of minor prizes or replays with higher priority than the Big Bonus (BB), the stop position for the press detection position is set in the stop control table so that the Big Bonus (BB) is not won.

The winning judgment means 140 performs a winning judgment process to judge whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Specifically, the winning judgment means 140 judges whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line at the time when all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have stopped is a winning form of a predetermined winning combination, while referring to the winning judgment table stored in the winning judgment table storage area provided in the main table storage means 198 of the main memory 190M. Then, the winning judgment table is prepared so that the presence or absence of a winning combination of a big bonus (BB), replay 1 to replay 4, and small prize 1 to small prize 45 can be judged based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when each reel has stopped, as shown in Figures 11 to 15. The winning determination means 140 is not limited to performing the winning determination process based on the stopping state of each reel (information on the actual stopping position of each reel). For example, the winning determination process may be performed based on the stopping position of each reel (the predicted stopping position of each reel when the stopping operation is performed) determined by the reel control means 130, or based on the actual stopping position of the reel that has already stopped and the predicted stopping position (scheduled stopping position) of the reel for the third stopping operation. In this example, the winning determination process can be performed before all the reels stop (at the time when the stopping position of the reel corresponding to the third stopping operation is determined). When a symbol combination indicating a winning form predetermined for each role is displayed on the pay line, the role wins.

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a winning combination is achieved, a winning process is executed based on the result of the determination by the winning determination means 140. As the winning process, for example, when a small combination is achieved, a medal payout process is performed by the payout control means 150, when a replay is achieved, a replay process is performed by the replay processing means 160, and when a bonus is achieved, a game state transition process is performed by the game state control means 170 to transition the game state.

The payout control means 150 performs a payout control process for the payout of medals according to the game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the payout number of medals in the game is determined based on the payout amount predetermined for each combination, and the payout number of medals corresponding to the determined payout number is controlled to be paid out to the hopper unit 320 (payout device).

The hopper unit 320 performs the operation of paying out the number of medals instructed by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit 320 is equipped with a medal payout detection switch 325 that is activated each time a medal is paid out, and the payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit 320 based on the input signal from the medal payout detection switch 325.

When credit storage (accumulation storage) of medals is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals using the hopper unit 320, a credit addition process is performed in which the payout number is added (granted) to the credit number (number of credited medals) stored in the credit storage area of the main memory 190M, and medals are virtually paid out.

When a valid operation is performed on the settlement button B4, the payout control means 150 (settling means) performs control (control over medal settlement) to have the hopper unit 320 (payout device) pay out medals that are credit-stored in the credit memory area and medals that are set to the inserted state. Specifically, when the settlement button B4 is operated while the operation on the settlement button B4 is in an enabled state, the payout control means 150 determines the number of medals to be settled based on the medals that are credit-stored in the credit memory area and medals that are set to the inserted state, and performs control to have the hopper unit 320 (payout device) pay out medals equivalent to the determined number.

When a replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs a replay process (replay process) that sets the next game to the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert any medals owned by the player. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed that automatically inserts the same number of medals as the previous game without using the medals (including credit medals) held by the player, and the machine waits for the next game start operation of the start lever SL with a valid line set corresponding to the specified number of insertions.

As shown in FIG. 16, the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition process that transitions the game state between the normal state, the BB established state, and the BB state. In this embodiment, information indicating the current game state is stored in a game state storage area provided in the state storage means 201 of the main memory 190M. The game state transition condition may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the establishment of one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or the establishment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

The normal state is a game state that corresponds to the initial state among multiple game states, and it is possible to transition from the normal state to the BB established state or the BB state. Specifically, if a big bonus (BB) is won in the normal state but the big bonus (BB) is not awarded, the state transitions to the BB established state, and if a big bonus (BB) is won and also awarded in the normal state, the state transitions to the BB state. In the normal state, the internal lottery is performed by referring to internal lottery table 1, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to about 1/7.3 or more and the big bonus (BB) is set as a lottery target, among internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 3.

The BB state is a game state to which a player transitions when a big bonus (BB) is won in an internal lottery in the normal state, but the big bonus (BB) is not awarded. Of the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 3, the probability of a replay winning is higher than that of internal lottery table 1, so a miss (non-win) does not occur, and an internal lottery is held with reference to internal lottery table 2, which excludes the big bonus (BB) from the lottery.

In addition, in the BB established state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus (BB) is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus (BB) is won, and when the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the big bonus (BB) is displayed on the pay line, the game state control means 170 transitions the game state from the BB established state to the BB state.

The BB state is a game state to which the player enters when a symbol combination indicating a big bonus (BB) winning form is displayed on an active line. Of the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 3, an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 3, which has a different selection pattern for minor roles from internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

In addition, in the BB state, the game determines whether the end condition is met based on the total number of medals paid out during play in the BB state. If it is determined that more than a predetermined number of medals (e.g., 18 medals) have been paid out, the game state control means 170 performs control to end the BB state and return the game state to the normal state. Note that in this embodiment, count information on the number of medals paid out in the BB state is stored in the game state storage area.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, in the normal state (an example of when the bonus is not in operation) and in the BB state (an example of when the bonus is not in operation), an internal lottery is performed so that there are multiple specific winning patterns (batting order bell A1 to batting order bell A8 and batting order bell D1 to batting order bell D4) in which multiple types of 15-coin small roles (examples of correct small roles: small role 1 to small role 8 and small role 13 to small role 16) do not overlap and are won, and in the BB state (an example of when the bonus is in operation), there is another winning pattern (JAC1) in which multiple types of 15-coin small roles (small role 1 to small role 8 and small role 13 to small role 16) overlap and win, and the internal lottery is performed so that the probability of the other winning pattern in the BB state is lower than the probability of one of the multiple specific winning patterns in the internal lottery in the normal state and the BB state, and the winning probability of each small role is equal to or higher than the winning probability in the normal state and the BB state and the winning probability of the small roles as a whole is higher than the normal state and the BB state. That is, in the BB state of this embodiment, the probability of winning at least one type of small win is higher than in the normal state or the BB state, and the probability of winning all small wins is also higher than in the normal state or the BB state, but the probability of obtaining a second winning pattern (JAC1) including small wins 1 to 8 and small wins 13 to 16, which have a higher payout than the specified number of coins inserted (3 coins), is lower than the probability of obtaining any of the specific winning patterns including small wins 1 to 8 and small wins 13 to 16 in the normal state or the BB state, so the expected value of the medal acquisition rate (number of coins paid out/number of coins inserted) in the BB state can be made less than 100%.

As shown in FIG. 17, the AT control means 175 changes the presentation state between a plurality of types of presentation states including an initial presentation state, a normal presentation state, a first AT state (an example of a special presentation state, auxiliary play, advantageous play, and bonus play), and a second AT state (an example of a special presentation state, auxiliary play, advantageous play, and bonus play), sets the presentation state to the first AT state under a predetermined condition, determines whether the termination condition of the first AT state (the termination condition of the auxiliary play) is met based on the value of the first AT game number counter 193 in the main memory 190M, and controls the termination of the first AT state when the termination condition of the first AT state is met. In this embodiment, information indicating the currently-stayed presentation state is stored in a presentation state storage area provided in the state storage means 201 in the main memory 190M. In this embodiment, when the player is in the first AT state or the second AT state, the presentation control means 180 performs a winning assistance presentation to assist the player in winning a winning combination, and the player can play an assist time game (an example of an assist game, advantageous game, or bonus game) in which it is easier to win medals than when the player is in the initial presentation state or the normal presentation state. In this embodiment, the function of executing an assist time game in an advantageous zone is the instruction function, and the process that affects the execution of the assist time game is the process related to the instruction function.

As shown in FIG. 18, the AT control means 175 can set a normal zone (non-advantageous zone) and an advantageous zone, and in the normal zone, the presentation state is fixed to the initial presentation state, which is the initial state, and a lottery is held to transition to an advantageous zone, and the advantageous zone is started by winning the lottery to transition to the advantageous zone, and the presentation state can be set to an AT state (first AT state and second AT state) on the condition that the advantageous zone is the advantageous zone.

The AT control means 175 then performs a lottery for transition to a favorable zone when in the normal state or the BB established state in the normal zone. In the normal state, a lottery for transition to a favorable zone is performed when a winning pattern other than Normal Replay 1 is selected in the internal lottery, and in the BB established state, a lottery for transition to a favorable zone is performed when a winning pattern other than Common 1 Piece A, Common 1 Piece B, 1 Piece Role 1 to 1 Piece Role 4, and Normal Replay 1 is selected.

When the player wins the advantageous zone transition lottery, the advantageous zone transition process is performed based on the fact that the advantageous zone transition lottery has been won, the advantageous zone is started from the next game of the game in which the advantageous zone transition lottery was won, and the presentation state is set to the normal presentation state. In this embodiment, the normal mode and the chance mode can be set as the selection mode of the AT lottery in the normal presentation state, and in the normal presentation state, the player stays in either selection mode, and the selection mode is determined in the next game of the game in which the advantageous zone transition lottery was won, or in the game in which the first AT state ends and the advantageous zone continues. In the next game of the game in which the player wins the advantageous zone transition lottery, for example, the selection mode is determined by the game start operation on the start lever SL, and in this case, it is set to the chance mode. For this reason, for example, when the advantageous zone ends with the end of the first AT state and the game transitions to the advantageous zone again via the normal zone (when the advantageous zone is reset), it is set to the chance mode. On the other hand, in a game in which the first AT state has ended and the advantageous zone has continued, the lottery mode is determined as part of the process of returning the presentation state to the normal presentation state. In this case, a chance mode lottery is performed, and if the chance mode lottery is won, the chance mode is set, and if the chance mode lottery result is a miss (no win), the normal mode is set. Note that in the chance mode lottery of this embodiment, the probability of a miss (no win) is set higher than the probability of a win, and for example, the probability of winning is set to 5%.

In addition, when the presentation state is the normal presentation state in the advantageous zone, the AT control means 175 performs an AT lottery (an example of processing related to the instruction function) based on the fact that a specific winning pattern (for example, a highly rare winning pattern such as watermelon, weak cherry, or strong cherry) has been won in the internal lottery. In the AT lottery, the probability of winning the AT varies depending on the lottery mode of the AT lottery, and the probability of winning the AT is set higher in the order of "normal mode < chance mode".

In addition, when the AT control means 175 determines the lottery mode of the AT lottery in the advantageous zone, it sets the ceiling number of times of play. In this embodiment, the ceiling number of times of play is set based on the lottery mode, and when the lottery mode is determined to be the normal mode, the ceiling counter 194 in the main memory 190M is set to a value "500" corresponding to 500 times of play, and when the lottery mode is determined to be the chance mode, the ceiling counter 194 is set to a value "100" corresponding to 100 times of play, and a process (an example of a process related to an instruction function) is performed to subtract a fixed value "1" corresponding to one game from the value of the ceiling counter 194 every time one game is played in the normal performance state. Note that when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order in the normal performance state, a process to subtract a fixed value "1" from the value of the ceiling counter 194 is not performed. In other words, the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 is stopped first is treated more favorably in terms of updating the ceiling counter 1924 than the irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first.

Then, the AT control means 175 performs control to transition the presentation state to the first AT state based on the result of the AT lottery being an AT win in the normal presentation state or the value of the ceiling counter 194 reaching the initial value "0". When transitioning the presentation state to the first AT state, the AT control means 175 also sets the value "50" in the first AT game number counter 193, which corresponds to 50 times, which is the initial number of times of assist time play in the first AT state.

Then, the AT control means 175 causes an assist time game to be played based on the fact that the presentation state is the first AT state, and subtracts a fixed value "1" corresponding to one game from the value of the first AT game number counter 193 each time one game is played in the assist time game, and when the value of the first AT game number counter 193 reaches the initial value "0", it determines that the condition for terminating the first AT state has been met and returns the presentation state to the normal presentation state.

In addition, in the first AT state, the AT control means 175 performs an additional lottery (an example of processing related to the instruction function) based on the fact that a specific winning pattern (for example, a rare winning pattern such as watermelon, weak cherry, or strong cherry) has been won in the internal lottery, and if the additional lottery is won, a given value is added to the first AT game number counter 193.

In addition, when the presentation state is the first AT state in the advantageous zone, the AT control means 175 performs a second AT lottery (an example of processing related to the instruction function) based on the fact that a specific winning pattern (for example, a winning pattern with high rarity such as watermelon, weak cherry, or strong cherry) has been won in the internal lottery. When the second AT lottery is won, the first AT state is interrupted and the presentation state is transitioned to the second AT state. At this time, the value of the first AT game number counter 193 is held, and the value "30", which corresponds to 30 times, which is the initial number of times of assist time play in the second AT state, is set to the second AT game number counter 197.

Then, the AT control means 175 causes an assist time game to be played based on the fact that the presentation state is the second AT state, and subtracts a fixed value "1" equivalent to one game from the value of the second AT game number counter 197 each time one game is played during the assist time game in the second AT state, and when the value of the second AT game number counter 197 reaches the initial value "0", it determines that the condition for terminating the second AT state has been met and returns the presentation state to the first AT state.

In addition, in the second AT state, the AT control means 175 performs an additional lottery (an example of processing related to the instruction function) based on the fact that a specific winning pattern (for example, a rare winning pattern such as watermelon, weak cherry, or strong cherry) has been won in the internal lottery, and if the additional lottery is won, a given value is added to the second AT game number counter 197.

In addition, in this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the first clear counter 195 in the main memory 190M to a predetermined value "1" in the favorable zone transition process, and in the favorable zone, performs an incremental update by adding a certain value (e.g., 1) equivalent to one game to the value of the first clear counter 195 each time one game is played, and determines that the favorable zone end condition is met when the value of the first clear counter 195 exceeds a threshold value (e.g., 4000) (when the value of the first clear counter 195 reaches "4001"). In this embodiment, the first clear counter 195 is updated after all reels rotating in each game have stopped, but the first clear counter 195 may be updated at any time as long as it is predetermined for each game. For example, the update may be triggered by the game start operation on the start lever SL.

In addition, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the second clear counter 196 in the main memory 190M to an initial value of "0" during the advantageous zone transition process, and during the advantageous zone, updates the value of the second clear counter 196 according to the difference in the number of medals in each game, subtracting the value "3" corresponding to the number of medals inserted in the game (3 medals) from the value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (for example, "10" if 10 medals are paid out, and "0" if no winning combination is achieved and no payout is made) to obtain the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals in that game, and performs an update process in which this calculation result is added to the value of the second clear counter 196, and when the value of the second clear counter 196 exceeds a threshold value (for example, 2400: a predetermined number), it determines that the condition for ending the advantageous zone has been met. The difference in number of sheets in the advantageous zone counted by the second clear counter 196 starts counting from 0 sheets when the advantageous zone starts (after the advantageous zone transition process), and even if the value of the second clear counter 196 falls below the initial value "0", the count of the difference in number of sheets continues and the negative amount is counted as it is. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is possible to acquire a predetermined amount of 2400 sheets from the lowest point of the difference in number in one advantageous zone, and for example, when the lowest point is -600 sheets, it is possible to acquire 3000 sheets (= 600 sheets + 2400 sheets) + α (for example, when a 10-sheet small role is won in the next game after the game in which the difference in number reaches +2400 sheets, 8 sheets (= 10 sheets - 3 sheets) are acquired). In addition, if a replay is won in a game, the game in which the replay was won is treated as having had a payout of medals equivalent to the specified number of medals inserted for that game, and the difference in the number of medals is calculated by treating the next game, which is provided free of charge as a result of the replay being won, as having had medals inserted equivalent to the specified number of medals inserted for that game, even if no actual medals were inserted, in order to calculate the difference in the number of medals.

The AT control means 175 also determines that the end condition of the advantageous zone is met if the optional end condition of the advantageous zone is met at the end of the first AT state, in other words, at the end of a game in which the value of the first AT game number counter 193 reaches the initial value "0". In this embodiment, the optional end condition is met if the number of games in which the result of the AT lottery in the normal presentation state is an AT win or the number of games in which the value of the ceiling counter 194 reaches the initial value "0" is a predetermined number of games (e.g., 2001 games) or more since the start of the advantageous zone. Specifically, in the normal presentation state, if the result of the AT lottery is an AT win or if the value of the ceiling counter 194 reaches the initial value "0", the value of the first clear counter 195 is checked, and if the value of the first clear counter 195 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 2001), the favorable zone reset flag in the main memory 190M is set to the ON state, and if the value of the first clear counter 195 is less than the predetermined value (e.g., 2001), the favorable zone reset flag is set to the OFF state. In this embodiment, if the favorable zone reset flag is set to the ON state at the end of the first AT state, it is determined that the optional end condition for the favorable zone has been met.

In addition, in the advantageous zone, the first clear counter 195 and the second clear counter 196 are updated even if a transition in game state or presentation state occurs, unless the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are met.

The AT control means 175 also performs an initialization process to initialize information stored in a specified storage area of the main memory 190M based on the end of the favorable zone. Specifically, information related to the AT, such as the first AT game number counter 193, the ceiling counter 194, the first clear counter 195, the second clear counter 196, the second AT game number counter 197, the presentation state, and the favorable zone reset flag, is initialized by the initialization process associated with the end of the favorable zone. Note that the initialization process associated with the end of the favorable zone does not initialize the information stored in the game state storage areas of the credit storage means 191, the bet number storage means 192, the main table storage means 198, the lottery flag storage means 200, and the state storage means 201.

When the initialization process is performed following the end of the favorable zone, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state and returns to the normal zone. Therefore, when the first AT state ends, if the favorable zone reset flag is set to the OFF state, the presentation state transitions to the normal presentation state and the favorable zone continues, whereas if the favorable zone reset flag is set to the ON state, the favorable zone ends and the presentation state transitions to the initial presentation state.

In addition, in this embodiment, an initialization process is executed at the end of the favorable zone to return to the normal zone, so that if the value of the first clear counter 195 or the second clear counter 196 exceeds a threshold value while remaining in the first AT state, the initialization process at the end of the favorable zone forces the first AT state to terminate and the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state. Also, if the value of the first clear counter 195 or the second clear counter 196 exceeds a threshold value while remaining in any other presentation state, the initialization process at the end of the favorable zone forces the current presentation state to terminate and the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state.

The communication control means 179 controls the transmission of signals to the sub-board 20. Note that in the gaming machine of this embodiment, only one-way communication from the main board 10 to the sub-board 20 is possible between the main board 10 and the sub-board 20, and the communication connection is such that signals cannot be transmitted from the sub-board 20 to the main board 10.

When the deposit acceptance means 105 sets a medal to the deposited state, the communication control means 179 outputs a signal to the sub-board 20 notifying that a medal has been set to the deposited state each time a medal is set to the deposited state, and when the deposit acceptance means 105 or the payout control means 150 stores a medal as credit, the communication control means 179 outputs a signal to the sub-board 20 notifying that a medal has been stored as credit each time a medal is stored as credit, and when the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery, the communication control means 179 outputs a signal to the sub-board 20 notifying the result of the internal lottery, and when the winning determination means 140 performs winning determination processing, the communication control means 179 outputs a signal to the sub-board 20 notifying the result of the winning determination. In addition, when the hopper unit 320 performs an operation to pay out medals in response to the winning of a small prize, the communication control means 179 outputs a signal to notify the sub-substrate 20 of the start of payout, outputs a signal to notify the sub-substrate 20 that the medals have been paid out each time a medal is paid out, and when the hopper unit 320 pays out the number of medals instructed by the payout control means 150 (when payout is completed), outputs a signal to notify the sub-substrate 20 of the end of payout. In addition, when the hopper unit 320 performs an operation to pay out medals in response to an operation (long press operation) on the settlement button B4, the communication control means 179 outputs a signal to notify the start of payout (settlement process), outputs a signal to notify the sub-substrate 20 that the medals have been paid out each time a medal is paid out, and when the hopper unit 320 pays out the number of medals instructed by the payout control means 150 (when settlement is completed), outputs a signal to notify the sub-substrate 20 of the end of payout (settlement process). When all processing for one game is completed, a signal is output to the sub-board 20 to notify the completion of one game.

In addition, when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot MI, when the bet button B0 is pressed to insert a medal, when the pressed bet button B0 is released, when the start lever SL is pressed, when the pressed start lever SL is released, when one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed, or when one of the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 is released, the communication control means 179 outputs a signal to the sub-board 20 to notify the player of the operation performed by the player, such as that a medal has been inserted into the medal insertion slot MI, that the bet button B0 has been pressed, when the pressed bet button B0 has been released, that the start lever SL has been pressed, when the pressed start lever SL has been released, the type of stop button that was pressed, or the type of stop button that was released. In addition, when the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD is opened, or when the open upper front door UD or the lower front door DD is closed, the communication control means 179 outputs a signal notifying the opening or closing of the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD, such as that the upper front door UD is open, that the lower front door DD is open, that the open upper front door UD is closed, or that the open lower front door DD is closed.

In this way, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the performance control means 180 of the sub-substrate 20 can cause the performance display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute performances according to the results of the internal lottery, the results of the winning judgment, the operation performed by the player, the opening and closing of the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD, etc., based on various notifications from the main substrate 10. Note that in this embodiment, with regard to the start lever SL, the bet button B0, and the stop buttons B1 to B3, a signal notifying the sub-substrate 20 that they have been pressed and a signal notifying the release of the pressed state are output only when a valid operation is performed, and no signal is output to the sub-substrate 20 when an invalid operation is performed. Also, with regard to the settlement button B4, a signal notifying the sub-substrate 20 that an operation has been performed is output only when a valid operation (long press operation) is performed, and for example, a signal notifying the sub-substrate 20 that an operation has been performed is output at the timing determined to be a valid operation, and no signal is output to the sub-substrate 20 when an invalid operation is performed. In addition, when a medal is inserted, the passage detection sensor 356 outputs a signal to the sub-board 20 notifying the insertion of a medal only when the passage detection sensor 356 detects the insertion of a medal while the medal is being accepted, and does not output a signal to the sub-board 20 while the medal is not being accepted.

Next, we will explain the sub-substrate 20. The sub-substrate 20 is configured to include a performance control means 180 and a sub-memory 190S.

The performance control means 180 controls the performance device to execute a performance according to the progress of the game in response to a signal from the main board 10. Specifically, based on the performance data stored in the performance data storage area provided in the performance data storage means 202 of the sub-memory 190S, the means 180 controls display performance such as turning on or blinking the frame lamp AL (performance display device 330, performance device), turning on or blinking the reel backlight BL, and displaying a performance image on the liquid crystal display LCD (performance display device 330, performance device), and sound performance such as outputting a performance sound from the speaker (performance device, sound device 340). For example, in response to game events such as the insertion of medals, the operation of the bet button B0, the start lever SL, and the stop buttons B1 to B3, and changes in the game state, the frame lamp AL and the reel backlight BL are turned on or off, the display content of the liquid crystal display LCD is changed, and sounds are output from the speaker, thereby controlling the execution of effects to liven up the game or assist the game according to the progress of the game. The content of the effects executed in the game is determined by referring to the effect lottery table stored in the effect lottery table storage area provided in the sub-table storage means 203 of the sub-memory 190S according to the game state, the effect state, the result of the internal lottery, etc.

When a specific winning pattern (for example, a rare winning pattern such as watermelon, weak cherry, or strong cherry) is won in the internal lottery, the performance control means 180 performs control to enable operation of the performance button B5 and displays a button image on the liquid crystal display LCD that instructs or prompts operation of the performance button B5. When operation of the performance button B5 is enabled and the player presses the performance button B5 to activate the performance button switch 270, the performance control means 180 performs control to disable operation of the performance button B5 and causes the performance device to execute a chance performance suggesting a win of the specific winning pattern. In the chance performance, a chance image suggesting a win of the specific winning pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD.

In addition, the performance control means 180 causes the performance display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a standby performance (demo performance) when a game is not played continuously for a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds) under a predetermined situation. In this embodiment, the time during which a game is not played continuously is measured by the monitoring timer 199 (time measuring means) of the sub-memory 190S, and the performance control means 180 operates the monitoring timer 199 at all times while the power of the gaming machine is turned on, and initializes (resets) the measurement value of the operating monitoring timer 199 to the initial value "0" and resumes timing every time a signal from the main board 10, the performance button switch 270, or the menu button switch 280 is input. Then, when the monitoring timer 199 has timed a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds), it is determined that a game has not been played continuously for the predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds). With regard to the effect button B5 and the menu button B6, the measured value of the monitoring timer 199 is initialized only when a valid operation is performed, and the measured value of the monitoring timer 199 is not initialized when an invalid operation is performed. With regard to the cross key B7, the measured value of the monitoring timer 199 is not initialized whether a valid operation or an invalid operation is performed. In this embodiment, the time count by the monitoring timer 199 is reset when a medal is inserted when the insertion of a medal is being accepted or when a valid operation is performed on any of the various operating means, and the time count by the monitoring timer 199 is not reset when a medal is inserted when the insertion of a medal is not being accepted or when an invalid operation is performed on any of the various operating means.

In addition, during the standby mode, a demo image (demonstration video, demo screen) is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD, the frame lamp AL is lit or blinks in a demo performance pattern, and the speaker volume is muted.

In addition, when the monitoring timer 199 counts a predetermined time (e.g., 60 seconds), the performance control means 180 controls to enable operation of the performance button B5, and when the standby performance ends, controls to disable operation of the performance button B5.

The presentation control means 180 also terminates the standby presentation and returns to the game presentation if a valid operation is performed on any of the operating means while the standby presentation is in progress. However, if the menu button B6 or cross key B7 is operated while the standby presentation is in progress, the presentation control means 180 terminates the standby presentation and transitions to a menu presentation in which a menu is displayed, as described below. In this way, in this embodiment, the standby presentation can be terminated not only by operations for progressing the game, such as inserting a medal, operating the bet button B0, or operating the start lever SL, but also by operations on the presentation button B5, menu button B6, or cross key B7 that are not related to the progress of the game. Note that in this embodiment, the standby presentation can also be terminated by opening or closing the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD.

In this embodiment, the presentation control means 180 enables operation of the menu button B6 and cross key B7 based on a signal from the main board 10 notifying the end of one game, disables operation of the menu button B6 and cross key B7 when a game start operation is performed using the start lever SL, and performs a menu display in which the menu screen 400 (a specified menu screen) is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD when a valid operation is performed on the menu button B6 or cross key B7, as shown in FIG. 19. When the menu screen 400 is displayed, the image that was displayed up until that point is hidden.

As shown in FIG. 19, the menu screen 400 displays the options "Volume," "Light Intensity," "Performance Customization," "Game History," and "Exit." When the user operates the cross key B7 to move the cursor to select one of the options and presses the menu button B6 to confirm, the screen moves to the screen corresponding to the selected option.

When "Volume" is selected and confirmed on the menu screen 400, as shown in FIG. 20(A), the screen moves to a volume setting screen 410 for setting the volume of the sound output from the speaker. When "Light Intensity" is selected and confirmed on the menu screen 400, as shown in FIG. 20(B), the screen moves to a light intensity setting screen 430 for setting the light intensity of the outer perimeter lamp AL and the liquid crystal display LCD. When "Performance Customization" is selected and confirmed on the menu screen 400, the screen moves to a performance customization screen (not shown) for setting the performance mode. When "Game History" is selected and confirmed on the menu screen 400, the screen moves to a game history screen (not shown) for checking the game history such as the number of times the bonus has been won. In this embodiment, the volume can be set in five stages from "1" to "5". On the volume setting screen 410, as shown in FIG. 20(A), a volume bar image 420 corresponding to the five levels of volume is displayed, and the volume is changed by increasing or decreasing the scale of the volume bar by operating the left button B7C or the right button B7D, and the volume is determined by operating the menu button B6. The light intensity can also be set in five levels from "1" to "5". As shown in FIG. 20(B), the light intensity setting screen 430 displays a light intensity bar image 440 corresponding to the five levels of light intensity. The light intensity can be changed by increasing or decreasing the scale of the light intensity bar by operating the left button B7C or right button B7D, and the light intensity is determined by operating the menu button B6. Also, on the performance customization screen, it is possible to select a performance mode corresponding to a specific character.

When the menu button B6 is operated on the volume setting screen 410, the light intensity setting screen 430, the presentation customization screen, or the game history screen, the screen returns to the menu screen 400, and when "Exit" is selected and confirmed on the menu screen 400, the menu screen 400 is closed and the game presentation (game screen) is restored (the menu display is ended).

In addition, when a medal is inserted through the medal insertion slot MI, a valid operation is performed on the bet button B0, a valid operation is performed on the settlement button B4, or a game start operation is performed on the start lever SL on the menu screen 400, the volume setting screen 410, the light intensity setting screen 430, the presentation customization screen, or the game history screen, these displays will end and the game presentation will be restored.

In addition, in this embodiment, when any of the batting order bells A1 to A8 is won in the first AT state, the performance control means 180 controls the performance display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a winning assistance performance that notifies only the first stop operation of the correct batting order according to the type of batting order bell, and assists in the winning of a 15-coin or 3-coin small win. For example, when the batting order bell A1 is won, it notifies that the first stop operation of the correct batting order is the stop button B2.

In addition, when any of the batting order bells A1 to A8 is selected in the second AT state, the performance control means 180 controls the performance display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a winning assistance performance that notifies the player of the correct batting order according to the type of batting order bell and the pressing position for the first stop operation, thereby assisting in the winning of the 15-coin minor prize.

In this way, in the second AT state, when batting order bell A1 through batting order bell A8 are won, the player is guaranteed to receive a 15-coin small prize, whereas in the first AT state, the player can only receive a 15-coin small prize if the first stop operation's pressing position and the second stop operation's operation sequence are correct. Therefore, the second AT state has a higher net increase in the number of medals than the first AT state, making it a more advantageous gaming state for the player than the first AT state.

In addition, when any of the batting order bells C1 to C8 is selected in the first AT state or the second AT state, the performance control means 180 controls the performance display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a winning assistance performance that notifies the player of the correct batting order according to the type of batting order bell and assists in the winning of a 10-coin minor prize.

In addition, when any of the batting order bells D1 to D4 is selected in the first AT state or the second AT state, the performance control means 180 controls the performance display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a winning assistance performance that notifies the player of the correct batting order according to the type of batting order bell and assists in the winning of the 15-coin minor prize.

In addition, when one of the 1-coin roles 1 to 4 is won in the first AT state or the second AT state, the performance control means 180 controls the performance display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a winning assistance performance that assists in the winning of the 1-coin minor role by announcing the operation sequence (batting order 1 to batting order 2) in which the stop button B1 is pressed first.

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

The functions of this embodiment can be virtually realized by a computer system (including a game system). In these systems, the functions can be realized by downloading a program that causes a computer to function as the main board 10 or sub board 20 of this embodiment from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD, or from a web server on the Internet via a network. In the above computer system, the medal insertion switch 210, bet switch 220, start switch 230, stop switch 240, etc. can be virtually realized by assigning their functions to operating means such as a keyboard, pointing device (mouse, etc.), or controller. In the above computer system, the reel unit 310, hopper unit 320, etc. are not essential components, and these device units can virtually realize their functions by controlling the images displayed and output on a display (display device).

2. Method of this embodiment The control method adopted in the gaming machine of this embodiment will be specifically described below with reference to Figures 21 and 22. Figures 21 and 22 are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the settlement button and the blocker in the gaming machine of this embodiment.

First, in this embodiment, the deposit acceptance means 105 controls the acceptance of medals between a deposit permitted state (first state) and a deposit not permitted state (second state). The deposit permitted state is a state in which medals can be accepted by permitting their acceptance, and the deposit acceptance means 105 positions the blocker 355 at the permitted position, enables the detection of medals by the passage detection sensor 356, and enables operation of the bet button B0 on the condition that medals have been credit-stored in the gaming machine, thereby making it possible to accept medals in the deposit permitted state.

The insertion disallowed state is a state in which the acceptance of medals is not permitted, thereby preventing the acceptance of medals. The insertion acceptance means 105 positions the blocker 355 in the disallowed position, disables the detection of medals by the passage detection sensor 356, and disables operation of the bet button B0, thereby preventing the acceptance of medals in the insertion disallowed state.

In this embodiment, during the medal acceptance period during which medals are accepted, the game is generally controlled to an insertion-permitted state except when the number of medal credits is at the upper credit limit and the specified number of medals has been bet (set to an inserted state), but even during the medal acceptance period, the game is controlled to a insertion-prohibited state under certain circumstances.

For example, as shown in FIG. 21(A), when a short press operation (for example, 0.25 seconds) is performed on the settlement button B4 in a settlement operation enabled state (settlement permitted state in which a game value is stored in the game value storage means) in which operation on the settlement button B4 is enabled due to medals being credit-stored or bet, and in a deposit permitted state, the deposit is prohibited while the short press operation is being performed, and is controlled to a deposit permitted state when the short press operation ends. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21(A), when the settlement button B4 is pressed, the blocker 355 is displaced from the permitted position to the unpermitted position, and when the settlement button B4 in the pressed state is released, the blocker 355 is displaced from the unpermitted position to the permitted position. In this case, while the settlement button B4 is being short-pressed, the detection of medals by the passage detection sensor 356, the operation on the start lever SL, and the operation on the bet button B0 are also disabled according to the behavior of the blocker 355, and are enabled when the short press operation ends. For example, if a short press (e.g., for 0.25 seconds) is performed on the settlement button B4 when operation of the start lever SL is enabled because a specified number of medals have been bet, operation of the start lever SL is disabled while the short press is being performed, and if a short press (e.g., for 0.25 seconds) is performed on the settlement button B4 when operation of the bet button B0 is enabled because medals stored as credits can be bet, operation of the bet button B0 is disabled while the short press is being performed. Note that in this example, operation of the settlement button B4 is enabled but the short press is an invalid operation, so settlement processing is not performed.

Also, as shown in FIG. 21(B), when a short press operation (for example, 0.25 seconds) is performed on the settlement button B4 in a settlement operation invalid state (a non-settlement permitted state in which no game value is stored in the game value storage means) in which operation on the settlement button B4 is invalidated because no medals have been credit-stored or bet, and in a deposit permitted state, the state is controlled to a deposit prohibited state while the short press operation is being performed, and to a deposit permitted state when the short press operation ends. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21(B), while the settlement button B4 is being short-pressed, the blocker 355 is positioned in a non-permitted position, and when the short press operation ends, it is displaced to a permitted position, and the detection of medals by the passage detection sensor 356 is also made invalid according to the behavior of the blocker 355, and is enabled when the short press operation ends. In this example, since operation on the start lever SL and operation on the bet button B0 are invalidated because no medals have been credit-stored or bet, the invalid state continues while the short press operation is being performed, and the invalid state is maintained even after the short press operation ends. Also, in this example, operation of the settlement button B4 is disabled and a short press operation is an invalid operation, so settlement processing is not performed.

Also, as shown in FIG. 21(C), when the settlement button B4 is pressed and held (for example, for 0.5 seconds) in the settlement operation invalid state and the insertion permitted state, the state is controlled to the insertion prohibited state while the long press operation is being performed, and when the long press operation is ended, the state is controlled to the insertion permitted state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21(C), while the settlement button B4 is pressed and held for a long time, the blocker 355 is positioned at the prohibited position, and when the long press operation is ended, it is displaced to the permitted position, and the detection of medals by the passage detection sensor 356 is also made invalid according to the behavior of the blocker 355, and is enabled when the long press operation is ended. Note that in this example, because the medals are not credit-stored or bet, the operation of the start lever SL and the operation of the bet button B0 are invalid, the invalid state continues while the long press operation is being performed, and the invalid state is maintained even after the long press operation is ended. Also, in this example, the operation of the settlement button B4 is invalid, so the settlement process is not performed even if the long press operation is performed.

22(A), when the settlement button B4 is pressed and held (for example, for 0.5 seconds) in the settlement operation valid state and the insertion permitted state, the state is controlled to the insertion prohibited state from the start of the long press operation until a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the end of the settlement process, and when the predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the end of the settlement process, the state is controlled to the insertion permitted state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22(A), when the settlement button B4 is pressed, the blocker 355 is displaced from the permitted position to the unauthorized position, and when the pressing time (operation time) of the settlement button B4 reaches a reference time (for example, 0.5 seconds), it is determined to be a valid operation and the settlement process is started, and the blocker 355 is maintained in the unauthorized position even during the execution of the settlement process, and when a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the end of the settlement process, the blocker 355 is displaced from the unauthorized position to the authorized position. In this case, while the blocker 355 is displaced to the unauthorized position, the detection of medals by the passage detection sensor 356, the operation of the start lever SL, and the operation of the bet button B0 are also disabled in accordance with the behavior of the blocker 355, and when a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the settlement process is completed, the detection of medals by the overdetection sensor 356 is enabled, and the operation of the start lever SL and the operation of the bet button B0 remain disabled because all medals have been settled by the settlement process. For example, when the settlement button B4 is pressed and held (for example, for 0.5 seconds) in a state in which the operation of the start lever SL is enabled because a specified number of medals have been bet, the operation of the start lever SL is disabled while the blocker 355 is displaced to the unauthorized position, and the disabled operation of the start lever SL is maintained even if the blocker 355 is displaced from the unauthorized position to the permitted position. When the settlement button B4 is pressed and held (for example, for 0.5 seconds) in a state in which the operation of the bet button B0 is enabled because the medals stored in the credit can be bet, the operation of the bet button B0 is disabled while the blocker 355 is displaced to the unauthorized position, and the disabled operation of the bet button B0 is maintained even if the blocker 355 is displaced from the unauthorized position to the permitted position. In this way, in the example shown in FIG. 22(A), the insertion is prohibited from being operated from the start of the long press operation until at least the end of the settlement process, and when the settlement process is ended, the insertion is permitted.

Also, as shown in FIG. 22 (B), when a specific long press operation (specific operation) is performed on the settlement button B4 in a settlement operation enabled state and a deposit permitted state, which is an operation of holding the settlement button B4 down for a longer period (e.g., 5 seconds) than a reference time (e.g., 0.5 seconds), the deposit is not permitted from the start of the specific long press operation until a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed after the end of the settlement process, and when the predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed after the end of the settlement process, the deposit is permitted. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22 (B), when the settlement button B4 is pressed, the blocker 355 is displaced from the permitted position to the unauthorized position, and when the pressing time (operation time) of the settlement button B4 reaches a reference time (e.g., 0.5 seconds), it is determined to be a valid operation and the settlement process is initiated. The blocker 355 is maintained in the unauthorized position even while the settlement process is being executed, and when a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the settlement process was completed, the blocker 355 is displaced from the unauthorized position to the permitted position even if the settlement button B4 is in the pressed state. In this case, as in the example shown in FIG. 22(A), while the blocker 355 is displaced to the unauthorized position, the detection of medals by the passage detection sensor 356, the operation of the start lever SL, and the operation of the bet button B0 are also disabled in accordance with the behavior of the blocker 355, and when a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the settlement process is completed, the detection of medals by the overdetection sensor 356 is enabled, and the operation of the start lever SL and the operation of the bet button B0 are maintained in an invalid state because all medals have been settled by the settlement process. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 22(B), the insertion is prohibited from the start of the specific long press operation at least until the settlement process is completed, and when the settlement process is completed, the insertion is permitted even if the settlement button B4 is pressed.

22(C), when a specific long press operation (e.g., 5 seconds) is performed on the settlement button B4 in the settlement operation invalid state and the insertion permitted state, the insertion is prohibited from the start of the specific long press operation until the pressing time (operation time) of the settlement button B4 has passed a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds), and when the pressing time (operation time) of the settlement button B4 has passed a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds), the insertion is permitted. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22(C), the blocker 355 is positioned in the unauthorized position from the start of the specific long press operation until the pressing time (operation time) of the settlement button B4 has passed a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds), and when the predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has passed, the blocker 355 is displaced from the unauthorized position to the permitted position even if the settlement button B4 is pressed. In this case, the predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) is the reference time until the operation on the settlement button B4 is determined to be valid (reference time for starting the settlement of the game value: e.g., 0.5 seconds). In this case, while the blocker 355 is displaced to the unauthorized position, the detection of medals by the passage detection sensor 356 is also made invalid in accordance with the behavior of the blocker 355, and is made valid when a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has passed since the specific long press operation was started. In this example, since the medals have not been credited or bet, the operation on the start lever SL and the operation on the bet button B0 are invalidated, so the invalid state continues until a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has passed since the specific long press operation was started, and the invalid state is maintained even after the predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has passed. In this example, since the operation on the settlement button B4 is invalidated, the settlement process is not performed even if the specific long press operation is performed.

As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 21(A) to 21(C) and Figures 22(A) to 22(C), when operation of the settlement button B4 is started, the machine is controlled to a state in which insertion is not permitted, thereby preventing fraudulent acts regarding the insertion of medals.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 21 (A) and 21 (B), when a short press is performed on the settlement button B4 in a settlement operation enabled state or a settlement operation disabled state and the insertion is permitted state, the state is controlled to a non-insertion permitted state while the short press is being performed, thereby preventing fraudulent acts regarding the insertion of medals, and when the short press operation on the settlement button B4 ends (when the operation on the settlement button B4 ends before the reference time for starting medal settlement has elapsed after the operation on the settlement button B4 was started), the state is controlled to an insertion permitted state, so that the insertion of medals is not accepted for the minimum necessary time, allowing the insertion of medals quickly, thereby improving operability regarding the insertion of medals.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21(C), if the settlement button B4 is pressed and held (for example, 0.5 seconds) while the settlement operation is disabled and the insertion is permitted, the insertion is prohibited while the long press is being performed, thereby preventing fraudulent acts regarding the insertion of medals. When the long press of the settlement button B4 ends, the insertion is permitted, so that the insertion of medals is not accepted for the minimum necessary time, allowing the insertion of medals quickly, thereby improving operability regarding the insertion of medals.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22(A), when the settlement button B4 is pressed and held (for example, 0.5 seconds) while the settlement operation is enabled and the insertion is permitted, the state is controlled to a state where the insertion is not permitted from the start of the long press until a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed after the end of the settlement process, thereby preventing fraudulent acts regarding the insertion of medals, and once a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed after the end of the settlement process (when the settlement of medals has been completed), the state is controlled to a state where the insertion is permitted, thereby enabling the insertion of medals quickly and improving operability regarding the insertion of medals.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22(B), when a specific long press operation (e.g., 5 seconds) is performed on the settlement button B4 in a settlement operation enabled state and in a medal insertion permitted state, the state is controlled to a medal insertion prohibited state from the start of the specific long press operation until a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the end of the settlement process, thereby preventing fraudulent acts regarding the insertion of medals, and once a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the end of the settlement process (when medal settlement has been completed), even if the settlement button B4 is in a pressed state (when an operation on the settlement button B4 is being performed), the state is controlled to a medal insertion permitted state, making it possible to insert medals even before releasing the settlement button B4 in a pressed state, thereby improving operability regarding the insertion of medals.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22(C), when a specific long press operation (e.g., 5 seconds) is performed on the settlement button B4 in a settlement operation disabled state and a medal insertion permitted state, the state is controlled to a medal insertion prohibited state for the period from the start of the specific operation until a reference time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) for starting medal settlement has elapsed, thereby preventing fraudulent acts regarding the insertion of medals, and once the reference time has elapsed, the state is controlled to a medal insertion permitted state even if the settlement button B4 is in a pressed state (an operation on the settlement button B4 is being performed), so that medals can be inserted even before the pressed settlement button B4 is released, improving operability regarding the insertion of medals. These allow you to start playing as soon as possible.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the example shown in Figures 22 (A) and 22 (B), the state is controlled to be one in which insertion is permitted when a predetermined time has elapsed after the settlement process is completed. Since the time required for the settlement process varies depending on the number of medals to be settled, it is possible to prevent the player from controlling the timing of the transition from the insertion not permitted state to the insertion permitted state, thereby preventing fraudulent behavior regarding the insertion of medals as much as possible.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the examples shown in Figures 21 (A) and 21 (B), control is performed to allow insertion at the same timing (when the settlement button B4, which is in a pressed state, is released), so that processing can be standardized for medal acceptance control, thereby improving design efficiency.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the example shown in Figures 22 (A) and 22 (B), when a predetermined time has elapsed after the settlement process is completed, control is performed to allow insertion regardless of whether the settlement button B4 has been operated or not, so that processing can be standardized for medal acceptance control, thereby improving design efficiency.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the examples shown in Figures 21(A), 21(B), 21(C), and 22(C), the operation on the settlement button B4 is an invalid operation, so the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 is not initialized (reset) to the initial value "0" by pressing and releasing the settlement button B4. However, in the examples shown in Figures 22(A) and 22(B), the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 is initialized (reset) to the initial value "0" when a valid operation on the settlement button B4 is performed (when it is determined to be valid and the settlement process starts) and when the settlement process ends. Note that in the examples shown in Figures 22(A) and 22(B), the monitoring timer 199 may be initialized (reset) only when a valid operation on the settlement button B4 is performed or when the settlement process ends.

In addition, in this embodiment, when a valid operation is performed on the menu button B6, the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 is initialized (resets) to the initial value "0". For example, when a valid operation is performed on the menu button B6 during the execution of a game presentation or standby presentation to transition to the menu display (start the menu display), or when a valid operation is performed on the menu button B6 while the menu is displayed to return to the game presentation (end the menu display), the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 is initialized (resets) to the initial value "0".

For example, when a valid operation is performed on the menu button B6 to determine the volume on the volume setting screen 410, when a valid operation is performed on the menu button B6 to determine the volume on the light intensity setting screen 430, when a valid operation is performed on the menu button B6 to determine the presentation mode on the presentation customization screen, or when a valid operation is performed on the menu button B6 to return to the menu screen 400 on the volume setting screen 410, the light intensity setting screen 430, the presentation customization screen, or the game history screen, the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 is initialized (reset) to the initial value "0". Note that in these cases, the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 may not be initialized (reset) to the initial value "0".

In addition, in this embodiment, the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 is not initialized (reset) to the initial value "0" by a valid operation on the cross key B7. For this reason, even if a valid operation (predetermined change operation) is performed on the cross key B7 to select an option such as "volume" on the menu screen 400, a valid operation (predetermined change operation) is performed on the cross key B7 to change the volume on the volume setting screen 410, a valid operation (predetermined change operation) is performed on the cross key B7 to change the light amount on the light amount setting screen 430, or a valid operation (predetermined change operation) is performed on the cross key B7 to change the performance mode on the performance customization screen, the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 is not initialized (reset) to the initial value "0".

As described above, according to this embodiment, as shown in the examples of Figures 21(A), 21(B), 21(C), and 22(C), the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 is not initialized (reset) to the initial value "0" by an invalid operation of the settlement button B4, so that players who want to view the demo screen are not forced to wait unnecessarily.

In addition, in this embodiment, when a valid operation is performed on the menu button B6 while the menu is displayed in order to return to the game presentation, the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 is initialized (resets) to the initial value "0" and the timing by the monitoring timer 199 is restarted, so that a player who wants to end the menu display and start playing can be prevented from unnecessarily being shown the demo screen, and their motivation to play can be minimized.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the monitoring timer 199 counts a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds) while the menu is displayed, the menu display transitions to a demo screen, and the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 is not initialized (reset) to the initial value "0" (does not start over) depending on a valid operation of the cross key B7, so that players who want to see the demo screen are not forced to wait in vain, and their motivation to play is not diminished as much as possible.

In addition, in this embodiment, when a medal is inserted in a state in which insertion is permitted, or when a valid operation is performed on an operating means such as the bet button B0, start lever SL, or settlement button B4, the time counting by the monitoring timer 199 is reset, and when a medal is inserted in a state in which insertion is not permitted, or when an invalid operation is performed on an operating means such as the bet button B0, start lever SL, or settlement button B4, the time counting by the monitoring timer 199 is not reset, so that the time during which play is not being continued can be appropriately counted.

The invention of this embodiment also relates to a gaming machine that includes a settlement means for controlling the settlement of game value based on an operation on a predetermined operation means, a first presentation operation means for performing an operation to end the display of a predetermined menu screen, a second presentation operation means for performing a predetermined change operation, a timing means for measuring the time during which play is not being continued, and a presentation control means for controlling the execution of a standby presentation when the timing means has measured the predetermined time, in which the presentation control means restarts timing by the timing means when an operation is performed on the first presentation operation means, and does not restart timing by the timing means when an operation is performed on the second presentation operation means.

In addition, this embodiment employs a method that can increase the number of batting order minor roles (batting order bells) while suppressing an increase in the number of minor roles. The method of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 23 and 24. Figure 23 is a schematic diagram comparing the medal acquisition performance (here, the expected value of the payout rate) in each game state in this embodiment, and Figure 24 is a diagram for explaining the winning mode of a 1-coin minor role in this embodiment.

First, in this embodiment, the overall winning probability of the batting order bells A1 to A8 is set higher than the overall winning probability of the batting order bells D1 to D4, so that the expected value of winning 15 coins is higher when playing with an irregular batting order (an example of the second case) in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first than the recommended batting order (an example of the first case) in which the first reel R1 (an example of a specific reel) stops first. As a result, as shown in FIG. 23, the medal winning performance (an example of the medal winning expectation value) is in the normal state (an example of a bonus not in operation) with the batting order 1, 2 < the batting order 3 to 6, and even in the BB establishment state (an example of a bonus not in operation), the batting order 1, 2 < the batting order 3 to 6. In other words, in the normal state and the BB establishment state, the irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first is more advantageous in terms of the expected value of the ball payout rate than the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first. In addition, in the BB state (an example of a bonus in operation), there is no bias in the expected ball payout rate depending on the order of the stopping operations.

As shown in FIG. 23, when comparing the difference in expected value of ball output rate between game states, for batting orders 3 to 6, normal state < BB state < BB established state, and in a game method in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first, the BB state has a higher expected value of ball output rate than the normal state, and furthermore, the BB established state has a higher expected value of ball output rate than the BB state.

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

In this embodiment, the expected value of the ball output rate in the BB state is designed to be low, so that even if the expected value of the ball output rate in the BB established state is increased, it does not exceed the upper limit of the range of ball output rates set by the rules, and design freedom can be ensured by the amount of the lowered expected value of the ball output rate in the BB state. And since it is required that the medal acquisition performance in the BB state exceeds the medal acquisition performance in the normal state with regard to the BB state, in order to lower the expected value of the ball output rate in the BB state, it becomes necessary to design the expected value of the ball output rate in the normal state to be low.

However, a comparison of medal acquisition performance between the normal state and the BB state is a comparison with the playing method with the highest expected value of the ball output rate in the normal state, and therefore a comparison with batting orders 3 to 6, which have the highest expected value of the ball output rate, which is an obstacle to designing a low medal acquisition performance in the BB state.

Therefore, in order to lower the medal acquisition performance in the normal state, which is an index for designing the medal acquisition performance in the BB state, the control rules for the stop control when the BB is established and when the batting order bell is won are made different in the normal state, and the desired effect can be obtained by limiting the winning of small roles with high payouts. However, in a specification such as this embodiment in which a playing method that stops the first reel R1 first is recommended when playing in a normal performance state in an advantageous zone, in order to treat a playing method that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first as unfavorable, it may be required to maintain the magnitude relationship of the expected value of the ball payout rate for each of the stopping operation orders in the normal state and the BB state.

For this reason, in this embodiment, batting order bells C1 to C8 are provided as batting order minor roles with different control rules in the normal state and the BB state, and batting order bells A1 to A8 and batting order bells D1 to D4 are provided as batting order minor roles with common control rules in the normal state and the BB state. By making it impossible for batting order bells C1 to C8 to win a 10-coin minor role in the normal state, the expected value of the payout rate in the normal state is lowered while maintaining the magnitude relationship of the expected value of the payout rate between the order of the stopping operations, and as a result, the effect of ensuring the extent of the reduction in the expected value of the payout rate in the BB state can be obtained.

In this type of specification, it is necessary to increase the number of types of batting order minor symbols (batting order bells), so there is a concern that the number of types of incorrect minor symbols (minor symbols that can be won in a failed operation mode: in this embodiment, one-coin minor symbols) that make up the batting order minor symbols will increase.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, in the batting order bell A1 (an example of a first winning mode) and the batting order bell C1 (an example of a second winning mode), the one-coin small prize (examples of specific small prizes: small prize 25 and small prize 38) that can be won in the operation sequence in which the first reel R1 or the third reel R3 is stopped first among the failure operation modes (examples of operation modes different from the specific operation modes: batting order 1-2, 5-6) is made common, and in the batting order bell A2 (an example of a first winning mode) and the batting order bell C2 (an example of a second winning mode), the one-coin small prize (examples of specific small prizes: small prize 26 and small prize 38) that can be won in the operation sequence in which the first reel R1 or the third reel R3 is stopped first among the failure operation modes (examples of operation modes different from the specific operation modes: batting order 1-2, 5-6) is made common. The batting order bell A5 (an example of a first winning mode) and the batting order bell C5 (an example of a second winning mode) have in common a one-coin small role (examples of specific small roles: small role 27 and small role 38) which can be won in a failed operation mode in which the first reel R1 or the third reel R3 stops first (an example of an operation mode different from the specific operation mode: batting order 1-2, 5-6), and the batting order bell A6 (an example of a first winning mode) and the batting order bell C6 (an example of a second winning mode) have in common a one-coin small role (examples of specific small roles: small role 28 and small role 38) which can be won in a failed operation mode in which the first reel R1 or the third reel R3 stops first (an example of an operation mode different from the specific operation mode: batting order 1-2, 5-6). As a result, according to this embodiment, by making the incorrect answer minor role (minor role 38) for batting orders 1-2 and the incorrect answer minor role (minor role 25-minor role 28) for batting orders 5-6 common, it is possible to suppress the increase in the number of single-coin minor roles when increasing the number of batting order minor roles (batting order bells).

In addition, in this embodiment, in batting order bell A1 and batting order bell C1, minor prize 38 is commonly awarded in batting orders 1-2, and minor prize 25 is commonly awarded in batting orders 5-6. Therefore, a common stopping pattern can be displayed at the first stopping operation, the second stopping operation, and the third stopping operation in each of the operation sequences of batting orders 1-2 and 5-6, making it difficult to distinguish the results of the internal lottery. Similarly, between batting order bells A2 and C2, minor prize 38 is awarded in batting order 1-2 and minor prize 26 is awarded in batting order 5-6; between batting order bells A5 and C5, minor prize 38 is awarded in batting order 1-2 and minor prize 27 is awarded in batting order 5-6; between batting order bells A6 and C6, minor prize 38 is awarded in batting order 1-2 and minor prize 27 is awarded in batting order 5-6. Therefore, a common stop pattern can be displayed at the first stop operation, the second stop operation, and the third stop operation in each of the operation sequences of batting orders 1-2 and 5-6, making it difficult to distinguish the results of the internal lottery.

In addition, this embodiment employs a method that can suppress an increase in the number of types of 1-coin small prizes. The method of this embodiment will be explained below with reference to FIG. 25. FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the winning patterns of 1-coin small prizes in this embodiment.

First, in this embodiment, when either batting order bell A1 to batting order bell A8 or batting order bell C1 to batting order bell C8 is won, if the first reel R1 is stopped first in the operation sequence (batting order 1, 2), one small prize can always be won. However, since the lower limit of the range of payout rates in so-called short-time tests is that the number of medals paid out relative to the number of medals inserted is "more than 1/3," in a game method in which the first reel R1 is stopped first in the operation sequence (batting order 1, 2), it is desirable to pay out one medal almost every time a game is played, except when a replay is won.

In this embodiment, 1-Coin Small Win 1 to 1-Coin Small Win 4 are set as winning modes for small wins that overlap with the Big Bonus (BB) to prevent misses (non-wins). In a game method in which the first reel R1 is stopped first (play order 1, 2), one coin is paid out almost every time a replay is played, except when a replay is won, and the expected payout rate can be raised.

Specifically, in the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first when the batting order bell D1 to the batting order bell D4 are won, the 15-coin small role (small role 13 to small role 16) is guaranteed to win, so the expected medal winning value in the recommended batting order is 15, and in the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first when the 1-coin role 1 to 1-coin role 4 are won, the 1-coin small role (small role 37) is guaranteed to win, so the expected medal winning value in the recommended batting order is 1. Therefore, the batting order bell D1 to the batting order bell D4 have a higher expected medal winning value in the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first than the 1-coin role 1 to 1-coin role 4. In this embodiment, by providing the 1-coin role 1 to 1-coin role 4 and the batting order bell D1 to the batting order bell D4, which have a higher expected medal winning value than the 1-coin role 1 to 1-coin role 4, it is possible to design a system that exceeds the lower limit of the range of the ball payout rate in the so-called short-time test.

With this kind of specification, there is a concern that the number of types of 1-card small prizes will increase.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, the batting order bell D1 (an example of the first winning mode) and the 1-coin small win 1 (an example of the second winning mode) share the same 1-coin small win (examples of specific small wins: small win 21 and small win 25) that can be won by the operation sequence (batting order 3 to 6) in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first, and the batting order bell D2 (an example of the first winning mode) and the 1-coin small win 2 (an example of the second winning mode) share the same 1-coin small win (examples of specific small wins: small win 22 and and small prize 26) are common, the batting order bell D3 (an example of the first winning mode) and the 1-piece small prize 3 (an example of the second winning mode) share the 1-piece small prize (an example of a specific small prize: small prize 23 and small prize 27) that can be won in the operation sequence (batting order 3-6) in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first, and the batting order bell D4 (an example of the first winning mode) and the 1-piece small prize 4 (an example of the second winning mode) share the 1-piece small prize (an example of a specific small prize: small prize 24 and small prize 28) that can be won in the operation sequence in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first. As a result, according to this embodiment, the 1-piece small prize (small prize 21 to small prize 24) for batting orders 3 to 4 and the 1-piece small prize (small prize 25 to small prize 28) for batting orders 5 to 6 are common, thereby suppressing the increase in the number of types of 1-piece small prizes.

In addition, in this embodiment, between the batting order bell D1 and the one-coin small prize 1, the small prize 21 is commonly awarded in batting orders 3 to 4, and the small prize 25 is commonly awarded in batting orders 5 to 6, so that a common stopping pattern can be displayed at the first stopping operation, the second stopping operation, and the third stopping operation in each of the operation sequences of batting orders 3 to 6, making it difficult to distinguish the results of the internal lottery. Similarly, between batting order bell D2 and 1-coin small win 2, small win 22 is won in batting order 3-4, and small win 26 is won in batting order 5-6. Between batting order bell D3 and 1-coin small win 3, small win 23 is won in batting order 3-4, and small win 27 is won in batting order 5-6. Between batting order bell D4 and 1-coin small win 4, small win 24 is won in batting order 3-4, and small win 28 is won in batting order 5-6. Therefore, a common stop pattern can be displayed at the first stop operation, the second stop operation, and the third stop operation in each operation sequence of batting order 3-6, making it difficult to distinguish the results of the internal lottery.

In this embodiment, the batting order bells A1 to A8, C1 to C8, and D1 to D4 are configured to stop so that one small prize may not be awarded in the failed operation mode. This is because, in designing the high net increase specification, the correct batting order is biased to batting order 3 to 6, which stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first, and this is to suppress the increase in the ball output rate of games that are not in the AT state (hereinafter, non-AT games) in these operation orders. In particular, in this embodiment, even if the stop operation is performed along batting order 3 to 6 when the batting order bell is won in the normal performance state, there is no disadvantage to the next game or later. Therefore, if the difference in the ball output rate of games in the non-AT state between batting order 1, 2 and batting order 3 to 6 is large, it becomes difficult to eliminate the strategy element that it is better to play with batting order 3 to 6, even if the value of the ceiling counter 1924 is not updated. Therefore, if the first stop operation is an unsuccessful operation that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3, the winning rate of the one-coin small combination can be reduced to 1/4, and the increase in the payout rate of non-AT games from batting order 3 to batting order 6 can be suppressed.

Similarly, for 1-piece small prize 1 to 1-piece small prize 4, by lowering the winning rate of 1-piece small prize in batting order 3 to batting order 6 to 1/4, it is possible to suppress the increase in the payout rate in non-AT play in batting order 3 to batting order 6.

Similarly, for batting order bells A1 to A8, if the first stopping operation stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 and is the correct batting order, the winning rate of the 15-coin minor combination can be reduced to 1/2, thereby suppressing the increase in the payout rate for non-AT play for batting orders 3 to 6.

In addition, in this embodiment, 12 types (small prize 1 to small prize 8 and small prize 13 to small prize 16) of correct small prizes (small prizes that can win in the correct batting order: 15 small prizes in this embodiment) included in the batting order bell A1 to batting order bell A8 and the batting order bell D1 to batting order bell D4 are provided, and small prize 1 to small prize 8 and small prize 13 to small prize 16 do not overlap and win in each batting order bell, and in the BB state, small prize 1 to small prize 8 and small prize 13 to small prize 16 overlap and win in JAC1. By doing so, the BB state has fewer opportunities for correct small prizes to win compared to the BB state, thereby lowering the expected value of the payout rate in the BB state. And when adopting a method of lowering the expected value of the payout rate in the BB state as in this embodiment, the effect of lowering the expected value of the payout rate can be further obtained by increasing the types of correct small prizes that win without overlapping in the normal state or the BB state.

In this embodiment, if any of the batting order bells A1 to A8, batting order bells C1 to C8, common 1 A, common 1 B, and 1-coin role 1 to 1-coin role 4 win, the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first will result in small role 37 or small role 38 winning, and if any of the batting order bells D1 to D4 win, the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first will result in small role 13 to small role 16 winning. In this embodiment, the same pattern (bell pattern a "BLa") is assigned to the pattern on the first reel R1 that constitutes the winning pattern for small role 13 to small role 16, small role 37, and small role 38, so that a common stopping pattern can be displayed at the time of the first stopping operation in the recommended batting order, making it difficult to distinguish the result of the internal lottery.

In addition, in this embodiment, when a lottery for moving to a favorable zone is held in the normal zone, it is preferable to always obtain a winning lottery result and move to the favorable zone. In this way, the transition rate from the normal zone to the favorable zone can be increased, thereby shortening the period of stay in the normal zone. In this embodiment, when the first reel R1 is stopped first in a BB establishment state, the expected value of medals is higher when the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first, and the process related to the transition to the favorable zone in the normal zone is executed in conjunction with the result of the internal lottery, so there is no difference in the degree of advantage regardless of which reel is stopped first. For this reason, if a player stays in the normal zone for a long period of time, a strategy element occurs in which a game method in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first becomes advantageous. Therefore, by extremely increasing the probability of moving to the favorable zone, it is possible to reduce as much as possible the situations in which it is advantageous to stop the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first.

In addition, in this embodiment, if the player is in a favorable zone in the BB established state, a ceiling function is installed so that the player will always transition to the AT state once before the favorable zone ends. This makes it possible to avoid a situation where the favorable zone ends without transitioning to the AT state during a series of favorable zones, as the favorable zone's end condition is reached and the assist time play is not performed. By transitioning to the AT state at least once during a series of favorable zones in this way, it is possible to reduce as much as possible the possibility of falling below the lower limit of the range of ball payout rates in the so-called new mid-term test (1600G).

In addition, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the winning information of the batting order bell is not notified to the sub-board at least in non-AT play. In AT play, the winning information of the batting order bell may be notified to the sub-board, or the winning information of the batting order bell may not be notified to the sub-board at all, regardless of whether it is non-AT play or AT play. Even if the winning information of the batting order bell is not notified to the sub-board, if the instruction information corresponding to the correct operation mode is notified to the sub-board, the winning assistance performance can be executed on the sub-board, and it is possible to play the assist time game smoothly without notifying the winning information of the batting order bell itself. In this way, if the winning information of the batting order bell is not notified to the sub-board at least for non-AT play, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts such as modifying the sub-board to illegally grasp the winning of the batting order bell in non-AT play and suppress the consumption of medals in non-AT play.

As described above, in this embodiment, there is a difference in the expected number of medals to be won between the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first and the irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first, and since the irregular batting order has a higher expected number of medals to be won than the recommended batting order, if the player can easily understand the difference between the normal section and the advantageous section, it is difficult to prevent a playing method in which stopping operations are performed in the irregular batting order in the normal section, which does not affect the degree of advantage of the processing related to the instruction function, to reduce the consumption of medals. In this embodiment, when staying in the normal presentation state in the advantageous section, if the player plays in the irregular batting order, the value of the ceiling counter 1924 is not updated (processing related to the instruction function is disadvantaged), so it is desirable to notify the player that they should play in the recommended batting order to draw their attention.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, when a game is played with an irregular batting order, a special effect is executed to encourage the player to perform the stopping operation with the recommended batting order by displaying a warning on the liquid crystal display LCD, including the message "Push left is recommended."

However, in this embodiment, playing with an irregular batting order is disadvantageous when you are in an advantageous zone and in a normal presentation state, so if special presentations were only allowed in advantageous zones, the inconvenience of being able to determine whether the zone is normal or not would arise from the occurrence of special presentations. For example, after the end of the AT state in an advantageous zone, you could intentionally play with an irregular batting order, and determine whether the advantageous zone is continuing or the normal zone has returned based on the occurrence of special presentations, or when a player is replaced, the new player who starts playing could play with an irregular batting order for the time being, and determine whether the zone is normal or advantageous based on the occurrence of special presentations.

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

In this embodiment, since the expected medal winning value in the recommended batting order is lower than in the irregular batting order, there is an inherent strategy element that allows medal consumption to be reduced by performing a stopping operation in the irregular batting order in the normal zone. However, since it is not possible to determine whether the zone is normal or advantageous depending on whether a specific effect occurs or not, playing methods that utilize strategy elements can be prevented, ensuring the fairness of the game.

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

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and modifications are introduced below. Note that the above embodiment and the various methods described below as modifications can be appropriately combined and adopted as a control method for realizing the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the batting order bell A1 and the batting order bell C1 share a single small prize (small prize 25, small prize 38) that can be won in the operation sequence in which the first reel R1 or the third reel R3 is stopped first, but at least one type of single small prize (small prize 25 or small prize 38) needs to be shared, and the remaining single small prizes do not need to be shared. In other words, it is sufficient to share a single small prize that can be won in at least one of the four operation sequences of batting orders 1-2 and 5-6, and it is sufficient to share a single small prize that can be won in the remaining operation sequences. For example, if a different single small prize is configured to win in each of the four operation sequences of batting orders 1-2 and 5-6, it is sufficient to share a single small prize that can be won in at least one of the four operation sequences of batting orders 1-2 and 5-6, and it is sufficient to share a single small prize that can be won in the remaining operation sequences. In addition, between the batting order bell A1 and the batting order bell C1, the common roles may be more or less than the different roles, or they may be the same. Similarly, between the batting order bell A2 and the batting order bell C2, between the batting order bell A5 and the batting order bell C5, and between the batting order bell A6 and the batting order bell C6, it is sufficient that at least one type of one-piece minor role is common, and the remaining one-piece minor roles do not have to be common.

In the above embodiment, the case where different minor roles are awarded in batting order 4 for batting order bell A1 and batting order bell C1 was described as an example, but the minor roles (three minor roles or one minor role) that can be awarded in batting order 4 may be the same. Similarly, the minor roles (three minor roles or one minor role) that can be awarded in batting order 4 for batting order bell A5 and batting order bell C5 may be the same, and the minor roles (three minor roles or one minor role) that can be awarded in batting order 3 for batting order bell A2 and batting order bell C2 and batting order bell A6 and batting order bell C6 may be the same.

In the above embodiment, a case was described in which similar bell combinations were displayed when small prizes 1 to 20 were won, but the same bell combination may be displayed. For example, the same bell combination may be displayed on the same line when small prize 9 (3-coin small prize) and small prize 17 (10-coin small prize) are won. Also, the same or similar bell combinations may be displayed on different lines when small prize 9 (3-coin small prize) and small prize 17 (10-coin small prize) are won.

In the above embodiment, in the failed operation mode in which the first stop operation is the same as the correct batting order when batting order bells A1 to A8 are won, a three-coin small win is explained as an example. However, the small win that can be won in the failed operation mode in which the first stop operation is the same as the correct batting order can be any win with a payout of two or more coins, and can be a win with a higher payout than the correct small win that can be won in the correct operation mode.

In the above embodiment, the batting order bell D1 and the 1-piece role 1 share the same 1-piece small role (small role 21, small role 25) that can win in the irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first, but at least one type of 1-piece small role (small role 21 or small role 25) needs to be shared, and the remaining 1-piece small roles do not need to be shared. In other words, it is sufficient to share the same 1-piece small role that can win in at least one of the four irregular batting orders from batting order 3 to batting order 6, and the remaining 1-piece small roles do not need to be shared. For example, if a different one-piece small role is configured to win in each of the four irregular batting orders from batting order 3 to batting order 6, it is sufficient to make the one-piece small role that can win in at least one of the four irregular batting orders from batting order 3 to batting order 6 common, and the one-piece small roles that can win in the remaining irregular batting orders do not have to be common. In addition, between the common roles and the different roles between batting order bell D1 and one-piece role 1, the common roles may be more or less than the different roles, or they may be the same. Similarly, for batting order bell D2 and one-piece role 2, batting order bell D3 and one-piece role 3, and batting order bell D4 and one-piece role 4, it is sufficient to make at least one type of one-piece small role common, and the remaining one-piece small roles do not have to be common.

In the above embodiment, an example was given of a 15-coin small win in the correct operation mode when batting order bells D1 to D4 are won, but the small win that can be won in the correct operation mode can be any win that pays out 2 or more coins.

In the above embodiment, the game method in which a reel other than the first reel R1 is stopped first is explained using an example in which the expected value of the payout rate is designed to be the same in both the normal state and the BB state, but it does not have to be completely the same as long as the difference is only slight.

In the above embodiment, batting order bells C1 to C8 are provided as batting order minor roles with different control rules in the normal state and the BB state, and batting order bells A1 to A8 and batting order bells D1 to D4 are provided as batting order minor roles with common control rules in the normal state and the BB state. However, the control rules for the stop control of batting order bells A1 to A8 and batting order bells D1 to D4 may be different in the normal state and the BB state, so that in the normal state, even if a stop operation is performed in an operation mode that allows a 15-coin minor role to be won in the BB state, a 1-coin minor role will be won, or there is a 1/4 probability that a 1-coin minor role will be won, and the control rules for the stop control of batting order bells C1 to C8 may be common in the normal state and the BB state. Even in this way, the expected value of the ball output rate in the normal state can be lowered while maintaining the magnitude relationship of the expected value of the ball output rate between the sequences of the stop operations, and as a result, the effect of ensuring the extent of the reduction in the expected value of the ball output rate in the BB state can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, when the batting order bell A1 to the batting order bell A8 are won, the 15-coin small prize is awarded if the order of the stop operations is the correct batting order and the first stop operation is performed in the correct position. However, the 15-coin small prize may be awarded if the order of the stop operations is the correct batting order and the second or third stop operation is performed in the correct position. In this case, the stop operation is required to be performed in the correct position only for one or more of the first, second, and third stop operations, and the stop operation at the correct position may be required depending on the order of the stop operations, such as only the first, second, or third stop operations, or the stop operation at the correct position may be required only for a predetermined reel (the predetermined reel may be one or more) among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. In the above embodiment, the fact that a 15-coin small win is possible in the correct operation mode means that even in the correct batting order, there may be cases where a 15-coin small win is won and cases where a 15-coin small win is not won. Also, in the above embodiment, the correct operation mode includes an operation mode in which the order of the stop operation is specified but the touch detection position is not specified, and an operation mode in which both the order of the stop operation and the touch detection position are specified.

In the above embodiment, in the failure operation mode in which there are cases in which none of the roles are awarded when any of the batting order bells are won, a 1-coin small role is awarded with the same probability (1/4 probability) as an example. However, it is also possible to have a 1-coin role awarded with different probabilities for batting order bells A1 to A8, batting order bells C1 to C8, and batting order bells D1 to D4. For example, Batting order bells D1 to D4 may have a 1/4 probability of winning one small prize, batting order bells C1 to C8 may have a 1/2 probability of winning one small prize, batting order bells A1 to A8 may have a 1/4 probability of winning one small prize, batting order bells C1 to C8 may have a 1/2 probability of winning one small prize, and batting order bells D1 to D4 may have a 3/4 probability of winning one small prize.

Similarly, for 1-coin roles 1 to 4, in an operation sequence where there are cases where none of the roles are awarded, the 1-coin small role may be awarded with a different probability than the batting order bell. For example, for 1-coin roles 1 to 4, the 1-coin small role may be awarded with a 1/2 probability.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a one-coin small role is guaranteed to win in the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first when any of the batting order bells A1 to A8 and the batting order bells C1 to C8 are won, but there may be cases in which a one-coin small role is won when some or all of the batting order bells are won, or in which no role is won. For example, a one-coin small role may be won with a 1/2 probability for the batting order bells A1 to A8 and a one-coin small role is guaranteed to win with the batting order bells C1 to C8, or a one-coin small role may be won with a 1/2 probability for the batting order bells A1 to A8 and the batting order bells C1 to C8, or a one-coin small role may be won with a 1/2 probability for the batting order bells A1 to A8 and the batting order bells C1 to C8, or a one-coin small role may be won with a 1/2 probability for the batting order bells A1 to A8 and a one-coin small role is won with a 1/4 probability for the batting order bells C1 to C8. In this case, the recommended batting order may be such that the one-coin small prize is won with a higher or lower probability than the irregular batting order, or the one-coin small prize is won with the same probability as the irregular batting order.

Similarly, for 1-coin roles 1 to 4, in the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first, there may be cases where a 1-coin small role wins and cases where no role wins. In this case, for 1-coin roles 1 to 4, the 1-coin small role may win with a higher or lower probability than the batting order bell, or the 1-coin small role may win with the same probability as the batting order bell. In this case, in the recommended batting order, the 1-coin small role may win with a higher or lower probability than the irregular batting order, or the 1-coin small role may win with the same probability as the irregular batting order.

In the above embodiment, a 15-coin small prize is always awarded in the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first when any of the batting order bells D1 to D4 is won. However, if the first stop operation is performed in the correct position, the 15-coin small prize is awarded, and if the 15-coin small prize is not awarded in a position other than the correct position, the 15-coin small prize is awarded with a 1/2 probability. In this case, if the 3-coin small prize is awarded in a position other than the correct position, the 1-coin small prize may be awarded, or the 1-coin small prize may be awarded, or there may be cases where the 1-coin small prize is awarded and where no prize is awarded.

In the above embodiment, the winning assistance effect can be executed in the AT state in the advantageous zone, and the winning assistance effect is not executed in the normal presentation state. However, there may be cases where the winning assistance effect is executed in the normal presentation state. Furthermore, the presentation state that can be set in the advantageous zone is not limited to the normal presentation state and the AT state. For example, various configurations can be adopted, such as a configuration in which a precursor state (an example of the first state) is provided in which the player remains between the determination of the right to transition to the AT state in the normal presentation state and the transition to the AT state, a configuration in which the right to transition to the AT state is granted under conditions different from those of the normal presentation state and a CZ state (an example of the first state) is provided in which it is easier to obtain the right to transition to the AT state than in the normal presentation state, a configuration in which the player remains in a termination waiting state (an example of the first state) when the end condition of the AT state is met, and returns to the AT state when the return condition to the AT state is met in the termination waiting state, and transitions to the normal presentation state when the return condition to the AT state is not met, and a configuration in which the success or failure of any end condition of the advantageous zone is determined in the termination waiting state after the end of the AT state, and the advantageous zone may continue when the player transitions from the termination waiting state to the normal presentation state, or when the advantageous zone ends in the termination waiting state and the player transitions to the normal zone.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the game is in the normal presentation state in the advantageous zone, if the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order, it is treated more favorably in various processes related to the instruction function than if the stop operation was performed in an irregular batting order for that game, but the following aspects can also be adopted.

For example, when a stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order while in a favorable zone and in a normal presentation state, a specific game is awarded once based on the first stop operation, and this is recorded in the specific game counter. Specifically, the initial value of the specific game counter value is set to 0, and when the first stop operation is an operation on the stop button B1, 1 is added to the value of the specific game counter. The value of the specific game counter is subtracted when a game start operation is performed for a game while in a favorable zone and in a normal presentation state, and 1 is subtracted from the value of the specific game counter after processing related to the instruction function such as AT lottery is performed. That is, before subtracting the value of the specific game counter, at least one or more processing related to the instruction function is executed by referring to the value of the specific game counter. When the value of the specific game counter is 1, processing that is more favorable than when the value of the specific game counter is 0 is performed. For example, when the value of the specific game counter is 1, an AT lottery can be executed so that there is a higher probability of winning than when the value of the specific game counter is 0. Also, for example, when the value of the specific game counter is 1, the execution of the AT lottery can be permitted, and when the value of the specific game counter is 0, the execution of the AT lottery can be not permitted. According to these examples, when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order in a game in an advantageous zone and in a normal performance state, the degree of advantage can be adjusted in the next game of the game. Therefore, by combining with the method of the above embodiment, in a game in which a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order, it is treated as a penalty for the stop operation being performed in the irregular batting order in the processing related to the instruction function, and in the next game, it is treated as a penalty for the value of the specific counter being 0 in the processing related to the instruction function. In other words, the information that records that a stop operation was performed in the recommended batting order is carried over to the next game, and the information is referred to in the next game to perform advantageous processing, so that the effect of adjusting the degree of advantage can be generated in multiple games. Note that the game in which the value of the specific game counter is determined to be incremented may be only a game in which some winning patterns such as the batting order bell are obtained, or it may be a game in which all winning patterns including the batting order bell are obtained.

In addition, if the player is in a normal presentation state in the advantageous zone and a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order in a game in which the batting order bell is won, control may be performed to make it more difficult for a specific presentation to appear, or to prevent a specific presentation from appearing, until a specified release condition is met in the next or subsequent games.

Specific effects include, for example, effects that suggest the results of an internal lottery. Specifically, when a rare winning mode such as watermelon, weak cherry, or strong cherry is obtained, an image suggesting that a rare winning mode has been won may be displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD, or the frame lamp AL may be lit in a color corresponding to the rare winning mode. Control to make specific effects less likely to appear or to prevent specific effects from appearing may be achieved by changing a table for selecting effects. The release conditions may be set arbitrarily, such as the number of times played, obtaining the result of a specified internal lottery, or performing a release lottery and winning the release lottery.

Here, we consider a case where, in a specification that favors processing related to the instruction function when a rare winning pattern is obtained in an internal lottery in a favorable zone, a specific effect that allows the player to know that a rare winning pattern has been obtained is executed between the detection of the game start operation and the detection of the first stop operation. In this case, if the specific effect does not occur, the possibility of a rare winning pattern is low, so the stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order that has a high expected value for medal acquisition, and if the specific effect occurs, the possibility of a rare winning pattern is high, so the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order.

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

Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the setting value may be selected from six setting values from setting 1 to setting 6, and the probability of winning the internal lottery may be changed so that the expected value of the ball payout rate increases from setting 1 to setting 6. In this example, various switches such as a setting change key cylinder and a setting change button are provided in the power supply unit, and a setting change means for controlling the change of the setting value between multiple setting values is provided in the main board 10, so that the machine can be switched between starting in game mode and starting in setting change mode depending on the state of the setting change permission switch when the power is turned on. When the setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder and the setting key is turned clockwise from the initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch becomes ON, and when the power switch is operated in this state to supply power from the power supply unit, the setting change means starts the gaming machine in setting change mode.

When the setting change switch is activated by pressing the setting change button in the setting change mode, the setting change means changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... setting 6 → setting 1 → ... each time it receives an input signal from the setting change switch, confirms the setting value based on a game start signal from the start switch 230 that is activated by pressing the start lever SL, and controls the confirmed setting value to be stored in a setting value storage area provided in the setting value storage means (not shown) of the main memory 190M. In this example, the signal state of the setting change permission switch can be changed to the OFF state by returning the setting key inserted in the setting change key cylinder to its initial position, making it possible to transition from the setting change mode to the game mode.

In this example, when the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder in the initial position, the gaming machine is started in the game mode based on the signal state of the setting change permission switch being in the off state. In this example, it is possible to make it so that in the game mode, the game can be played but the setting values cannot be changed, and in the setting change mode, the setting values can be changed but the game cannot be played. Also, when the setting values are changed (confirmed) in the setting change mode, the setting change means performs an initialization process to initialize the information stored in a specified storage area of the main memory 190M.

In this example, the machine includes an upper front door UD or a lower front door DD (an example of a front door), a first reel R1 to a third reel R3 (an example of a plurality of reels) with a plurality of types of patterns arranged on the outer periphery, a start lever SL used to start a game, a setting change key cylinder (an example of an operating means related to a setting value), and a main board 10 (an example of a control means) that controls the progress of the game. The main board 10 includes an internal lottery means (an example of a game control means) that performs an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination is achieved based on the operation of the start lever SL, and a setting change means capable of executing a setting change process that changes the setting value between a plurality of setting values. If a state in which a specified number of medals (game value) required to start a game have been inserted, or a state in which medals have been automatically inserted based on winning a replay as a result of the internal lottery, then in the specific state, In addition, when the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD is open, the start lever SL is not operated, and the setting change key cylinder is OFF (the signal state of the setting change permission switch is OFF), and the start lever SL is operated (first case), the game starts (the game progresses), and in a specific state, when the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD is opened, the start lever SL is not operated, the setting change key cylinder is turned from OFF to ON (the signal state of the setting change permission switch is turned from OFF to ON), the start lever SL is operated with the setting change key cylinder ON, and the setting change key cylinder is turned OFF with the start lever SL operated (second case), the game does not start (the game does not progress).

In this example, in the first case, the start lever SL is operated with the setting change key cylinder OFF, so there is a low possibility that the operation of the start lever SL is an operation that is not intended to start a game (misoperation), but in the second case, the operation of the start lever SL is started with the setting change key cylinder ON, and the setting change key cylinder is turned OFF while the start lever is operated (i.e., the operation of the start lever SL is started before switching to the game mode), so there is a high possibility that the operation of the start lever SL is an operation that is not intended to start a game (misoperation). And while the game is started in the first case, the game is not started in the second case, so it is possible to suppress (prevent) the game from being started based on an unintended or erroneous operation. This can improve the marketability of the gaming machine. If the result of the internal lottery in a game started based on an unintended operation is a non-winning result, a predetermined number of medals will be consumed, but according to this example, the risk of such medals being consumed can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the example shown in Figures 22(A) and 22(B) was described taking as an example a case where control is performed to disallow cash insertion from the time when operation of the settlement button B4 is started until a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed after the settlement process is completed. However, it is sufficient to control to a state where cash insertion is disallowed from the time when operation of the settlement button B4 is started until at least the time when the settlement process is completed, and it may also be possible to control to a state where cash insertion is permitted immediately after the settlement process is completed.

In the above embodiment, the example shown in FIG. 21(A) was used to explain a case in which the operation on the start lever SL and the operation on the bet button B0 are also disabled in accordance with the behavior of the blocker 355 while the settlement button B4 is being short-pressed, but they do not necessarily have to be disabled and one or both operations may be enabled.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which settlement processing is not performed when an invalid operation is performed on the settlement button B4, but settlement processing may be performed to settle 0 medals. In this case, when a long press operation or a specific long press operation is performed on the settlement button B4 in the settlement operation invalid state, the operation may be determined to be a valid operation for medal settlement, and settlement processing may be performed to settle 0 medals.

In the above embodiment, an example was given of a case in which in the insertion permitted state, operation of the bet button B0 is valid on the condition that medals are stored as credits in the gaming machine, but in the insertion permitted state, operation of the bet button B0 may be valid regardless of whether medals are stored as credits. In this case, if an operation is performed on the bet button B0 in a state in which no medals are stored as credits in the insertion permitted state, the operation may be treated as an invalid operation based on the fact that no medals are stored as credits, or the operation may be treated as a valid operation and a process (medal insertion process and credit subtraction process) may be performed to set the inserted state to 0 medals stored as credits.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the state is controlled to the deposit-prohibited state when operation on the settlement button B4 is started in the settlement operation disabled state and the deposit-permitted state, but it is also possible not to control to the deposit-prohibited state even if operation on the settlement button B4 is started in the settlement operation disabled state and the deposit-permitted state (control may be performed to maintain the deposit-permitted state). That is, in the settlement operation enabled state (settlement permitted state), control is made to the deposit-prohibited state (second state) when operation on the settlement button B4 is started, and when the settlement of medals is completed, the state is changed to the deposit-permitted state (first state) even if the settlement button B4 is pressed (operation on the settlement button B4 is being performed), and in the settlement operation disabled state (non-settlement permitted state), it is also possible not to control to the deposit-prohibited state even if operation on the settlement button B4 is started.

This approach has the same effect as the above embodiment, and when the settlement operation is disabled, the machine is not controlled to a state where insertion is not permitted even if the settlement button B4 is operated, so it is possible to insert medals, improving operability regarding the insertion of medals.

In the above embodiment, the example shown in FIG. 22(A) and FIG. 22(B) has been described as an example in which the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 is initialized (reset) to the initial value "0" at the timing of the start and end of the settlement process, but the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 may be initialized (reset) to the initial value "0" at the timing of the blocker 355 being displaced from the unauthorized position to the authorized position. In this case, the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 may be initialized to the initial value "0" at either or both of the timing of the start and end of the settlement process, or may not be initialized. In this case, a signal notifying that the blocker 355 has been displaced from the authorized position to the unauthorized position or a signal notifying that the blocker 355 has been displaced from the unauthorized position to the authorized position may be output from the main board 10 to the sub-board 20, and the monitoring timer 199 may be initialized based on the signal.

In the above embodiment, the settlement process was described taking as an example a case where medals stored as credits and medals set to an inserted state are settled, but if medals are stored as credits and set to an inserted state, the settlement process based on a single valid operation of the settlement button B4 may settle only medals set to an inserted state, and if there are no medals set to an inserted state, the medals stored as credits may be settled. The invention of the above embodiment can be applied in this case as well.

In the above embodiment, the operation of the menu button B6 and the cross key B7 is enabled when not playing, and disabled when playing. However, the operation of the menu button B6 and the cross key B7 may be enabled even during playing. In this way, it becomes possible to change the volume, light intensity, etc. while playing. In this example, the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 is not initialized (reset) to the initial value "0" simply by performing an operation (operation of the cross key B7) that is likely to be performed frequently, such as changing the volume or light intensity. This makes it possible to prevent a player who wants to view a demo screen in the middle of playing a game from having to wait in vain, and to minimize the loss of motivation to play.

In the above embodiment, the example was described in which the menu screen 400 was switched to the volume setting screen 410 or the light intensity setting screen 430 when changing the volume or light intensity, but the volume or light intensity may be changed without going through the menu screen 400. For example, the operation of the menu button B6 and the cross key B7 may be enabled even during play, and when the up button B7A or the down button B7B is operated during play, the volume may be changed and the volume bar image 420 may be displayed to display the current volume, and when the left button B7C or the right button B7D is operated during play, the light intensity may be changed and the light intensity bar image 440 may be displayed to display the current light intensity. Similarly, when the up button B7A or down button B7B is operated during a non-play game presentation (game screen) or standby presentation (demo screen), the volume may be changed and the volume bar image 420 may be displayed to show the current volume, and when the left button B7C or right button B7D is operated during a non-play game presentation (game screen) or standby presentation (demo screen), the light intensity may be changed and the light intensity bar image 440 may be displayed to show the current light intensity.

In the above embodiment, the example was described where a standby display is entered when play has not continued for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 60 seconds) under a predetermined circumstance. However, the standby display (demo screen) may also be entered when a valid operation is performed on the settlement button B4, or the standby display (demo screen) may be entered when the payout process (settlement process) associated with a valid operation on the settlement button B4 is completed.

In the above embodiment, the monitoring timer 199 is always operated while the power of the gaming machine is turned on. However, the monitoring timer 199 may be interrupted or stopped. For example, the monitoring timer 199 may be interrupted when the door sensor 260 detects that the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD is opened, and the monitoring timer 199 may resume the interrupted timing when the door sensor 260 detects that the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD in the open state is closed. In other words, the monitoring timer 199 may be temporarily stopped during a door opening error (during an error state) associated with the opening of the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD. In this way, it is possible to prevent the standby performance from starting while the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD is open. Here, if the standby performance starts while the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD is open, different performances will be performed before and after the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD is opened and closed, which may create a sense of incongruity. However, with this modified example, it is possible to prevent the sense of incongruity caused by different performances being performed before and after the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD is opened and closed.

For example, the monitoring timer 199 may be operated when all processing related to one game has been completed, and the monitoring timer 199 may be stopped when a medal is set to the inserted state. In this way, a transition to a standby presentation can be made in a game situation where a medal is not set to the inserted state, and a transition to a standby presentation can be prevented in a game situation where a medal is set to the inserted state.

For example, when a valid operation is performed on the menu button B6 during a game presentation (game screen) or a standby presentation (demo screen) to transition to a menu screen, the measurement value of the monitoring timer 199 may be initialized (reset) to an initial value of "0" and timing by the monitoring timer 199 may be temporarily stopped, and when a valid operation is performed on the menu button B6 while the menu is displayed to return to the game presentation, timing by the initialized (reset) monitoring timer 199 may be resumed (restarted).

In the above embodiment, the timing by the monitoring timer 199 is reset every time a signal is input from the main board 10. However, the timing by the monitoring timer 199 may not be reset when the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD is opened, or when the upper front door UD or the lower front door DD that is in an open state is closed.

In the above embodiment, the time count by the monitoring timer 199 is reset only when a valid operation is performed on the performance button B5, and the time count by the monitoring timer 199 is not reset when an invalid operation is performed. However, the time count by the monitoring timer 199 may be reset even when an invalid operation is performed on the performance button B5. In other words, the time count by the monitoring timer 199 may be reset every time a signal is input from the performance button switch 270.

In the above embodiment, the case was described as an example in which the time count by the monitoring timer 199 is not reset whether a valid operation is performed on the cross key B7 or an invalid operation is performed, but the time count by the monitoring timer 199 may be reset only when a valid operation is performed on the cross key B7, and may not be reset when an invalid operation is performed.

In the above embodiment, an example was given in which operation of the effect button B5 is enabled when the standby effect is entered, but operation of the effect button B5 does not have to be enabled, and the standby effect may be cancelled when a signal is input from the effect button switch 270 regardless of whether it is enabled or not.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the game presentation is restored when the standby presentation ends, but the game presentation being executed may be interrupted when the game presentation transitions to the standby presentation, and the interrupted game presentation may be resumed when the game presentation is restored from the standby presentation.

In the above embodiment, if the monitoring timer 199 counts a predetermined time (e.g., 60 seconds) while any of the reels are spinning, a reel stop warning effect may be executed instead of the standby effect. In this case, the speaker volume may be muted or reduced in volume in conjunction with the execution of the reel stop warning effect.

In the above embodiment, an example was given in which a performance button B5 is provided and the standby performance can be ended by operating the performance button B5, but the performance button B5 does not necessarily have to be provided.

The invention of the above embodiment is not limited to slot machines that use medals (game value) as tangible objects to play, but can also be applied to smart pachislots (also called "smart slots" or "medalless gaming machines"), which are gaming machines that use electronic medals (game value), which are electronic information, as a gaming medium to play without using medals as tangible objects.

In a smart slot machine, the main board 10 is connected to a medal lending machine (not shown) as an external unit so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally, and electronic medals, which are electronic information lent from the medal lending machine, are stored as credits in the credit storage area of the credit storage means 191, the electronic medals stored as credits are bet by operating the bet button B0 to play a game, and all medals paid out according to the game results are stored as credits, thereby granting electronic medals. For this reason, a smart slot machine does not require a medal insertion port MI, a medal selector 350 (blocker 355, passage detection sensor 356, and insertion detection sensor 357), a hopper unit HP, etc. Also, a smart slot machine is provided with a game medal count display device that can display a five-digit number and is set to be able to store, for example, 16,383 electronic medals as credits, and the credit number of the electronic medals is displayed on the game medal count display device.

In addition, in smart pachislots, when the settlement button B4 is operated while operation of the settlement button B4 is enabled, the settlement process returns all electronic medals set to inserted state to credits if replay is not activated.

And in smart pachislots, since there is no blocker 355 or passage detection sensor 356, when the insertion is permitted, operation of the bet button B0 can be made valid, and when the insertion is not permitted, operation of the bet button B0 can be made invalid.

BX storage box, UD upper front door, DD lower front door, DW display window,
L1: active line, DS: game information display, LCD: liquid crystal display,
AL Frame lamp, R1 1st reel, R2 2nd reel, R3 3rd reel,
SL Start lever, B0 Bet button, B1-B3 Stop buttons,
B4 Settlement button, B5 Performance button, B6 Menu button, B7 Cross key,
B7A up button, B7B down button, B7C left button, B7D right button,
MI medal slot,
MO medal payout port, MP medal tray, 10 main board, 20 sub board,
105: input receiving means, 110: random number generating means, 120: internal lottery means,
130 reel control means, 140 winning determination means, 150 payout control means,
160 replay processing means, 179 communication control means, 180 performance control means,
190M main memory, 190S sub memory,
191 credit storage means, 192 bet number storage means,
193 first AT game number counter, 194 ceiling counter,
195 first clear counter, 196 second clear counter,
197 second AT game number counter, 198 main table storage means,
199 monitoring timer, 200 lottery flag storage means, 201 status storage means,
202 performance data storage means, 203 sub-table storage means,
220 bet switch, 230 start switch, 240 stop switch,
250 settlement switch, 260 door sensor, 270 performance button switch,
280 Menu button switch,
290A upper button switch, 290B lower button switch,
290C Left button switch, 290D Right button switch,
310 reel unit,
320 hopper unit, 325 payout medal detection switch,
330 performance display device, 340 sound device,
350 Medal Selector, 355 Blocker,
356 Passage detection sensor, 357 Insertion detection sensor,
400 menu screen, 410 volume setting screen, 420 volume bar image,
430 light amount setting screen, 440 light amount bar image,
BL Reel backlight,

Claims (1)

A plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer circumferential surface thereof;
An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery for determining whether or not a plurality of types of roles including a bonus and a small role are won;
a reel control means for controlling the reels to start rotating and to stop the reels during rotation in a manner corresponding to a result of an internal lottery when a stop operation is performed;
A state control means for controlling the transition of a presentation state between a plurality of types of presentation states including a normal presentation state and a special presentation state in which a non-advantageous section and an advantageous section can be set and in which a winning assistance presentation for assisting a winning combination can be executed;
and a performance control means for controlling execution of a specific performance that notifies a player that a specific reel among the plurality of reels should be stopped first in a specific operation sequence.
a gaming machine in which, when the bonus is not in operation, the non-specific operation sequence has a higher expected value of game value than the specific operation sequence in which a reel other than the specific reel among the plurality of reels is stopped first;
As the winning mode of the small prize, a first winning mode and a second winning mode in which a specific small prize is won in common are provided,
The first winning mode is such that an expected value of the game value to be acquired in the specific operation sequence is higher than that of the second winning mode,
The second winning mode may be won in an internal lottery in addition to the bonus,
The reel control means
When either the first winning mode or the second winning mode is obtained by the internal lottery, stop control can be executed so that the specific minor role can be won in the non-specific operation sequence ;
The performance control means
A gaming machine characterized in that, in the non-advantageous zone, the specific presentation is executed when a stop operation is performed in the non-specific operation sequence, and, in the advantageous zone, the specific presentation can be executed when a stop operation is performed in the non-specific operation sequence in the normal presentation state .