JP7721138B2 - gaming machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines.

Some of the above gaming machines are configured to display an image of a symbol game when a gaming ball validly lands in a designated starting area, and to suggest to the player that the current symbol game will be a win in response to a preview effect while the symbol game image is displayed.

JP 2010-57725 A

The above-mentioned conventional gaming machines simply perform preview effects by displaying special images that catch the player's eye while the current symbol game is being displayed, and there is still room for improvement in terms of the creativity of the preview effects.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can enhance the entertainment value of preview effects.

The gaming machine according to claim 1 includes an operable device, an image display means having a display screen, a determination means (main control circuit 40) for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to a player in response to a game ball entering a predetermined start area (first start hole 18/second start hole 23), a pattern display control means for, when the determination is made, variably displaying special patterns on a predetermined pattern display means and then statically displaying special patterns indicating the result of the determination, a special game execution means for executing the special game when a special pattern indicating that the determination means has determined that the special game will be executed is statically displayed on the pattern display means, a reservation means for reserving up to a predetermined number of rights for the determination, and a pre-determination means for making a pre-determination as to whether or not to execute the special game before the determination is made for the rights reserved by the reservation means. The game device is provided with a determination means and a performance control means for controlling the performance, and the performance control means variably displays a performance pattern showing the result of the determination on the display screen in accordance with the variable display of the special pattern, and when a gaming ball enters the starting area in a state where the variable display of the special pattern and the performance pattern can be started, the variable display of the performance pattern is started in accordance with the start of the variable display of the special pattern, while when a gaming ball enters the starting area in a state where the variable display of the special pattern and the performance pattern cannot be started , the variable display of the performance pattern is started in accordance with the start of the variable display of the special pattern after the state where the variable display of the special pattern and the performance pattern can be started, and in a first operation mode, it is possible to execute a first possibility suggestion effect that suggests that there is a possibility that the performance symbol will stop and be displayed in a winning mode as the first pattern variation ends, while it is possible to execute an expectation effect that makes it anticipate that the first possibility suggestion effect will be executed during the execution of the first pattern variation in two or more second pattern variations in which the special symbol and the performance symbol are variably displayed before the start of the first pattern variation, based on the result of the advance judgment related to the judgment right corresponding to the first pattern variation, and the expectation effect is an effect different from the first possibility suggestion effect, and the expectation effect includes a first expectation effect that makes the performance device operate and a second expectation effect that does not make the performance device operate, and the effect control means controls the performance device to operate in a first manner during the execution of the first pattern variation. When executing the first possibility suggestion effect in which the effect symbol is operated in an operating mode, during the execution of the second pattern change, which is the pattern change immediately preceding the first pattern change, it is possible to execute an effect in which the effect symbol is operated in a second operating mode different from the first operating mode as the first expected effect, and the first possibility suggestion effect is an effect that can be executed in either the case where the first expected effect is executed or the case where the second expected effect is executed, and the effect control means is characterized in that it is further capable of executing a second possibility suggestion effect that suggests that there is a possibility that the effect symbol will stop and be displayed in a winning mode as the first pattern change ends, during the execution of the first pattern change, and an information display that displays after the execution of the second possibility suggestion effect that the second possibility suggestion effect has been executed .

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention (a perspective view showing the appearance of a pachinko gaming machine); A diagram showing a game board Figure showing the front frame Block diagram showing the electrical configuration (a) is a diagram showing a list of random number counters, (b) is a diagram showing a normal chart hit determination table, (c) is a diagram showing a normal chart fluctuation display time table, (d) is a diagram showing a normal chart game pattern table, (e) is a diagram showing a jackpot determination table, (f) is a diagram showing a fall determination table, (g) is a diagram showing a special chart 1 jackpot type table, (h) is a diagram showing a special chart 2 jackpot type table, (i) is a diagram showing a special chart 1 area, and (j) is a diagram showing a special chart 2 area. (a) is a diagram showing the special chart 1 variation pattern table, (b) is a diagram showing the special chart 2 variation pattern table 1, and (c) is a diagram showing the special chart 2 variation pattern table 2. 1A is a diagram showing a jackpot game pattern table, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing the main processing of the main control circuit. Flowchart showing timer interrupt processing of the main control circuit Flowchart showing special diagram 2 processing of the main control circuit 1A is a flowchart showing the time-saving count update process of the main control circuit, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing the variation pattern selection process. Flowchart showing the fall determination process of the main control circuit Flowchart showing the process of the main control circuit (a) is a diagram for explaining the transition of game modes, and (b) and (c) are diagrams for explaining the relationship between game modes and presentation modes. (a) to (d) are diagrams showing background images of the effect symbol game, and (e) is a diagram showing a list of the effect contents of the effect symbol game. A diagram showing images of normal effects and simultaneous stop of all figures effects A diagram showing an image of a normal reach effect A diagram showing an image of the special reach effect A diagram showing an image of the super time-saving effect FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image of a jackpot game presentation. A diagram to explain the big win preview performance Flowchart showing the pattern pre-reading notice performance processing of the sub-control circuit (a) (b) is a diagram showing the pre-reading receiving area of the sub-control circuit, (c) to (f) is a diagram for explaining the method of combining three rows of performance symbols in the pattern pre-reading notice performance processing. A diagram showing an image of a symbol pre-reading preview performance A diagram showing an image of a symbol pre-reading preview performance A diagram showing an image of a symbol pre-reading preview performance A diagram showing an image of a symbol pre-reading preview performance A diagram showing the first half of the reliability preview A diagram showing the second half of the reliability preview (a) is a flowchart showing the reliability notice performance processing of the sub-control circuit, (b) is a diagram showing a notice judgment table, (c) (d) are diagrams showing notice pattern judgment tables, and (e) is a diagram showing the special chart 1 pre-reading reception area. (a) to (e) are diagrams for explaining the preview suggestion performance 1, and (f) is a diagram showing a color pattern table. (a) to (c) are diagrams for explaining the advance suggestion performance 2, and (d) is a diagram showing an operation pattern table. (a) is a flowchart showing the advance notice suggestion effect processing of the sub-control circuit, (b) (c) are diagrams showing color pattern selection tables, and (d) (e) are diagrams showing operation pattern selection tables. Flowchart showing the notice type notification performance processing of the sub-control circuit A diagram showing an image of a notice type notification effect (a) is a flowchart showing the main processing of the sub-control circuit, and (b) is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt processing. 1A is a flowchart showing the received command analysis process of the sub-control circuit, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing the symbol game performance start process. FIG. 21 shows a second embodiment. Figure 3 shows Example 3 (a is a flowchart showing the notice hold effect processing, b is a figure showing the notice determination table, c to d are figures showing images of the notice hold effect) FIG. 10 shows Example 4 (a diagram showing an image of a step-up preview effect). FIG. 10 shows an example 5 (a diagram showing an image of a mode preview effect). FIG. 10 shows Example 6 (images showing consecutive preview effects) FIG. 7 shows an example of the seventh embodiment (a diagram showing an image of a pseudo-consecutive announcement effect) FIG. 10 shows an example 8 (a diagram showing an image of a reach notice effect) FIG. 10 shows an example 9 (a diagram showing an image of a battle reach notice performance) FIG. 10 shows an example 10 (a diagram for explaining the preview suggestion effect 11) FIG. 11 shows an example (a diagram for explaining the preview suggestion effect 12) FIG. 12 shows Example 12 (a diagram for explaining the advance notice suggestion effect 13) FIG. 13 shows Example 13 (a diagram for explaining the advance notice suggestion effect 21 and the big win advance notice effect). FIG. 14 shows Example 14 (a diagram for explaining the preview suggestion effect 14) FIG. 15 shows Example 15 (a diagram for explaining the advance notice suggestion effect 22) FIG. 16 shows Example 16 (a diagram for explaining the advance notice suggestion effect 23)

[Example 1]
1. Mechanical Configuration of the Gaming Machine The outer frame 1 in Figure 1 is installed on the machine tray of a pachinko parlor. The outer frame 1 is a vertically long rectangular frame with openings at the front and back, and an inner frame 3 is attached to the left end of the outer frame 1 via a hinge fitting 2. The inner frame 3 is a rectangular container with an opening at the front, and is rotatable relative to the outer frame 1 around the vertical axis of the hinge fitting 2 between a stored position where it is stored within the outer frame 1 and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out forward from within the outer frame 1. A vertical, flat game board 4 is attached to the inner frame 3, as shown in Figure 2. The game board 4 is made of a colorless, transparent synthetic resin and covers the front opening of the inner frame 3 from the front.

As shown in Figure 1, a front frame 5 is attached to the hinge fitting 2. This front frame 5 is a rectangular frame with an opening 6, and a colorless, transparent window plate 7 that covers the opening 6 is fixed to the front frame 5. This front frame 5 is rotatable around the vertical axis of the hinge fitting 2 between a closed state that covers the game board 4 from the front and an open state that exposes the game board 4. When the front frame 5 is in the closed state, the window plate 7 faces the game board 4 from the front via a gap. As shown in Figure 3, an upper tray 8 and a lower tray 9 are fixed to the front frame 5 in two rows, one above the other. The upper tray 8 stores game balls, and the lower tray 9 stores game balls that the upper tray 8 cannot store. The upper tray 8 is equipped with an operation button 10 that can be operated by the player.

A launching device (not shown) is attached to the front frame 5. This launching device has a striking hammer that strikes the game balls and a launching motor that operates the hammer, and game balls are supplied to the striking hammer one by one from the upper tray 8. This launching device supplies a new game ball to the striking hammer each time the hammer strikes a game ball, and as shown in Figure 3, a launching handle 11 is connected to the launching device. This launching handle 11 is attached to the lower right corner of the front frame 5 so that it can be rotated around an axis oriented in the front-to-rear direction, and the force with which the striking hammer strikes the game ball is adjusted according to the amount of clockwise operation (rotation angle) of the launching handle 11.

As shown in Figure 2, an outer rail 12 and an inner rail 13 are fixed to the front of the game board 4. An arc-shaped launch passage 14 is formed between the outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13, and game balls struck by the battering hammer rise from bottom to top within the launch passage 14. The outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13 define a game area 15 on the front of the game board 4. The game area 15 is a circular area connected to the exit at the top of the launch passage 14, and game balls rising within the launch passage 14 are released into the game area 15 from the exit of the launch passage 14. Multiple game pegs (not shown) have been driven into the game area 15, and game balls released into the game area 15 fall within the game area 15 while colliding with the multiple game pegs.

As shown in Figure 2, a left-hitting area 16 and a right-hitting area 17 are defined within the play area 15. The left-hitting area 16 is the area to the left of the center line of the play area 15, and when the launch handle 11 is operated clockwise to a small extent, the game ball is released from the exit of the launch passage 14 into the left-hitting area 16. This type of hitting in which the game ball is released into the left-hitting area 16 is referred to as a left-hitting. The right-hitting area 17 is the area to the right of the center line of the play area 15, and when the launch handle 11 is operated clockwise to a large extent, the game ball is released from the exit of the launch passage 14 through the left-hitting area 16 into the right-hitting area 17. This type of hitting in which the game ball is released into the right-hitting area 17 is referred to as a right-hitting.

As shown in Figure 2, a first starting opening 18 is fixed within the game area 15. This first starting opening 18 is pocket-shaped with an open top, allowing game balls to enter from the top. This first starting opening 18 is located between the left-hand hitting area 16 and the right-hand hitting area 17, allowing game balls to easily enter the first starting opening 18 from the top entrance when hitting from the left, but making it difficult for the ball to enter when hitting from the right. This first starting opening 18 corresponds to a specified starting area.

As shown in Figure 2, a large prize opening 19 is fixed within the right-hand hitting area 17. This large prize opening 19 is shaped like a horizontally long box with an open front and is equipped with a door panel 20. This door panel 20 is rotatable about a horizontal axis (not shown) at its lower end between a vertically closed state and a horizontally open state, and in the closed state, it closes the front entrance of the large prize opening 19 to prevent game balls from entering. When a game ball is hit from the right with this door panel 20 open, the game ball falls onto the door panel 20 and rolls from front to back along the door panel 20, entering the entrance of the large prize opening 19. In other words, the large prize opening 19 is designed to allow game balls to enter when the game ball is hit from the right. This large prize opening 19 corresponds to a specified ball entry area.

As shown in Figure 2, within the right-hand hitting area 17, a guide plate 21 is fixed below the large prize opening 19. This guide plate 21 slopes downward from right to left, and when the game ball is hit from the right, the game ball falls onto the guide plate 21 and then rolls from right to left along the guide plate 21. Within the right-hand hitting area 17, a regular starting opening 22 is fixed above the large prize opening 19. This regular starting opening 22 is U-shaped with openings on the top and bottom, and when the game ball is hit from the right, the game ball can pass through from the top to the bottom.

Within the game area 15, as shown in FIG. 2, a second starting hole 23 is fixed below the first starting hole 18. This second starting hole 23 has an open top and is equipped with an opening/closing member 24. This opening/closing member 24 is movable between a protruding state in which it protrudes forward from the front of the game board 4 and a recessed state in which it recesses backward. The entrance on the top of the second starting hole 23 is closed when the opening/closing member 24 is in the protruding/retracted state, preventing game balls from entering. The entrance of this second starting hole 23 is open when the opening/closing member 24 is recessed. When the game ball is hit from the right while the second starting hole 23 is open, it rolls from right to left along the guide plate 21 and enters the entrance of the second starting hole 23. This second starting hole 23 corresponds to a specified starting area.

As shown in Figure 2, an LED display 25 is fixed to the gaming board 4. This LED display 25 is located outside the gaming area 15, and displays the result of the win/loss judgment. A decorative frame 26 is fixed to the gaming board 4. This decorative frame 26 is colored and opaque, and has an opening 27. When viewed from the front, this decorative frame 26 is frame-shaped and surrounds the display area E of the effect symbol display 28. As shown in Figure 1, this effect symbol display 28 consists of a color LCD display fixed within the inner frame 3, and the display area E is set to be a horizontally long rectangle. This effect symbol display 28 corresponds to a display, and the display area E of the effect symbol display 28 is visible to the player through the window panel 7, the opening 27 in the decorative frame 26, and the gaming board 4.

As shown in Figure 3, an electric light fixture 29 is fixed to the front frame 5. This electric light fixture 29 is located at the upper end of the front frame 5 and has multiple hemispherical LED covers 30. Each LED cover 30 is a translucent white and houses an LED 31. Each LED 31 is a full-color LED with controllable color and brightness. Each LED 31 has an LED chip that emits red, green, and blue light. The mixture ratio of the three colors can be changed by varying the amount of current flowing through each LED chip, making the emitted color controllable. The brightness of each LED 31 is controlled by PWM control, and each LED cover 30 is illuminated in a manner corresponding to the color and brightness of the LED 31 as the internal LED 31 emits light. Two speakers 32 are fixed to the front frame 5. These two speakers 32 face each other on the left and right sides of the electric light 29, and each speaker 32 outputs sound forward.

As shown in Figure 2, a preview effect device 33 is housed within the inner frame 3. This preview effect device 33 has a colored, transparent movable member 34 that is movable vertically between an upper limit position (see dashed double-dashed line) and a lower limit position (see solid line). The upper limit position of this preview effect device 33 is set above the display area E of the effect pattern display 28, and the preview effect device 33 is not visible to the player when in the upper limit position. The lower limit position of this preview effect device 33 is set to a position that overlaps the display area E of the effect pattern display 28 from the front, and the preview effect device 33 is visible to the player when in the lower limit position. A full-color LED 35 (see Figure 4) with controllable color and brightness is housed within the movable member 34 of this preview effect device 33, and the movable member 34 emits light in a color that corresponds to the lighting color of the LED 35 when the LED 35 is lit. This movable member 34 is connected to a pulse motor 36 (see Figure 4) via an elevation mechanism (not shown), and is moved between an upper limit position and a lower limit position in response to the pulse motor 36 being driven in forward and reverse directions.

2. Electrical Configuration of the Gaming Machine The main control circuit 40 in Figure 4 is primarily a microcomputer, equipped with ROM, RAM, a CPU, and I/O. This main control circuit 40 controls game content such as the special symbol 1 lottery, special symbol 2 lottery, special symbol variable display, jackpot game, game status setting, normal symbol lottery, normal symbol variable display, and normal symbol game, and corresponds to game control means. The ROM of this main control circuit 40 stores a main processing program, a timer interrupt processing program, a normal symbol hit determination table, a normal symbol variable display time table, a normal symbol game pattern table, a jackpot determination table, a special symbol 1 jackpot type table, a special symbol 2 jackpot type table, a special symbol 1 variable pattern table, a special symbol 2 variable pattern table, a jackpot game pattern table, a normal symbol hit determination table, a normal symbol game pattern table, etc., and the RAM of the main control circuit 40 is configured with a special symbol 1 area and a special symbol 2 area. This main control circuit 40 corresponds to a determination means, a special game means, a setting means, a time-shortening setting means, a demotion determination means, a game mode setting means, and a game control means.

As shown in Figure 4, the main control circuit 40 is connected to a first start gate sensor 41, a second start gate sensor 42, a normal gate sensor 43, and a special prize gate sensor 44. The first start gate sensor 41 detects game balls that enter the first start gate 18, the second start gate sensor 42 detects game balls that enter the second start gate 23, the normal gate sensor 43 detects game balls that pass through the normal gate 22, and the special prize gate sensor 44 detects game balls that enter the special prize gate 19. The main control circuit 40 is connected to a start gate solenoid 45 and a special prize gate solenoid 46. The start gate solenoid 45 operates the opening/closing member 24 of the second start gate 23, and the special prize gate solenoid 46 operates the door panel 20 of the special prize gate 19. The main control circuit 40 is connected to an LED display 25, which controls the display content of the LED display 25 to display variable special patterns.

The payout control circuit 50 in Figure 4 is primarily a microcomputer. This payout control circuit 50 has ROM, RAM, and a CPU, and when the main control circuit 40 detects signals from the first start hole sensor 41, the second start hole sensor 42, and the large prize hole sensor 44, it sends a payout command to the payout control circuit 50. A prize ball payout device 51 is connected to this payout control circuit 50, and when the payout control circuit 40 detects a payout command from the main control circuit 40, it drives and controls the prize ball payout device 51 to pay out a unit number of game balls as prize balls into the upper tray 8.

The sub-control circuit 60 in Figure 4 is primarily a microcomputer, and the main control circuit 40 sends commands to the sub-control circuit 60 according to the progress of the game, and the sub-control circuit 60 sets the display content of the effect symbol display 28, the illumination content of the illumination device 29, the sound content of the speaker 32, and the operation content of the advance notice effect device 33 in response to commands from the main control circuit 40. This sub-control circuit 60 has ROM, RAM, a CPU, I/O, an RTC, a drive circuit, a PWM circuit, a speaker circuit, and a motor circuit, and the ROM stores programs for main processing, reception interrupt processing, and timer interrupt processing. The RAM functions as work memory, and the CPU executes the ROM programs for main processing to timer interrupt processing in response to commands from the main control circuit 40. The operation button 10 is connected to this sub-control circuit 60, and the sub-control circuit 60 detects the operation of the operation button 10 in response to an electrical signal from the operation button 10. This sub-control circuit 60 corresponds to a symbol game means, a preview performance means, an information display means, a performance mode setting means, a hold means, a preliminary determination means, a final preview performance means, a preliminary preview performance means, and a preview image display means.

The drive circuit in Figure 4 is primarily a microcomputer. This drive circuit controls the effect symbol display 28 in accordance with the display content settings of the sub-control circuit 60, and has ROM, RAM, CPU, CGROM, CGRAM, and VDP. The ROM stores an image control program for specifying image data, the RAM functions as work memory, and the CPU executes the program in the ROM. The CGROM stores image data for displaying images on the effect symbol display 28, and the VDP reads image data from the CGROM in response to commands from the CPU. The VDP expands the results of the image data read into CGRAM, synthesizes the expanded image data, and draws it in the CGRAM frame buffer, outputting the image drawing results to the effect symbol display 28 as an RGB signal, and the effect symbol display 28 displays the image in color in accordance with the RGB signal from the VDP.

The PWM circuit in Figure 4 is based on a microcomputer, and PWM controls the color and brightness of the multiple LEDs 31 in the illumination device 29 to cause the multiple LED covers 30 in the illumination device 29 to light up according to the lighting settings, and PWM controls the color and brightness of the LEDs 35 in the notice display device 33 to cause the movable member 34 of the notice display device 33 to light up according to the lighting settings. The speaker circuit in Figure 4 is based on a microcomputer, and controls both speakers 32 to output sound from both speakers 32 at a scale, volume, and tone according to the sound settings. The motor circuit in Figure 4 is based on a microcomputer, and controls the pulse motor 36 to drive forward and backward to move the notice display device 33 between its upper and lower limit positions.

3. Game Function 3-1. Normal Game 3-1-1. Normal Lottery When the game ball passes through the normal game starting hole 22, the value of the random number for determining whether the normal game is a hit or not is obtained as shown in Figure 5(a), and the result of the determination of whether the normal game is a hit or not is obtained from the normal game winning judgment table shown in Figure 5(b). This normal game winning judgment table has non-electric support and electric support states set, and in the electric support state, the hit judgment result is obtained with a higher probability than in the non-electric support state.

3-1-2. Ordinary Map Variation Display When the result of the normal map hit/miss judgment is obtained, the normal map fluctuation display begins. This normal map fluctuation display starts by flashing a predetermined number of LEDs on the LED display 25 in a predetermined pattern, and then stops flashing in either a "normal map hit" or "normal map miss" mode. If the predetermined number of LEDs are judged to be a "normal map hit," they stop flashing in a "normal map hit mode," and if they are judged to be a "normal map miss," they stop flashing in a "normal map miss mode." The required time for this normal map fluctuation display is obtained from the normal map fluctuation display time table in Figure 5 (c). This normal map fluctuation display time table assigns normal map fluctuation times to each of the "electric support state" and "non-electric support state," and a shorter normal map fluctuation display time is obtained in the "electric support state" compared to the "non-electric support state."

3-1-3. Normal gameplay When the normal game display is stopped in the "normal hit" mode, a normal game pattern corresponding to the current game state is selected from the normal game pattern table in Figure 5 (d), and normal gameplay begins with the selection result of the normal game pattern. This normal game opens the second start port 23, and in the "electric support state", the second start port 23 is opened once for a long time (6 seconds) as a normal game, and in the "non-electric support state", the second start port 23 is opened once for a short time (1 second) as a normal game.

3-2. Special Symbol 1 Game 3-2-1. Acquisition of Special Symbol 1 Game Data When a game ball enters the first starting hole 18, the values of the random numbers for determining whether a special symbol has been hit, the random number for determining the type of jackpot, the random number for determining whether a jackpot has been hit, and the random number for determining whether a jackpot has been dropped are acquired. The acquired values of the random numbers for determining whether a special symbol has been hit, and the acquired values of the random number for the variable pattern are stored in RAM as a set of special symbol 1 game data. As shown in FIG. 5(i), special symbol 1 reserve areas 1-4 are set in this RAM, and the special symbol 1 game data is stored in the order of acquisition: "Special Symbol 1 Reserve Area 4,""Special Symbol 1 Reserve Area 3,""Special Symbol 1 Reserve Area 2," and "Special Symbol 1 Reserve Area 1." In other words, if special symbol 1 game data is stored in all special symbol 1 reserve areas 1-4, the special symbol 1 game data in "Special Symbol 1 Reserve Area 4" is the oldest, and the special symbol 1 game data in "Special Symbol 1 Reserve Area 1" is the newest. A state in which special chart 1 game data is stored in all of special chart 1 holding areas 1 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 holding number being "4", a state in which special chart 1 game data is stored in three of special chart 1 holding areas 2 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 holding number being "3", a state in which special chart 1 game data is stored in two of special chart 1 holding areas 3 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 holding number being "2", a state in which special chart 1 game data is stored in one of special chart 1 holding areas 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 holding number being "1", and a state in which special chart 1 game data is not stored in any of special chart 1 holding areas 1 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 1 holding number being "0".

3-2-2. Special Chart 1 Lottery When special chart 1 game data is stored in the "special chart 1 reserve area 4," the special chart 1 lottery is held on the condition that the game is currently stopped. This game-stopped state refers to a state in which special chart 1 game, special chart 2 game, and jackpot game are all stopped, and the special chart 1 lottery is permitted during normal game play. This game-stopped state corresponds to a playable state, and a state in which any one of special chart 1 game, special chart 2 game, and jackpot game is being played corresponds to a non-playable state.

When special symbol 1 game data is stored in "Special symbol 1 reserve area 4" while game play is stopped, the stored value of the random number used to determine whether the special symbol is a hit or miss is detected from "Special symbol 1 reserve area 4," and in the "high probability state," a determination result of either "jackpot" or "miss" is obtained from the jackpot determination table for the high probability state in Figure 5 (e) depending on the detection result of the value of the random number used to determine whether the special symbol is a hit or miss, and in the "normal probability state," a determination result of either "jackpot" or "miss" is obtained from the jackpot determination table for the normal probability state depending on the detection result of the value of the random number used to determine whether the special symbol is a hit or miss. The probability of determining a hit in this "normal probability state" is set lower than the probability of determining a hit in the "high probability state."

When a "jackpot" determination result is obtained from the jackpot determination table, the storage result of the value of the random number for determining the jackpot type is detected from the "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4," and the jackpot type corresponding to the detection result of the value of the random number for determining the jackpot type is obtained from the Special Chart 1 Jackpot Type Table in Figure 5 (g). This Special Chart 1 Jackpot Type Table has two jackpot types set: "Jackpot Pattern 1" and "Jackpot Pattern 2." When "Jackpot Pattern 1" is obtained, "Electric Support State 1" and "High Probability State" are set, and when "Jackpot Pattern 2" is obtained, "Electric Support State 2" and "Normal Probability State" are set.

When a jackpot type is determined in response to the obtained "jackpot" determination result, the storage result of the fluctuation pattern random number value is detected from the "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4," and the special chart fluctuation pattern and special chart fluctuation display time are selected from the special chart 1 fluctuation pattern table in Figure 6 (a) according to the detection result of the fluctuation pattern random number value. When a "miss" determination result is obtained, the storage result of the fluctuation pattern random number value is detected from the "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4," and the special chart fluctuation pattern and special chart fluctuation display time are selected from the special chart 1 fluctuation pattern table in Figure 6 (a) according to the detection result of the fluctuation pattern random number value.

3-2-3. Fall Lottery When a special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time are selected, the storage result of the value of the random number for fall judgment is detected from the "special chart 1 reserve area 4", and either "fall has occurred" or "fall has not occurred" is selected from the fall judgment table in Figure 5 (f) according to the detection result of the value of the random number for fall judgment. If "fall has occurred" is selected as this judgment result, if the current game state is a "high probability state", the "high probability state" is canceled and the "normal probability state" is set instead of the "high probability state".

3-2-4. Special Chart 1 Variation Display When the special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time are selected, the special chart 1 variation display begins. This special chart 1 variation display causes a predetermined number of LEDs on the LED display 25 to start flashing in a predetermined pattern and then stop flashing. If the predetermined number of LEDs are determined to be a miss, they stop flashing in the "Special Chart 1 Miss" mode, and if they are determined to be a jackpot, they stop flashing in the "Jackpot" mode according to the jackpot type judgment result. The time required from the start of flashing to the end of flashing depends on the selection result of the special chart variation display time.

3-2-5. Jackpot Game When the predetermined number of LEDs on the LED display 25 stop flashing in a manner corresponding to the jackpot type determination result, a jackpot game pattern corresponding to the jackpot type determination result is selected from the jackpot game pattern table of FIG. 7(a), and the jackpot game begins with the selected jackpot game pattern. This jackpot game allows a game ball to enter the jackpot entry port 19 by opening and closing the jackpot entry port 19. The jackpot game pattern has an opening period before the start of the first round and an ending period after the end of the final round. The opening period is a period during which the jackpot entry port 19 is closed, and is a waiting period for the jackpot entry port 19 to change from a state in which game balls cannot enter to a state in which they can enter. The ending period is a period during which the jackpot entry port 19 is closed, and is a period during which the player is made aware that the jackpot game has ended. The period from the start of the opening period to the end of the ending period is called a jackpot game. This jackpot game corresponds to a special game.

The jackpot game pattern table in Figure 7(a) contains two types of patterns: "jackpot game pattern L" and "jackpot game pattern S." Each of these "jackpot game pattern L" and "jackpot game pattern S" consists of multiple rounds. In each round, the jackpot entry port 19 remains open until a time limit elapses, after which it is closed for a set period of time. If the maximum number of game balls enters the jackpot entry port 19 before the time limit elapses, the jackpot entry port 19 is closed for a set period of time without waiting for the time limit to elapse, and then the jackpot game ends. In other words, each of "jackpot game pattern L" and "jackpot game pattern S" consists of multiple unit games. The first round begins upon the end of the opening period, and the ending period begins after the closing time has elapsed following the end of the final round. Jackpot game pattern L consists of 16 rounds and can pay out a large number of prize balls to the player. This jackpot game pattern L is played when "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 2" is selected. Jackpot game pattern S consists of five rounds and can pay out a small number of prize balls to the player. This jackpot game pattern S is played when "Jackpot symbol 3" or "Jackpot symbol 3" is selected in response to a jackpot determined in the special chart 2 lottery, but is not played if a jackpot is determined in the special chart 1 lottery.

3-2-6. Updating the Game State 3-2-6-1. High Probability State and Normal Probability State When "Jackpot Symbol 2" is selected, the "normal probability state" is set when the jackpot game ends, as shown in Figure 5(g), and when "Jackpot Symbol 1" is selected, the "high probability state" is set when the jackpot game ends. There is no limit set for the number of times this "high probability state" can continue, and the "high probability state" will continue until "Fall" is determined.

3-2-6-2. Electric Support State and Non-Electric Support State When "Jackpot Symbol 1" is selected, "Electric Support State 1" is set when the jackpot game ends. This "Electric Support State 1" has a limit of "100 times." If the "High Probability State" falls to the "Normal Probability State" in response to a "Fall" being drawn before the total number of times for Special Chart 1 play and Special Chart 2 play reaches the limit, "Electric Support State 1" continues until the total number of times for Special Chart 1 play and Special Chart 2 play reaches the limit of "100 times." If the total number of times for Special Chart 1 play and Special Chart 2 play reaches the limit of "100 times," the "High Probability State" falls to the "Normal Probability State" in response to a "Fall" being drawn, and the "Non-Electric Support State" is set. When "Jackpot Symbol 2" is selected, "Electric Support State 2" is set when the jackpot game ends. This "electric support state 2" has a limit of "100 times," and "electric support state 2" is switched to "non-electric support state" when the total number of times that special chart 1 play and special chart 2 play reaches the limit.

3-2-6-3. Special Chart 1 Prediction When the acquisition result of the special chart 1 game data is stored in one of the special chart 1 reserve areas 1-4 in response to the game ball entering the first starting hole 18, a pre-determination of whether or not the game will be won, a pre-determination of the fluctuation pattern, a pre-determination of the fluctuation display time, and a pre-determination of whether or not the game will fall are made based on the acquisition result of the special chart 1 game data. If the pre-determination result of whether or not the game will be won is a jackpot, a pre-determination of the jackpot type and a pre-determination of the game state are made. These pre-determinations of whether or not the game will be won and the pre-determination of the jackpot type are made in the manner described above, and if the pre-determination result of whether or not the game will be won is a jackpot, a pre-determination of the game state is made based on the pre-determination result of the jackpot type. In other words, if the pre-determination result of the jackpot type is "jackpot symbol 1," a pre-determination of "electric support state 1" or "high probability state" is made, and if it is "jackpot symbol 2," a pre-determination of "electric support state 2" or "normal probability state" is made.

When a pre-determination of whether or not a win/loss has been made and a pre-determination of the game state has been made, the pre-determination results of whether or not a win/loss has been made and the pre-determination results of the game state are stored in RAM as a set of special chart 1 pre-read data. As shown in Figure 5(i), special chart 1 pre-read areas 1-4 are set in this RAM, and special chart 1 pre-read data corresponding to the special chart 1 game data in "special chart 1 reserve area 4" is stored in "special chart 1 pre-read area 4," special chart 1 pre-read data corresponding to the special chart 1 game data in "special chart 1 reserve area 3" is stored in "special chart 1 pre-read area 3," special chart 1 pre-read data corresponding to the special chart 1 game data in "special chart 1 reserve area 2" is stored in "special chart 1 pre-read area 2," and special chart 1 pre-read data corresponding to the special chart 1 game data in "special chart 1 reserve area 1" is stored in "special chart 1 pre-read area 1."

3-3. Special symbol 2 game 3-3-1. Acquisition of special symbol 2 game data When the game ball enters the second starting hole 23 validly, the value of the random number for determining whether or not the special symbol has been hit, the value of the random number for determining the type of jackpot, the value of the random number for determining whether or not the ball has been hit, and the value of the variable pattern random number are acquired, and the results of acquiring the value of the random number for determining whether or not the special symbol has been hit - the results of acquiring the value of the variable pattern random number are stored in RAM as a set of special symbol 2 game data. As shown in Figure 5(j), special symbol 2 reserve areas 1 to 4 are set in this RAM, and the special symbol 2 game data is stored in the order of acquisition in the order of "special symbol 2 reserve area 4", "special symbol 2 reserve area 3", "special symbol 2 reserve area 2", and "special symbol 2 reserve area 1". A state in which special chart 2 game data is stored in all of these special chart 2 reserve areas 1 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "4", a state in which special chart 2 game data is stored in three of the special chart 2 reserve areas 2 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "3", a state in which special chart 2 game data is stored in two of the special chart 2 reserve areas 3 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "2", a state in which special chart 2 game data is stored in one of the special chart 2 reserve areas 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "1", and a state in which special chart 2 game data is not stored in any of the special chart 2 reserve areas 1 to 4 is referred to as the special chart 2 reserve number being "0".

3-3-2. Special Chart 2 Lottery The Special Chart 2 Lottery is held with priority over the Special Chart 1 Lottery, and if Special Chart 2 game data is stored in the "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 4," the Special Chart 2 Lottery is held on the condition that the game is currently stopped. In other words, if both Special Chart 1 game data and Special Chart 2 game data exist, the Special Chart 2 Lottery is started according to the Special Chart 2 game data, and the Special Chart 1 Lottery is started after all of the Special Chart 2 game data has been drawn. This Special Chart 2 Lottery is held by detecting the Special Chart 2 game data from the "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 4" and based on the detection results of the Special Chart 2 game data, and the jackpot determination table in Figure 5(e) is used to determine whether or not the lottery has been won.

The Special Chart 2 Jackpot Type Table in Figure 5(h) is used to determine the jackpot type for Special Chart 2. This Special Chart 2 Jackpot Type Table has "Jackpot Pattern 1," "Jackpot Pattern 3," and "Jackpot Pattern 4" set, and when either "Jackpot Pattern 1" or "Jackpot Pattern 3" is obtained, "Electric Support State 1" or "High Probability State" is set, and when "Jackpot Pattern 4" is obtained, "Electric Support State 2" or "Normal Probability State" is set.

Special Chart 2 Variation Pattern Table 1 in Figure 6(b) or Special Chart 2 Variation Pattern Table 2 in Figure 6(c) is used to determine the special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time for Special Chart 2. Special Chart 2 Variation Pattern Table 1 is used when the current game state is "Electric Support State 2" and when the number of continuations is "Electric Support State 1" with 200 or fewer spins, and differs from Special Chart 1 Variation Pattern Table in that a time-saving special chart variation pattern and a time-saving special chart variation display time are assigned to the special chart 2 reserved number of "3-4" when a miss is determined. Special Chart 2 Variation Pattern Table 2 is used when the current game state is "Electric Support State 1" with 201 or more spins, and differs from Special Chart 2 Variation Pattern Table 1 in that an ultra-time-saving special chart variation pattern "PH08" and an ultra-time-saving special chart variation display time of "500 msec" are assigned to the fluctuation pattern random number value of "10-99" when a miss is determined. The state in which the special chart variation pattern is obtained from this special chart 2 variation pattern table 2 is called the "super electric support state."

3-3-3. Fall Lottery When a special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time are selected, the storage result of the value of the random number for fall judgment is detected from the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", and either "fall occurred" or "fall did not occur" is selected from the fall judgment table in Figure 5 (f) according to the detection result of the value of the random number for fall judgment. If "fall occurred" is selected as this judgment result, if the current game state is a "high probability state", the "high probability state" is canceled and the "normal probability state" is set instead of the "high probability state".

3-3-4. Special chart 2 variation display When a special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time for special chart 2 are selected, the special chart 2 variation display is performed for the required time according to the selection result of the special chart variation display time. This special chart 2 variation display starts flashing the multiple LEDs for special chart 2 of the LED display 25 in a predetermined pattern and then stops flashing, and if it is determined that there is a miss, the LEDs for special chart 2 stop flashing in the "special chart 2 miss" mode, and if it is determined that there is a jackpot, the LEDs stop flashing in the mode according to the judgment result of the jackpot type.

3-3-5. Jackpot Game When the LED for special chart 2 of the LED display 25 stops flashing in a manner corresponding to the judgment result of the jackpot type, a jackpot game pattern corresponding to the judgment result of the jackpot type is selected from the jackpot game pattern table of FIG. 7(a), and the jackpot game starts with the selected jackpot game pattern.
3-3-6. Updating the game state If either "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3" is selected, "electric support state 1" and "high probability state" are set when the jackpot game ends, and if "jackpot symbol 4" is selected, "electric support state 2" and "normal probability state" are set when the jackpot game ends.

3-3-7. Special Chart 2 Pre-reading When the result of acquiring the special chart 2 game data is stored in one of the special chart 2 reserve areas 1-4 in response to the game ball entering the second starting hole 23, a pre-determination of whether it will be a hit or not, a pre-determination of the fluctuation pattern, a pre-determination of the fluctuation display time, and a pre-determination of whether it will fall or not are made according to the result of acquiring the special chart 2 game data, and if the pre-determination result of whether it will be a hit or not is a jackpot, a pre-determination of the type of jackpot and a pre-determination of the game status are made. These pre-determinations of whether it will be a hit or not and the pre-determination of the game status are made in the procedure described above, and the pre-determination results of whether it will be a hit or not and the pre-determination results of the game status are stored in RAM as a set of special chart 2 pre-reading data. As shown in Figure 5 (j), special chart 2 pre-reading areas 1 to 4 are set in this RAM, and special chart 2 pre-reading data corresponding to the special chart 2 game data in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4" is stored in the "special chart 2 pre-reading area 4", special chart 2 pre-reading data corresponding to the special chart 2 game data in the "special chart 2 reserve area 3" is stored in the "special chart 2 pre-reading area 3", special chart 2 pre-reading data corresponding to the special chart 2 game data in the "special chart 2 reserve area 2" is stored in the "special chart 2 pre-reading area 2", and special chart 2 pre-reading data corresponding to the special chart 2 game data in the "special chart 2 reserve area 1" is stored in the "special chart 2 pre-reading area 1".

4. Processing Functions of the Main Control Circuit 40 4-1. Main Processing When the main control circuit 40 is powered on, it detects the main processing program shown in Figure 7(b) from the ROM and disables interrupts in S1. Then, it updates the values of the random numbers shown in Figure 5(a) in S2 and enables interrupts in S3. The value of each of these random numbers is incremented by "1" to the current value, and when it is incremented to the upper limit, it is reset to "0" and added again.

4-2. Timer Interrupt Processing When the main control circuit 40 sets interrupt permission in S3, it allows the timer interrupt processing to start in S4. This timer interrupt processing is executed at regular intervals, and the random number update processing in S3 is repeated during the waiting time from the end of the current timer interrupt processing until the start of the next timer interrupt processing.

Figure 8 shows the timer interrupt processing of the main control circuit 40. The main control circuit 40 sends the commands and other information set in the RAM output buffer during the previous timer interrupt processing to the sub-control circuit 60 during the output processing of S11 of this timer interrupt processing. Then, the random number update processing of S12 updates the values of the random numbers in Figure 5(a), and the sensor detection processing of S13 detects the presence or absence of signals from the first start gate sensor 41, second start gate sensor 42, regular prize sensor 43, and special prize gate sensor 44.

When the main control circuit 40 completes the sensor detection process in S13, it determines in S14 whether a signal from the regular symbol sensor 44 has been detected in the sensor detection process in S13. If it determines that a signal from the regular symbol sensor 44 has not been detected, it proceeds to S16. If it determines that a signal from the regular symbol sensor 44 has been detected, it proceeds to S15, where it obtains the value of the random number used to determine whether the regular symbol is a hit or miss, and then proceeds to S16.

When the main control circuit 40 proceeds to S16, it determines whether a signal from the second start port sensor 42 has been detected in the sensor detection process of S13. If it determines that a signal from the second start port sensor 42 has not been detected, it proceeds to S19. If it determines that a signal from the second start port sensor 42 has been detected, it compares the special chart 2 reserved number with "4." If it determines that the special chart 2 reserved number is "4," it proceeds to S19. If it determines that the special chart 2 reserved number is less than "4," it acquires special chart 2 game data in S17. Here, the acquired special chart 2 game data is stored in one of special chart 2 reserve areas 1-4 according to the storage order, a special chart 2 reserve command is set in the output buffer, and it proceeds to S18. This special chart 2 reserve command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the special chart 2 reserved number, and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 during the next timer interrupt process.

When the main control circuit 40 proceeds to S18, it performs a preliminary determination of whether or not the game has been won, the fluctuation pattern, the fluctuation display time, the type of jackpot, the presence or absence of a fall, and the game status on the results of the special chart 2 game data acquisition, and stores the preliminary determination results of whether or not the game has been won and the game status as special chart 2 pre-read data in one of special chart 2 pre-read areas 1 to 4 according to the storage order. Next, the stored results of the special chart 2 pre-read data are set in the output buffer of RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 81 in the next timer interrupt process, and proceeds to S19.

When the main control circuit 40 proceeds to S19, it determines whether a signal from the first start port sensor 41 has been detected in the sensor detection process of S13. If it determines that a signal from the first start port sensor 41 has not been detected, it proceeds to normal processing of S22, special processing of S23, and special processing of S24, in that order. If it determines that a signal from the first start port sensor 41 has been detected, it compares the special processing of S22 with the special processing of S23. If it determines that the special processing of S22 is "4," it proceeds to S22 through S24, in that order. If it determines that the special processing of S22 is "4," it acquires the special processing of S24. If it determines that the special processing of S22 is "4," it acquires the special processing of S20. The acquired special processing of S20 stores the special processing of S22 in one of the special processing of S24 in the storage order, and sets a special processing of S20 in the output buffer. This special processing of S20 notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the special processing of S23.

When the main control circuit 40 stores the acquisition results of the special chart 1 game data in S20, in S21 it performs a preliminary judgment of whether it is a win or not, a preliminary judgment of the fluctuation pattern, a preliminary judgment of the fluctuation display time, a preliminary judgment of the type of jackpot, a preliminary judgment of whether it will fall or not, and a preliminary judgment of the game status on the acquisition results of the special chart 1 game data, and stores the preliminary judgment results of whether it is a win or not and the game status as special chart 1 pre-read data in one of the special chart 1 pre-read areas 1 to 4 according to the storage order. Next, the stored result of the special chart 1 pre-read data is set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60 in the next timer interrupt processing, and proceeds in order to S22 to S24.
4-3. General map processing

The main control circuit 40 determines whether the normal symbol is a hit or miss based on the value of the random number used to determine whether the normal symbol is a hit or miss in the normal symbol processing of S22, and selects a normal symbol change display time that corresponds to the current game state from the normal symbol change display time table of Figure 5 (c). Then, the result of the normal symbol hit or miss determination is announced in response to the normal symbol change display being executed based on the result of the normal symbol change display time selection. If the "normal symbol hit" determination result is announced here, a normal symbol play pattern that corresponds to the current game state is selected from the normal symbol play pattern table of Figure 5 (d), and the game ball is allowed to enter the second starting hole 23 in response to the result of the normal symbol play pattern selection being executed to play a normal symbol.

9 shows the special chart 2 processing of S23, in which the main control circuit 40 selectively executes the special chart 2 lottery processing of S31, the time reduction count update processing of S32, the fall determination processing of S33, the special chart 2 variation stop processing of S34, the jackpot game start processing of S35, the jackpot game in progress processing of S36, and the jackpot game stop processing of S37 depending on the setting result of the value of the second pointer P2 in the RAM. The value of this second pointer P2 is initially set to "1" when the power is turned on.

4-4-1. Special Chart 2 Lottery Processing When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "1", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the special chart 2 lottery processing of S31. The value of this second pointer P2 is set to "1" when the game is stopped, and the main control circuit 40 determines whether special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4" in the special chart 2 lottery processing of S31. If it is determined that special chart 2 game data is not stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", the special chart 2 lottery processing is terminated, and if it is determined that special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", a win/loss determination, a fluctuation pattern determination, and a fluctuation display time determination are made based on the special chart 2 game data in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4", and if the win/loss determination result is a jackpot, a jackpot type determination is made. Then, the results of the hit/miss judgment, the results of the fluctuation pattern judgment, and the results of the jackpot type judgment are set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60 as special chart 2 game data, and a fluctuation start command 2 is set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60.

Figure 10 (b) shows the variation pattern selection process executed by the main control circuit 40 in S31, and the main control circuit 40 sets the results of the special chart variation pattern determination and the special chart variation display time determination in the variation pattern selection process of Figure 10 (b) to the output buffer of RAM. This main control circuit 40 determines whether the current gaming state is a "super electric support state" in S31a. If it determines that the current gaming state is a "super electric support state," it selects a special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time from special chart 2 variation pattern table 2 in Figure 6 (c) in S31b, and if it determines that it is "electric support state 1" or "electric support state 2," it selects a special chart variation pattern and special chart variation display time from special chart 2 variation pattern table 1 in Figure 6 (b) in S31c.

When the main control circuit 40 sets the RAM output buffer at S31 in Figure 9(a), it starts the special chart variable display and organizes "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 1" to "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 4." This process erases special chart 2 game data from "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 4." If special chart 2 game data is stored in "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 3," the special chart 2 game data is shifted to "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 4." If special chart 2 game data is stored in "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 2," the special chart 2 game data is shifted to "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 3." If special chart 2 game data is stored in "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 1," the special chart 2 game data is shifted to "Special Chart 2 Reserve Area 2." After organizing "Special Chart 2 Reserve Areas 1 to 4," the main control circuit 40 organizes "Special Chart 2 Preview Area 1" to "Special Chart 2 Preview Area 4" using the same procedure and sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "2."

4-4-2. Time-Saving Count Update Process When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "2," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the time-saving count update process in S32. Figure 10(a) shows the time-saving count update process. In S41, the main control circuit 40 determines whether the current game state is "Electric Support State 1,""Electric Support State 2,""Super Electric Support State," or "Non-Electric Support State." If the current game state is determined to be "Non-Electric Support State," the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "3" in S48. If the current game state is determined to be "Electric Support State 1,""Electric Support State 2," or "Super Electric Support State," the value of the time-saving count counter is incremented by "1" in S42. The value of this time-saving count counter measures the number of times the electric support state continues, and the main control circuit 40 sets a time-saving count command when the time-saving count counter is incremented. This time-saving count command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the result of adding the value of the time-saving count counter as the number of times the electric support state continues, and when the main control circuit 40 sets the time-saving count command, it sets the setting result of the time-saving count command in the output buffer of RAM in S43 to send it to the sub-control circuit 60, and then proceeds to S44.

When the main control circuit 40 proceeds to S44 in Figure 10 (a), it determines whether the current game state is "Electric Support State 1." If it determines that the current game state is "Electric Support State 1," it proceeds to S45 and compares the added result of the time-saving count counter value with "201." If it determines that the time-saving count counter value is "201," it changes the current game state from "Electric Support State 1" to "Super Electric Support State" in S46, and sets a super electric support command in the output buffer of RAM in S47. This super electric support command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the "super electric support state" has been set, and if the main control circuit 40 sets the super electric support command in S47, it sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "3" in S48.

If the main control circuit 40 determines in S44 of Figure 10 (a) that the current game state is not "Electric Support State 1," it determines in S49 whether the current game state is "Electric Support State 2." If it determines that the current game state is not "Electric Support State 2," it sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "3" in S48, and if it determines that the current game state is "Electric Support State 2," it compares the value of the time-saving count counter with the upper limit of "100" in S50. If it determines that the value of the time-saving count counter is not the upper limit of "100," it proceeds to S48 and sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "3."

If the main control circuit 40 determines in S50 of Figure 10(a) that the value of the time-saving counter is the upper limit of "100", it changes the current game state from "Electric Support State 2" to "Non-Electric Support State" in S51, and sets an electric support cancel command in the output buffer of RAM in S52. This electric support cancel command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the state has switched from "Electric Support State 2" to "Non-Electric Support State", and if the main control circuit 40 sets the electric support cancel command in S52, it sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "3" in S48.

4-4-3. Fall Determination Processing If the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "3," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the fall determination processing of S33. Figure 11 shows the fall determination processing of S33, in which the main control circuit 40 determines whether the current game state is a "high probability state" in S61. If it determines that the current game state is a "normal probability state," it sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "4" in S72, and if it determines that the current game state is a "high probability state," it proceeds to S62. Here, the value of the fall determination random number is detected from the "special chart 2 reserved area 4," and a determination result corresponding to the detection result of the value of the fall determination random number is detected from the fall determination table of Figure 5 (f).

When the main control circuit 40 detects the result of the determination of whether or not a fall has occurred in S62, it determines in S63 whether or not the detection result is "fall has occurred." If it determines that the detection result is "no fall," it sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "4" in S72. If it determines that the detection result is "fall has occurred," it sets the "normal probability state" in place of the "high probability state" in S64, and sets it in the output buffer of RAM in S65 to send a fall command to the sub-control circuit 60. This fall command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the "high probability state" has fallen to the "normal probability state," and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 in the next timer interrupt process.

The main control circuit 40 sets a fall command in the output buffer in S65, and then determines in S66 whether the current game state is "Electric Support State 1." If it determines that the current game state is "Electric Support State 1," then it compares the value of the time-saving count counter with "100" in S67. If it determines that the value of the time-saving count counter is less than "100," then it changes "Electric Support State 1" to "Electric Support State 2" in S68, sets an electric support change command in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60 in S69, and sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "4" in S72. This electric support change command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that "Electric Support State 1" has switched to "Electric Support State 2," and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 during the next timer interrupt process.

When the main control circuit 40 determines in S67 that the value of the time-saving count counter is "101" or greater, it changes the current game state from "Electric Support State 1" to "Non-Electric Support State" in S70. Then, in S71, it sets an electric support change command in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and in S72 sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "4." This electric support cancel command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that "Electric Support State 1" has switched to "Non-Electric Support State," and is sent to the sub-control circuit 60 in the next timer interrupt process.

If the current game state is "Super Electric Support State," the main control circuit 40 determines in S66 that the current game state is not "Electric Support State 1," and changes the current game state from "Electric Support State 1" to "Non-Electric Support State" in S70. Then, in S71, an electric support change command is set to the RAM output buffer, and in S72, the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "4." In other words, if the value of the time-saving count counter is "100" or less and a fall is determined to have occurred in "High Probability State" or "Electric Support State 1," a low probability state is set, but the electric support state continues. If the value of the time-saving count counter is "101" or more and a fall is determined to have occurred in "High Probability State" or "Electric Support State 1," a "Low Probability State" or "Non-Electric Support State" is set.

4-4-4. Special Chart 2 Variation Stop Processing If the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "4," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the special chart 2 variation stop processing of S34 in Figure 9. Here, the timer value is incremented, and the result of the timer increment is compared with the result of the special chart variation display time determination. If the result of the timer increment has not reached the result of the special chart variation display time determination, the special chart 2 variation stop processing is terminated. If the result of the timer increment has reached the result of the special chart variation display time determination, the special chart variation display is stopped in a manner corresponding to the result of the win/loss determination, and a variation stop command 2 is set in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. If the result of the win/loss determination is "miss," the value of the second pointer P2 is initialized to "1," and if the result of the win/loss determination is "jackpot," the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "5."

4-4-5. Jackpot Game Start Processing When the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "5," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the jackpot game start processing of S35 in Fig. 9. Here, the jackpot game starts with a jackpot game pattern according to the jackpot type determination result, a jackpot game start command is set in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "6."

4-4-6. Processing During Jackpot Game If the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "6," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the processing during jackpot game of S36 in Figure 9 and proceeds with the jackpot game according to the set result of the jackpot game pattern. The main control circuit 40 sets a round start command in the output buffer and sends it to the sub-control circuit 60 each time a round is started during jackpot game. This round start command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the number of rounds that the current round is. Each time a round is stopped during jackpot game, the main control circuit 40 sets a round stop command in the output buffer and sends it to the sub-control circuit 60. If the main control circuit 40 has allowed jackpot game to proceed to the end of the jackpot game pattern, it ends the jackpot game, sets a jackpot game end command in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and sets the value of the second pointer P2 to "7."

4-4-7. Jackpot Game Stop Processing If the value of the second pointer P2 is set to "7," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the jackpot game stop processing of S37 and detects the jackpot type determination result. If the jackpot type determination result is "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3," the game state is set to "high probability state" and "electric support state 1," the time-saving count update counter is reset to "0," and the value of the second pointer P2 is initially set to "1." Then, a "high probability command,""electric support command 1," and time-saving count command 0 are set in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. This time-saving count command 0 notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the electric support state has continued for "0 times," the "high probability command" notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the "high probability state" has been set, and the "electric support command 1" notifies the sub-control circuit 60 that the electric support state has been set for "100 times."

If the jackpot type determination result is "jackpot symbol 4," the main control circuit 40 sets the game state to "normal probability state" and "electric support state 2," resets the value of the time-saving count update counter to "0," and initializes the value of the second pointer P2 to "1." It then sets a "normal probability command," "electric support command 2," and time-saving count command 0 in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. This "normal probability command" notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the setting of the "normal probability state," and the "electric support command 2" notifies the setting of electric support state 2, with a limit of "100 times."

12 shows the special chart 1 processing of S24, in which the main control circuit 40 selectively executes the special chart 1 lottery processing of S81, the time reduction count update processing of S82, the fall determination processing of S83, the special chart 1 variation stop processing of S84, the jackpot game start processing of S85, the jackpot game in progress processing of S86, and the jackpot game stop processing of S87 depending on the setting result of the value of the first pointer P1 in the RAM. The value of this first pointer P1 is initially set to "1" when the power is turned on.

4-5-1. Special Chart 1 Lottery Processing When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "1", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the special chart 1 lottery processing of S81. The value of this first pointer P1 is set to "1" when the game is stopped, and the main control circuit 40 determines whether special chart 1 game data is stored in the "special chart 1 reserve area 4" in the special chart 1 lottery processing of S71. If it is determined that special chart 1 game data is not stored in the "special chart 1 reserve area 4", the special chart 1 lottery processing is terminated, and if it is determined that special chart 1 game data is stored in the "special chart 1 reserve area 4", it determines whether special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4".

If the main control circuit 40 determines that special chart 2 game data is stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4," it terminates the special chart 1 lottery process. If it determines that special chart 2 game data is not stored in the "special chart 2 reserve area 4," it performs a win/loss determination, a fluctuation pattern determination, and a fluctuation display time determination based on the special chart 1 game data in the "special chart 1 reserve area 4" at S81. If the win/loss determination result is a jackpot, it determines the type of jackpot. These fluctuation pattern determinations and fluctuation display time determinations are made according to the special chart 1 fluctuation pattern table of Figure 6(a). The main control circuit 40 sets the win/loss determination results, fluctuation pattern determination results, and jackpot type determination results in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60 as special chart 1 game data, sets fluctuation start command 1 in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and sets the special chart 1 reserve command in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. This special chart 1 reserve command notifies the sub-control circuit 60 of the number of special chart 1 reserved.

When the main control circuit 40 sets a change start command 1, etc., it starts the special chart change display and then organizes "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 1" to "Special Chart 1 Reserve Area 4." This process is performed using the same procedure as "Special Chart 2 Reserve Areas 1-4." The main control circuit 40 also organizes "Special Chart 1 Preview Areas 1-4" using the same procedure, and then sets the value of the first pointer P1 to "2." In other words, the special chart 1 lottery process is given a lower priority than the special chart lottery 2 process. If the special chart 2 reserved number is not "0," the special chart 2 lottery process takes priority over the special chart 1 lottery process, and the special chart 1 lottery process begins when the special chart 2 reserved number reaches "0."

4-5-2. Time-saving count update process When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "2", the main control circuit 40 executes the time-saving count update process of FIG. 10(a) in S82 and sets the value of the first pointer P1 to "3".
4-5-3. Fall Determination Processing If the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "3", the main control circuit 40 executes the fall determination processing of FIG. 11 in S83 and sets the value of the first pointer P1 to "4".
4-5-4. Special chart 1 variation stop processing When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "4", the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the special chart 1 variation stop processing of S84 in Fig. 12, and when the sum of the timer values reaches the judgment result of the special chart variation display time, the special chart 1 variation display is stopped in a manner according to the judgment result of whether it is a hit or a miss, and the output buffer is set to send a variation stop command 1 to the sub-control circuit 60. Then, if the judgment result of whether it is a hit or a miss, the value of the first pointer P1 is initially set to "1", and if the judgment result of whether it is a hit or a miss, the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "5".

4-5-5. Jackpot Game Start Processing When the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "5," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the jackpot game start processing of S85. Here, the jackpot game starts with a jackpot game pattern according to the jackpot type determination result, a jackpot game start command is set in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "6."
4-5-6. Processing During Jackpot Game If the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "6," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the processing during jackpot game in S86 and proceeds with the jackpot game according to the set result of the jackpot game pattern. The main control circuit 40 sets a round start command in the output buffer and sends it to the sub-control circuit 60 each time a round is started during jackpot game. The main control circuit 40 sets a round stop command in the output buffer and sends it to the sub-control circuit 60 each time a round is stopped during jackpot game. If the final round is stopped during jackpot game, the main control circuit 40 sets a final round stop command in the output buffer and sends it to the sub-control circuit 60. If the jackpot game has progressed to the end of the jackpot game pattern, the main control circuit 40 ends the jackpot game, sets a jackpot game end command in the output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60, and sets the value of the first pointer P1 to "7."

4-5-7. Jackpot Game Stop Processing If the value of the first pointer P1 is set to "7," the main control circuit 40 proceeds to the jackpot game stop processing of S87 and detects the jackpot type determination result. If the jackpot type determination result is "jackpot symbol 1," the game state is set to "high probability state" and "electric support state 1," the value of the time-saving count update counter is reset to "0," and the value of the first pointer P1 is initially set to "1." Then, the "high probability command,""electric support command 1," and the time-saving count command 0 are set in the RAM output buffer to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60. If the jackpot type determination result is "jackpot symbol 2," the main control circuit 40 sets the game state to "normal probability state" and "electric support state 2," resets the value of the time-saving count update counter to "0," and initially sets the value of the second pointer P1 to "1." Then, the "normal probability command", "electric support command 2" and time-saving count command 0 are set in the output buffer of the RAM to be sent to the sub-control circuit 60.

5. Explanation of Game Modes The game flow in Figure 13(a) shows the transition of game states, and Figures 13(b) and (c) show the relationship between game modes and presentation modes. When the power is turned on, the normal game mode is set. This normal game mode is a "low probability state" and "non-electric support state." In normal game mode, a left-hit image prompting the player to hit the game ball with the left is displayed on the presentation symbol display 28. If the player hits the game ball with the left in accordance with this left-hit image, the game ball will enter the first starting hole 18. If a jackpot is determined in response to the game ball entering the first starting hole 18, the low-probability time-saving mode or the high-probability time-saving mode will be set.

The low-probability time-saving mode is a state in which the "low probability state" and "electric support state 2" are set, and is set when "jackpot pattern 2" is selected in response to a jackpot being determined in normal play mode. The high-probability time-saving mode is a state in which the "high probability state" and "electric support state 1" are set, and is set when "jackpot pattern 1" is selected in response to a jackpot being determined in normal play mode. In each of the low-probability time-saving mode and the high-probability time-saving mode, a right-hit image is displayed on the effect pattern display 28 to encourage the player to hit the game ball to the right. If the player hits the game ball to the right in accordance with this right-hit image, the game ball will pass through the normal start port 22, and in response to a high-probability determination of a hit, the second start port 23 will be frequently opened for a long period of time. For this reason, as game balls enter the second starting hole 23 at short time intervals, the special symbol 2 reserved number remains in the "3 to 4" state for a long period of time, and the time-saving special symbol variation display time of "1000 msec" is frequently obtained from the special symbol 2 variation pattern table 1 in Figure 6 (b). Therefore, in both the low-probability time-saving mode and the high-probability time-saving mode, the process of determining whether a jackpot or miss is achieved is repeated at shorter time intervals than in the normal game mode, increasing the probability of winning the next jackpot with fewer game balls consumed. In other words, both the low-probability time-saving mode and the high-probability time-saving mode are more advantageous to the player than the normal game mode.

In low-probability time-saving mode, the game ball is hit to the right, and if the total number of Special Chart 1 draws and Special Chart 2 draws (in reality, only Special Chart 2 draws) reaches the limit of 100 times without a jackpot being determined in low-probability time-saving mode, the "Non-electric support state" is set in place of "Electric support state 2," and the game transitions to normal game mode. If a jackpot is determined to have occurred before the total number of Special Chart 1 draws and Special Chart 2 draws reaches the limit of 100 times in this low-probability time-saving mode and "Jackpot symbol 4" is selected, the low-probability time-saving mode is repeated, and if "Jackpot symbol 1" or "Jackpot symbol 3" is selected, the game transitions to high-probability time-saving mode. In this high-probability time-saving mode, the game ball is hit to the right, and if "jackpot symbol 4" is selected in response to a jackpot determination, low-probability time-saving mode is set, and if "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3" is selected, high-probability time-saving mode is set. This high-probability time-saving mode is a state in which a jackpot is determined with a higher probability than the low-probability time-saving mode, and is a state that is more advantageous to the player than the low-probability time-saving mode, with the degree of advantage to the player being greater in the "high-probability state" than in the "electric support state."

In high-probability time-saving mode, whether or not a drop has occurred is determined each time a special chart 1 or special chart 2 draw is made, and if it is determined that a drop has occurred when the total number of special chart 1 and special chart 2 draws does not exceed the limit of 100 draws, a low-probability state and electric support state 2 are set, and the game transitions from high-probability time-saving mode to low-probability time-saving mode. In this high-probability time-saving mode, if the total number of special chart 1 and special chart 2 draws exceeds the limit of 100 draws and it is determined that a drop has occurred, a low-probability state and non-electric support state are set, and the game drops from high-probability time-saving mode to normal play mode all at once.

If the total number of Special Chart 1 and Special Chart 2 draws reaches the limit of "201 times" without a "fall" being determined in the high-probability time-saving mode, the "high probability state" and "super electric support state" are set. In this high-probability time-saving mode, the shortest special chart change display time for the super time-saving mode, "500 msec," is frequently obtained from Special Chart 2 Change Pattern Table 2 in Figure 6 (c). Therefore, in the high-probability time-saving mode, the hit and miss determination process is repeated at even shorter time intervals than in the high-probability time-saving mode, increasing the probability of winning the next jackpot with even fewer game balls consumed. In other words, the high-probability time-saving mode is a state that is even more advantageous to the player than the high-probability time-saving mode, and if a "fall" is determined in the high-probability time-saving mode, the player will immediately fall from the high-probability time-saving mode to the normal game mode. This super electric support state corresponds to the time-saving mode.

6. Description of Presentation Modes Presentation modes specify a background image as the presentation content when displaying an image for a presentation symbol game. Presentation modes include normal mode, chance mode, speed mode, and super speed mode. Normal mode is the presentation mode when the normal game mode is set. In normal mode, a normal background image resembling a cityscape is displayed in the display area E of the presentation symbol display 28, as shown in FIG. 14(a). Chance mode is the presentation mode common to both the low-probability time-saving mode and the high-probability time-saving mode. In chance mode, a chance background image resembling four women is displayed in the display area E of the presentation symbol display 28, as shown in FIG. 14(b). Speed mode is entered from chance mode when the total number of times the special symbol 1 and special symbol 2 are drawn exceeds the limit of 100 times while the high-probability time-saving mode is set. In speed mode, a speed background image resembling an ancient landmass is displayed in the display area E of the presentation symbol display 28, as shown in FIG. 14(c). The super speed mode is entered from the speed mode when the high probability time-saving mode is set and the total number of times that the special chart 1 and special chart 2 are drawn exceeds the limit of 200 times. In the super speed mode, as shown in Figure 14 (d), an image in which a "Rush" caption image is superimposed on a speed background image is displayed in the display area E of the performance pattern display 28 as a super speed background image.

6-1. Behavior of the Presentation Mode Figure 13(b) shows the behavior of the presentation mode when jackpot symbol 2 or jackpot symbol 4 is selected in response to a determination of a jackpot. In this case, the chance mode is set in response to the low-probability time-saving mode being set at the end of the jackpot game, and the chance background image is displayed from the first presentation symbol game. In this state, if a total of 100 special symbol 1 and special symbol 2 lotteries are performed without a determination of a jackpot, the normal game mode is set, and the normal mode is set in response to the setting of the normal game mode, and the normal background image is displayed from the 101st presentation symbol game.

Figure 13(c) shows the behavior of the presentation mode when jackpot pattern 1 or jackpot pattern 3 is selected in response to a determination that a jackpot has occurred. In this case, chance mode is set in response to the high-probability time-saving mode being set at the end of the jackpot play, and the chance background image is displayed from the first presentation pattern play. In this state, if it is determined that a fall has occurred before a total of 100 special pattern 1 and special pattern 2 draws have been performed, low-probability time-saving mode is set as the play mode, but as shown in the upper part of Figure 13(c), chance mode continues as the presentation mode, and the chance background image continues to be displayed. Then, normal mode is set from the 101st presentation pattern play, and the normal background image is displayed.

The bottom row of Figure 13 (c) shows the behavior of the presentation mode when a total of 100 or more Special Chart 1 and Special Chart 2 draws are performed without a fall being determined when Chance Mode is set in accordance with High-Probability Time-Shortening Mode. In this case, Speed Mode is set from the 101st presentation symbol play, and a speed background image is displayed, giving the player the impression that they have been promoted to High-Probability Time-Shortening Mode. If this no-fall determination continues for more than 200 plays, Super Speed Mode is set in accordance with the setting of High-Probability Super Time-Shortening Mode, and a Super Speed Background Image is displayed from the next 201st play. If a fall is determined to have occurred when Super Speed Mode or Speed Mode is set, Normal Mode is set in accordance with the setting of Regular Play Mode, and the Normal Background Image is displayed from the next play.

6-2. Performance symbol game The performance symbol game image starts in time synchronization with the start of the special symbol 1 variable display or special symbol 2 variable display by the sub-control circuit 60, and ends in time synchronization with the end of the special symbol 1 variable display or special symbol 2 variable display. This performance symbol game image is displayed superimposed on top of the background image corresponding to the performance mode, and in normal mode it is displayed superimposed on top of the normal background image. This performance symbol game image is displayed superimposed on top of the chance background image in chance mode, superimposed on top of the speed background image in speed mode, and super speed background image in super speed mode.

The image for effect symbol games displays effect symbols consisting of the numbers "1" through "9" in three horizontal columns on the left, middle, and right in a scrolling and stopped state, with each column scrolling in ascending order from "1" to "2" ... "9" before returning from "9" to "1" and repeating. The scrolling display in each column stops at one of the numbers "1" through "9," with the odd numbers "1, 3, 5, 7, 9" in each column set to red and the even numbers "2, 4, 6, 8" in each column set to blue. The effect symbols in the left, middle, and right columns each correspond to symbol elements, the effect symbols in the three columns correspond to identification symbols, the scrolling state corresponds to a changing state, the stopped scrolling state corresponds to a stopped changing state, and effect symbol games correspond to symbol games.

When the three-column scrolling display is stopped, there are three types of combinations: "jackpot combinations," "miss reach combinations," and "complete miss combinations." Jackpot combinations are combinations in which the three columns are identical to each other, and are set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits a special chart variation pattern for a jackpot (PO01-PO05). Miss reach combinations are combinations in which the left and right columns are identical to each other but the middle column is different, and are set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits a special chart variation pattern for a miss (PH01-PH05). Complete miss combinations are combinations in which the left and right columns are different, and are set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits a special chart variation pattern for a miss (PH06-PH08). These jackpot combinations correspond to winning patterns, while miss reach combinations and complete miss combinations each correspond to losing patterns.

Figure 14 (e) is a list of the effects for effect symbol games, and there are five types of effects for effect symbol games: "normal effect," "all symbols stop simultaneously effect," "normal reach effect," "special reach effect," and "ultra-time-saving effect." Normal effects begin with the "start of the three-column scrolling display," and the "stop of the scrolling display" is set to the order of "left column," "right column," and "middle column." This normal effect is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits the special symbol variation pattern PH06 for a loss, and as shown in Figures 15 (a), (b), (c), and (d), in normal effects, a "complete loss combination" is completed when the three-column scrolling display stops in the order of "left column," "right column," and "middle column."

As shown in Figure 14(e), the simultaneous all-chart stop effect begins with the "start of three-column scrolling display," and the "stop of scrolling display" is set for all three columns simultaneously. This "simultaneous all-chart stop effect" is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits the special chart variation pattern PH07 for a miss when the number of reserved special charts 1 or 2 is "3 to 4." In the "simultaneous all-chart stop effect," a "complete miss combination" is completed when the three columns of scrolling display stop simultaneously, as shown in Figures 15(a) and 15(d). This simultaneous all-chart stop effect ends in the shortest time (1000 msec) of the special chart variation display times for low-probability time-saving mode and high-probability time-saving mode, and in low-probability time-saving mode and high-probability time-saving mode, the variation display time is shortened in response to the high probability of selecting "special chart variation pattern PH07."

As shown in Figure 14 (e), the normal reach effect begins with the "start of three-column scrolling display," and is set to "slow scrolling speed" for the "middle column" before "stopping scrolling display." This normal reach effect is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits the special chart variation pattern PH05 for a miss and the special chart variation pattern PO05 for a jackpot. As shown in Figures 16 (a), (b), and (c), in the "normal reach effect," when the "stopping of scrolling display" is performed in the order of the "left column" and "right column," the "left column" and "right column" enter the same reach state, and the scrolling display of the "middle column" switches from normal speed to slow speed in the reach state.

In the "normal reach presentation" for a miss, the scrolling display of the "middle column" stops at a different presentation pattern than the "left column" and "right column," and in the "normal reach presentation" for a miss, the miss reach combination is completed when the scrolling display of the final "middle column" stops, as shown in Figure 16 (e). In the "normal reach presentation" for a jackpot, the scrolling display of this "middle column" stops at the same presentation pattern as the "left column" and "right column," and in the "normal reach presentation" for a jackpot, the jackpot combination is completed when the scrolling display of the final "middle column" stops, as shown in Figure 16 (d).

As shown in Figure 14 (e), the special reach effect begins with the "start of three-column scrolling display," and is set to "slow scrolling speed" for the "middle column" before "stopping scrolling display." This special reach effect is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits special chart change patterns PH01-PH04 for misses and special chart change patterns PO01-PO04 for jackpots. In the "special reach effect," a reach state occurs when the "stopping of scrolling display" is performed in the order of the "left column" and "right column," and the scrolling display of the "middle column" switches from normal speed to slow speed in the reach state.

As shown in Figure 14 (e), the special reach effect is set by "reducing the scrolling speed" for the "middle row" followed by "removing three rows," and in this special reach effect, three rows of effect symbols are removed in the reach state. This special reach effect is set by "removing three rows" followed by "displaying a battle image." Figure 17 shows battle images BL1 to BL4. Each of these battle images BL1 to BL4 begins displaying with the three rows of effect symbols removed, and is set to show the silhouette of a woman fighting an enemy dinosaur.

As shown in Figure 17(a), battle image BL1 is set to have two enemies, "Dinosaurs D1 and D2." This battle image BL1 is set to have two dinosaurs, D1 and D2, fighting simultaneously with a female silhouette W, and is displayed when the main control circuit 40 transmits "Special Chart Variation Pattern PO01" for a jackpot and "Special Chart Variation Pattern PH01" for a miss. As shown in Figure 17(b), battle image BL2 is set to have one dinosaur, "Dinosaur D1," and is displayed when the main control circuit 40 transmits "Special Chart Variation Pattern PO02" for a jackpot and "Special Chart Variation Pattern PH02" for a miss.

As shown in Figure 17(c), battle image BL3 is set as the enemy being one of the "Dinosaur D2" heads, and is displayed when the main control circuit 40 transmits the "Special Chart Variation Pattern PO03" for a jackpot and the "Special Chart Variation Pattern PH03" for a miss. As shown in Figure 17(d), battle image BL4 is set as the enemy being one of the "Dinosaur D3" heads, and is displayed when the main control circuit 40 transmits the "Special Chart Variation Pattern PO04" for a jackpot and the "Special Chart Variation Pattern PH04" for a miss. The jackpot reliability of these battle images BL1 to BL4 is set to be highest in the order of "Battle Image BL4," "Battle Background BL3," "Battle Image BL2," and "Battle Image BL1" (see Figure 6).

Each of the battle images BL1 to BL4 has two possible endings: a winning ending and a losing ending. As shown in Figure 17(e), a winning ending suggests that the female protagonist's silhouette W has won, and is displayed when a "special chart variation pattern PO01 to PO04" for a jackpot is transmitted. As shown in Figure 17(f), a losing ending suggests that the female protagonist's silhouette W has lost, and is displayed when a "special chart variation pattern PH01 to PH04" for a miss is transmitted.

As shown in Figure 14(e), the special reach effect is a setting where "three rows of still images" are set after "display of a battle image," and as shown in Figure 17(e), in the special reach effect for a jackpot, the protagonist wins a fight in each of battle images BL1 to BL4, followed by a victory ending and three rows of effect symbols in a jackpot combination, and in the special reach effect for a loss, as shown in Figure 17(f), the protagonist loses a fight in each of battle images L1 to BL4, followed by a defeat ending and three rows of effect symbols in a loss reaching combination.

The ultra-time-saving effect is a special effect that is only displayed in high-probability ultra-time-saving mode, and is set by the sub-control circuit 60 when the main control circuit 40 transmits the special chart change pattern PH08 for misses in high-probability ultra-time-saving mode. This ultra-time-saving effect ends in the shortest time (500 msec) compared to the all-chart simultaneous stop effect, and in high-probability ultra-time-saving mode, the change display time is further shortened in response to the high probability of "special chart change pattern PH08" being selected. As shown in Figure 14 (e), this ultra-time-saving effect begins with the "start of three-column scrolling display," and the scrolling display stops in a different order from all other effects: "left column," "middle column," and "right column."

Figure 18 is an image of the super time-saving effect. As shown in Figure 18(a), the super time-saving effect begins with an image in which the left column, middle column, and right column effect symbols simultaneously move straight down from their initial positions at the top of the LCD screen of the effect symbol display 28 at the same speed. These three columns of effect symbols are displayed in a completely miss combination, and the initial positions of the left column, middle column, and right column effect symbols are set to the same height. This super time-saving effect image is displayed superimposed on top of the super speed background image, and includes an announcement image A1 for "hit right" and an announcement image A2 for time-saving information. Announcement image A1 encourages the player to hit right, and announcement image A2 numerically notifies the player of the number of times electric support state 1 has continued.

In the super time-saving effect, as shown in Figure 18 (b), display areas El, Ec, and Er are set within display area E of the effect symbol display device 28. Display area El is for the effect symbols in the left column, and as shown in Figure 18 (b), the moving display of the effect symbols in the left column is stopped within display area El. Display area Ec is for the effect symbols in the middle column, and as shown in Figure 18 (c), the moving display of the effect symbols in the middle column is stopped within display area Ec. Display area Er is for the effect symbols in the right column, and as shown in Figure 18 (d), the moving display of the effect symbols in the right column is stopped within display area Er. This display area Er is set at the lowest position of display areas El to Er, display area Ec is set at the second lowest position, and display area El is set at the highest position, with the moving display of the three columns of effect symbols stopping in the order left column → middle column → right column, and while the three columns of effect symbols are stopped moving, they form a completely wrong combination with an upward sloping arrangement from right to left. In other words, the super time-saving effect displays three columns of effect symbols in a diagonal arrangement that is different from all the remaining effects and with the scrolling stopped.

6-3. Hold effect The hold effect is an effect that displays the number of reserved special figures 1 or 2. The number of reserved special figures 1 is displayed in normal mode, and the number of reserved special figures 2 is displayed in chance mode, speed mode, and super speed mode, and the number of reserved special figures 1 and 2 is notified to the player as the number of cloud images C, as shown in FIG.

6-4. Jackpot Game Presentation The jackpot game presentation displays a background image for the jackpot game presentation within the display area E of the presentation symbol display 28, and begins when the jackpot game begins and ends when the jackpot game ends. Figure 19 shows the background image for the jackpot game presentation. This background image consists of an image of two dancing female silhouettes, and a "Hit Right" announcement image A1 is displayed superimposed in front of the background image for the jackpot game presentation, encouraging the player to hit right.

6-5. Prize Ball Acquisition Presentation During a jackpot game presentation, a prize ball acquisition presentation is performed. This prize ball acquisition presentation displays prize ball acquisition information superimposed on the background image for the jackpot game presentation, and is performed in presentation pattern 1 for 5-round jackpot games and in presentation pattern 2 for 16-round jackpot games. This prize ball acquisition information counts up the number of prize balls that the player can acquire in the currently ongoing jackpot game from an initial value to an end value. The initial value of this prize ball acquisition information is set to "0" in both presentation patterns 1 and 2, and the end value of the prize ball acquisition information is set to "400" in presentation pattern 1 and "1280" in presentation pattern 2.

The count-up display of prize ball acquisition information is performed as the rounds progress. The update unit for this prize ball acquisition information is set to "80/round," and as shown in Figures 19(a) to (d), in presentation pattern 1, the prize ball acquisition information is displayed as a count-up of "80" per round from the initial value of "0" to the final value of "400," and as shown in Figures 19(a) to (h), in presentation pattern 2, the prize ball acquisition information is displayed as a count-up of "80" per round from the initial value of "0" to the final value of "1280." During this jackpot game, display area E1 is set on presentation symbol display 28, and the prize ball acquisition information is displayed as a count-up within display area E1.

6-6. Jackpot Prediction Figure 20 shows the jackpot prediction effect that occurs while the image of the symbol game is displayed. The jackpot prediction effect includes a cut-in prediction effect, a dialogue prediction effect, and an illumination prediction effect. Each of these cut-in prediction effect, dialogue prediction effect, and illumination prediction effect begins with a scrolling state of three columns of symbol patterns, and is completed before the scrolling display of the first symbol in the left column stops. This is done in normal, normal reach, and special reach effects, excluding the all-symbol simultaneous stop effect and the super time-saving effect. As shown in Figure 20(a), the cut-in prediction effect superimposes the prediction image C2 in front of the three columns of symbol patterns, suggesting to the player that the three columns of symbol patterns in the image of the current symbol game form a jackpot combination. As shown in Fig. 20(b), the dialogue preview effect involves superimposing a preview image C3 in front of the three rows of performance symbols and simultaneously outputting a sound corresponding to the preview image C3 from both speakers 32, suggesting to the player that the three rows of performance symbols in the image of the current performance symbol game will form a jackpot combination. As shown in Fig. 20(c), the illumination preview effect involves flashing the illumination device 29 in a preview pattern, suggesting to the player that the three rows of performance symbols in the image of the current performance symbol game will form a jackpot combination.

6-7. Symbol Prediction Notice The symbol prediction notice is a prediction notice that suggests to the player that the three rows of symbols will form a winning combination in the next or subsequent symbol play, and is only performed in Super Speed Mode (Super Electric Support Mode). The symbol prediction notice notice process of FIG. 21 is activated each time the sub-control circuit 60 receives special symbol 2 pre-read data from the main control circuit 40. When the sub-control circuit 60 receives special symbol 2 pre-read data, it determines in S201 whether the current presentation mode is Super Speed Mode. If it determines that the current presentation mode is Super Speed Mode, it determines in S202 whether the number of reserved special symbols 2 is "4," and if it determines that the number of reserved special symbols 2 is "4," it proceeds to S203. This symbol pre-diction notice notice corresponds to a special presentation.

As shown in Figures 22(a) and 22(b), special chart 2 pre-read receiving areas 1 to 4 are set in the RAM of the sub-control circuit 60. These special chart 2 pre-read receiving areas 1 to 4 are areas in which the results of special chart 2 pre-read data received from the main control circuit 40 are stored, with special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 4 being set to the highest priority for storing special chart 2 pre-read data, special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 3 being set to the second highest priority, special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 2 being set to the third highest priority, and special chart 2 pre-read receiving area 1 being set to the lowest priority. These special chart 2 pre-reading receiving areas 1-4 are organized in the same procedure as the special chart 2 pre-reading areas 1-4 of the main control circuit 40, with special chart 2 pre-reading receiving area 1 always storing the same special chart 2 pre-reading data as special chart 2 pre-reading area 1, special chart 2 pre-reading receiving area 2 always storing the same special chart 2 pre-reading data as special chart 2 pre-reading area 2, special chart 2 pre-reading receiving area 3 always storing the same special chart 2 pre-reading data as special chart 2 pre-reading area 3, and special chart 2 pre-reading receiving area 4 always storing the same special chart 2 pre-reading data as special chart 2 pre-reading area 4.

When the sub-control circuit 60 transitions to S203 in FIG. 21, it determines whether special symbol 2 pre-read data is stored in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving areas 1-4 in pre-read pattern 2. This pre-read pattern 2 refers to a state in which one of the special symbol variation patterns PH01-PH04 for a missing special reach effect is stored in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving area 1 corresponding to the fourth effect symbol play, and special symbol variation pattern PH08 for a missing super time-saving effect is stored in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving areas 4-2 corresponding to the first through third effect symbol plays, as shown in FIG. 22(b). If special symbol 2 pre-read data is stored in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving areas 1-4 in pre-read pattern 2, the sub-control circuit 60 transitions from S203 to S204 in FIG. 21.

When the sub-control circuit 60 proceeds to S204 in FIG. 21, it determines with a 50% probability whether or not the three columns of effect symbols will be displayed as an odd-numbered combination in the fourth effect symbol play. If it determines that the three columns of effect symbols will be displayed as an odd-numbered combination, it sets the combination of the three columns of effect symbols for the first through fourth effect symbol plays in odd-numbered symbol setting process 2 in S205. If it determines that the three columns of effect symbols will not be displayed as an odd-numbered combination, it sets the combination of the three columns of effect symbols for the first through fourth effect symbol plays in even-numbered symbol setting process 2 in S206.

Figure 22 (e) shows the processing contents of the sub-control circuit 60 in odd number symbol setting process 2 of S205, where the sub-control circuit 60 sets the three columns of symbols to the odd missing reach combination of "737" in the fourth symbol symbol play. In the first symbol symbol play, this sub-control circuit 60 sets the right column symbol to "7", sets the left column symbol to one of four symbols out of "1, 3, 5, 7, 9" excluding the right column symbol, and sets the middle column symbol to one of three symbols out of "1, 3, 5, 7, 9" excluding the left and right column symbol symbols. In the second effect symbol play, this sub-control circuit 60 sets the effect symbol in the middle column to "7", sets the effect symbol in the left column to one of four "1, 3, 5, 7, 9" (excluding the effect symbol in the middle column), and sets the effect symbol in the right column to one of three "1, 3, 5, 7, 9" (excluding the effect symbols in the left and middle columns). In the third effect symbol play, this sub-control circuit 60 sets the effect symbol in the left column to "7", sets the effect symbol in the middle column to one of four "1, 3, 5, 7, 9" (excluding the effect symbol in the left column), and sets the effect symbol in the right column to one of three "1, 3, 5, 7, 9" (excluding the effect symbols in the left and middle columns). An odd-numbered perfect combination in which the effect symbols in these three columns are different from each other is called an odd-numbered chance combination.

Figure 22 (f) shows the processing contents of the sub-control circuit 60 in even number symbol setting process 2 of S206, where the sub-control circuit 60 sets the three columns of effect symbols to the even number miss reach combination of "646" in the fourth effect symbol play. In the first effect symbol play, this sub-control circuit 60 sets the effect symbol in the right column to "6", sets the effect symbol in the left column to one of the three of "2, 4, 6, 8" excluding the effect symbol in the right column, and sets the effect symbol in the middle column to one of the two of "2, 4, 6, 8" excluding the effect symbols in the left and right columns. In the second effect symbol play, this sub-control circuit 60 sets the effect symbol in the middle column to "6", sets the effect symbol in the left column to one of three of "2, 4, 6, 8" excluding the effect symbol in the middle column, and sets the effect symbol in the right column to one of two of "2, 4, 6, 8" excluding the effect symbols in the left and middle columns. In the third effect symbol play, this sub-control circuit 60 sets the effect symbol in the left column to "6", sets the effect symbol in the middle column to one of three of "2, 4, 6, 8" excluding the effect symbol in the left column, and sets the effect symbol in the right column to one of two of "2, 4, 6, 8" excluding the effect symbols in the left and middle columns. An even-numbered perfect combination in which the effect symbols in these three columns are different from each other is called an even-numbered chance combination.

If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S203 of FIG. 21 that special symbol 2 pre-read data is not stored in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving areas 1-4 in pre-read pattern 2, it determines in S207 whether special symbol 2 pre-read data is stored in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving areas 1-4 in pre-read pattern 1. This pre-read pattern 1, as shown in FIG. 22(a), refers to a state in which one of the special symbol variation patterns PO01-04 for the jackpot special reach effect is stored in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving area 1 corresponding to the fourth effect symbol play, and special symbol variation pattern PH08 for the miss super time-saving effect is stored in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving areas 4-2 corresponding to the first through third effect symbol plays, respectively. If special symbol 2 pre-read data is stored in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving areas 1-4 in pre-read pattern 1, the sub-control circuit 60 transitions from S207 to S208.

When the sub-control circuit 60 proceeds to S208 in FIG. 21, it detects the jackpot type pre-read result from Special Symbol 2 Pre-read Receiving Area 1, which corresponds to the special reach effect of the fourth jackpot, and compares the jackpot type detection result with "jackpot symbol 1" and "jackpot symbol 3" for the high-probability time-saving mode. If it determines that the jackpot type pre-read result is "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3" for the high-probability time-saving mode, it sets the combination of the three columns of effect symbols for the first through fourth play in odd symbol setting process 1 in S209. If it determines that the jackpot type pre-read result is "jackpot symbol 4" for the low-probability time-saving mode, it sets the combination of the three columns of effect symbols for the first through fourth play in even symbol setting process 1 in S210.

Figure 22 (c) shows the processing contents of the sub-control circuit 60 in odd number symbol setting process 1 of S209, which is the same as odd number symbol setting process 2 of S205, except that on the fourth symbol play, three rows of effect symbols are set to the odd number jackpot combination of "777". Figure 22 (d) shows the processing contents of the sub-control circuit 60 in even number symbol setting process 1 of S210, which is the same as even number symbol setting process 2 of S206, except that on the fourth symbol play, three rows of effect symbols are set to the even number jackpot combination of "666".

Figure 23 is an image of the pattern pre-reading preview effect, and is an image when, in odd pattern setting process 1 of S209 in Figure 21, the three rows of performance patterns in the first performance pattern play are set to the losing combination "357", the three rows of performance patterns in the second performance pattern play are set to the losing combination "573", the three rows of performance patterns in the third performance pattern play are set to the losing combination "715", and the three rows of performance patterns in the fourth performance pattern play are set to the odd jackpot combination "777". Here, in the first play of the effect symbol corresponding to the cloud image C with "4" attached, as shown in Figure 23(b), the super time-saving effect will result in the three rows of effect symbols being a losing combination of slanted arrangement "357", as shown in Figure 23(b); in the second play of the effect symbol corresponding to the cloud image C with "3" attached, as shown in Figure 23(c), the super time-saving effect will result in the three rows of effect symbols being a losing combination of slanted arrangement "573", as shown in Figure 23(c); and in the third play of the effect symbol corresponding to the cloud image C with "2" attached, as shown in Figure 23(d), the super time-saving effect will result in the three rows of effect symbols being a losing combination of slanted arrangement "715". In this case, the player is advised that the fourth play of the three rows of effect symbols corresponding to cloud image C with a "1" attached will result in an odd-numbered jackpot combination of "777" based on the "effect symbol (7) in the right column" in the first play of the effect symbols, the "effect symbol (7) in the middle column" in the second play of the effect symbols, and the "effect symbol (7) in the left column" in the third play of the effect symbols.

The image of the fourth effect symbol game is displayed according to the special symbol variation pattern of the jackpot for the special reach effect. In this fourth effect symbol game, as shown in Figures 23(e) and (f), a reach state of "7" occurs as the three columns of effect symbols scroll and stop in the left and right columns, and as shown in Figures 23(f) and (g), the reach state develops into a battle effect image. This battle effect image ends with a winning outcome, as shown in Figure 23(h), and the three columns of effect symbols are superimposed in front of the winning outcome image and displayed in the predicted horizontal jackpot combination of the effect symbol "777".

Figure 24 is an image of the pattern pre-reading preview effect, and is an image when, in the even pattern setting process 1 of S210 in Figure 21, the three rows of pattern in the first pattern play are set to the losing combination "246", the three rows of pattern in the second pattern play are set to the losing combination "862", the three rows of pattern in the third pattern play are set to the losing combination "648", and the three rows of pattern in the fourth pattern play are set to the even jackpot combination "666". Here, in the first play of the effect symbol corresponding to the cloud image C with "4" attached, as shown in Figure 24(b), the super time-saving effect will result in the three rows of effect symbols being a losing combination of slanted arrangement "246", as shown in Figure 24(b); in the second play of the effect symbol corresponding to the cloud image C with "3" attached, as shown in Figure 24(c), the super time-saving effect will result in the three rows of effect symbols being a losing combination of slanted arrangement "862", as shown in Figure 24(c); and in the third play of the effect symbol corresponding to the cloud image C with "2" attached, as shown in Figure 24(d), the super time-saving effect will result in the three rows of effect symbols being a losing combination of slanted arrangement "648". In this case, the "right column symbol (6)" in the first symbol play, the "middle column symbol (6)" in the second symbol play, and the "left column symbol (6)" in the third symbol play suggest to the player that the three columns of symbols in the fourth symbol play corresponding to cloud image C with a "1" attached will form the even-numbered jackpot combination "666."

The image of the fourth effect symbol game is displayed according to the special symbol variation pattern of the jackpot for the special reach effect. In this fourth effect symbol game, as shown in Figures 24(e) and (f), the three columns of effect symbols scroll and stop in the left and right columns, creating a reach state of "6," and as shown in Figures 24(f) and (g), the reach state develops into a battle effect image. This battle effect image ends with a winning outcome, as shown in Figure 24(h), and the three columns of effect symbols are superimposed in front of the winning outcome image and displayed in the predicted horizontal jackpot combination of the effect symbol "666."

Figure 25 is an image of the pattern pre-reading preview effect, and is an image when, in odd pattern setting process 2 of S205 in Figure 21, the three rows of pattern symbols in the first pattern play are set to the losing combination "357", the three rows of pattern symbols in the second pattern play are set to the losing combination "573", the three rows of pattern symbols in the third pattern play are set to the losing combination "715", and the three rows of pattern symbols in the fourth pattern play are set to the odd losing reach combination "737". In this case, as shown in Figures 25(b)-(d), the super time-saving effect displays three rows of effect symbols in the tilted losing combinations "357," "573," and "715" in that order, suggesting to the player that the three rows of effect symbols will form the jackpot combination "777" on the fourth effect symbol play, and the image of the fourth effect symbol play produces the predicted "7" reach state. The image of this fourth effect symbol play is produced according to the losing special symbol variation pattern for the special reach effect, and during the fourth effect symbol play, as shown in Figure 25(h), after the battle image ends with a losing outcome, three rows of effect symbols are displayed in a horizontal losing reach combination of "737" superimposed on the image of the losing outcome.

Figure 26 is an image of the pattern pre-reading preview effect, and is an image when, in the even pattern setting process 2 of S206 in Figure 21, the three rows of performance patterns in the first performance pattern play are set to the losing combination "246", the three rows of performance patterns in the second performance pattern play are set to the losing combination "862", the three rows of performance patterns in the third performance pattern play are set to the losing combination "648", and the three rows of performance patterns in the fourth performance pattern play are set to the even losing reach combination "646". In this case, as shown in Figures 26(b)-(d), the super time-saving effect displays three rows of effect symbols in the tilted losing combinations of "246," "862," and "648" in that order, suggesting to the player that the three rows of effect symbols will form the jackpot combination of "666" on the fourth effect symbol play, and the image of the fourth effect symbol play produces the predicted "6" reach state. The image of this fourth effect symbol play is produced according to the losing special symbol variation pattern for the special reach effect, and during the fourth effect symbol play, as shown in Figure 26(h), after the battle image ends with a losing outcome, three rows of effect symbols are displayed in a horizontal losing reach combination of "646" superimposed on the image of the losing outcome.

6-8. Reliability Prediction Effects The reliability prediction effects numerically indicate to the player the probability that the three rows of symbols will form a winning combination in the current symbol game. They consist of two parts: a first half and a second half. The first half of this reliability prediction effect is performed by operating the prediction effect device 33 and corresponds to the final prediction effect. Three types of prediction effects, pattern 1 to pattern 3, are set for the first half of this reliability prediction effect. As shown in Figures 27(a)(b)(e), pattern 1 involves lowering the prediction effect device 33 from the standby position to the prediction position while the three rows of symbols are scrolling, and then switching the illumination color of the prediction effect device 33 from white to red at the prediction position. Furthermore, the prediction effect device 33 switches from red illumination to a non-illuminating state at the prediction position, and then raising it from the prediction position to the standby position while not illuminating. When the first half of this reliability prediction effect is performed using pattern 1, the reliability prediction effect transitions from the first half to the second half. This reliability prediction effect corresponds to the prediction effect.

In performance pattern 2, as shown in Figures 27(a), (c), and (e), when three columns of performance symbols are scrolling, the preview display device 33 is lowered from the standby position to the preview position in a white illuminating state, and then the preview display device 33 is switched from the white illuminating state to a non-illuminating state at the preview position; after the preview display device 33 is switched to a non-illuminating state at the preview position, it is raised from the preview position to the standby position in a non-illuminating state. If the first half of this reliability preview display is performed with performance pattern 2, the reliability preview display does not transition from the first half to the second half. In performance pattern 3, as shown in Figures 27(a), (d), and (e), when three columns of performance symbols are scrolling, the preview display device 33 is lowered from the standby position to an intermediate position above the preview position in a white illuminating state, and then the preview display device 33 is switched from the white illuminating state to a non-illuminating state at the intermediate position; after the preview display device 33 is switched to a non-illuminating state at the intermediate position, it is raised from the intermediate position to the standby position in a non-illuminating state. If the first half of this reliability preview effect is performed using effect pattern 3, the reliability preview effect will not transition from the first half to the second half.

Figure 28 shows the second half of the reliability preview effect. This second half of the reliability preview effect begins when the first half of the reliability preview effect is executed under effect pattern 1, with three columns of display symbols scrolling and the preview effect device 33 remaining in a non-illuminated standby state. As shown in Figures 28(a), (b), and (c), during the second half of the reliability preview effect, a display area E2 is set within the display area E of the display symbol display device 28, and the jackpot reliability is displayed in display area E2, counting up from the initial value of "1%" to the final value in increments of "1". The final reliability value is set to one of three values: "80%, "90%,," or "100%." The display of the final reliability value continues for a predetermined time period to allow the player to remember the final reliability value. After this predetermined time period has elapsed, the display area E2 and the reliability are erased, and the display content of the display symbol display device 28 returns to the state it was in immediately before the second half of the reliability preview effect began, as shown in Figures 28(c) and (d). The second half of this reliability preview effect is displayed when a special reach effect image is displayed during the current effect symbol game, and as shown in Figures 28(d) and (e), when the display content of the effect symbol display device 28 returns to its original state, the left column effect symbols and the right column effect symbols stop scrolling in sequence, creating a reach state. This reach state develops into a battle image, and as shown in Figures 28(f) and (g), when the reliability is counted up to "100%," the battle image ends with a winning outcome, and as shown in Figures 28(f) to (h), when the reliability is counted up to "80%" or "90%," the battle image ends with either a winning outcome or a losing outcome.

Figure 29 (a) shows the reliability preview performance processing, in which the sub-control circuit 60 sets the performance content of the reliability preview performance. This reliability preview performance processing is initiated each time the sub-control circuit 60 receives special chart 1 preview data from the main control circuit 40, and when the sub-control circuit 60 receives special chart 1 preview data, it determines in S221 whether the current performance mode is normal mode. If it determines that the performance mode is not normal mode, it ends the processing, and if it determines that it is normal mode, it proceeds to S222. In other words, the reliability preview performance is performed in normal mode.

As shown in Figure 29 (e), special chart 1 pre-reading receiving areas 1 to 4 are set in the RAM of the sub-control circuit 60. Each of these special chart 1 pre-reading receiving areas 1 to 4 is an area in which the results of receiving special chart 1 pre-reading data from the main control circuit 40 are stored, with special chart 1 pre-reading receiving area 4 being set to the highest priority for storing special chart 1 pre-reading data, special chart 1 pre-reading receiving area 3 being set to the second highest priority, special chart 1 pre-reading receiving area 2 being set to the third highest priority, and special chart 1 pre-reading receiving area 1 being set to the lowest priority. These special chart 1 pre-reading receiving areas 1-4 are organized in the same procedure as the special chart 1 pre-reading areas 1-4 of the main control circuit 40, with special chart 1 pre-reading receiving area 1 always storing the same special chart 1 pre-reading data as special chart 1 pre-reading area 1, special chart 1 pre-reading receiving area 2 always storing the same special chart 1 pre-reading data as special chart 1 pre-reading area 2, special chart 1 pre-reading receiving area 3 always storing the same special chart 1 pre-reading data as special chart 1 pre-reading area 3, and special chart 1 pre-reading receiving area 4 always storing the same special chart 1 pre-reading data as special chart 1 pre-reading area 4.

When the sub-control circuit 60 proceeds to S222 in Figure 29(a), it determines whether special chart 1 pre-read data is stored in all of special chart 1 pre-read receiving areas 1 to 4. If special chart 1 pre-read data is stored in all of special chart 1 pre-read receiving areas 1 to 4, it proceeds from S222 to S223 and determines whether or not to perform a reliability preview effect on the fourth effect symbol play corresponding to special chart 1 pre-read receiving area 1. This processing is performed according to the results of a preliminary determination of the special chart 1 variation pattern in the special chart 1 advance reading receiving area 1, and as shown in Figure 29 (b), if the preliminary determination result of the special chart 1 variation pattern in the special chart 1 advance reading receiving area 1 is PO01-P04 and PH01-PH04 for special reach performances, it is determined that there is a 30% chance that a reliability preview performance will be performed, and if the preliminary determination result of the special chart 1 variation pattern in the special chart 1 advance reading receiving area 1 is PO05 and PH05 for normal reach performances, it is determined that there is a 10% chance that a reliability preview performance will be performed.

After completing S223 in Figure 29(a), the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S224 whether the reliability preview performance determination result indicates a preview. If it determines that there is no preview, it proceeds to S228. If it determines that there is a preview, it determines the performance pattern of the reliability preview performance in S225. This determination process is performed based on the results of the preliminary determination of the special chart 1 variation pattern in the special chart 1 advance reading receiving area 1. As shown in Figure 29(c), if the preliminary determination result of the special chart 1 variation pattern in the special chart 1 advance reading receiving area 1 is PO05 and PH05 for normal reach performance, performance pattern 2 is selected with a 30% probability, and performance pattern 3 is selected with a 70% probability. If the preliminary determination result of the special chart 1 variation pattern in this special chart 1 advance reading receiving area 1 is PO01-04 and PH01-04 for special reach performance, performance pattern 1 is selected with a 100% probability, as shown in Figure 29(d).

After completing S225 in Figure 29(a), the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S226 whether the result of the effect pattern determination is effect pattern 1. If the result of the effect pattern determination is effect pattern 2 or 3, the process proceeds to S228 without setting the second half of the reliability preview effect. If the result of the effect pattern determination is effect pattern 1, the process proceeds to S227. Here, it is set that the second half of the reliability preview effect will be performed, and the final reliability value for the second half of the reliability preview effect is selected from "80%, " "90%, or "100%". This reliability selection process is performed so that the reliability selection result corresponds to the actual probability of a jackpot, and the sub-control circuit 60 proceeds to S228 if the final reliability value is selected in S228.

When the sub-control circuit 60 proceeds to S228 in FIG. 29(a), it determines whether PH06, the symbol for a complete miss, is stored in each of the special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving areas 2-4 as the pre-determination result for the special symbol 1 variation pattern. If it determines that PH06, the symbol for a complete miss, is stored in all of the special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving areas 2-4 as the pre-determination result for the special symbol 1 variation pattern, it proceeds to the pre-determination suggestion effect setting process of S229. If it determines that at least one of the pre-determination results for the special symbol 1 variation pattern in the special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving areas 2-4 is not PH06, it terminates the process. In other words, when the number of reserved special symbols 1 is "4," whether or not the reliability pre-determination effect will be executed is determined for the fourth symbol play. If a special reach effect is executed on the fourth symbol play, it is determined that the first half of the reliability pre-determination effect will be executed using effect pattern 1. In this case, it is determined that the second half of the reliability pre-determination effect will be executed, and the reliability for the second half of the reliability pre-determination effect is set. If a normal reach effect is produced on the fourth symbol play, it is determined that the first half of the reliability preview effect will be performed using effect pattern 2 or 3. In this case, it is determined that the second half of the reliability preview effect will not be performed, and no reliability is set.

6-9. Forecast Suggestion Effects Forecast suggestion effects are performed when the current presentation mode is normal mode and the number of reserved special symbols 1 is "4." This forecast suggestion effect suggests to the player that a reliability forecast effect will be performed on the fourth presentation symbol play, and is performed during the first presentation symbol play corresponding to special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 4, the second presentation symbol play corresponding to special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 3, the third presentation symbol play corresponding to special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 2, and the fourth presentation symbol play corresponding to special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 1. This forecast suggestion effect corresponds to a pre-forecast effect, and there are two types of forecast suggestion effects: forecast suggestion effect 1 and forecast suggestion effect 2. Forecast suggestion effect 1 suggests the execution of a reliability forecast effect by displaying an image as a second medium on the presentation symbol display 28, while forecast suggestion effect 2 suggests the execution of a reliability forecast effect by operating the forecast effect device 33 as a first medium.

6-9-1. Preview hint 1
The advance notice suggestion effect 1 corresponds to the first effect, and is an advance notice effect that uses an image as the first medium. Figure 30 explains the image of the advance notice suggestion effect 1. This advance notice suggestion effect 1 displays a flash image F, in which light is diffused while three columns of effect symbols are scrolling, as an advance notice image on the effect symbol display 28, and the color of the flash image F is set to four types: "white,""yellow,""purple," and "red." This flash image F indicates to the player the probability of the reliability advance notice effect occurring by color, and color patterns 1 to 4 are set for the advance notice suggestion effect 1. This flash image F corresponds to one image.

Color pattern 1 displays flash image F in "white" during the first symbol play, in "yellow" during the second symbol play, in "purple" during the third symbol play, and in "red" during the fourth symbol play. If advance notice indication 1 is performed using color pattern 1, the reliability indication effect will occur with a 100% probability during the fourth symbol play. Color pattern 2 displays flash image F in the order of "white," "yellow," "purple," and "purple" for each symbol play, and color pattern 2 has the second highest reliability. Color pattern 3 displays flash image F in the order of "white," "yellow," "yellow," and "yellow" for each symbol play, and color pattern 3 has the third highest reliability. Color pattern 4 displays flash image F in the order "white", "white", "white", "white" for each symbol play, and color pattern 4 has the lowest reliability. The reliability preview effect begins after preview suggestion effect 1 ends with the fourth symbol play.

6-9-2. Preview hint 2
The preview suggestion effect 2 corresponds to the first effect of the advance preview effect, and is performed using the preview effect device 33 as the first medium. Figures 31(a) to (c) show the preview suggestion effect 2, in which the preview effect device 33 is lowered from the standby position to the suggested position while three columns of effect symbols are scrolling, and then raised to the standby position. At the suggested position, the upper half of this preview effect device 33 overlaps the display area E of the effect symbol display device 28 from the front, and the suggested position of the preview effect device 33 is set higher than the intermediate position and the preview position. The operation of this preview effect device 33, "standby position → suggested position → standby position," is called a unit operation, and the unit operation of the preview effect device 33 is set to be smaller than the operation in the first half of the reliability preview effect.

As shown in Figure 31 (d), operation patterns 1 to 4 are set for the preview suggestion effect 2. Operation pattern 1 performs one unit operation of the preview effect device 33 during the first effect symbol play, two unit operations during the second effect symbol play, three unit operations during the third effect symbol play, and four unit operations during the fourth effect symbol play. When preview suggestion effect 2 is performed using operation pattern 1, a reliable preview effect occurs during the fourth effect symbol play with a 100% probability. Operation pattern 2 moves the preview effect device 33 "once," "twice," "three times," and "three times" for each effect symbol play, and the reliability of operation pattern 2 is set to the second highest. Operation pattern 3 moves the preview effect device 33 "once," "twice," "twice," and "twice" for each effect symbol play, and the reliability of operation pattern 3 is set to the third highest. Operation pattern 4 operates the preview effect device 33 "once", "once", "once", and "once" for each effect symbol play, and the reliability of operation pattern 4 is set to the lowest. The reliability preview effect begins after preview suggestion effect 2 ends with the fourth effect symbol play.

Figure 32 (a) shows the preview suggestion effect setting process of S229 in Figure 29, where the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S231 whether the preview suggestion effect is being released. This preview suggestion effect is released when the fourth play of the effect symbol has ended with preview suggestion effect 1 set, or when the fourth play of the effect symbol has ended with preview suggestion effect 2 set. If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S231 that the preview suggestion effect is being released, it determines in S232 whether preview suggestion effect 1 will be executed with a 5% probability. In other words, preview suggestion effect 1 is executed whether or not a reliability preview effect is executed.

When the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether or not to perform advance notice indication effect 1 in S232 of FIG. 32(a), it detects the result of the determination of advance notice indication effect 1 in S233. If advance notice indication effect 1 is detected here, it proceeds to S234 and selects a color pattern. This color pattern selection process is performed in different ways depending on whether or not the first half of the reliability advance notice effect will be performed on the fourth effect symbol play. If the sub-control circuit 60 determines that a reliability advance notice effect will be performed on the fourth effect symbol play, it selects a color pattern with a probability according to color pattern table 1-1 of FIG. 32(b). If it determines that a reliability advance notice effect will not be performed, it selects a color pattern with a probability according to color pattern table 1-2 of FIG. 32(c). In other words, advance notice indication effect 1 suggests to the player the degree of reliability that the reliability advance notice effect will be executed depending on the type of color pattern, and the reliability of the execution of the reliability advance notice effect increases sequentially from color pattern 4 to color pattern 1.

If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S232 of Figure 32 (a) that preview suggestion effect 1 will not be performed, it proceeds from S233 to S235. Here, it determines whether preview suggestion effect 2 will be performed with a probability of "5%," and detects the determination result of preview suggestion effect 2 in S236. If it detects the determination result that preview suggestion effect 2 will be performed here, it proceeds to S237 and selects an operation pattern. This operation pattern selection process is performed in different ways depending on whether or not the first half of the reliability preview effect will be performed on the fourth performance symbol play. If the sub-control circuit 60 determines that the first half of the reliability preview effect will be performed on the fourth performance symbol play, it selects an operation pattern with a probability according to operation pattern table 2-1 of Figure 32 (d). If it determines that the first half of the reliability preview effect will not be performed, it selects an operation pattern with a probability according to operation pattern table 2-2 of Figure 32 (e). In other words, preview suggestion effect 2 suggests to the player the degree of reliability that the reliability preview effect will be executed, depending on the type of movement pattern, and the reliability of the execution of the reliability preview effect increases in order from movement pattern 4 to movement pattern 1.

6-10. Prediction Type Notification Effects Prediction type notification effects notify the player of the type of prediction effect executed for the current effect symbol game. This prediction type notification effect is performed when an image of a special reach effect is displayed for the current effect symbol game, and the start timing of the prediction type notification effect is set immediately after the battle image starts to be displayed. The cut-in prediction effect, the dialogue prediction effect, the illumination prediction effect, the symbol prereading prediction effect, and the reliability prediction effect are each prediction effects that are the subject of notification in the prediction type notification effect, and all of the cut-in prediction effect to the reliability prediction effect start at a predetermined timing before the start timing of the prediction type notification effect and end before the start timing of the prediction type notification effect.

The preview type notification effect processing in Figure 33 (a) is performed by the sub-control circuit 60 each time the timer interrupt processing is activated while a performance symbol game is being played, and the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S241 whether or not a special reach effect will be performed for the current performance symbol game. If it is determined that a special reach effect will not be performed for the current performance symbol game, the processing ends, and if it is determined that a special reach effect will be performed for the current performance symbol game, the processing proceeds to S242.

When the sub-control circuit 60 proceeds to S242, it determines whether it is time to start a preview type notification effect. If it determines that it is time to start a preview type notification effect, it determines in S243 whether a cut-in preview effect has been performed in the current effect symbol play, and if it determines that a cut-in preview effect has been performed, it sets flag F1 to the ON state in S244. The sub-control circuit 60 then determines in S245 whether a dialogue preview effect has been performed in the current effect symbol play, and determines in S247 whether an illumination preview effect has been performed in the current effect symbol play, and if it determines that a dialogue preview effect has been performed, it sets flag F2 to the ON state in S246, and if it determines that an illumination preview effect has been performed, it sets flag F3 to the ON state in S248.

In S249, the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether a symbol pre-reading preview effect was performed in the previous to third previous symbol play for the current symbol play, and if it determines that a symbol pre-reading preview effect was performed, it sets flag F4 to the ON state in S250. In S251, the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether a reliability preview effect was performed for the current symbol play, and if it determines that a reliability preview effect was performed, it sets flag F5 to the ON state in S252.

At S253, the sub-control circuit 60 executes a preview type notification effect according to the setting status of flags F1 to F5. Figure 34 (a) is an image of the preview type notification effect when flag F5 is in the on state. In this case, a vertically long rectangular window image W is displayed at each of the left and right ends of the effect pattern display 28, and the reliability notified in the reliability preview effect is displayed in each window image W as a preview type pattern Y1 along with the word "reliability". Figure 34 (b) is an image of the preview type notification effect when flag F4 is in the on state. In this case, the preview type "pattern pre-reading" is displayed as a preview type pattern Y2 on the effect pattern display 28 along with the number of occurrences of the pattern pre-reading preview effect "3x".

In the preview seed notification effect, a preview seed pattern area E3 is set as shown in Figure 34 (c). This preview seed pattern area E3 is set when one or more of flags F1 to F3 are turned on, and the preview seed pattern area E3 is divided into display areas E31 to E33. Display area E31 is a dedicated area for displaying preview seed pattern Y31, display area E32 is a dedicated area for displaying preview seed pattern Y32, and display area E33 is a dedicated area for displaying preview seed pattern Y33. Preview seed pattern Y31 is a pattern consisting of text that suggests to the player the pattern displayed in the cut-in preview, and is displayed when flag F1 is turned on. In this case, the "dancer" preview seed pattern Y31 suggests to the player the pattern of the "silhouette of a dancing woman" in Figure 34 (d). Preview seed pattern Y32 is a text pattern of the same type as the text pattern displayed in the dialogue preview effect, and is displayed when flag F2 is turned on. The preview seed image Y33 consists of a flashing image indicating that an illumination preview effect has been executed, and is displayed when flag F3 is in the on state. In other words, the cut-in preview effect, dialogue preview effect, and illumination preview effect have the potential to be executed before the effect start timing for this effect pattern game.

7-1. Main Processing When the sub-control circuit 60 is powered on, it detects the main processing program shown in Figure 35(a) from the ROM, sets access permission to RAM in S101, and sets interrupt prohibition in S102. Then, it updates the values of multiple random numbers in RAM in the random number update process in S103, and after allowing interrupts in S104, it repeats S102 to S104. While interrupts are allowed, it allows the start of the receive interrupt process in S105 and the timer interrupt process in S106.

The sub-control circuit 60 starts the reception interrupt process of S105 every time an STB signal is input to the INT terminal from the main control circuit 40. This reception interrupt process is executed with priority over the timer interrupt process of S106, and the sub-control circuit 60 stores the commands and the like sent by the main control circuit 40 in the output process of S11 in Fig. 8 in the reception buffer of RAM during the reception interrupt process.

7-3. Timer Interrupt Processing The sub-control circuit 60 initiates the timer interrupt processing of S106 each time a timer interrupt signal is input at a fixed interval. Figure 35(b) shows the timer interrupt processing of S106, in which the sub-control circuit 60 performs the received command analysis processing of S111, the prize ball acquisition effect processing of S112, and the advance notice type notification effect processing of S113 during the timer interrupt processing. The advance notice type notification effect processing of Figure 33 shows the advance notice type notification effect processing of S113. The prize ball acquisition effect processing of S112 determines whether a 5-round or 16-round jackpot game will be played based on the jackpot type determination result from the main control circuit 40, and if it is determined that a 5-round jackpot game will be played, it performs the prize ball acquisition effect using effect pattern 1, and if it is determined that a 16-round jackpot game will be played, it performs the prize ball acquisition effect using effect pattern 2.

7-3-1. Received command analysis processing Figure 36 (a) is the received command analysis processing of S111, and the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S121 whether the special chart 1 pre-read data or special chart 2 pre-read data from the main control circuit 40 is stored in the receive buffer. If it is determined that the special chart 1 pre-read data or special chart 2 pre-read data is stored, the advance notice suggestion processing of S122 and the reliability advance notice processing of S123 are executed. The reliability advance notice processing of Figure 29 (a) is executed in S123, and the advance notice suggestion processing of Figure 32 (a) is executed in S122.

At S124 in Figure 36 (a), the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether special symbol 1 game data or special symbol 2 game data from the main control circuit 40 is stored in the receive buffer. If it determines that special symbol 1 game data or special symbol 2 game data is stored, it executes the symbol game presentation start process of S125. Figure 36 (b) shows the symbol game presentation start process of S125, and at S141 the sub-control circuit 60 detects the reception result of the special symbol 1 game data (the judgment result of whether or not there is a win, the judgment result of the type of jackpot, the judgment result of the special symbol change pattern, and the judgment result of whether or not there is a fall) or the reception result of the special symbol 2 game data (the judgment result of whether or not there is a win, the judgment result of the type of jackpot, the judgment result of the special symbol change pattern, and the judgment result of whether or not there is a fall) from the receive buffer.

After completing S141 in Figure 36 (b), the sub-control circuit 60 sets a three-column combination of effect symbols in S142. These three columns of effect symbols are set as a "jackpot combination" if the hit/miss detection result is a "jackpot." If the hit/miss detection result is a "miss," they are set as a "miss reach combination" if the fluctuation pattern detection result is the miss symbols "PH01-PH05." If the fluctuation pattern detection result is the miss symbols "PH06, PH07, PH08," they are set as a "complete miss combination." After completing S142, the sub-control circuit 60 detects video data corresponding to the fluctuation pattern detection result from the CGROM in S143, and begins displaying an image of the effect symbol game on the effect symbol display device 28 in response to starting playback of the video data detection result.

At S126 in Figure 36 (a), the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether fluctuation start command 1 or fluctuation start command 2 from the main control circuit 40 is stored in the receive buffer, and if it determines that fluctuation start command 1 or fluctuation start command 2 is stored, it performs the pattern game effect stop process at S127 and displays the three columns of effect symbols according to the combination setting result at S125.

In S128 of Figure 36 (a), the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether a jackpot game start command from the main control circuit 40 has been stored in the receive buffer, and if it determines that a jackpot game start command has been stored, it starts playing back video data for the jackpot game presentation in the jackpot game presentation start process of S129, and accordingly starts displaying a background image for the jackpot game presentation on the presentation symbol display 28. In S130, the sub-control circuit 60 determines whether a jackpot game stop command from the main control circuit 40 has been stored in the receive buffer, and if it determines that a jackpot game stop command has been stored, it stops playing back video data for the jackpot game presentation in the jackpot game presentation stop process of S131, and accordingly erases the background image for the jackpot game presentation.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
When the scrolling display of three rows of effect symbols in an effect symbol game stops at a jackpot combination, a pre-reading symbol preview effect is performed. This pre-reading symbol preview effect notifies the player of winning information related to the jackpot combination of the three rows of effect symbols (the odd/even status and color of the three rows of effect symbols), and is performed before the image of the jackpot effect symbol game begins to be displayed. This allows the player to know in advance that the three rows of effect symbols will form a jackpot combination, as well as to know in advance whether the high probability state will continue, thereby improving the entertainment value of the preview effect.
The fact that the probability variable state will continue in response to the three rows of performance symbols forming a jackpot combination is notified to the player in advance as an odd number completely miss combination in the pattern pre-reading performance, thereby further improving the entertainment value of the pattern pre-reading performance.

In the three previous games of symbol play, the odd numbered chance combination of three columns of symbols is used to notify the player that the three columns of symbols will be an odd numbered jackpot combination, and in the three previous games of symbol play, the even numbered chance combination is used to notify the player that the three columns of symbols will be an even numbered jackpot combination, eliminating the need to provide a special time for symbol pre-reading in symbol play. Therefore, even in the super-electric support state that shortens the time required for symbol play, it becomes possible to notify the odd/even combination of the jackpot combination in advance without any problems.
The variation of the identification symbols is stopped at a chance combination in each of three consecutive losing performance symbol games, and the three rows of performance symbols are made into a jackpot combination in response to stopping the variation of each of the three rows of performance symbols in a manner as predicted in the jackpot performance symbol game, thereby improving the entertainment value of the images in the jackpot performance symbol game.

When a reliability advance notice effect is performed, the reliability is displayed between the end of the reliability advance notice effect and before the combination of three rows of effect symbols is determined, so that the player can visually confirm from the image of the reliability that the reliability advance notice effect has been performed. This prevents the player from forgetting that the reliability advance notice effect has been performed, making it possible to prevent the effect of the reliability advance notice effect from being weakened.
When the reliability is displayed in the reliability notice performance, the reliability is displayed in numbers as notice information, so that the player is freed from the trouble of having to remember the reliability numbers.

Since the player is informed that a reliability notice effect will occur on the fourth effect symbol play in response to the performance of either the advance notice suggestion effect 1 or the advance notice suggestion effect 2 during the first through third effect symbol plays, the player's anticipation for the reliability notice effect to occur increases each time advance notice suggestion effect 1 or 2 occurs. Moreover, since the reliability notice effect is suggested in response to the operation of the advance notice effect device 33 in the advance notice suggestion effect 2, and then the advance notice effect device 33 operates again in the reliability notice effect, it becomes clear to the player that the three advance notice suggestion effect 2s suggest the occurrence of a reliability notice effect. Furthermore, the advance notice effect device 33 is operated in a different manner from the advance notice suggestion effect 2 in the reliability notice effect. This prevents the player from mistaking the reliability notice effect for the advance notice suggestion effect 2, improving the overall appeal of the advance notice effects.
Since the performances suggesting to the player the reliability of the reliability of the prediction performance being performed as each of the prediction suggestion performance 1 and the prediction suggestion performance 2 are performed, it is possible to strongly attract the interest of the player to each of the three prediction suggestion performances 1 and 2.

After performing the advance notice suggestion performance 2 three times using the advance notice performance device 33, the reliability advance notice performance is performed by moving the advance notice performance device 33 more greatly in the fourth performance pattern game than in the advance notice suggestion performance 2, so that it is possible to greatly increase the player's expectation for being notified of a big win in the fourth performance pattern game.
After performing the advance notice suggestion effect 2 three times using the advance notice effector 33, the advance notice effector 33 is moved in a different manner from the advance notice suggestion effect 2 in the fourth effect symbol play to perform the first half of the reliability advance notice effect, and after the first half of the reliability advance notice effect is completed, the reliability is displayed in the second half of the reliability advance notice effect, thereby suggesting to the player that a jackpot will be announced in the fourth effect symbol play. Therefore, the operation of the advance notice effector 33 in the first advance notice suggestion effect 2 can give the player the impression that it is progressing toward displaying the reliability, making it possible to keep the player's interest for a long time in the series of effects from the first advance notice suggestion effect 2 to the display of the reliability.
As the advance notice suggestion performance 1, the color of one flash image F is changed for each performance symbol game, so it becomes clear to the player that the advance notice suggestion performance 1 is performed multiple times with the reliability advance notice performance as the target.

In the above-mentioned Example 1, it is also possible to configure that the preview suggestion effect 1 or the preview suggestion effect 2 is performed in the first performance symbol game corresponding to the special symbol 2 pre-reading receiving area 4 and the third performance symbol game corresponding to the special symbol 2 pre-reading receiving area 2, and that neither the preview suggestion effect 1 nor the preview suggestion effect 2 is performed in the second performance symbol game corresponding to the special symbol 2 pre-reading receiving area 3. In this configuration, the preview effect device 33 operates in the preview suggestion effect 2, and the preview effect device 33 operates differently from the preview suggestion effect 2 in the first half of the reliability preview effect, so that even if the preview suggestion effect 2 is not performed in the second performance symbol game, the reason why the preview effect device 33 operated in each of the first and third performance symbol games becomes clear to the player.
In the above-mentioned Example 1, when the latter half of the reliability preview performance is performed, the final reliability value may be continuously displayed until the combination of the three rows of performance patterns is determined (until the special reach performance ends).
In the above-mentioned Example 1, when the latter half of the reliability preview performance is performed, the final reliability value may be continuously displayed until the combination of the three rows of performance patterns is determined (until the special reach performance ends), or multiple durations T for displaying the final reliability value may be set, and the reliability may increase as the duration T becomes longer.

[Example 2]
The symbol pre-reading notice performance process of Fig. 37 is executed by the sub-control circuit 60 in place of the symbol pre-reading notice performance process of Fig. 21, and when the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S202 that the number of reserved special symbol 2 is "4", it determines in S207 whether or not special symbol 2 pre-reading data is stored in special symbol 2 pre-reading receiving areas 1 to 4 in pre-reading pattern 1, and ends the processing when it determines that special symbol 2 pre-reading data is not stored in special symbol 2 pre-reading receiving areas 1 to 4 in pre-reading pattern 1. In other words, the image of the symbol pre-reading notice performance is a definite continuous notice performance that is performed only when the three rows of performance symbols form a jackpot combination in the fourth performance symbol game.

If the sub-control circuit 60 determines in S207 of FIG. 37 that special symbol 2 pre-read data is stored in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving areas 1-4 in pre-read pattern 1, it compares the result of the pre-read of the jackpot symbol in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving area 1 with "jackpot symbol 1" and "jackpot symbol 3" in S208. If it determines that the pre-read result of the jackpot symbol is either "jackpot symbol 1" or "jackpot symbol 3," it proceeds to S301; if it determines that the pre-read result of the jackpot symbol is "jackpot symbol 4," it ends processing. In other words, the image of the symbol pre-read preview effect is a continuous preview effect that is only displayed when a three-row combination of symbols forms a jackpot on the fourth symbol play and when the high-probability time-saving mode continues; it is not displayed when the low-probability time-saving mode is set, even if a three-row combination of symbols forms a jackpot on the fourth symbol play.

When the sub-control circuit 60 transitions to S301 in Figure 37, it compares the result of the jackpot symbol pre-read in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving area 1 with "jackpot symbol 1." If it determines that the jackpot symbol pre-read result is "jackpot symbol 1," it sets the three rows of effect symbols in the first to third effect symbol plays to an odd chance eye combination and sets the three rows of effect symbols in the fourth effect symbol play to an odd jackpot combination in odd symbol setting process 1 in S209. If it determines that the jackpot symbol pre-read result is "jackpot symbol 3," it sets the three rows of effect symbols in the first to third effect symbol plays to an even chance eye combination and sets the three rows of effect symbols in the fourth effect symbol play to an even jackpot combination in even symbol setting process 1 in S210. In other words, the symbol pre-reading preview performance serves as winning information to suggest to the player the number of rounds of jackpot play, with three odd-numbered chance symbols predicting a continuation of "high-probability time-saving mode" and 16 rounds of jackpot play, and three even-numbered chance symbols predict a continuation of "high-probability time-saving mode" and 6 rounds of jackpot play.

The second embodiment provides the following effects.
The image of the symbol pre-reading notice effect is displayed only when the high probability time-saving mode does not drop to the low probability time-saving mode in response to the three-row effect symbol combination being a jackpot. This eliminates the worry that the high probability time-saving mode will be dropped in response to the three-row effect symbol combination being a jackpot in the player's line of sight, allowing the player to enjoy the image of the symbol pre-reading notice effect with a sense of security. Moreover, when the image of the symbol pre-reading notice effect begins to be displayed, the player can know that the high probability time-saving mode will not drop within the range of the special symbol 2 reserved.

[Example 3]
The notice pending effect processing of Figure 38 (a) is started each time the sub-control circuit 60 receives special symbol 1 game data from the main control circuit 40, and when the sub-control circuit 60 starts the notice pending effect processing, it determines in S311 whether the current game mode is normal game mode. If it determines that the current game mode is normal game mode, it proceeds to S312 and determines whether it has determined that a cut-in notice effect or a dialogue notice effect will be performed in this effect symbol game. If it determines that a cut-in notice effect or a dialogue notice effect will be performed, it proceeds to S313 and determines whether a notice pending effect will be performed in this effect symbol game. As shown in Figure 38 (b), this process determines that there is a high probability that a notice-hold effect will be performed when three rows of effect symbols form a jackpot combination in the current effect symbol game, and determines that there is a low probability that a notice-hold effect will be performed when three rows of effect symbols form either a miss-reach combination or a complete miss combination, and when the sub-control circuit 60 has finished S313, it detects the result of the notice-hold effect determination in S314. Here, if it detects the result of the determination that there is a notice-hold effect, it moves to S315 and sets the execution of the notice-hold effect for the current effect symbol game.

Figure 38 (c) is an image of a performance symbol game when it has been determined that a cut-in preview performance will be performed in this performance symbol game. In this case, a cut-in preview performance is performed while three rows of performance symbols are scrolling, and then a preview hold performance is performed. This preview hold performance informs the player that a cut-in preview is on hold, and is performed by displaying a window image W with the text image "Cut-in Pending" attached on the performance symbol display 28. This window image W continues to be displayed until the combination of the three rows of performance symbols is confirmed, and when, from the player's line of sight, a hold preview performance occurs after the cut-in preview performance, the three rows of performance symbols are more likely to be a winning combination than when it does not occur.

Figure 38 (d) is an image of a performance symbol game when it has been determined that a dialogue preview effect will be performed in this performance symbol game. In this case, a dialogue preview effect is performed while the three columns of performance symbols are scrolling, and then a preview hold effect is performed. This preview hold effect indicates to the player that a dialogue preview is being held, and is performed by displaying a window image W with the text image "Dialogue Hold" attached on the performance symbol display 28. This window image W is displayed continuously until the combination of the three columns of performance symbols is determined, and when, from the player's line of sight, a hold preview effect occurs after the dialogue preview effect, the three columns of performance symbols are more likely to be a winning combination than when it does not occur.

According to the third embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
When the notice hold effect occurs in the line of sight of the player, the three rows of effect symbols form a jackpot combination with a higher probability than when it is not displayed, so it is possible to give the player a new enjoyment of expecting the notice hold effect to occur every time a cut-in notice effect and a dialogue notice effect occur.

[Example 4]
Figure 39 is an image of a step-up preview effect. This step-up preview effect is displayed on the effect symbol display 28 in a scrolling state of three columns of effect symbols when the current game mode is normal, and has three stages: step 1, step 2, and step 3. Step 1 displays the preview symbol D1 of dinosaur 1 (see a), and step 2 is a graphical development from step 1. This step 2 displays the preview symbol D2 of dinosaur 2 after the preview symbol D1 is displayed (see c). Step 3 is a graphical development from step 2, and displays the preview symbol D3 of dinosaur 3 after the preview symbol D2 is displayed (see f).

The step-up preview effect increases the reliability of a jackpot as the steps progress, and if the step-up preview effect progresses to the final step 3, a special reach effect will occur in the image of the current preview symbol. If the step-up preview effect ends at step 2 without progressing to step 3, a normal reach effect will occur in the image of the current preview symbol, and if it ends at step 1 without progressing to step 2, a reach state will not occur in the image of the current preview symbol. In other words, step 3 has the highest reliability of a jackpot out of steps 1 to 3, step 2 has the second highest reliability of a jackpot, and step 1 has the lowest reliability of a jackpot.

In the step-up preview performance, step information is displayed on the performance symbol display 28. This step information corresponds to preview information, and notifies the player in text to which stage the step-up preview performance has progressed, from steps 1 to 3. Step information I1 in Figure 39(b) indicates that the step-up preview performance has progressed to step 1, and is displayed after the preview image D1 of dinosaur 1 is displayed in step 1. Step information I2 in Figure 39(d) indicates that the step-up preview performance has progressed to step 2, and is displayed after the preview image D2 of dinosaur 2 is displayed in step 2. Step information I3 in Figure 39(f) indicates that the step-up preview performance has progressed to step 3, and is displayed after the preview image D3 of dinosaur 3 is displayed in step 3.

The fourth embodiment provides the following effects.
The step information I1 to I3 indicates to which stage the step-up notice presentation has progressed, from steps 1 to 3. This eliminates the need for the player to remember to which stage the step-up notice presentation has progressed, from steps 1 to 3, and allows the player to accurately grasp the reliability of a big win.
In the above-mentioned Example 4, the sub-control circuit 60 may be configured to determine whether or not to display the step information I1 to I3 so that when the step information I1 to I3 is displayed, the three rows of effect symbols will form a jackpot combination with a higher probability in the effect symbol game compared to when the step information I1 to I3 is not displayed.

[Example 5]
40(a) is an image of a mode notice effect. This mode notice effect notifies the player that the speed mode will end with the current effect symbol game, and is performed by statically displaying the "Speed mode end" notice image Y2 on the effect symbol display 28 for a certain period of time while scrolling through three rows of effect symbols. This mode notice effect is displayed when the three rows of effect symbols form a completely miss combination in the 200th effect symbol game in the high-probability time-saving mode, and is displayed when the speed mode is changed to the super speed mode from the next 201st effect symbol game.

Figure 40 (b) is an image of the preview information. This preview information image begins to be displayed after the mode preview effect image is displayed during the 200th effect symbol play in the high-probability time-saving mode, and continues to be displayed until the 200th effect symbol play is completed. This preview information image consists of the text pattern Is for "Speed mode ended", and is displayed as smaller characters compared to the preview image Y2. This preview information is intended to remind the player of the notification content in the mode preview effect, and also to remind the player that Super Speed Mode will be set from the next 201st effect symbol play.

According to the fifth embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
Since the start of the super speed mode is notified to the player in response to the display of the notice pattern Y2 and then the start of the super speed mode is continuously displayed in response to the display of the letter pattern Is, the player is prevented from being confused as to which of the normal mode, challenge mode, speed mode and super speed mode is to be started.
The setting of the high probability super electric support state is announced in response to displaying an image of the mode announcement performance, and then the setting of the high probability super electric support state is continuously displayed in response to displaying an image of the announcement information, thereby preventing a player from confusing which of the low probability non-electric support state, the high probability electric support state, the low probability electric support state, and the high probability super electric support state is set.

[Example 6]
Figure 41 shows an image of a continuous preview effect. This continuous preview effect is displayed when special symbol 2 pre-reading data is stored in special symbol 2 pre-reading receiving areas 1-4 in super speed mode using pre-reading pattern 1 of Figure 22(a) or pre-reading pattern 2 of Figure 22(b). The sub-control circuit 60 notifies the player of the start of the continuous preview in response to the display of the "Start" preview image Ybc during the scrolling of three columns of effect symbols corresponding to the first effect symbol play corresponding to special symbol 2 pre-reading receiving area 4 (see b). After displaying the preview image Ybc during the first effect symbol play, the sub-control circuit 60 displays the "Chance" character image Yc (see c). This character image Yc is displayed during the scrolling of three columns of effect symbols and is displayed in a smaller size than the preview image Ybc.

The sub-control circuit 60 displays the "Chance" character Yc while scrolling through the three columns of effect symbols during the second effect symbol play corresponding to the special symbol 2 advance read reception area 3 and the third effect symbol play corresponding to the special symbol 2 advance read reception area 2 (see e.g.). Each time the sub-control circuit 60 displays the character Yc, it displays advance notice information YI consisting of the characters "Chance x N (N is 1, 2, or 3)." This advance notice information YI notifies the player of the cumulative number of occurrences of the consecutive advance notice effect "Chance," and the display content changes from "Chance x 1" to "Chance x 2" to "Chance x 3" each time a consecutive advance notice effect is executed (see dfh). After the three columns of effect symbols reach a reach state during the fourth effect symbol play, the sub-control circuit 60 begins displaying the image of the special reach effect (see i), displaying the three columns of effect symbols as a jackpot combination or a miss reach combination.
According to the sixth embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
When a consecutive advance notice effect occurs, the cumulative number of occurrences of the consecutive advance notice effect is displayed as advance notice information, so that the player does not need to remember the cumulative number of occurrences of the consecutive advance notice effect, and can accurately grasp the reliability that the three rows of effect symbols will be a big hit combination.
In the above-mentioned Example 6, the sub-control circuit 60 may be configured to determine whether or not to display the preview information YI so that when the preview information YI is displayed, the three rows of performance symbols will form a jackpot combination with a higher probability than when the preview information YI is not displayed.

[Example 7]
Figure 42 shows an image of a pseudo consecutive display. This pseudo consecutive display image consists of images of multiple unit display symbol games displayed in a scrolling state after three rows of display symbols are displayed in a stopped state. If a jackpot is determined, the three rows of display symbols form a jackpot combination in the image of the final unit display symbol game. If a loss is determined, the three rows of display symbols form a loss combination in the image of the final unit display symbol game. The number of occurrences of unit display symbol games in this pseudo consecutive display is set to two types: "2 times" and "3 times." A pseudo consecutive display image consisting of "3 times" of unit display symbol games has a higher jackpot reliability than a pseudo consecutive display image consisting of "2 times" of unit display symbol games. In other words, from the player's perspective, the more unit display symbols are displayed, the higher the probability that the three rows of display symbols will form a jackpot combination in this display symbol game.

If a pseudo consecutive effect is performed in this effect symbol play, a pseudo consecutive advance notice effect will be performed while the three columns of effect symbols are displayed in a scrolling state during the first unit effect symbol play. This pseudo consecutive advance notice effect is performed by displaying the character image L1 of "Let's go!!" on the effect symbol display 28 (see a), and the three columns of effect symbols stop scrolling due to a completely miss combination after the character image L1 is displayed during the first unit effect symbol play (see b). The second unit effect symbol play will begin when the three columns of effect symbols begin to be displayed in a scrolling state again (see c), and advance notice information will be displayed when the second unit effect symbol play begins. This advance notice information notifies the player of the number of unit effect symbol plays that have occurred, and consists of the character image L2 of "×N (N is 2 or 3)" (see c).

If three unit effect symbol plays are set, the second play will result in the three columns of effect symbols scrolling to a complete miss combination (see d), and the third unit effect symbol play will begin as the three columns of effect symbols begin scrolling again (see e). In this case, the character image L2 changes from "x2" to "x3" (see e), and the player is notified that the third unit effect symbol play has begun. In this third unit effect symbol play, the three columns of effect symbols enter a reach state (see f), and the middle column of effect symbols scroll to a reach state and stop, completing a jackpot combination (see g) or a reach-to-miss combination (see h). If two unit effect symbol plays are set, the second play will result in the three columns of effect symbols entering a reach state (see f), and the middle column of effect symbols scroll to a reach state and stop, completing a jackpot combination (see g) or a reach-to-miss combination (see h). This final unit effect symbol play corresponds to the second unit effect symbol play, and unit effect symbol plays other than the final play correspond to the first unit effect symbol play.

According to the seventh embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
When a pseudo consecutive effect occurs in the current effect symbol game, the occurrence of the pseudo consecutive effect is notified to the player in response to the display of the letter picture L1, and when the occurrence of the pseudo consecutive effect is notified, the letter picture L2 is displayed as advance notice information to notify the player of the number of times the current unit effect symbol game has been played. Therefore, the player does not need to remember how many times the unit effect symbol game has been played, and can accurately grasp the reliability of the current effect symbol game.
Only the information related to the occurrence number of "xN" unit effect symbol games is displayed as advance notice information. Therefore, the player does not have to visually grasp the decorative symbols, etc., and can accurately grasp the occurrence number of unit effect symbol games.
In the above-mentioned Example 7, the sub-control circuit 60 may be configured to determine whether or not to display the character image L2 so that the three rows of performance symbols will form a jackpot combination with a higher probability in the final unit performance symbol game when the character image L2 is displayed compared to when the character image L2 is not displayed.

[Example 8]
As shown in Figure 43, a left display 28L is disposed on the left side of the effect symbol display 28, and a right display 28R is disposed on the right side of the effect symbol display 28. The left display 28L, effect symbol display 28, and right display 28R are all visible to the player, and the left display 28L and right display 28R are each composed of a color LCD display with a smaller display area than the effect symbol display 28. The left display 28L and right display 28R correspond to auxiliary displays, and effect images that produce images of effect symbol games are displayed on the left display 28L and right display 28R. The effect symbol display 28 corresponds to the main display, and the effect symbol display 28 displays images of effect symbol games.

Figure 43(a) is an image of a reach preview effect. This reach preview effect image is displayed in a scrolling state of three columns of effect symbols, and indicates to the player that a battle image will be displayed in this effect symbol game by displaying the "Dinosaur Appears" character pattern L3 on the central effect symbol display 28. Figure 43(b) is an image of the preview information. This preview information image reminds the player that the display of a battle image has been predicted, and is achieved by displaying the "期" character pattern L4 on the left display 28L after the character pattern L3 has been erased from the central effect symbol display 28, and then displaying the "待" character pattern L5 on the right display 28R.

According to the eighth embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
An image of a performance symbol game and an image of a reach notice performance are displayed on the performance symbol display 28, and the character picture L4 and the character picture L5 are displayed as notice information on both the left display 28L and the right display 28R, so that the player can easily recognize that the image on the performance symbol display 28 is an image of a notice performance and the images on the left display 28L and the right display 28R are auxiliary notice information.
In the above-mentioned Example 8, the sub-control circuit 60 may be configured to determine whether or not to display the character patterns L4 and L5 so that when the character patterns L4 and L5 are displayed, the three rows of performance patterns form a winning combination with a higher probability than when they are not displayed.

[Example 9]
As shown in Fig. 44, a lower display 28Low is arranged below the effect symbol display 28. This lower display 28Low is visible to the player, and an image of the effect symbol game is displayed on the effect symbol display 28, and a cloud image C is displayed on the lower display 28Low. This lower display 28Low corresponds to an auxiliary display, and is composed of a color liquid crystal display having a smaller display area than the effect symbol display 28.

In super speed mode, it is determined whether special symbol 2 pre-read data is stored in special symbol 2 pre-read receiving areas 1-4 of the sub-control circuit 60 using pre-read pattern 1 in FIG. 22(a) or pre-read pattern 2 in FIG. 22(b). If it is determined that special symbol 2 pre-read data is stored using pre-read pattern 1 or pre-read pattern 2, as shown in FIG. 44(a), the right-most cloud image C corresponding to special symbol 2 pre-read receiving area 1, which corresponds to the fourth effect symbol play, is changed to a special color different from the remaining three cloud images C. This special color cloud image C is displayed by moving to the left each time a effect symbol play ends, and reaches the left end when the third effect symbol play begins, as shown in FIG. 44(b).

When the specially colored cloud image C reaches the left edge, a battle reach preview effect is displayed, as shown in Figure 44 (b). This battle reach preview effect indicates to the player that a battle image will be displayed in the next performance symbol play corresponding to the specially colored cloud image C. If battle image BL1 is displayed in the next performance symbol play, this is displayed by simultaneously displaying dinosaurs D1 and D2 on the lower display 28Low; if battle image BL2 is displayed in the next performance symbol play, this is displayed by displaying dinosaur D1 on the lower display 28Low; if battle image BL3 is displayed in the next performance symbol play, this is displayed by displaying dinosaur D2 on the lower display 28Low; and if battle image BL4 is displayed in the next performance symbol play, this is displayed by displaying dinosaur D3 on the lower display 28Low.

When the image of the current effect symbol game corresponding to the specially colored cloud image C begins to be displayed, preview information is displayed as shown in Figure 44 (c). This preview information notifies the player of the type of battle image suggested in the battle reach preview effect, and is displayed by displaying a letter pattern L6 while three rows of effect symbols are scrolling on the effect symbol display 28 in the image of the current effect symbol game. This letter pattern L6 displays "Dinosaur 12 waiting" when battle image BL1 is previewed, "Dinosaur 1 waiting" when battle image BL2 is previewed, "Dinosaur 2 waiting" when battle image BL3 is previewed, and "Dinosaur 3 waiting" when battle image BL4 is previewed.

When preview information is displayed, as shown in Figure 44 (c), a display area E5 is set within the display area E of the effect pattern display device 28. This display area E5 is U-shaped, with a left area along the left edge of the effect pattern display device 28, an upper area along the upper edge, and a right area along the right edge, and character pattern L6 is displayed vertically in each of the left and right areas of display area E5, while character pattern L6 is displayed horizontally in the upper area.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment 9, the following effects are achieved.
If it is predicted that a special reach effect will occur in the fourth effect symbol game, dinosaur images D1 to D3 suggesting the special reach effect are displayed before the fourth effect symbol game starts, so the player can enjoy waiting for the special reach effect to occur. Moreover, if a special reach effect is suggested in the advance notice effect, character pattern L6 suggesting the type of special reach effect is displayed as advance notice information, so the player can continue enjoying waiting for the special reach effect.
If it is predicted that a battle image will be displayed in the fourth effect symbol game, the player is suggested that a battle image will be displayed in the next effect symbol game by displaying one of the dinosaurs D1 to D3 during the effect symbol game immediately before the fourth effect symbol game, so the player can know that a battle image will be displayed in the next effect symbol game. Moreover, since the suggestion that a battle image will be displayed is made by displaying the dinosaur images D1 to D3 corresponding to the type of battle image, the player can know the type of dinosaur from the dinosaur images D1 to D3 in addition to the display of the battle image.
Since the preview effect image is displayed on the lower display 28Low, it is easy for the player to see the preview effect image. Moreover, since the preview information is displayed larger than the preview effect images D1 to D3, it is easy for the player to see the preview information. Furthermore, since the preview information is displayed vertically and horizontally in the U-shaped display area E5, it is easy for the player to read the preview information consisting of text.
In the above-mentioned Example 8, the sub-control circuit 60 may be configured to determine whether or not to display the character pattern L6 so that when the character pattern L6 is displayed, the three rows of performance symbols form a winning combination with a higher probability than when the character pattern L6 is not displayed.

[Example 10]
Figure 45 shows a preview suggestion effect 11, which is executed in place of the preview suggestion effect 1 shown in Figure 30. This preview suggestion effect 11 stops the scrolling display of the right-column effect symbols in a lower area than the left-column effect symbols and the middle-column effect symbols, and the three columns of effect symbols are arranged in a non-linear stepped arrangement that differs from the effect symbol game when preview suggestion effect 11 is not performed. This preview suggestion effect 11 has effect patterns 1 to 3. Effect pattern 1 generates a preview suggestion effect 11 during each of the first effect symbol game corresponding to special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 4, the second effect symbol game corresponding to special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 3, and the third effect symbol game corresponding to special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 2. When preview suggestion effect 11 is performed in effect pattern 1, there is a high probability that a reliable preview effect will occur during the fourth effect symbol game. Presentation pattern 2 generates a preview suggestion presentation 11 in the first presentation symbol game and the second presentation symbol game, and if the preview suggestion presentation 11 is performed in presentation pattern 2, a reliability preview presentation occurs with a medium probability in the fourth presentation symbol game. Presentation pattern 3 generates a preview suggestion presentation 11 in the first presentation symbol game, and if the preview suggestion presentation 11 is performed in presentation pattern 3, a reliability preview presentation occurs with a low probability in the fourth presentation symbol game.

The preview suggestion effect 11 occurs only when the preview frequent mode is on. This preview frequent mode is an effect mode that determines that cut-in previews and dialogue previews will each be performed with a higher probability than when the preview frequent mode is off, and is turned on when the current time reaches a set time while the effect mode is set to normal mode. This set time is every two hours, starting from "11:00:00," and the preview frequent mode is turned off when the set time of "2 minutes" has elapsed since the preview frequent mode was turned on.
In the above-mentioned Example 10, when a special chart change pattern for the all chart simultaneous stop effect is stored in the special chart 2 advance data receiving area 2 to 4 in the speed mode, or when a special chart change pattern for the super time-saving effect is stored in the special chart 2 advance data receiving area 2 to 4 in the super speed mode, the advance notice suggestion effect 11 may be performed. In this configuration, it is possible to suggest the occurrence of a reliability advance notice effect even if the special chart change time is extremely short.

[Example 11]
Figure 46 shows a preview suggestion effect 12 that is executed in place of the preview suggestion effect 1 of Figure 30. This preview suggestion effect 12 develops one type of effect for each effect symbol play, and has steps 1 to 3. Step 1 displays the preview image Ys of "prediction zone determination in progress" while the three columns of effect symbols are scrolling (see b), step 2 changes the preview image Ys of "prediction zone determination in progress" to the preview image Ys of "prediction zone determination completed" while the three columns of effect symbols are scrolling (see c), and step 3 changes the preview image Ys of "prediction zone determination completed" to the preview image Ys of "prediction zone start" while the three columns of effect symbols are scrolling (see d).

The preview suggestion effect 12 has effect patterns 1 to 3. Effect pattern 1 generates a step 1 preview suggestion effect 12 during the first play of the effect symbol corresponding to special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 4, generates a step 2 preview suggestion effect 12 during the second play of the effect symbol corresponding to special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 3, and generates a step 3 preview suggestion effect 12 during the third play of the effect symbol corresponding to special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 2. If a preview suggestion effect 12 is generated during effect pattern 1, there is a high probability that a reliability preview effect will occur during the fourth play of the effect symbol. Effect pattern 2 generates a step 1 preview suggestion effect 12 during the first play of the effect symbol, and generates a step 2 preview suggestion effect 12 during the second play of the effect symbol. If a preview suggestion effect 12 is generated during effect pattern 2, there is a medium probability that a reliability preview effect will occur during the fourth play of the effect symbol. Presentation pattern 3 generates step 1's preview suggestion presentation 12 on the first presentation symbol play, and if preview suggestion presentation 12 is performed on presentation pattern 3, there is a low probability that the reliability preview presentation will occur on the fourth presentation symbol play.

[Example 12]
Figure 47 shows a preview suggestion effect 13 that is executed in place of the preview suggestion effect 1 of Figure 30. This preview suggestion effect 13 displays one of the four cloud images C in a special color different from the normal white, and in the first performance symbol game, the second cloud image C from the right end is displayed in the special color (see b), in the second performance symbol game, the third cloud image C from the right end is displayed in the special color (see c), and in the third performance symbol game, the fourth cloud image C from the right end is displayed in the special color (see d). The special colors of this cloud image C are set to "gold,""red," and "green," and if the color of the cloud image C is "gold" during the first to third performance symbol games, there is a high probability that a reliability notice effect will occur during the fourth performance symbol game; if the color of the cloud image C is "red" during the first to third performance symbol games, there is a medium probability that a reliability notice effect will occur during the fourth performance symbol game; and if the color of the cloud image C is "green" during the first to third performance symbol games, there is a low probability that a reliability notice effect will occur during the fourth performance symbol game.

[Example 13]
As shown in Figure 48, a small part 37 corresponding to a movable member is housed within the inner frame 3. This small part 37 is driven by a first pulse motor and a second pulse motor (neither of which is shown), with the first pulse motor moving the small part 37 up and down, and the second pulse motor moving the small part 37 left and right. These first pulse motor and second pulse motor are connected to a sub-control circuit 60, which drives and controls the first pulse motor and the second pulse motor to move the small part 37 between the standby position, advance notice suggestion position 1, advance notice suggestion position 2, advance notice suggestion position 3, and advance notice performance position.

The standby position is below the effect symbol display 28 and in the center of the effect symbol display 28 in the horizontal direction (see a), and the small feature 37 is not visible to the player in the standby position. The preview effect position is a position overlapping the center of the effect symbol display 28 from the front (see e), preview suggestion position 1 is the position above the second cloud image C from the right (see b), preview suggestion position 2 is the position above the third cloud image C from the right (see c), and preview suggestion position 3 is the position above the fourth cloud image C from the right (see d), and the small feature 37 is visible to the player at each of the preview effect position, preview suggestion position 1, preview suggestion position 2, and preview suggestion position 3.

Figure 48 (e) is a jackpot preview effect that is displayed in place of the reliability preview effect. This jackpot preview effect suggests to the player that three rows of display symbols will form a jackpot combination in the current display symbol play, and is executed during the fourth display symbol play corresponding to special symbol 1 preview receiving area 1 when special symbol 1 preview data is stored in special symbol 1 preview receiving areas 1-4 using preview pattern 1 or special symbol preview pattern 2. This jackpot preview effect is a large operation performed by multiple repeated movements of small feature 37 between the standby position and preview performance position, and is executed with a high probability when special symbol 1 preview data is stored in special symbol 1 preview receiving areas 1-4 using preview pattern 1, and with a low probability when special symbol 1 preview data is stored in special symbol 1 preview receiving areas 1-4 using preview pattern 2.

Figures 48 (b) to (d) explain the preview suggestion effect 21, which replaces the preview suggestion effect 2 in Figure 31. This preview suggestion effect 21 is a pre-reading preview effect that suggests to the player that a jackpot preview effect will occur on the fourth play of the effect symbol, and is executed when special symbol pre-reading data is stored in the special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving areas 1 to 4. This preview suggestion effect 21 has operation patterns 1 to 3 set. Operation pattern 1 is a small operation of moving the small feature 37 from the retracted position to the preview suggestion position 1 and then returning it to the standby position, and is executed during the first play of the effect symbol corresponding to the special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 4. Operation pattern 2 is a small operation of moving the small feature 37 from the retracted position to the preview suggestion position 2 and then returning it to the standby position, and is executed during the second play of the effect symbol corresponding to the special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 3. Operation pattern 3 is a small operation of moving the small feature 37 from the retracted position to the preview suggestion position 3 and then returning it to the standby position, and is executed during the third play of the effect symbol corresponding to the special symbol 1 pre-reading receiving area 2.

If the preview suggestion effect 21 is performed using operation pattern 1 during the first symbol play, the preview suggestion effect 21 is performed using operation pattern 2 during the second symbol play, and the preview suggestion effect 21 is performed using operation pattern 3 during the third symbol play, then there is a high probability that a jackpot preview effect will be performed during the fourth symbol play. If the preview suggestion effect 21 is performed using operation pattern 1 during the first symbol play, the preview suggestion effect 21 is performed using operation pattern 2 during the second symbol play, and the preview suggestion effect 21 is not performed during the third symbol play, then there is a medium probability that a jackpot preview effect will be performed during the fourth symbol play. If the preview suggestion effect 21 is performed using operation pattern 1 during the first symbol play, and the preview suggestion effect 21 is not performed during the second or third symbol play, then there is a low probability that a jackpot preview effect will be performed during the fourth symbol play.

[Example 14]
As shown in Fig. 49(a), the sub-control circuit 60 displays a dance image D on each of the left display unit 28L and the right display unit 28R. This dance image D notifies the player that a performance symbol is being played, and is displayed while the performance symbol game image is being displayed. This sub-control circuit 60 performs a preview suggestion effect 14 instead of the preview suggestion effect 1 of Fig. 30. This preview suggestion effect 14 suggests to the player that a reliability preview effect will be performed during the fourth performance symbol game, and is performed by displaying an effect image E superimposed on the dance image D during each of the first, second, and third performance symbol games, as shown in Fig. 49(b).

[Example 15]
The lower display 28Low is connected to a first pulse motor and a second pulse motor (neither shown), the first pulse motor moves the lower display 28Low up and down, and the second pulse motor moves the lower display 28Low left and right. These first pulse motor and second pulse motor are connected to a sub-control circuit 60, which drives and controls the first pulse motor and second pulse motor to move the lower display 28Low between a standby position, a preview suggestion position, and a preview performance position.

The dotted-dash line in Figure 50(a) shows the lower display 28Low in the standby position, which is set at a position that does not overlap the display area of the performance pattern display 28 when viewed from the front. The solid lines in Figures 50(a) to (c) show the lower display 28Low in the preview suggestion position, which is set at a position that overlaps the lower left corner of the display area of the performance pattern display 28 from the front. The solid line in Figure 50(d) shows the lower display 28Low in the preview performance position, which is set at a position that overlaps the center of the display area of the performance pattern display 28 from the front.

Figures 50 (a) to (c) explain the preview suggestion effect 22, which replaces the preview suggestion effect 2 of Figure 31. This preview suggestion effect 22 involves moving the lower display 28Low from the standby position to the preview suggestion position and then returning it to the standby position, and is performed when special chart 1 pre-reading data is stored in special chart 1 pre-reading receiving areas 1 to 4. This preview suggestion effect 22 has effect patterns 1 to 3 set. Effect pattern 1 involves moving the lower display 28Low from the standby position to the preview suggestion position while the message image "Looking forward to the third time" is displayed on the lower display 28Low (see a), and is executed during the first performance symbol play corresponding to special chart 1 pre-reading receiving area 4. Effect pattern 2 involves moving the lower display 28Low from the standby position to the preview suggestion position while the message image "Looking forward to the second time" is displayed on the lower display 28Low (see b), and is executed during the second performance symbol play corresponding to special chart 1 pre-reading receiving area 3. Presentation pattern 3 involves moving the lower display 28Low from the standby position to the preview suggestion position while the message image "Looking forward to next time" is displayed on the lower display 28Low (see c), and is executed on the third presentation symbol play corresponding to the special symbol 1 advance reading reception area 2.

Figure 50 (d) is performed in place of the first half of the reliability preview performance of Figure 27. The first half of this reliability preview performance involves moving the lower display 28Low from the standby position to the preview performance position with the message image "Deployment" displayed, and then returning it to the standby position. If special chart 1 preview data is stored in special chart 1 preview receiving areas 1 to 4 using preview pattern 1, there is a high probability that the reliability preview performance will progress from the first half to the second half after the lower display 28Low is returned to the standby position. If special chart 1 preview data is stored in special chart 1 preview receiving areas 1 to 4 using preview pattern 2, there is a low probability that the reliability preview performance will progress from the first half to the second half after the lower display 28Low is returned to the standby position.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment 15, the following effects are obtained.
The advance notice suggestion effect 22 was performed in response to the operation of the movable member, the first medium, and the lower display 28Low as an auxiliary display during the first to third performance symbol games. Therefore, the lower display 28Low can be operated with information related to the reliability advance notice effect displayed on the lower display 28Low, and the information on the lower display 28Low can be changed for each performance symbol game, improving the ingenuity of the advance notice suggestion effect 22.

[Example 16]
As shown in Figure 51, an illumination device 38 is housed within the middle frame 3. This illumination device 38 is comprised of a base plate 38a with multiple full-color LEDs 38b mounted on the front surface, and is movable between a standby position and a preview performance position. In the standby position, this illumination device 38 is positioned above the performance symbol display 28 (see solid line), making it invisible to the player. In the preview performance position, this illumination device 38 overlaps the upper end of the display area of the performance symbol display 28 from the front (see two-dot chain line), making it visible to the player.

Figure 51 explains preview suggestion effect 23, which replaces preview suggestion effect 2 in Figure 31. This preview suggestion effect 23 involves moving the electric light 38 from its standby position to the preview effect position, causing multiple LEDs 38b to light up in a first pattern, and is executed when special chart 1 pre-reading data is stored in special chart 1 pre-reading receiving areas 1-4 in pre-reading pattern 1 or pre-reading pattern 2. Figure 51 is also part of the reliability preview effect which replaces the first half of the reliability preview effect in Figure 32. The first half of this reliability preview effect involves moving the electric light 38 from its standby position to the preview effect position, causing multiple LEDs 38b to light up in a second pattern different from the first pattern, resulting in the electric light 38 being in a different form from preview suggestion effect 2.

In the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 16, the type of jackpot combination of the three rows of display symbols in a jackpot display symbol game may be notified to the player by stopping the scrolling of the three rows of display symbols in a manner that gives symbol information (type of jackpot) in each of two or four consecutive miss display symbol games.
In the above-mentioned first to sixteenth embodiments, the present invention may be applied to a type 1, type 2 or type 3 pachinko gaming machine.
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 16, and is not limited to the wording of each claim, as long as it does not deviate from the scope of each claim, and extends to a range that can be easily substituted by a person skilled in the art, and improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art would normally have can be added as appropriate.

In addition to the inventions described in the claims, Examples 1 to 16 above also describe the following [Reference Inventions 1-1 to 1-6] and [Reference Invention 2-1]. Some gaming machines are configured to display a symbol game image when a gaming ball validly lands in a predetermined starting area. This symbol game image displays a distinguishing symbol in a varying state and then in a stopped state, and the player is notified of the winning or losing result based on the appearance of the distinguishing symbol in the stopped state (see JP 2010-57725 A). Some gaming machines are configured to provide a pre-announcement effect. This pre-announcement effect, which displays a reserved symbol in a special manner different from its normal appearance when the start of a symbol game is suspended in response to a gaming ball validly landing in the starting area, is monotonous and leaves room for improvement in terms of its entertainment value. [Reference Inventions 1-1 to 1-6] and [Reference Invention 2-1] were made in consideration of the above circumstances, and their purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can improve the entertainment value of the pre-announcement effect.

[Reference Invention 1-1]
A gaming machine comprising: a judgment means for judging whether a game ball has entered a predetermined starting area effectively; a pattern game means for displaying an identification pattern in a changing state and then displaying an image of a pattern game in a stopped state on a predetermined display, the image being displayed when the change in the identification pattern has stopped when the judgment means judges it to be a miss, and when the judgment means judges it to be a win, the image being displayed when the change in the identification pattern has stopped when the judgment means judges it to be a win; and a special game means for playing a special game in which the predetermined ball entry area is opened when the judgment means judges it to be a win, wherein the pattern game means is capable of performing a special effect to notify the player of win information related to the win when the change in the identification pattern in the pattern game image has stopped in a win state, and the special effect is performed before the image of the pattern game is started to be displayed.
According to the above means, when the variation of the identification symbol in the symbol game stops in a winning mode, a special effect is performed. This special effect notifies the player of the winning information related to the winning, and is performed before the image of the winning symbol game starts to be displayed. Therefore, the player can know in advance that the identification symbol will be in a winning mode, and can also know in advance the winning information such as the presence or absence of a probability variation, the presence or absence of an electric support, the presence or absence of a fall, the type of symbol element, the color of the symbol element, etc., from the special effect, which improves the entertainment value of the special effect.

[Reference Invention 1-2]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that it is equipped with a setting means for setting one of a plurality of game states having different degrees of advantage to the player when the judgment means judges that it is a win, and the pattern game means displays information on the display as the winning information in the special performance to inform the player that one of the plurality of game states that is advantageous to the player has been set.
According to the above means, the special effect notifies the player in advance that a game state advantageous to the player will be set in response to the identification pattern becoming a winning pattern, thereby further improving the entertainment value of the special effect.

[Reference Inventions 1-3]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the symbol game means performs a special effect in which the fluctuation of the identification symbol in the symbol game prior to the winning symbol game is stopped in the manner in which the winning information is given.
According to the above means, winning information relating to the winning state is notified in advance by the state of the identification pattern in the pattern game before the winning pattern game, so there is no need to provide a special dedicated time for the special performance in the pattern game before the winning pattern game.

[Reference Inventions 1-4]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that the pattern game means displays an identification pattern consisting of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) pattern elements in a pattern game, and performs a special effect in which the fluctuation of the identification pattern stops in a manner in which the pattern information is assigned in each of M (M is an integer of 2 or more) consecutive pattern games that are unsuccessful before the winning pattern game.
According to the above means, the variation of the identification pattern stops in a manner in which the pattern information is given in each of M consecutive losing pattern games, and in a winning pattern game, the variation of each of the N pattern elements stops in a manner as predicted, so that the identification pattern becomes a winning pattern, improving the quality of the image in the winning pattern game.

[Reference Inventions 1-5]
A gaming machine as described in [Reference Invention 1-3] or [Reference Invention 1-4], which is provided with a time-saving setting means capable of setting a time-saving state that shortens the time required for pattern play, and characterized in that the pattern play means performs the special effects in the time-saving state.
According to the above means, even in the time-saving state in which the time required for the symbol game is shortened, it is possible to notify the winning information in advance without any trouble by the special effect.

[Reference Inventions 1-6]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 1-1] is characterized in that it is provided with a demotion determination means which, when the determination means determines a win, determines whether or not to downgrade the gaming state from the current state to a state less favorable to the player than the current state, and the symbol gaming means performs the special effects on winning symbol games for which the demotion determination means has not determined that the gaming state should be downgraded.
According to the above means, only when the current game state is not demoted to a game state disadvantageous to the player, a notice is given that the distinguished symbol will become a winning pattern in the winning symbol game in response to the special effect being performed. Therefore, the player does not have to worry about the game state being demoted in response to the distinguished symbol becoming a winning pattern in the winning symbol game from his/her line of sight, and can enjoy the special effect with a sense of security.

[Reference Invention 2-1]
A determination means for determining whether a game ball has entered a predetermined starting area effectively, a special game means for playing a special game by opening the predetermined ball entry area when the determination means determines that a game ball has entered a winning state, a display for displaying an image of a symbol game that notifies the player of the result of the determination means' determination of whether a game ball has entered a winning state, and a display means for displaying an image of a symbol game on the display when the game ball has entered the starting area in a playable state in which it is possible to start displaying an image of a symbol game on the display, and a display means for displaying an image of a symbol game on the display when the game ball has entered the starting area in a playable state in which it is not possible to start displaying an image of a symbol game on the display. The gaming machine is provided with a symbol game means that, when a ball enters the zone, waits for the state to become playable and starts displaying an image of the symbol game on the display, and a special effect means that, when there are three or more symbol games waiting for the state to become playable and there is a winning symbol game that is notified as a winning symbol game in the third or subsequent display order among the three or more symbol games, performs a special effect to notify the player of winning information related to the winning symbol game, and the special effect means performs the special effect on each of two or more consecutive symbol games that precede the winning symbol game among the three or more symbol games.
According to the above-mentioned means, when three or more game balls enter the start area in a non-playable state, the start of displaying three or more symbol games is suspended, and if there is a winning symbol game that is announced as a win among the symbol games third or later in the display order, a special effect is executed. This special effect notifies the player of win information related to the winning symbol game, and is executed for each of two or more consecutive symbol games before the winning symbol game. Therefore, not only can the player know in advance that a win will be announced in the symbol game, but the player can also know in advance from the special effect information about the presence or absence of a probability variation, the presence or absence of an electric support, the presence or absence of a fall, the type of symbol element, the color of the symbol element, and other winning information, thereby improving the entertainment value of the special effect.

In addition to the inventions described in the claims, Examples 1 through 16 above also describe the following [Reference Inventions 3-1 through 3-9] and [Reference Invention 4-1]. Some gaming machines are configured to display a symbol game image when a gaming ball validly lands in a predetermined starting area. This symbol game image displays a variable identification symbol in a stopped state after which it is displayed, and the player is notified of the win/loss determination result based on the state of the variable identification symbol in the stopped state (see JP 2010-57725 A). Some gaming machines are configured to perform a preview effect. In this gaming machine, after the preview effect suggests a jackpot to the player, the identification symbol enters a reach state, and images such as a special reach effect, which are rarely displayed when the identification symbol is in a reach state, begin to be displayed. As a result, players may be distracted by the image of the special reach effect and forget that the preview effect suggested a jackpot. The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent players from forgetting that a preview effect has occurred.

[Reference Invention 3-1]
A gaming machine comprising: a judgment means for judging whether a game ball has entered a predetermined starting area effectively; a symbol game means for displaying an image of a symbol game to notify the player of the judgment result of the judgment means; a special game means for playing a special game in which the predetermined ball entry area is opened when the judgment means judges that a game has been won; a preview performance means for performing a preview performance that suggests to the player the content of the performance of the symbol game in advance; and an information display means for displaying preview information relating to the suggested content of the preview performance when the preview performance means has performed a preview performance.
According to the above means, when a preview effect is performed, the preview information is displayed, so that the player can visually confirm that the preview effect has been performed from the preview information. Moreover, since the preview information displays information related to the suggested content of the preview effect, if the player is unable to recognize or has forgotten the content suggested by the preview effect, the player can accurately recognize the suggested content from the display of the preview information.

[Reference Invention 3-2]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that the preview performance means displays an image of the pattern game to suggest to the player that a win has been announced, and the information display means displays reliability as the preview information.
According to the above means, when the image of the symbol game indicates a win and the preview performance suggests this to the player, the reliability is displayed as preview information, so that the player can specifically grasp the suggestion in the preview performance.

[Reference Invention 3-3]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that the preview performance means has multiple stages and displays as the preview performance a display suggesting the occurrence of a preview performance in which the probability of announcing a win increases if the image progresses from the current stage to the next stage, and the information display means displays as the preview information to which stage the preview performance has progressed.
According to the above means, the player can accurately grasp the reliability of winning without having to remember to what stage the preview performance has progressed.

[Reference Invention 3-4]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that the advance notice display means displays a preview indicating the occurrence of consecutive effects, which indicates to the player the probability of being notified of a win in a pattern game depending on the number of consecutive occurrences of one type of effect, and the information display means displays the number of consecutive occurrences of the one type of effect as the advance notice information.
According to the above means, when the occurrence of consecutive effects is predicted, the number of consecutive occurrences of one type of effect is displayed as prediction information, so that the player can accurately grasp the probability of winning without having to remember the number of occurrences of the effect.

[Reference Invention 3-5]
The pattern game means is capable of displaying an image of a pseudo consecutive performance consisting of one or more first unit pattern games in which an identification pattern is displayed in a changing state and then the performance is stopped in a predetermined manner, and one second unit pattern game in which the identification pattern is displayed in a changing state and then the performance is stopped in a manner according to the result of the judgment of whether it is a win or not, as an image of one pattern game, and suggests to the player the probability that the identification pattern will be in a winning state in the second unit pattern game according to the number of first unit pattern games, the advance notice performance means displays a display suggesting the occurrence of the pseudo consecutive performance as the advance notice performance, and the information display means displays the number of unit pattern games occurring in the pseudo consecutive performance as the advance notice information.
According to the above means, when the occurrence of a pseudo consecutive performance is predicted, the number of consecutive occurrences of unit symbol games is displayed as prediction information, so that the player can accurately grasp the probability of winning without having to remember the number of occurrences of unit symbol games.

[Reference Invention 3-6]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized by having a main display that displays the image of the pattern game and the image of the preview performance and is visible to the player, and an auxiliary display that displays the preview information and is visible to the player.
According to the above means, an image of a preview effect is displayed on the main display that displays the image of the pattern game, and the preview information is displayed on the auxiliary display, so that the player can easily recognize that the image on the main display is an image of a preview effect and the image on the auxiliary display is an image of auxiliary preview information.

[Reference Invention 3-7]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 3-1] is characterized in that it is equipped with a holding means that holds off starting to display the image of the symbol game when the game ball enters the starting area at a timing when the symbol game means is unable to start displaying the image of the symbol game, and a pre-determination means that determines in advance the presentation content of the symbol game for the symbol game held by the holding means, and when the pre-determination means determines that the image of the symbol game will be displayed with predetermined presentation content, the preview presentation means displays a display suggesting the predetermined presentation content as the preview presentation before the image of the symbol game starts to be displayed, and the information display means displays the presentation content suggested by the preview presentation as the preview information.
According to the above means, when it is predicted that the image of the symbol game will be displayed with a predetermined effect, a display suggesting the predetermined effect is displayed as a preview effect before the image of the symbol game starts to be displayed, so that the player can enjoy waiting for the image of the symbol game to start to be displayed with the predetermined effect. Moreover, when the preview effect suggests that the image of the symbol game will be displayed with the predetermined effect, preview information suggesting the effect content is displayed, so that the player can continue to enjoy waiting for the predetermined effect content.

[Reference Invention 3-8]
The gaming machine described in any one of [Reference Invention 3-1] to [Reference Invention 3-7] is characterized in that the information display means determines whether or not to display the advance notice information so that when the advance notice information is displayed, the image of the pattern game indicates a win with a higher probability than when the advance notice information is not displayed.
According to the above means, when the advance notice information is displayed after the advance notice performance from the player's line of sight, the probability of winning is higher than when it is not displayed, so a new enjoyment can be had by expecting the advance notice information to be displayed every time the advance notice performance occurs.

[Reference Invention 3-9]
A gaming machine as described in [Reference Invention 3-1], characterized in that it is provided with a presentation mode setting means for setting a presentation mode from among a plurality of presentation modes, the pattern game means displays a pattern game image in a manner according to the result of the presentation mode setting, the advance notice presentation means displays a display suggesting that a predetermined presentation mode from among the plurality of presentation modes will be set as the advance notice presentation, and the information display means displays information relating to the presentation mode suggested by the advance notice presentation as the advance notice information.
According to the above means, when the setting of a predetermined presentation mode is suggested in the preview presentation, information relating to that presentation mode is displayed as preview information, thereby making it possible to prevent the player from becoming confused as to which of multiple presentation modes will be set.

[Reference Invention 4-1]
A gaming machine comprising: a judgment means for judging whether a game ball has entered a predetermined starting area effectively; a symbol game means for displaying an image of a symbol game to notify the player of the judgment result of the judgment means; a special game means for playing a special game in which the predetermined ball entry area is left open when the judgment means judges that a game ball has entered a winning state; a notice performance means for performing a notice performance during the current symbol game to suggest to the player that a win has been announced in the current symbol game; and an information display means for displaying notice information relating to the suggestion content of the notice performance during the current symbol game after the notice performance means has performed the notice performance.
According to the above means, when a preview effect is performed during the current symbol game, the preview information is displayed after the preview effect, so that the player can visually confirm from the preview information that the preview effect has been performed. Moreover, since the preview information displays information related to the suggested content of the preview effect, it becomes possible for the player to accurately recognize the suggested content from the display of the preview information when he/she is unable to recognize or has forgotten the content suggested by the preview effect.

In addition to the inventions described in the claims, Examples 1 to 16 above also describe the following [Reference Inventions 5-1 to 5-7] and [Reference Invention 6-1]. Some gaming machines are configured to display an image of a symbol game when a gaming ball validly lands in a predetermined starting area, and to suggest to the player that the current symbol game will be a win in response to a preview effect being performed while the symbol game image is displayed (see JP 2010-57725 A). This gaming machine simply displays a preview effect in response to a special image that catches the player's eye while the current symbol game is displayed, and there is still room for improvement in terms of the creativeness of the preview effect. [Reference Inventions 5-1 to 5-7] and [Reference Invention 6-1] were made in consideration of the above circumstances, and their purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can enhance the creativeness of the preview effect.

[Reference Invention 5-1]
A determination means for determining whether a game has been won or lost when a game ball has validly entered a predetermined starting area, a display for displaying an image of a symbol game that notifies a player of the result of the determination means's determination of whether a game has been won or lost, a symbol game means for starting to display an image of a symbol game on the display when a game ball has entered the starting area in a playable state where it is possible to start displaying an image of a symbol game on the display, and for starting to display an image of a symbol game on the display when a game ball has entered the starting area in a non-playable state where it is not possible to start displaying an image of a symbol game on the display, after waiting for the game to be in a playable state, and a final notice performance during the progress of a symbol game that is second or later in display order among the multiple symbol games when there are multiple symbol games waiting to be in a playable state, A gaming machine comprising: a final notice performance means for suggesting to a player that a win will be announced for the symbol game in response to the performance of a final notice performance; and a pre-notice performance means for performing a pre-notice performance that suggests to a player in advance that the final notice performance will be performed while each of two or more of the plurality of symbol games is in progress, wherein the pre-notice performance means is capable of performing a first performance suggesting the final notice performance using a first medium and a second performance suggesting the final notice performance using a second medium different from the first medium as the pre-notice performance, and wherein the final notice performance means performs a performance as the final notice performance in which one of the first medium and the second medium is in a form different from both the first performance and the second performance.
According to the above means, when multiple game balls enter the starting area in a non-playable state, the start of displaying multiple symbol games is suspended. In this state, a pre-announcement effect is performed during two or more symbol games, and a final announcement effect is performed during the current symbol game targeted by the pre-announcement effect. The pre-announcement effect indicates to the player that a final announcement effect will occur, and the final announcement effect indicates to the player that a win has been announced for the current symbol game. Therefore, each occurrence of a pre-announcement effect heightens the player's anticipation for the occurrence of the final announcement effect. Moreover, since a pre-announcement effect may be performed using either the first or second medium, followed by a final announcement effect using the same medium, it becomes clear to the player that the multiple pre-announcement effects suggest the occurrence of the final announcement effect. Furthermore, in the final announcement effect, one medium is displayed in a different manner from both the first and second effects. This prevents players from mistaking the final announcement effect for a pre-announcement effect, improving the overall appeal of the announcement effects.

[Reference Invention 5-2]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 5-1] is characterized in that the advance notice performance means is capable of performing the advance notice performance both when the final notice performance means performs the final notice performance and when it does not, and performs the advance notice performance to indicate to the player the probability that the final notice performance will be performed.
According to the above means, the probability of the final preview effect occurring is indicated to the player in the advance preview effect, so that it is possible to strongly attract the player's interest in the advance preview effect.

[Reference Invention 5-3]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 5-1] is characterized in that it is equipped with a movable member that is visible to the player, the advance notice performance means performs the first performance by using the movable member as the first medium, and the final notice performance means performs the final notice performance by moving the movable member more than the movement in the first performance.
According to the above means, after multiple advance notice performances are performed using the movable member, the final notice performance is performed in response to the movable member moving more significantly in the current symbol game compared to the movement in the advance notice performances, so that it is possible to greatly increase the player's expectations for being notified of a win in the current symbol game.

[Reference Invention 5-4]
The gaming machine described in [Reference Invention 5-1] is characterized in that it comprises a movable member visible to the player, and a preview image display means for displaying a preview image suggesting to the player that the current symbol game will be a hit while the current symbol game is in progress, the preview image being displayed by the advance preview performance means while the symbol game that is the subject of the advance preview performance is in progress, the advance preview performance means performing the first performance in response to using the movable member as the first medium, and the final preview performance means performing an action performance as the final preview performance by moving the movable member in a manner different from the first performance, suggesting to the player that the preview image will be displayed.
According to the above means, after a plurality of advance notice effects are performed using the movable member, a final advance notice effect is performed in response to the movable member moving in a manner different from the advance notice effect in the current symbol game, and the player is informed of a win in response to the preview image being displayed in the current symbol game after the final advance notice effect. This gives the player the impression that the movement of the movable member in the first advance notice effect is progressing toward the display of the preview image, making it possible to keep the player's interest in the series of effects for a long time.

[Reference Invention 5-5]
A gaming machine described in any of [Reference Invention 5-1] to [Reference Invention 5-4], characterized in that the pre-notice performance means uses one image as the second medium and performs a performance in which the one image changes each time the second performance is performed as the pre-notice performance.
According to the above means, one image changes every time the second performance is performed, so it becomes clear to the player that the second performance is being performed multiple times with the final preview performance as the target.

[Reference Inventions 5-6]
A gaming machine described in any of [Reference Invention 5-1] to [Reference Invention 5-4], characterized in that the pattern game means displays three or more pattern elements in a scrolling state and then displays an image in a scrolling stopped state as the image of the pattern game, and the advance notice performance means uses the three or more pattern elements as the second medium and performs a performance in which the three or more pattern elements are in a scrolling stopped state in an arrangement different from that of the pattern game means as the second performance.
According to the above means, when three or more symbol elements are in a special arrangement and the scrolling stops during symbol play, the player is informed that a final notice effect will be performed. Therefore, since there is no need to reserve time exclusively for the advance notice effect during symbol play, it is possible to perform the advance notice effect even when the required time for symbol play is short.

[Reference Inventions 5-7]
A gaming machine described in any of [Reference Invention 5-1] to [Reference Invention 5-4], characterized in that the movable member is an auxiliary display having a smaller display area than the display, and the advance notice performance means performs the first performance in response to operating the auxiliary display while a performance image is displayed on the auxiliary display.
According to the above means, the auxiliary display as the first medium in the advance preview performance can be operated with information relating to the final preview performance displayed as a performance image on the auxiliary display, and the performance image on the auxiliary display can be changed for each advance preview performance, thereby improving the entertainment value of the advance preview performance.

[Reference Invention 6-1]
a determination means for determining whether a game has been won or not when a game ball has validly entered a predetermined starting area; a display for displaying an image of a symbol game to notify a player of the result of the determination means's determination of whether a game has been won or not; a symbol game means for starting to display an image of a symbol game on the display when a game ball enters the starting area in a playable state where it is possible to start displaying an image of a symbol game on the display, and for starting to display an image of a symbol game on the display when a game ball enters the starting area in a non-playable state where it is not possible to start displaying an image of a symbol game on the display, after waiting for the game to be in a playable state; and a final notice effect means for suggesting to a player that a win will be announced for a symbol game in response to a final notice effect being performed during the progress of a symbol game that is second or later in display order among a plurality of symbol games when a plurality of symbol games are waiting to be in a playable state. a pre-notification performance means for performing a pre-notification performance that suggests to the player that the final notice performance will be performed before the start of the final notice performance, and a movable member visible to the player, wherein the final notice performance means performs the final notice performance consisting of a second half of displaying a win notice image on the display that suggests to the player that a win has been announced, and a first half of suggesting to the player that the win image will be displayed in response to operating the movable member, and the pre-notification performance means is capable of performing, as the pre-notification performance, a first performance that suggests the final notice performance in response to operating the movable member in a manner different from the first half of the final notice performance, and a second performance that suggests the final notice performance in response to displaying a pre-notification suggestion image different from the win notice image on the display.
According to the above means, when multiple game balls enter the starting area in a non-playable state, the start of displaying multiple symbol games is put on hold. In this state, a pre-announcement effect is performed, and a final announcement effect may be performed during the current symbol game targeted by the pre-announcement effect. The pre-announcement effect suggests to the player that a final announcement effect will be performed, and includes a first effect suggesting a final announcement effect in response to the operation of the movable member, and a second effect suggesting a final announcement effect in response to the display of an announcement suggestion image. The final announcement effect has a first half and a second half. The second half of the final announcement effect suggests to the player that a win will be announced in the current symbol game in response to the display of a winning announcement image different from the announcement suggestion image, and the first half of the final announcement effect suggests to the player that a winning announcement image will be displayed in response to the operation of the movable member in a manner different from the pre-announcement effect. Therefore, the player's anticipation of the occurrence of the final announcement effect increases as the pre-announcement effect occurs. Moreover, since the final preview performance may be performed using a movable member after the advance preview performance is performed using a movable member, it becomes clear to the player that the advance preview performance suggests the occurrence of the final preview performance. Furthermore, the movable member moves in a different manner in the final preview performance than in the advance preview performance. Therefore, the player will not mistake the final preview performance for the advance preview performance, and the overall appeal of the preview performance is improved.

18 is the first start port (start area), 19 is the big prize port (ball entry area), 23 is the second start port (start area), 28 is the performance pattern display (display, main display), 28L is the left display (auxiliary display), 28R is the right display (auxiliary display), 28L is the bottom display (auxiliary display), 33 is the preview performance device (medium, movable member), 40 is the main control circuit (determination means, special game means, setting means, time-saving setting means, demotion determination means), and 60 is the sub-control circuit (pattern game means, preview performance means, information display means, hold means, performance mode setting means, advance determination means, special performance means, advance preview performance means, final preview performance means, preview image display means).

Claims (1)

A movable stage prop;
an image display means having a display screen;
a determination means for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to a player in response to a game ball entering a predetermined starting area;
a symbol display control means for, when the determination is made, causing a predetermined symbol display means to variably display a special symbol and then statically display a special symbol indicating the result of the determination;
a special game execution means for executing the special game when a special symbol indicating that the determination means has determined that the special game will be executed is stopped and displayed on the symbol display means;
a reservation means for reserving the right of judgment up to a predetermined number;
a pre-determination means for pre-determining whether or not the special game is to be executed before the determination is made on the right reserved by the reservation means;
a performance control means for controlling the performance,
The performance control means
In accordance with the variable display of the special symbol, a performance symbol showing the result of the judgment is displayed on the display screen in a variable manner,
When the gaming ball enters the starting area in a state where the variable display of the special symbol and the effect symbol can be started , the variable display of the effect symbol starts as the variable display of the special symbol starts, whereas when the gaming ball enters the starting area in a state where the variable display of the special symbol and the effect symbol cannot be started , the variable display of the effect symbol starts as the variable display of the special symbol starts after the state where the variable display of the special symbol and the effect symbol can be started ,
By operating the performance element in a first operation mode during the execution of the first pattern change in which the special pattern and the performance pattern are displayed in a variable manner in response to the determination being made, it is possible to execute a first possibility suggestion performance that suggests that there is a possibility that the performance pattern will be stopped and displayed in a winning mode upon completion of the first pattern change,
Based on the result of the advance judgment related to the right of judgment corresponding to the first pattern change, in two or more second pattern changes in which the special pattern and the performance pattern are displayed in a variable manner before the start of the first pattern change, an expectation performance can be executed that causes the player to expect that the first possibility suggestion performance will be executed during the execution of the first pattern change,
The expected effect is different from the first possibility suggestion effect,
The expected performance includes a first expected performance in which the performance element is operated, and a second expected performance in which the performance element is not operated,
The performance control means
When the first possibility suggestion effect is executed in which the performance device is operated in a first operation mode during the execution of the first pattern change, during the execution of the second pattern change, which is the pattern change immediately before the first pattern change, it is possible to execute an effect in which the performance device is operated in a second operation mode different from the first operation mode as the first expected effect,
The first possibility suggestion effect is an effect that can be executed in both cases where the first expected effect is executed and where the second expected effect is executed,
The performance control means
A gaming machine characterized in that it is further capable of executing a second possibility suggestion effect that suggests that there is a possibility that the performance pattern will stop and be displayed in a winning state as the first pattern change ends during the execution of the first pattern change, and an information display that displays, after the execution of the second possibility suggestion effect, that the second possibility suggestion effect has been executed .