JP7804341B2 - gaming machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

Pachinko gaming machines, a type of gaming machine, run variable games based on the results of a winning lottery, and display various images related to the variable games. For example, the pachinko gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 displays decorative symbol images displayed during a variable game again in subsequent variable games, enabling the execution of effects that encourage players to anticipate a win.

JP 2015-24298 A

The image-based effects executed on pachinko gaming machines are often seen by players while they are playing. Players then look forward to the development of the variable game through these image-based effects. For this reason, putting effort into these types of effects can lead to increased interest in the game.

A gaming machine that solves the above problem is a gaming machine in which, when a hold condition for suspending the execution of a variable game is established by a ball entering a starting means, the variable game is stored as a hold memory, and the gaming machine comprises a display means for displaying effects and a control means for controlling the display content of the display means, and the effect display means is capable of executing a specific effect in response to a ball entering the starting means until a predetermined effect is executed, and the gaming machine can hold and store one variable game for one ball entry and can hold the execution of multiple variable games, and the execution of the multiple variable games is held, and when the earliest variable game of the multiple variable games is executed, the predetermined effect may be executed by the display means, and the predetermined effect may be displayed by the display means in response to a ball entering the starting means until a predetermined effect is executed, and the game machine can hold and store one variable game for one ball entry and can hold the execution of multiple variable games, and the execution of the multiple variable games is held, and when the earliest variable game of the multiple variable games is executed, the predetermined effect may be displayed by the display means in response to a ball entering the starting means until a predetermined effect is executed, and the game machine can hold and store one variable game for one ball entry and can hold the execution of multiple variable games, and the game machine can hold and store the predetermined effect ... a specific effect by the display means in response to a ball entering the starting means until a predetermined effect is executed, and the game machine can hold and store one variable game for one ball entry and can hold the execution of multiple variable games, and the game machine can hold and store the predetermined effect by the display means in response to a ball entering the starting means until a predetermined effect is executed , and the game machine can hold and store the predetermined effect by the display means in response to a ball entering the starting means until a predetermined effect is executed, and the game machine can hold and store the predetermined effect by the The gist of the present invention is that the presentation can continue up to a specific variation game that is executed after the earliest variation game among the variation games, the specific presentation ends when the specific variation game is executed, and when the specific variation game is executed , a high expectation presentation with a higher expectation than the variation game executed before the specific variation game is executed, or the high expectation presentation is more likely to be executed, and even if the presentation form of the predetermined presentation is the same, the expectation of obtaining a predetermined profit may differ, and after the predetermined presentation is executed, one or more variation games can be executed, and whether the specific variation game is the one or more variation games, the expectation of winning the specific variation game remains the same regardless of the number of times.

This invention can increase the enjoyment of games.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a hold-ahead readout effect. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a zone effect. 4A to 4C are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the customization function. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the fluctuation pattern. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the display areas of the execution image and the pending image. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a special display mode of the execution image and the pending image. 9(a) to 9(d) are schematic diagrams showing the presentation modes of the hold branch presentation. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the presentation pattern of the hold branch presentation. FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing an example of a hold branching effect and a hold effect. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an example of a hold branching effect. FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a hold branching effect and a hold effect.

An embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine will be described below. In the following description, up, down, left, right, front (front), and back (back) indicate the respective directions as seen by a player.
As shown in FIG. 1 , the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes a frame 11. The frame 11 includes an outer frame 11a for fixing the machine to an island facility and a mounting frame 11b for mounting various gaming components. A frame window 11c is formed in the mounting frame 11b. A gaming board YB having a gaming area YBa is attached to the mounting frame 11b. The mounting frame 11b includes a protective glass (not shown) that seals the frame window 11c. The gaming area YBa of the gaming board YB is covered by the protective glass.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a launch handle HD. For example, the launch handle HD is provided in the lower right portion of the mounting frame 11b. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the gaming ball is launched toward the gaming area YBa with a strength that corresponds to the amount of operation (rotation amount) of the launch handle HD.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a speaker SP. For example, the speaker SP is provided on the front surface of the mounting frame 11b. The speaker SP is capable of outputting a predetermined sound (hereinafter referred to as an audio effect). The predetermined sound may be music, sound effects, etc.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a decorative lamp LA. For example, the decorative lamp LA is provided on the front surface of the mounting frame 11b. The decorative lamp LA can produce effects (hereinafter referred to as light-emitting effects) by lighting, flashing, and extinguishing a built-in light-emitting element (not shown).

A game area YBa, which is approximately circular in front view, is defined on the front surface of the game board YB. The game board YB is mounted to the mounting frame 11b so that the game area YBa is visible through the frame window 11c. A display window YBb is formed approximately in the center of the game area YBa.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a first special symbol display device 19a and a second special symbol display device 19b as display devices capable of displaying a special symbol changing game (hereinafter referred to as a special game). Special symbol changing games include a first special symbol changing game (hereinafter referred to as a first special game) and a second special symbol changing game (hereinafter referred to as a second special game). In a special game, predetermined symbols are displayed in a changing manner, and ultimately a special symbol is displayed as a static symbol. Special symbols are symbols used to notify the results of an internal lottery (a lottery for a winning special symbol). The first special symbol display device 19a displays the first special game. The second special symbol display device 19b displays the second special game. In this specification, "changing display" refers to a state in which the type of symbol displayed changes over time. In this specification, "static display" refers to a state in which the type of symbol displayed does not change. With respect to symbols, "static display" and "derive" have the same meaning. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the second special game is executed with priority over the first special game. The first special game and the second special game are not executed simultaneously in parallel. The special symbols include at least a jackpot symbol, which is an example of a jackpot display result, and a loss symbol, which is an example of a loss display result. The special symbols may also include a small win symbol, which is an example of a small win display result. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, when a jackpot is won in a special symbol winning lottery (hereinafter referred to as a special winning lottery), the jackpot symbol is derived in the special game, and after the special game for that jackpot has ended, the jackpot game is awarded. The special winning lottery is an example of a winning lottery.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a first special hold display device 19c and a second special hold display device 19d as display devices that display information that can identify the number of reserved special games. The first special hold display device 19c displays information that can identify the number of first special games whose execution has been suspended because the hold conditions have been met but the start conditions have not yet been met (hereinafter referred to as the first special hold number). The second special hold display device 19d displays information that can identify the number of second special games whose execution has been suspended because the hold conditions have been met but the start conditions have not yet been met (hereinafter referred to as the second special hold number). As an example, the upper limit for the first special hold number and the second special hold number is 4, respectively.

The game board YB is equipped with a normal symbol display device 19e. The normal symbol display device 19e displays the normal game. In the normal game, predetermined symbols are displayed in a variable manner, and eventually a normal symbol is derived. The normal symbol is a symbol used to notify the result of an internal lottery (a normal symbol winning lottery). Normal symbols include normal winning symbols and normal losing symbols. In this embodiment, if the normal symbol winning lottery (hereinafter referred to as the normal winning lottery) is won, a normal winning symbol is derived in the normal game, and a normal winning game is awarded after the normal game ends. The pachinko game machine 10 is equipped with a normal hold display device 19f. The normal hold display device 19f displays information that can identify the number of normal games (normal hold number) whose execution has been put on hold because the hold condition has been met but the start condition has not yet been met.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with an effect display device EH, which is an example of a display means for displaying images. The effect display device EH has an image display area R in which images can be displayed. Examples of the image display area R include a liquid crystal panel and an organic EL panel. The effect display device EH is attached to the gaming board YB so that the image display area R can be seen through the display window YBb when viewed from the front. The effect display device EH is capable of executing an effect (hereinafter referred to as a display effect) that displays images that resemble specified characters or letters.

The effect display device EH displays an effect symbol variation game (hereinafter referred to as the effect game) as one of the display effects. In the effect game, multiple columns of effect symbols EZ are displayed in a variable manner, and ultimately a combination of effect symbols EZ (hereinafter referred to as the symbol combination) is derived. The effect symbols EZ (decorative symbols) are symbols decorated with characters, patterns, etc., and are used to diversify the display effects. As an example, the effect game of this embodiment is performed by displaying (scrolling) the effect symbols EZ of the left, middle, and right symbol columns in a variable manner in a predetermined direction.

The effect game starts and ends with the special game. In the effect game, a symbol combination is derived according to the special symbol derived in the special game. When a jackpot symbol is derived in the special game, the effect game derives a jackpot symbol combination. A jackpot symbol combination is a symbol combination in which the effect symbols EZ in all columns are the same, such as "777." When a losing symbol is derived in the special game, the effect game derives a losing symbol combination. An example of a losing symbol combination is a symbol combination in which the effect symbols EZ in at least some columns are different from the effect symbols EZ in the other columns, such as "778" or "787." In this way, the pachinko gaming machine 10 has special games and effect games that are executed in response to the special games. The special games and effect games make up a variable game.

In a presentation game, a reach effect may be executed. A reach effect is an effect that forms a reach in a presentation game and ultimately leads to a predetermined symbol combination. A reach effect is a state in which the same effect symbol EZ is displayed stationary in multiple specific symbol columns (for example, the left symbol column and the right symbol column), and the effect symbol EZ continues to be displayed in a variable manner in other symbol columns (for example, the center symbol column). Reach effects include normal reach effects (hereinafter referred to as NR effects) and super reach effects (hereinafter referred to as SR effects), which develop after an NR effect is executed and have a higher expectation of winning a jackpot game after the variable game ends (hereinafter referred to as hit expectation) compared to NR effects. NR effects are an example of normal reach effects. SR effects are an example of special reach effects. A jackpot game is a state in which it is easier to obtain prize balls, which are an example of a predetermined profit. Therefore, the expected probability of winning corresponds to the expected probability of obtaining a specified profit.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a first start opening 12, which is an example of a start means. The first start opening 12 is always open so that game balls can enter. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a first start sensor SE1 that detects game balls that have entered the first start opening 12 (see Figure 5). In the pachinko gaming machine 10, when a game ball is detected by the first start sensor SE1, the reservation conditions for the first special game may be met, and the conditions for the payout of a predetermined number of prize balls are also met.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 has a second start opening 13 that opens into the gaming area YBa. The pachinko gaming machine 10 has a second start sensor SE2 that detects a gaming ball that has entered the second start opening 13 (see Figure 5). In the pachinko gaming machine 10, when a gaming ball is detected by the second start sensor SE2, the reservation conditions for the second special game may be met, and the payout conditions for a predetermined number of prize balls are met. The pachinko gaming machine 10 has a normal variable member 13a that can be operated between an open state in which a gaming ball can enter the second start opening 13 and a closed state in which a gaming ball cannot enter the second start opening 13. The closed state may be a state in which a gaming ball can enter the second start opening 13, but is more difficult to enter than the open state. The pachinko gaming machine 10 has a normal solenoid SL1 as an example of a means for operating the normal variable member 13a (see Figure 5). The normal variable member 13a is operated to the open state during normal winning games.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a special winning opening 14 that opens into the gaming area YBa. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a special variable member 14a, which is an example of a means that can be operated between an open state in which gaming balls can enter the special winning opening 14 and a closed state in which gaming balls cannot enter the special winning opening 14. The closed state may be a state in which gaming balls can enter the special winning opening 14, but in which it is more difficult to enter than in the open state. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a special solenoid SL2, an example of a means for operating the special variable member 14a (see Figure 5). The special variable member 14a is operated to the open state during a game in which a special symbol wins. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a count sensor SE3 that detects gaming balls that have entered the special winning opening 14 (see Figure 5). In the pachinko gaming machine 10, when game balls are detected by the count sensor SE3, the conditions for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls are met.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a gate 17 through which gaming balls flowing down the gaming area YBa can pass (enter). The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a gate sensor SE4 that detects gaming balls passing through the gate 17 (see Figure 5). The pachinko gaming machine 10 is configured so that when a gaming ball is detected by the gate sensor SE4, the reserve conditions for the normal game can be met, but the payout conditions for prize balls will not be met.

In this embodiment, the performance display device EH, speaker SP, and decorative lamp LA are each performance devices that execute performances and constitute a performance device group DE (see Figure 5). The performance device group DE does not necessarily include all of the performance display device EH, speaker SP, and decorative lamp LA, but may be composed of one or more performance devices that can be arbitrarily selected from these performance devices. The performance display device EH is an example of a performance display means that displays performances.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with an effect button D1 as an operation means that can be operated by the player. The effect button D1 is a button type that can be pressed. However, this is not limited to this, the effect button D1 may be a lever type. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a cross key D2 as an operation means that can be operated by the player. The cross key D2 is a button type that can be pressed. However, this is not limited to this, the cross key D2 may be a touch panel type. The cross key D2 is composed of multiple parts that can be operated by the player. Specifically, the cross key D2 is composed of a left key D3l, a right key D3r, an up key D3u, and a down key D3d.

Next, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described.
The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a probability variation function that varies the jackpot probability to a higher probability, a ball entry assist function that assists game balls in entering the second starting hole 13, and a time reduction function that shortens the variation time of the special game. The gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 10 is configured by combining the operating states (operation and non-operation) of these functions.

The probability fluctuation function (hereinafter referred to as the probability fluctuation function) will be explained.
The pachinko gaming machine 10 has a plurality of probability states with different jackpot probabilities. The plurality of probability states include a low probability state and a high probability state in which the jackpot probability is higher than the low probability state. When the probability variable function is activated, the probability state transitions from the low probability state to the high probability state, increasing the possibility of winning a jackpot. For this reason, the high probability state is an advantageous state for the player. The high probability state is what is known as a "probability variable state (probability variable state)."

The goal-going assistance function will now be explained.
The ball entry assist function is a function that supports winning at the second starting hole 13, and is a so-called "electric support function." The pachinko gaming machine 10 has a plurality of ball entry rate states, which are states in which the rate at which game balls enter the second starting hole 13 varies. The plurality of ball entry rate states include a low ball entry rate state and a high ball entry rate state in which the ball entry rate is higher than the low ball entry rate state. When the ball entry assist function is activated, the ball entry rate state transitions from the low ball entry rate state to the high ball entry rate state, making it easier to fulfill the conditions for starting the second special game. Therefore, the high ball entry rate state is an advantageous state for the player.

For example, the high ball entry rate state can be achieved by executing one of the three controls described below, which can be selected arbitrarily, or by combining multiple controls. The first control is control that shortens the variable time of the normal game compared to the low ball entry rate state. The second control is control that changes the normal win probability in the normal win lottery to a higher probability than in the low ball entry rate state. The second control may be control that does not conduct a normal win lottery at all in the low ball entry rate state, but conducts a normal win lottery with a predetermined probability in the high ball entry rate state. The third control is control that makes the total opening time of the normal variable member 13a in one normal win game longer than in the low ball entry rate state. Note that the third control may be at least one of control that increases the number of times the normal variable member 13a is opened in one normal win game compared to the low ball entry rate state, and control that makes the opening time of one normal win game of the normal variable member 13a longer than in the low ball entry rate state.

Next, the time-saving function (hereinafter referred to as the time-saving function) will be described.
The pachinko gaming machine 10 has a plurality of variable time states in which the variable time (average variable time) of the special game is different. The plurality of variable time states include a long variable time state and a short variable time state in which the average variable time of at least the second special game is shorter than that of the long variable time state. When the time-saving function is activated, the variable time state transitions from the long variable time state to the short variable time state, and the number of special games that can be actually executed per unit time increases. In other words, the efficiency of consuming reserved special games improves. In this embodiment, the time-saving function is activated in conjunction with the ball-going assistance function. In other words, the time-saving function is activated together with the ball-going assistance function and is deactivated together with the ball-going assistance function.

In this embodiment, there are three game states: the normal state, the first advantageous state, and the second advantageous state. The normal state is a game state in which the probability variable function, ball entry assist function, and time-saving function are all inactive. The first advantageous state is a game state in which the probability variable function, ball entry assist function, and time-saving function are all inactive. The second advantageous state is a game state in which the probability variable function is inactive, but the ball entry assist function and time-saving function are inactive. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is not limited to having three game states, and some or all of them may be different game states in which the probability variable function, ball entry assist function, and time-saving function are activated differently. Furthermore, the game state may be one or two, or may be four or more.

Next, we will explain about the jackpot.
The pachinko gaming machine 10 has multiple types of jackpot symbols as special jackpot symbols. The types of jackpot symbols also represent the types of jackpots. The jackpot symbols are classified into one or multiple types. In this embodiment, they are classified into two types: specific symbols and normal symbols. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, a jackpot game is awarded according to the type of jackpot symbol (type of jackpot).

In a jackpot game, a predetermined effect is first played for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as the opening time). For example, the predetermined effect is an opening effect that can identify the start of a jackpot game. In a jackpot game, after the opening time has elapsed, a round game in which the jackpot entry port 14 is opened is played up to a predetermined maximum number of times. A round game ends when a predetermined maximum number of game balls enter the round or when a predetermined maximum time has elapsed. In a round game, the jackpot entry port 14 is opened in a predetermined opening manner (opening pattern). A round effect is played in each round game. In a jackpot game, when the final round game has ended, a predetermined effect is played for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as the ending time). For example, the predetermined effect is an ending effect that can identify the end of a jackpot game. The jackpot game ends when the ending time has elapsed.

In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the game state after the end of a jackpot game is controlled according to the type of jackpot symbol (type of jackpot). As an example, for specific symbols, it is specified that the game state be controlled to a first advantageous state after the end of a jackpot game until the next jackpot game is awarded. For normal symbols, it is specified that the game state be controlled to a second advantageous state after the end of a jackpot game until the end of a predetermined number of special games or until the next jackpot game is awarded. Alternatively, the game state after the end of a jackpot game may be controlled to a first advantageous state if the game ball that entered the jackpot opening 14 passes through a specific area (the so-called V-zone), or may be controlled to a second advantageous state if the game ball does not pass through the specific area.

In the presentation games of the pachinko gaming machine 10, other presentations may be executed in addition to the reach presentations described above. One example of such presentations is a preview presentation that suggests or notifies the player of the likelihood of a win. Preview presentations may be executed, for example, by displaying specific images that resemble characters or letters, or by changing the display color of the background image on the presentation display device EH or the background itself. Preview presentations also include pre-reading presentations that suggest the possibility of a jackpot occurring over multiple variations, i.e., across variable games. Pre-reading presentations are presentations that suggest or notify the player of the likelihood of a win for a special game that is on hold.

Below, we will explain in detail the hold pre-reading effect and the zone effect, which are typical pre-reading effects, with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Note that the pre-reading effect may be performed in a manner that derives a predetermined pattern combination (so-called chance combination) through multiple consecutive fluctuations.

First, we will explain the hold-ahead reading effect.
As shown in FIG. 2, the effect display device EH displays a pending image corresponding to a special game whose execution is pending (a pending special game). The effect display device EH displays a pending image corresponding to either the pending first special game or the pending second special game, depending on the current ball-scoring state. When the effect display device EH is in a low ball-scoring state, it displays a pending image corresponding to the pending first special game. When the effect display device EH is in a high ball-scoring state, it displays a pending image corresponding to the pending second special game. The pending images include pending images H1 to H4.

When the first special hold number is "1" in a low ball entry rate state, the effect display device EH displays hold image H1 out of hold images H1 to H4. When the first special hold number is "2" in a low ball entry rate state, the effect display device EH displays hold images H1 and H2 out of hold images H1 to H4. When the first special hold number is "3" in a low ball entry rate state, the effect display device EH displays hold images H1 to H3 out of hold images H1 to H4. When the first special hold number is "4" in a non-time-saving state, the effect display device EH displays hold images H1 to H4. Note that when the first special hold number is "0" in a low ball entry rate state, hold images H1 to H4 are not displayed on the effect display device EH. In addition to hold images H1 to H4, the effect display device EH displays execution image H0 corresponding to the first special game being executed. Regarding the display of the effect display device EH in a high ball entry rate state, "low ball entry rate state" is replaced with "high ball entry rate state," "first special reserved number" is replaced with "second special reserved number," and "first special game" is replaced with "second special game," so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

Figure 2 shows an example in which the first special reserved number is "4" in a low ball entry rate state and the reserved ball preview effect is executed. When the effect display device EH executes the reserved ball preview effect, the reserved ball image corresponding to the special game that is the target of the reserved ball preview effect is displayed in a preview mode that differs from the normal mode. Figure 2 shows the situation when reserved ball image H4 corresponding to the special game that is the target of the reserved ball preview effect changes from the normal mode to the preview mode. Note that reserved ball images H1 to H3 corresponding to special games that are not the target of the reserved ball preview effect are displayed in the normal mode. There are multiple preview modes, and the expected winning probability of the special game that is the target of the reserved ball preview effect is determined for each preview mode. In this way, the reserved ball preview effect suggests or notifies the expected winning probability of the reserved special game based on the state of the reserved ball image. Furthermore, special games in which the reserved ball preview effect is executed have a higher expected winning probability than special games in which the reserved ball preview effect is not executed. Therefore, the reserved ball preview effect can be said to suggest or notify the expected winning probability based on whether or not the reserved ball preview effect is executed. On the effect display device EH, the reserved image moves as the special game starts. For example, in Figure 2, after the reserved game preview effect ends, reserved image H4 changes from the normal mode to the preview mode, and each time a special game starts, it moves in the following order: reserved image H3 → reserved image H2 → reserved image H1 → execution image H0.

Next, the zone effects will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3 , when the zone effect starts, the effect display device EH displays a "Chance Zone" text image ZZ and a background image hg dedicated to the zone effect. In this embodiment, there are multiple types of background images hg dedicated to the zone effect, and the probability of winning the special game that is the target of the zone effect is determined for each background image. In this way, the zone effect suggests or notifies the probability of winning for a pending special game depending on the appearance of the background image hg. Furthermore, a special game in which a zone effect is executed has a higher probability of winning than a special game in which a zone effect is not executed. Therefore, it can be said that the zone effect suggests or notifies the probability of winning depending on whether or not the zone effect is executed.

After the zone effect starts, the effect display device EH continues to display the character image ZZ and the background image hg dedicated to the zone effect at least until the special game that is the target of the zone effect starts. In other words, the zone effect can be executed across the execution of multiple special games (effect games).

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is also equipped with a customization function.
The pachinko gaming machine 10 allows a player to set, for example, settings related to the execution of effects by operating an operating means that can be operated by the player. The pachinko gaming machine 10 allows, for example, settings related to the execution of effects to be set using the operating means while in a standby state. In the following description, setting settings related to the execution of effects may be referred to as "customizing." The standby state is a state that does not correspond to either a special game (effect game) being executed or a jackpot game being executed. Note that the pachinko gaming machine 10 may be configured so that settings related to the execution of effects can always be set, regardless of whether or not it is in a standby state.

The customization function will be described below with examples using FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c).
As shown in FIG. 4( a), when the effect button D1 is operated during standby mode in the pachinko gaming machine 10, a menu for the customization function is displayed on the effect display device EH. The effect display device EH displays items MN1 and MN2 as customizable items. In this example, one of the customizable items is an item for setting the execution of a look-ahead effect. Item MN1 is labeled "look-ahead adjustment" to identify the item. Item MN2 is a customizable item that differs from the look-ahead adjustment of item MN1. The types of items that can be customized are determined according to the specifications of the pachinko gaming machine 10. For this reason, for the sake of convenience, item MN2 is labeled "△△△△△△" to indicate that it may be any item, and the specific example in this explanation will be limited to look-ahead adjustment.

The performance display device EH also displays item SK as an item for initializing customized content. The performance display device EH also displays item SR as an item for ending customization. The performance display device EH also displays image BG1 that resembles the performance button D1 and image BG2 that resembles the cross key D2 as information indicating the operating means used for customization.

In the pachinko gaming machine 10, any of items MN1, MN2, SK, and SR can be selected by operating the directional pad D2 (D3u, D3d). Then, in the pachinko gaming machine 10, the selected item can be confirmed by operating the effect button D1. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, when any of items MN1, MN2, SK, and SR is confirmed, processing corresponding to the confirmed item is executed.

A specific example of an adjustment that can be made when the look-ahead adjustment of item MN1 is determined is adjusting the frequency of the look-ahead effect, as illustrated in Figure 4(b). In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the setting DSa of the look-ahead adjustment function DS can be selected to either "ON" or "OFF" by operating the directional pad D2 (D3l, D3r). In the pachinko gaming machine 10, when the setting DSa is "ON," the look-ahead effect is executed less frequently than when it is "OFF." In the pachinko gaming machine 10, when the setting DSa is "ON," the expected probability of a win from the look-ahead effect is higher than when it is "OFF." The look-ahead adjustment function DS can also be said to be a function that adjusts (changes) the expected probability of a win from the look-ahead effect by adjusting (changing) the execution frequency of the look-ahead effect. In other words, the look-ahead adjustment function DS results in different expected probability of a win even if the look-ahead effect is executed in the same manner.

Another specific example is adjusting whether or not a look-ahead effect, such as the one illustrated in Figure 4(c), can be executed. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the setting TSa of the look-ahead adjustment function TS can be selected to either "ON" or "OFF" by operating the directional pad D2 (D3l, D3r). In the pachinko gaming machine 10, if the setting TSa is "OFF," the look-ahead effect cannot be executed. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, if the setting TSa is "ON," the look-ahead effect can be executed.

Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described.
As shown in Figure 5, the pachinko gaming machine 10 is provided with a main board 40 and an auxiliary board 50 on the back side (rear) of the game board YB. The main board 40 and the auxiliary board 50 are connected so that a control signal can be output in one direction from the main board 40 to the auxiliary board 50. The main board 40 executes a predetermined process and outputs a control signal to the auxiliary board 50. The auxiliary board 50 executes a predetermined process based on the control signal input from the main board 40.

The main board 40 will now be described in detail.
The main board 40 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RWM 43, and a random number generation circuit 44. The CPU 41 executes a main control program to perform processing related to the progress of the game. The ROM 42 stores the main control program, judgment values used for various judgments and lotteries, tables, etc. The ROM 42 stores multiple types of fluctuation patterns. The fluctuation patterns are information that can identify the fluctuation time from the start to the end of a special game. The CPU 41, ROM 42, RWM 43, and random number generation circuit 44 may be configured on a single chip as a microprocessor.

As shown in Figure 6, the variation patterns include a jackpot variation pattern, a miss-at-win variation pattern, and a miss variation pattern. The jackpot variation patterns include variation pattern HP2, in which an NR effect is performed in the presentation game and a jackpot symbol combination is ultimately derived, and variation pattern HP4, in which an NR effect is performed followed by an SR effect and a jackpot symbol combination is ultimately derived. The miss-at-win variation patterns include variation pattern HP3, in which an NR effect is performed in the presentation game and a miss symbol combination is ultimately derived, and variation pattern HP5, in which an NR effect is performed followed by an SR effect and a miss symbol combination is ultimately derived. The miss variation patterns include variation pattern HP1, in which a reach effect is not performed in the presentation game and a miss symbol combination is ultimately derived. A variation game is a variation of these variation patterns. RWM43 stores various information that is rewritten according to the processing results of CP41. For example, the information stored in the RWM includes flags, counters, and timers. The random number generation circuit 44 generates hardware random numbers.

The main board 40 is connected to the first start sensor SE1, the second start sensor SE2, the count sensor SE3, and the gate sensor SE4. The CPU 41 can input detection signals output by each of the sensors SE1-SE4 when they detect a gaming ball. The main board 40 is connected to multiple display units 19a-19f. The CPU 41 can control the display content of the multiple display units 19a-19f. The main board 40 is connected to solenoids SL1 and SL2. The CPU 41 can control the opening state of the second start opening 13 and the large prize opening 14. The CPU 41 is connected to the effect button D1 and the cross key D2. The CPU 41 can input an operation signal when the effect button D1 is operated, and can also input an operation signal when the cross key D2 (each of the keys D3u, D3d, D3l, and D3r) is operated.

Next, the sub-board 50 will be described.
The sub-board 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and an RWM 53. The CPU 51 executes a sub-control program to perform processing related to the effects. The ROM 52 stores the sub-control program and judgment values used in predetermined lotteries. The ROM 52 stores display effect data used for display effects, light-emitting effect data used for light-emitting effects, and audio effect data used for audio effects. The RWM 53 stores various information that is rewritten during operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10. For example, information stored in the RWM 53 includes flags, counters, and timers. The sub-board 50 is configured to be able to generate software random numbers through random number generation processing by the CPU 51.

The sub-board 50 is connected to the performance display device EH. The CPU 51 is capable of controlling the display content of the performance display device EH. The CPU 51 is a control means that controls the display content of the performance display means. The sub-board 50 is connected to the speaker SP. The CPU 51 is capable of controlling the output content of the speaker SP. The sub-board 50 is connected to the decorative lamp LA. The CPU 51 is capable of controlling the light emission mode of the decorative lamp LA.

Next, various processes performed by the CPU 41 will be described.
The CPU 41 executes a special symbol input process, a special symbol start process, and the like as a timer interrupt process that is performed every predetermined control period (for example, every 4 ms).

The special symbol input process will be described.
The CPU 41 determines whether a gaming ball has entered the first start hole 12 based on whether a detection signal has been input from the first start sensor SE1. When a gaming ball has entered the first start hole 12, the CPU 41 determines whether the first special reserve number stored in the RWM 43 is less than the upper limit number (4 in this embodiment). If the first special reserve number is less than the upper limit number, the CPU 41 updates the first special reserve number by adding 1. This update causes the variable game to be stored as a reserved memory in the pachinko gaming machine 10. The CPU 41 also controls the first special reserve display device 19c to display information that can identify the updated first special reserve number. In this way, the reservation condition for the first special game is met when a gaming ball is detected by the first start sensor SE1 when the first special reserve number is less than the upper limit number.

Next, the CPU 41 acquires the random numbers generated by the random number generation circuit 44 and stores random number information based on the acquired random numbers in the RWM 43. For example, the random numbers may be winning random numbers used in the special winning lottery, winning symbol random numbers used to determine the jackpot symbol, and variation pattern random numbers used to determine the variation pattern. The CPU 41 stores the random number information so that it is possible to identify that it is random number information for the first special game and the storage order of the random number information. The random number information may be the acquired random number itself, or it may be information obtained by processing the random number using a predetermined method. By storing the random number information to be used for the first special game in the RWM 43, the pachinko gaming machine 10 can suspend its execution until the start conditions for the first special game are met.

When the CPU 41 stores random number information for the first special game in the RWM 43, if a game ball has not entered the first start port 12 and if the first special reserve number is not less than the upper limit, the CPU 41 determines whether a game ball has entered the second start port 13 based on whether a detection signal has been input from the second start sensor SE2. If a game ball has entered the second start port 13, the CPU 41 determines whether the second special reserve number stored in the RWM 43 is less than the upper limit (4 in this embodiment). If the second special reserve number is less than the upper limit, the CPU 41 updates the second special reserve number by adding 1. This update causes the variable game to be stored as a reserve memory in the pachinko gaming machine 10. The CPU 41 also controls the second special reserve display device 19d to display information that can identify the updated second special reserve number. In this way, the reservation condition for the second special game is met when the number of second special reservations is less than the upper limit and a game ball is detected by the second start sensor SE2.

Next, the CPU 41 acquires a random number generated within the main board 40 and stores random number information based on the acquired random number in the RWM 43. The CPU 41 stores the random number information so that it is possible to identify that it is random number information to be used for the second special game and the storage order of the random number information. By storing the random number information to be used for the second special game in the RWM 43, the pachinko gaming machine 10 can suspend execution of the second special game until the start conditions of the second special game are met. When random number information for the second special game is stored in the RWM 43, if a game ball has not entered the second start hole 13 and if the number of second special reserved balls is not less than the upper limit, the CPU 41 terminates the special symbol input process. Furthermore, during the special symbol input process, if the CPU 41 has stored random number information for the first special game in the RWM 43, it performs command setting processing.

In the command setting process, the CPU 41 determines whether the numerical value corresponding to the acquired winning random number is a jackpot value that will win the special winning lottery described below, or a losing value that will not win the special winning lottery. Next, in the case of a jackpot value, the CPU 41 identifies a jackpot fluctuation pattern to be selected from the jackpot fluctuation patterns based on the numerical value corresponding to the acquired fluctuation pattern random number. The CPU 41 then stores a jackpot pre-read command as a control command in the output buffer based on the identified content. The jackpot pre-read command can identify information indicating the first special reserved number when the random number was acquired, information indicating that the numerical value corresponding to the acquired winning random number is a jackpot value, and information indicating the jackpot fluctuation pattern selected by the numerical value corresponding to the acquired fluctuation pattern random number.

On the other hand, in the case of a loss value, the CPU 41 identifies a fluctuation pattern to be selected from a group of fluctuation patterns consisting of loss fluctuation patterns and loss-reach fluctuation patterns based on the numerical value corresponding to the acquired fluctuation pattern random number. Then, the CPU 41 stores a loss look-ahead command as a control command in the output buffer based on the identified content. The loss look-ahead command can identify information indicating the first special reserved number when the random number was acquired, information indicating that the numerical value corresponding to the acquired winning random number is a loss value, and information indicating the fluctuation pattern selected by the numerical value corresponding to the acquired fluctuation pattern random number.

The jackpot pre-read command or loss pre-read command stored in the output buffer is output to the CPU 51 of the sub-board 50 in the output process from the next cycle onwards. The command setting process in this embodiment is performed for the first special game, not for the second special game. The CPU 41 that has set the jackpot pre-read command or loss pre-read command performs processing related to the second special game in the special pattern input process described above. In the following explanation, when there is no distinction between the jackpot pre-read command and the loss pre-read command, they will be referred to as "pre-read commands". In the command setting process of this embodiment, each time a game ball is detected by the CPU 41 and the first start sensor SE1, a variation pattern indicating the variation content (including variation time) of the variation game (first special game) whose execution is suspended is identified.

Next, the special symbol start process will be described.
The CPU 41 determines whether the conditions for starting a special game are met. The CPU 41 makes a positive determination if the game is not a jackpot game and the special game is not being played. The CPU 41 makes a negative determination if the game is a jackpot game or a special game is being played. If the conditions for starting a special game are not met, the CPU 41 terminates the special symbol start process. If the conditions for starting a special game are met, the CPU 41 determines whether the second special reserved number is greater than zero. If the second special reserved number is zero, the CPU 41 determines whether the first special reserved number is greater than zero. If the first special reserved number is zero, the CPU 41 terminates the special symbol start process. If, as a result of the above determination, both the first special reserved number and the second special reserved number are zero, the pachinko gaming machine 10 enters a standby state. The standby state is also known as a customer waiting state, and for example, a demonstration effect is performed.

If the first special reserve number is greater than zero, the CPU 41 performs processing to execute a first special game. Specifically, the CPU 41 updates the first special reserve number by subtracting 1. The CPU 41 controls the first special reserve display device 19c to display information that can identify the updated first special reserve number. The CPU 41 acquires the earliest stored random number information for the first special game from the RWM 43. The CPU 41 uses the winning random number identified from the acquired random number information to conduct a special win lottery (jackpot determination) to determine whether or not a jackpot has been won. The CPU 41 conducts the special win lottery with a jackpot probability that corresponds to the current probability state (whether or not the special jackpot function is activated). The CPU 41 conducting the special win lottery is an example of a win lottery means.

If a jackpot is won, the CPU 41 performs jackpot variation processing. In the jackpot variation processing, the CPU 41 uses a winning pattern random number that can be identified from the random number information to draw a jackpot pattern and determine the jackpot pattern to be derived in the first special game. The CPU 41 uses a variation pattern random number that can be identified from the random number information to draw a variation pattern and determine the jackpot variation pattern. The CPU 41 then ends the special pattern start processing.

If a jackpot is not won, the CPU 41 performs a loss variation process. In the loss variation process, the CPU 41 determines a loss symbol to be derived in the first special game. The CPU 41 performs a variation pattern determination lottery using a variation pattern random number that can be identified from the random number information, and determines a loss reach variation pattern with a reach, or a loss variation pattern without a reach. The CPU 41 then ends the special symbol start process. Note that in this embodiment, whether to execute a reach effect in the effect game is determined depending on whether a loss variation pattern or a loss reach variation pattern is determined, but it is also possible to determine whether to execute a reach effect, and then determine either a loss reach variation pattern or a loss variation game depending on the result of that determination.

If the second special reserved number is greater than zero, the CPU 41 performs processing to run a second special game. The processing to run a second special game is the same as the processing to run a first special game, except that "first special game" is replaced with "second special game" and "first special reserved number" is replaced with "second special reserved number," and therefore a detailed explanation of this processing will be omitted. In other words, the CPU 41 subtracts the second special reserved number, performs a special winning lottery, and performs any variation processing based on the results of the special winning lottery, and then terminates the special symbol start processing.

The CPU 41 outputs a fluctuation start command and a special symbol command to the sub-board 50 during the jackpot fluctuation process and the loss fluctuation process. The fluctuation start command is a control command that can identify the fluctuation pattern determined in each fluctuation process and the start of the fluctuation game. The special symbol command is a control command that can identify the special symbol (jackpot symbol or loss symbol) determined in each fluctuation process. Note that the fluctuation start command and the special symbol command are different control commands when the fluctuation process for the first special game is executed and when the fluctuation process for the second special game is executed.

When the special pattern start process is completed, the CPU 41 executes a first special game or a second special game through a process separate from the special pattern start process. Specifically, when the CPU 41 executes the first special game, it controls the first special pattern display device 19a to begin displaying a variable pattern. The CPU 41 measures the variable time set in the variable pattern. Once the variable time set in the variable pattern has elapsed, the CPU 41 controls the first special pattern display device 19a to derive the special pattern determined in the special pattern start process. Furthermore, once the variable time set in the variable pattern has elapsed, the CPU 41 outputs a control command (hereinafter referred to as the variable end command) capable of specifying the end of the variable game to the sub-board 50.

When the second special game is executed, the CPU 41 controls the second special pattern display device 19b to start the variable display of a predetermined pattern. The CPU 41 measures the variable time set in the variable pattern. When the variable time set in the variable pattern has elapsed, the CPU 41 controls the second special pattern display device 19b to statically display the special pattern determined in the special pattern start processing. In addition, when the variable time set in the variable pattern has elapsed, the CPU 41 outputs a variable end command to the sub-board 50.

Next, the big win game process will be explained.
The jackpot game processing is a processing for awarding a jackpot game. When the CPU 41 derives a jackpot symbol in a special game, the jackpot game processing is executed after the end of the jackpot special game. The CPU 41 specifies the type of jackpot game based on the jackpot symbol (i.e., the type of jackpot) determined in the special symbol start processing. The CPU 41 awards the specified type of jackpot game.

First, the CPU 41 outputs a control command (hereinafter referred to as the opening command) capable of specifying the start of the opening time to the sub-board 50. Once the opening time has elapsed, the CPU 41 performs processing to execute a round of play. Specifically, the CPU 41 controls the special solenoid SL2 using the specified opening control data for the jackpot game to open the large prize opening 14. When the number of game balls detected by the count sensor SE3 reaches the upper limit mentioned above, or when the upper limit time mentioned above has elapsed, the CPU 41 controls the special solenoid SL2 to close the large prize opening 14, thereby ending the round of play. The CPU 41 repeatedly performs this processing to execute a round of play until the upper limit number of rounds specified for the jackpot game has been played. Each time a round of play is started, the CPU 41 outputs a control command (hereinafter referred to as the round command) capable of specifying the start of the round of play to the sub-board 50. When the final round of play ends, the CPU 41 outputs a control command (hereinafter referred to as the ending start command) that can specify the start of the ending time to the sub-board 50. When the ending time has elapsed, the CPU 41 ends the jackpot game. The CPU 41 may be configured to output a control command (hereinafter referred to as the ending end command) that can specify the passage of the ending time to the sub-board 50.

The probability transition process for transitioning the probability state will be described.
When the CPU 41 ends a jackpot game based on a specific symbol, it stores a high probability flag in the RWM 43. In other words, the CPU 41 controls to a high probability state. On the other hand, when the CPU 41 ends a jackpot game based on a normal symbol, it does not store a high probability flag in the RWM 43. In other words, the CPU 41 controls to a low probability state. When the CPU 41 starts a jackpot game and a high probability flag is stored, it erases the high probability flag. In other words, the CPU 41 controls to a low probability state during the jackpot game.

The following describes the goal scoring rate transition process for transitioning the goal scoring rate state and the variable time state.
When a jackpot game based on a specific symbol and a jackpot game based on a normal symbol end, the CPU 41 stores an activation flag in the RWM 43. That is, the CPU 41 controls the system to a high ball entry rate state and a short fluctuation time state. When a special game in which the number of times a special game has been executed after the end of a jackpot game based on a normal symbol reaches the activation count ends, the CPU 41 erases the activation flag stored in the RWM 43. That is, when the activation count for the special game ends after the end of a jackpot game based on a normal symbol, the CPU 41 controls the system to a low ball entry rate state and a long fluctuation time state. When a jackpot game is started and an activation flag is stored, the CPU 41 erases the activation flag. That is, during a jackpot game, the CPU 41 controls the system to a low ball entry rate state and a long fluctuation time state. In addition, when the CPU 41 transitions the game state (probability state, ball entry rate state, and variable time state), it outputs a control command to the sub-board 50 that can identify the game state after the transition.

Next, various processes executed by the CPU 51 of the sub-board 50 will be described.
First, the big win effect processing will be described.
The jackpot effect processing is processing for executing effects during jackpot games (hereinafter referred to as jackpot effects). When an opening command is input, the CPU 51 controls the effect device group DE to execute an opening effect. When a round command is input, the CPU 51 controls the effect device group DE to execute a round effect. When an ending start command is input, the CPU 51 controls the effect device group DE to execute an ending effect. When an ending end command is input, the CPU 51 controls the effect device group DE to end the ending effect.

The effect game processing will now be described.
The effect game processing is a process for executing an effect game as one of the display effects related to a special game during execution of the special game. When the CPU 51 inputs a variation start command and a special pattern command, it controls the effect device group DE, including the effect display device EH, to execute an effect game corresponding to the special game. For example, when the CPU 51 inputs a variation start command, it selects an effect pattern (effect content) for the effect game based on a variation pattern identifiable from the control command. Furthermore, when the CPU 51 inputs a special pattern command, it determines a symbol combination to be derived in the effect game based on the special symbol identifiable from the command. If a jackpot symbol can be identified from the special pattern command, the CPU 51 determines a jackpot symbol combination. If a losing symbol can be identified from the special pattern command, the CPU 51 determines a losing symbol combination.

The CPU 51 also determines whether the conditions for executing a reach effect (hereinafter referred to as the reach condition) are met. As an example, the reach condition is met by determining a jackpot fluctuation pattern or a miss reach fluctuation pattern. When the reach condition is met and a jackpot pattern can be identified from the special pattern command, the CPU 51 determines the effect pattern EZ that constitutes the jackpot pattern combination as the reach effect pattern EZ. When the reach condition is met and a miss pattern can be identified from the special pattern command, the CPU 51 determines a miss pattern combination that includes a reach. When the reach condition is not met and a miss pattern can be identified from the special pattern command, the CPU 51 determines a miss pattern combination that does not include a reach.

In response to the input of a variation start command, the CPU 51 controls the effect display device EH to begin displaying the variations of each effect symbol EZ, thereby starting the effect game. The CPU 51 controls the effect display device EH so that the effect game is played based on the selected effect pattern during the variation time specified for the variation pattern. The CPU 51 can control the effect device group DE to execute various effects while the effect game is being played. If the CPU 51 identifies a variation pattern in which an NR effect is executed from the input variation start command, it controls the effect device group DE to execute the NR effect at a predetermined timing after the effect game starts. If the CPU 51 identifies a variation pattern in which an SR effect is executed from the input variation start command, it controls the effect device group DE to execute the SR effect at a predetermined timing after the effect game starts.

Then, after starting the presentation game, the CPU 51 derives a symbol combination in response to the input of a variation end command. Note that the CPU 51 may also derive a symbol combination in response to the passage of a variation time set in a variation pattern, regardless of the variation end command. In this case, the variation end command may be omitted.

Next, the screen layout when displaying the execution image H0 and the pending images H1 to H4 in the image display area R of the performance display device EH will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 7 , the image display area R displays an effect game that variably displays the effect symbol EZ, as indicated by the white arrow in the figure. Below the image display area R, reserve display areas HR1 to HR4 are arranged from left to right in this order, displaying reserve images H1 to H4 indicating the number of reserved special games. Reserve display area HR1 displays a reserve image H1 indicating the first (earliest) reserved special game (reserved number = 1). Reserve display area HR2 displays a reserve image H2 indicating the second reserved special game (reserved number = 2). Reserve display area HR3 displays a reserve image H3 indicating the third reserved special game (reserved number = 3). Reserve display area HR4 displays a reserve image H4 indicating the fourth (last) reserved special game (reserved number = 4). In other words, reserve display areas HR1 to HR4 correspond to the reserved numbers 1 to 4, respectively. The reserved images H1 to H4 are displayed in accordance with the number of reserved balls of the first special game when in the normal state. On the other hand, the reserved images H1 to H4 are displayed in accordance with the number of reserved balls of the second special game when in the first advantageous state and the second advantageous state. The reserved images H1 to H4 are, for example, circular in shape. The reserved display areas HR1 to HR4 are first display areas that display reserved images H1 to H4 as first images corresponding to variable games that have not yet started and are stored as reserved memories. The reserved images H1 to H4 are images that are not displayed when the pachinko gaming machine 10 is in the standby state.

To the left of the reserved display areas HR1-HR4, an execution display area HR0 is set as an area for displaying an execution image H0 related to the currently running effect game. For example, in a pachinko gaming machine 10, if a new special game is reserved, bringing the number of reserved games to four, and a reserved image H4 is displayed in the reserved display area HR4, the reserved image H4 is displayed moving in the order of reserved display areas HR4 → HR3 → HR2 → HR1 each time a previously reserved special game is started. When a special game is started (consumed) upon the fulfillment of its start conditions, the reserved image H1 displayed in the reserved display area HR1 moves from the reserved display area HR1 to the execution display area HR0 and is displayed as the execution image H0. In other words, the shape of the execution image H0 is also circular, similar to the reserved images H1-H4. Note that when the reserved image H1 moves from the reserved display area HR1 to the execution display area HR0, the area of the reserved image H1 expands, causing the area of the execution image H0 to become larger than the area of the reserved image H1. In this way, the execution image H0 is an image different from the effect symbol EZ, and is displayed in the execution display area HR0 while the variable game is being played. The execution display area HR0 is a second display area that displays the execution image H0 as a second image or specific image corresponding to the variable game being played. The execution image H0 is an image that is not displayed when the pachinko gaming machine 10 is in a standby state.

In the pachinko gaming machine 10, even when a special game is on hold, the hold images H1 to H4 are not displayed while the SR effect is being executed. Similarly, even when a special game is being executed, the execution image H0 is not displayed while the SR effect is being executed. In other words, during the execution of a special game in which an SR effect is being executed, the execution image H0 and hold images H1 to H4 are displayed from the start of the special game until the start of the SR effect. On the other hand, during the execution of a special game in which an SR effect is not being executed, the execution image H0 and hold images H1 to H4 are displayed from the start of the special game until the end of the special game.

The display modes of the reserved images H1-H4 include a white display mode and a special display mode that is a display mode other than white. Whether the reserved images H1-H4 are displayed in the white display mode or the special display mode, they are displayed in various display modes from the time the special game corresponding to the reserved images H1-H4 is placed on hold. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, by displaying one of the reserved images H1-H4 displayed on the effect display device EH in the special display mode, it is possible to execute a reserved read-ahead effect that suggests the expected win probability of the special game corresponding to the reserved images H1-H4 and the effect content of the effect game that will be executed during the execution of that special game. In this embodiment, the reserved read-ahead effect is executed for the first special game in the normal state.

The special display modes of the reserved images H1 to H4 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8 , there are four types of special display modes for the reserved images H1 to H4, each of which has a different color for displaying the reserved images H1 to H4. The type of display mode for the reserved images H1 to H4 suggests different winning expectations and different effects. The blue display mode suggests a higher winning expectation than the white display mode and also suggests that an NR or SR effect will be executed in the effected game. The green display mode suggests a higher winning expectation than the white and blue display modes and also suggests, like the blue display mode, that an NR or SR effect will be executed in the effected game. The red display mode suggests a higher winning expectation than the white, blue, and green display modes and also suggests that an SR effect will be executed in the effected game. The rainbow display mode suggests a higher winning expectation than the white, blue, green, and red display modes and also suggests that a symbol combination resulting in a jackpot will be derived in the effected game.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, when the special game starts (is played) upon the fulfillment of the special game start conditions, the reserved image H1 moves to the execution display area HR0 and is displayed as the execution image H0. Therefore, in this embodiment, the execution image H0 is displayed in the same display mode as the reserved image H1 immediately before the special game start conditions are fulfilled. That is, like the display modes of the reserved images H1 to H4, the display mode of the execution image H0 also includes white, blue, green, red, and rainbow display modes. The display mode of the execution image H0 indicates the expected probability of winning the special game corresponding to the execution image H0 and the presentation content of the presentation game being played during the execution of that special game. There are multiple display modes for the execution image H0, and these display modes can be distinguished depending on the expected probability of winning. Note that in this embodiment, the display mode of the reserved images H1 to H4 does not change from the time the reserved images H1 to H4 are displayed until the reserved images H1 to H4 are displayed as the execution image H0. Of the display modes of the execution image H0, the white display mode is an example of a first mode, and the blue and green display modes are examples of a second mode. Furthermore, of the display modes of the execution image H0, the red and rainbow display modes are examples of a third mode.

If the conditions for starting a special game are met while the reserved image H1 is displayed in a special display mode due to the execution of the reserved game preview effect, the execution image H0 will also be displayed in the same special display mode as the reserved image H1 immediately before the conditions for starting the special game are met. In this embodiment, the display mode of the execution image H0 indicates the expected win probability of the special game corresponding to the execution image H0 and the presentation content of the presentation game that will be executed during the execution of that special game.

The hold display process will be described.
The reserve display process is a process performed by the CPU 51 in response to the input of a look-ahead command under normal conditions, and is a process for displaying reserve images H1 to H4. When the CPU 51 inputs a look-ahead command, it stores the value of the look-ahead command in a memory area of the RWM 53 corresponding to the first special reserve number that can be specified from the look-ahead command. The RWM 53 is configured with a memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 1, a memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 2, a memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 3, and a memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 4. The RWM 53 is configured with a memory area corresponding to the first special game currently being executed. In the following description, the memory area corresponding to the currently being executed special game will be referred to as the memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 0. For example, when the CPU 51 inputs a look-ahead command that can specify first special reserve number = 3, it stores the command value in the memory area corresponding to the specifiable first special reserve number = 3.

When the CPU 51 inputs a look-ahead command, it determines whether a special display flag is stored in the RWM 53. The special display flag is a flag that is stored in the RWM 53 when any of the execution image H0 and pending images H1 to H4 is displayed in a special display mode. If a special display flag is stored in the RWM 53, the CPU 51 determines the display mode of the pending image to be displayed as white, regardless of the type of variation pattern that can be identified from the input look-ahead command.

If a special display flag is not stored in the RWM 53, the CPU 51 identifies the variation pattern of the first special game from the input look-ahead command. The CPU 51 determines the display mode of the reserved image to be displayed in the reserve display area corresponding to the first special reserved number identified from the input look-ahead command based on the identified variation pattern, and displays the reserved image in the determined display mode. At this time, the CPU 51 determines the display mode of the reserved image from different tables depending on the type of variation pattern identified.

When the CPU 51 identifies variation pattern HP1, which normally results in a miss, it determines the display mode of the reserved image from the first variation table. The first variation table is a table that determines the display mode of the reserved image as white. In other words, when the CPU 51 identifies variation pattern HP1 from the input look-ahead command, it determines not to execute the reserved look-ahead performance.

When the CPU 51 identifies either variation pattern HP2 or HP3, which executes the NR effect, it determines the display mode of the reserved image from the second variation table by lottery using a predetermined random number. The second variation table is a table in which the display mode of the reserved image is determined to be one of white, blue, green, and rainbow. The second variation table allocates different random numbers corresponding to each display mode depending on whether the identified variation pattern is variation pattern HP2 (jackpot) or variation pattern HP3 (miss), and allocates random numbers in the order of white < blue < green < rainbow. Note that when the identified variation pattern is variation pattern HP3, the second variation table allocates random numbers so that the allocation value corresponding to the rainbow display mode is 0.

Similarly, when the CPU 51 identifies either variation pattern HP4 or HP5, which executes the SR effect, it determines the display mode of the reserved image from the third variation table by lottery using a predetermined random number. The third variation table is a table in which the display mode of the reserved image is determined to be one of white, blue, green, red, and rainbow. The third variation table allocates different random numbers corresponding to each display mode depending on whether the identified variation pattern is variation pattern HP4 (jackpot) or variation pattern HP5 (miss), and allocates random numbers in the order of white < blue < green < red < rainbow. Note that when the identified variation pattern is variation pattern HP5, the third variation table allocates random numbers so that the allocation value corresponding to the rainbow display mode is 0.

Next, the CPU 51 stores a value capable of specifying the display mode of the determined reserved image in a memory area of the RWM 53 corresponding to the first special reserved number that can be determined from the look-ahead command. In the following description, the value capable of specifying the display mode of the reserved image stored in the memory area corresponding to the first special reserved number is referred to as the "reserved specific value." The CPU 51 determines the display mode of the reserved images H1 to H4 to be displayed in the reserved display areas HR1 to HR4 by referencing the reserved specific value stored corresponding to the first special reserved number. The CPU 51 then controls the effect display device EH to display the reserved image in the display mode determined as described above in the reserved display area among the reserved display areas HR1 to HR4 that corresponds to the first special reserved number that can be determined from the look-ahead command. By performing this processing, the CPU 51 can make the player recognize that the probability of winning is higher when the reserved pre-reading effect is executed than when the reserved pre-reading effect is not executed. Furthermore, when the CPU 51 displays the reserved image in a special display mode, it stores a special display flag in the RWM 53.

When the CPU 51 inputs a first special game variation start command, the RWM 53 stores the look-ahead command value and the reserved specific value stored in the memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 1 in the memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 0. The CPU 51 stores the look-ahead command value and reserved specific value stored in the memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 2 in the memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 1. The CPU 51 stores the look-ahead command value and reserved specific value stored in the memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 3 in the memory area corresponding to second special reserve number = 2. The CPU 51 stores the look-ahead command value and reserved specific value stored in the memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 4 in the memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 3. At this time, the CPU 51 erases the look-ahead command value and reserved specific value stored in the memory area corresponding to first special reserve number = 4.

Next, the hold effect in the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described.
In the pachinko gaming machine 10, when the execution image H0 is displayed in a blue or green display mode and the variation game that started when the execution image H0 was displayed is a variation game based on the variation pattern HP3 (NR effect (miss)), a hold effect can be executed in which the execution image H0 displayed in a special display mode is maintained even after the variation game ends. In this specification, the expression "the image is maintained" means that the image is continuously displayed in the same display mode over the period in which multiple consecutive variation games are executed. In the following description, a variation game based on the variation pattern HP3 that starts when the execution image H0 is displayed in a blue or green display mode is referred to as a "specific variation game." The variation pattern HP3 of the specific variation game corresponds to the specific variation pattern.

The hold effect is an effect that can be executed by lottery using a predetermined random number when a predetermined condition is met when a specific variable game is started. The predetermined condition is met when one or more variable games that are on hold when the specific variable game is started include a variable game based on variable pattern HP4 or variable pattern HP5 in which an SR effect is executed. In the following explanation, if one or more variable games that are on hold when the specific variable game is started include a variable game based on variable pattern HP4 or variable pattern HP5, that variable game will be referred to as a "special variable game." Variable pattern HP4 or variable pattern HP5 of a special variable game corresponds to the special variable pattern. Variable patterns HP4 and HP5 have the same reach effect content. Therefore, there are multiple special variable patterns with the same reach fluctuation content. Furthermore, the special variable pattern has a higher expected win rate than variable pattern HP3.

Note that if multiple variable games based on variable pattern HP4 or variable pattern HP5 are on hold when a specific variable game is started, the variable game that is executed first among the multiple on hold variable games will be referred to as the "special variable game." In other words, the special variable game is a variable game that is on hold when a specific variable game is started, and is executed one to four times after the specific variable game.

When a hold effect is executed, the execution image H0, displayed in blue or green, is maintained from the time the execution image H0 is displayed until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game that is executed after the specific variable game has ended. The predetermined timing is a predetermined timing before the timing at which a reach effect (NR effect) can be started during the execution of the special variable game. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the execution of a hold effect suggests that an NR effect or an SR effect will be executed not only during the execution of the specific variable game, but also during the execution of a variable game that starts after the specific variable game has ended and until the predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game. When a hold effect is executed, the execution image H0 suggests the expected win probability of the special game based on the variation pattern HP4 or variation pattern HP5 that is executed after the special game that started when the execution image H0 was displayed, and the presentation content of the presentation game that is executed during the execution of the special game. On the other hand, when a hold effect is not executed, the execution image H0 suggests the expected win probability of the special game that started when the execution image H0 was displayed, and the presentation content of the presentation game that is executed during the execution of the special game.

Furthermore, in the pachinko gaming machine 10, when the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variable game, the display mode of the execution image H0 may change at that predetermined timing to a display mode with a higher probability of winning than the display mode of the currently displayed execution image H0. For example, when a special variable game is started, if the execution image H0 is displayed in a blue or green display mode and is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game, the display mode of the execution image H0 may change from the blue or green display mode to the red display mode at the predetermined timing.

Next, the hold branching effect executed during the execution of the specific variable game will be described.
The hold branch effect is an effect that is executed during the execution of an NR effect during the execution of a specific variable game. That is, the hold branch effect is an effect that is executed during the execution of an NR effect when the variable game that started when the execution image H0 is displayed in a blue or green display mode is a variable game based on the variable pattern HP3. The hold branch effect has a successful effect result and a failed effect result. If the hold branch effect results in a successful effect, it is possible to specify that the hold effect will be executed. If the hold branch effect results in a failed effect, it is possible to specify that the hold effect will not be executed. That is, the hold branch effect is an effect that allows the player to understand whether or not the hold effect will be executed. As a result, the hold effect may be executed when the hold branch effect is executed, or may be executed when the hold branch effect is executed but not executed.

The hold branch effect is an effect executed in a variable game based on variable pattern HP3, and since this variable game can result in a loss, it can be considered a loss suggestion effect that suggests a loss. The hold effect is an example of a specific effect that is executed when the hold branch effect is successful.

As shown in Figures 9(a) to (d), the hold branching effect is a performance that results in a success or failure depending on whether a hold image HG, consisting of the character string "HOLD," is displayed overlapping the execution image H0. Figures 9(a) to (d) show an example of a hold branching effect. Figure 9(a) shows a situation in which an NR effect is being executed during the execution of a specific variable game. At this time, the execution image H0 is displayed in blue. Then, as shown in Figure 9(b), when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the NR effect, a performance is executed in which the hold image HG is displayed in the image display area R and the hold image HG moves toward the execution display area HR0.

As shown in FIG. 9(c), if the hold branch effect results in a successful effect, the hold image HG, which has moved toward the execution display area HR0, is displayed overlapping the execution image H0. At this time, the hold image HG is displayed in a layer before the execution image H0, making part of the execution image H0 invisible, but the display mode of the execution image H0 remains identifiable. In the following description, the image displayed with the hold image HG and the execution image H0 overlapping is referred to as the hold continuation image. The hold continuation image is an example of a predetermined image. By displaying the hold continuation image, it becomes possible to identify that the hold branch effect has resulted in a successful effect. The hold continuation image continues to be displayed until the end of the variation game one before the special variation game. As described above, the special variation game is a variation game that is executed one to four times after the specific variation game. Therefore, the hold continuation image continues to be displayed until the end of any one of the following variation games: the specific variation game, the variation game one variation game after the specific variation game, the variation game two variations after the specific variation game, or the variation game three variations after the specific variation game. In this way, the hold continuation image may continue to be displayed until the specific variable game ends, or it may continue to be displayed after the specific variable game ends.

As shown in Figure 9 (d), if the hold branch effect results in a failure, the hold image HG, which has moved toward the execution display area HR0, is erased before it overlaps with the execution image H0. In other words, the hold continuation image is not displayed. In this way, in the hold branch effect, the hold image HG moves toward the execution display area HR0, and if the hold branch effect results in a success, the hold image HG and the execution image H0 are displayed in an overlapping state. For this reason, the hold branch effect can be said to be an effect that suggests that the result of the hold branch effect may be a success. By executing the hold branch effect during the execution of the NR effect while the specific variable game is being played, it becomes possible to determine whether or not the hold effect will be executed before the specific variable game ends.

The hold effect processing in which the CPU 51 executes the hold effect and the hold branch effect will be described.
When the CPU 51 inputs a fluctuation start command for the first special game, it identifies a fluctuation pattern that can be identified from the input fluctuation start command, and identifies the display mode of the execution image H0 by referring to the reservation identification value stored in the memory area corresponding to the first special reservation number = 0 of the RWM 53.

If the CPU 51 identifies the variation pattern HP3 from the input variation start command and determines that the display mode of the execution image H0 is a blue display mode or a green display mode, it decides to execute a hold branching effect. Note that if the CPU 51 does not identify the variation pattern HP3 from the input variation start command or does not determine that the display mode of the execution image H0 is a blue or green display mode, it decides not to execute a hold branching effect. When the display mode of the execution image H0 becomes a blue display mode or a green display mode, a predetermined effect will be executed.

When it is decided to execute a hold branching effect, the CPU 51 references the values of the look-ahead commands stored in the memory areas of the RWM 53 corresponding to each of the first special hold numbers = 1 to 4 (hereinafter, these memory areas are collectively referred to as the hold memory areas). The CPU 51 then determines whether a look-ahead command value capable of identifying variation pattern HP4 or variation pattern HP5 is stored in the hold memory area. If a look-ahead command value capable of identifying variation pattern HP4 or variation pattern HP5 is stored in the hold memory area, the CPU 51 stores a value capable of identifying the first special hold number corresponding to the memory area in which the look-ahead command value is stored in the variation counter of the RWM 53. Furthermore, the CPU 51 stores a value capable of identifying a variation pattern (either variation pattern HP4 or variation pattern HP5) identified from the look-ahead command value capable of identifying variation pattern HP4 or variation pattern HP5 in the RWM 53 as variation pattern information for the special variation game. As an example, if a look-ahead command value capable of identifying variation pattern HP4 is stored in a memory area corresponding to the first special reserved number = 1, the CPU 51 stores "1" in the variation counter and also stores a value capable of identifying variation pattern HP4 as variation pattern information for the special variation game.

If multiple look-ahead command values capable of identifying variation pattern HP4 or variation pattern HP5 are stored in the reserved memory area, the CPU 51 stores in the variation counter a value capable of identifying the first special reserved number corresponding to the memory area in which the variation game will be executed first among the multiple memory areas in which the look-ahead command values are stored. Furthermore, the CPU 51 stores in the RWM 53, as variation pattern information for the special variable game, a value capable of identifying a variation pattern identified from the look-ahead command value stored in the memory area in which the variation game will be executed first among the multiple memory areas in which look-ahead command values capable of identifying variation pattern HP4 or variation pattern HP5 are stored. As an example, suppose a look-ahead command value capable of identifying variation pattern HP5 is stored in the memory area corresponding to first special reserved number = 2, and a look-ahead command value capable of identifying variation pattern HP4 is stored in the memory area corresponding to first special reserved number = 4. In this case, the CPU 51 stores "2" in the variation counter and stores a value capable of identifying variation pattern HP5 as variation pattern information for the special variable game.

Furthermore, if the pending memory area stores a value of a look-ahead command that can identify variation pattern HP4 or variation pattern HP5, the CPU 51 stores holdable information in the RWM 53 as information that can identify that a hold effect can be executed. On the other hand, if the pending memory area does not store a value of a look-ahead command that can identify variation pattern HP4 or variation pattern HP5, the CPU 51 does not store holdable information in the RWM 53.

By having the CPU 51 execute this processing, the pachinko gaming machine 10 can determine whether or not one or more variable games that are on hold when a specific variable game is started include a variable game based on variable pattern HP4 or variable pattern HP5 in which an SR effect is executed (whether or not a predetermined condition is met).

Next, the CPU 51 determines whether or not to execute a hold effect based on the hold possibility information, special variable game variation pattern information, and the value of the variation counter stored in the RWM 53. If no hold possibility information is stored in the RWM 53, the CPU 51 determines not to execute a hold effect. On the other hand, if hold possibility information is stored in the RWM 53, the CPU 51 determines whether or not to execute a hold effect by lottery using a predetermined random number, based on a variation pattern that can be identified from the variation pattern information of the special variable game (hereinafter referred to as the special variation pattern) and the value of the variation counter.

Specifically, the CPU 51 determines whether to execute a hold effect so that the execution rate of the special variation pattern, which is a jackpot variation pattern, is higher in the sum of the execution rate of the special variation pattern when the variation counter is a jackpot variation pattern and the execution rate of the special variation pattern when the variation counter is a loss variation pattern, when the variation counter value is 2 through 4 than when the value is 1. By executing this process, the CPU 51 in the pachinko gaming machine 10 ensures that the expected winning probability when the hold effect is executed is relatively higher when the special variation game is the variation game two to four times after the specific variation game than when the special variation game is the variation game one time after the specific variation game. In other words, the expected winning probability is relatively higher when the execution image H0 held after the specific variation game is executed is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variation game executed two to four times after the specific variation game than when the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variation game executed one time after the specific variation game. If execution of the hold effect is not determined, the CPU 51 sets the value of the variation counter to 0. When determining whether to execute a hold effect, the CPU 51 determines the effect pattern for the hold branch effect based on the result of the determination of whether to execute a hold effect.

As shown in Figure 10, multiple types of presentation patterns, EP1 to EP8, are defined for the hold branch presentation. Presentation pattern EP1 is a presentation pattern that results in a failed presentation in the hold branch presentation. On the other hand, presentation patterns EP2 to EP8 are presentation patterns that result in a successful presentation in the hold branch presentation.

Effect patterns EP2 to EP5 are effect patterns that can be determined when the display mode of the stored execution image H0 is blue, and are defined so that the final display mode of the execution image H0, which is displayed after a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game, differs depending on the type of effect pattern. Similarly, effect patterns EP6 to EP8 are effect patterns that can be determined when the display mode of the stored execution image H0 is green, and are defined so that the final display mode of the execution image H0, which is displayed after a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game, differs depending on the type of effect pattern.

As an example, effect pattern EP2 is an effect pattern that can be determined when the display mode of the stored execution image H0 is a blue display mode, and the final display mode of the execution image H0 displayed after a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game is also a blue display mode. As an example, effect pattern EP7 is an effect pattern that can be determined when the display mode of the stored execution image H0 is a green display mode, and the final display mode of the execution image H0 displayed after a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game is a red display mode.

The CPU 51 determines the presentation pattern of the hold branching presentation using different tables depending on whether it has determined that a hold presentation will not be performed or whether it has determined that a hold presentation will be performed. Furthermore, if it has determined that a hold presentation will be performed, the CPU 51 determines the presentation pattern of the hold branching presentation using different tables depending on whether the display mode identified from the hold specific value stored in the memory area of the RWM 53 corresponding to the first special hold number = 0 is a blue display mode or a green display mode.

If the CPU 51 determines that a hold effect will not be executed, it determines the effect pattern for the hold branch effect from the first effect table. The first effect table is a table that determines effect pattern EP1. In other words, if the CPU 51 determines that a hold effect will not be executed, it determines the effect pattern that will result in a failed effect.

On the other hand, when the CPU 51 determines that a hold effect will be executed and the display mode identified from the hold specific value stored in the memory area of the RWM 53 corresponding to the first special hold number = 0 is a blue display mode, the CPU 51 determines the display pattern of the hold branch effect from the second effect table by lottery using a predetermined random number based on the special variation pattern. The second effect table is a table in which one of the effect patterns EP2 to EP5 is determined as the display pattern for the hold branch effect. The second effect table allocates different random numbers corresponding to each effect pattern depending on whether the special variation pattern is a jackpot variation pattern or a loss variation pattern, and allocates random numbers so that the final display mode of the execution image H0 has a higher expected win probability for the special variation game in the order blue < green < red < rainbow. Note that when the special variation pattern is a loss variation pattern, the second effect table allocates random numbers so that the allocation value corresponding to the rainbow variation pattern is 0.

Furthermore, when the CPU 51 determines that a hold effect will be executed and the display mode identified from the hold specific value stored in the memory area of the RWM 53 corresponding to the first special hold number = 0 is a green display mode, the CPU 51 determines the display pattern of the hold branch effect from the third effect table by lottery using a predetermined random number based on the special variation pattern. The third effect table is a table in which one of the effect patterns EP6 to EP8 is determined as the display pattern for the hold branch effect. The third effect table allocates different random numbers corresponding to each effect pattern depending on whether the special variation pattern is a jackpot variation pattern or a loss variation pattern, and allocates random numbers so that the final display mode of the execution image H0 has a higher probability of winning the special variation game in the order of green < red < rainbow. Note that when the special variation pattern is a loss variation pattern, the third effect table allocates random numbers so that the allocation value corresponding to the rainbow variation pattern is 0.

When it is decided to execute a hold branch effect and the effect pattern of the hold branch effect has been determined, the CPU 51 controls the effect display device EH to execute a hold branch effect based on the effect pattern determined when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the NR effect. In particular, when the CPU 51 determines a hold branch effect pattern that will result in a successful effect, it controls the effect display device EH to display the hold image HG superimposed on the execution image H0 at a predetermined timing during the execution of the hold branch effect.

Furthermore, if it is decided to execute a hold effect, the CPU 51 subtracts 1 from the value of the fluctuation counter stored in the RWM 53 each time a fluctuation start command is input after the specific fluctuation game has ended. The CPU 51 can determine that a special fluctuation game has started when the subtracted fluctuation counter value becomes 0, and can determine that a specific timing has occurred during the execution of the special fluctuation game when a predetermined time has passed by counting the elapsed time since the special fluctuation game started.

If it is decided to execute a hold effect, the CPU 51 controls the effect display device EH to continue displaying the execution image H0 in the display mode when the specific variation game started until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variation game. Furthermore, the CPU 51 determines the timing at which the SR effect will start by counting the elapsed time since the start of the special variation game. Then, the CPU 51 controls the effect display device EH to display the execution image H0 in the final display mode specified by the determined effect pattern of the hold branch effect during the period from the predetermined timing during the execution of the special variation game until before the SR effect starts. Note that if it is not decided to execute a hold effect, the CPU 51 erases the execution image H0 when the specific variation game ends, and controls the effect display device EH to display a new execution image H0 when a variation start command for the variation game next to the specific variation game is input.

Furthermore, when the CPU 51 decides to execute a hold effect, it updates the value of the look-ahead command without updating the hold specification value stored in the memory area corresponding to the first special hold number = 0, even if a variation start command is input until a predetermined timing during execution of the special variation game. Then, at a predetermined timing during execution of the special variation game, the CPU 51 stores a hold specification value capable of specifying the final display mode defined by the effect pattern of the hold branch effect in the memory area corresponding to the first special hold number = 0 of the RWM 53. By executing this process, even if a hold effect is executed, a hold specification value capable of specifying the display mode of the displayed execution image H0 is stored in the memory area corresponding to the first special hold number = 0 of the RWM 53 during the period from the start of the specific variation game to before the start of the SR effect during execution of the special variation game.

Furthermore, when the CPU 51 determines a presentation pattern for a hold branch presentation that results in a successful presentation, it controls the presentation display device EH to continue displaying the hold continuation image until the timing at which the special variation game starts. Furthermore, when the special variation game ends, the CPU 51 erases the variation pattern information and hold availability information for the special variation game stored in the RWM 53.

By performing the above processing, the hold effect is executed for multiple variations from the specific variation game to the special variation game, so it can be said to be a continuous effect. The CPU 51 can then determine the final variation game in the continuous effect by identifying the special variation game.

Next, the special display flag clearing process executed by the CPU 51 will be described.
When a variation end command is input, the CPU 51 determines whether a special display flag is stored in the RWM 53. If a special display flag is stored, the CPU 51 determines whether the value of the variation counter is greater than 0. When a hold effect is executed, a value greater than 0 is stored in the variation counter from the time when it is determined that a hold branch effect will be executed until the special variation game starts. Therefore, if the CPU 51 determines that the value of the variation counter is greater than 0 when the variation end command is input, it can determine that when a hold effect is executed, the period is from the time when it is determined that a hold branch effect will be executed until the special variation game ends. If the value of the variation counter is not greater than 0 when the variation end command is input, the CPU 51 clears the special display flag. On the other hand, if the value of the variation counter is greater than 0 when the variation end command is input, the CPU 51 does not clear the special display flag. When the CPU 51 executes such processing and a hold effect is executed, the hold look-ahead effect will not be executed during the period from when it is decided to execute the hold branch effect until the special variable game ends, even if the CPU 51 inputs a look-ahead command.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, an example of a presentation mode when a hold branch presentation and a hold presentation are executed will be described.
11, an example will be described in which, by determining to execute a hold effect, the execution image H0 is held from the execution of a specific variation game until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game one game after the specific variation game, and the display mode of the execution image H0 does not change at the predetermined timing. Note that it is assumed that the special variation game is reserved and stored before the specific variation game is started.

As shown in FIG. 11, a variable game (specific variable game) based on variable pattern HP3 (NR effect (miss)) begins at time T01. While the variable game is being played, the execution image H0 is displayed in blue in the execution display area HR0. Then, the NR effect begins at time T02, and the hold branch effect begins at time T03, a predetermined time after the NR effect began. The hold branch effect is executed based on effect pattern EP2, resulting in a successful effect at time T04. At this time, the hold image HG is displayed overlapping the execution image H0. In other words, the display of the hold continuation image makes it possible to identify that a hold effect will be executed. The hold branch effect ends at time T04, before the end of the specific variable game. Even after the hold branch effect ends, the hold continuation image is displayed until time T05, when the specific variable game ends.

At time T05, when a variable game (special variable game) based on variable pattern HP5 starts, the hold image HG is hidden, while the execution image H0 is maintained. In other words, the hold continuation image is no longer displayed. At this time, the hold image H1 that was displayed in the hold display area HR1 during the execution of the specific variable game does not move to the execution display area HR0, and the execution image H0 that was displayed during the execution of the specific variable game continues to be displayed. Then, even at a specified timing (time T06) when a predetermined amount of time has passed since the start of the variable game, the execution image H0 maintains its blue display mode. Thereafter, the execution image H0, displayed in blue, is displayed until time T07 before the SR effect starts, and then is hidden during the period from time T07 to time T08 during which the SR effect is executed. Then, when the next variable game starts, a new execution image H0 is displayed.

As described above, the hold effect in this embodiment is executed when the execution image H0 displayed in the execution display area HR0 changes to blue when the specific variation game starts, and then the hold branch effect results in a successful effect. In other words, the hold effect corresponding to the specific variation effect can be executed when a ball enters the first starting hole 12 before the execution image H0 changes to blue when the specific variation game starts. More specifically, the hold effect can be executed when a ball enters the first starting hole 12, creating a reserved memory that can become a special variation game. Furthermore, because the execution image H0 changes to blue when the specific variation game starts, the specific variation game becomes the earliest variation game when multiple variation games are reserved and stored. The state in which the execution image H0 remains blue can continue until a specific variation game that starts after the specific variation game, specifically a special variation game, starts. Because the special variation game is a variation game based on variation patterns HP4 and HP5, a high-expectation effect with a higher expectation than a variation game that starts before the special variation game, such as a specific variation game, is executed.

Next, referring to Figure 12, we will explain an example of when a decision is not made to execute a hold effect and a hold branch effect is executed. Below, we will omit explanations of parts that overlap with the above explanation.

As shown in Figure 12, even if it is not decided to execute a hold effect, if the execution image H0 is displayed in blue (or green) at the start of the variation, the hold branch effect will start at time T13, a predetermined time after the NR effect started during the execution of the specific variation game. The hold branch effect is executed based on the effect pattern EP1, resulting in a failed effect. In this case, at time T14 when the hold branch effect ends, the hold continuation image is not displayed. The execution image H0, displayed in blue, is hidden at time T15 when the specific variation game ends. Then, when the next variation game starts, a new execution image H0 is displayed.

Next, referring to Figure 13, we will explain an example in which the execution of a hold effect is decided, and the execution image H0 is held from the time the specific variation game is being played until a predetermined timing during the time the special variation game is being played two times after the specific variation game, and the display mode of the execution image H0 changes at the predetermined timing.

As shown in Figure 13, when the specific variable game starts at time T21, the execution image H0 is displayed in a green display mode. Then, at time T23, the hold branch effect starts. The hold branch effect is executed based on effect pattern EP7, resulting in a successful effect. At time T24, the display of the hold continuation image starts.

At time T25, the specific variable game ends, and a variable game based on variable pattern HP1 (normal miss) begins as the next variable game after the specific variable game. At this time, the hold continuation image (execution image H0 and hold image HG) is maintained.

After that, at time T26, when a variable game (special variable game) based on variable pattern HP5 starts, the hold image HG is hidden, while the execution image H0 is retained. In other words, the hold continuation image is no longer displayed. Then, at a predetermined timing (time T27) after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the start of the variable game, the display mode of the execution image H0 changes from a green display mode to a red display mode. In this way, the display mode of the retained execution image H0 may change from a green (or blue) display mode to a red (or rainbow) display mode at a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game. Thereafter, the execution image H0, displayed in red, is displayed until time T28, before the SR effect starts, and then is hidden during the period from time T28 to time T29 during which the SR effect is executed. Then, when the next variable game starts, a new execution image H0 is displayed.

In this way, when the execution image H0 is displayed in a blue or green display mode in the execution display area HR0 on the effect display device EH, the execution image H0 displayed in a blue or green display mode may be maintained until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variation game that is executed after the specific variation game has ended. Because a reach effect (NR effect) is executed during the execution of the specific variation game, the execution image H0 will be maintained after the reach effect is executed. Furthermore, at a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variation game, the display mode of the execution image H0 may or may not change. Then, after the predetermined timing during the execution of the special variation game, an SR effect is executed.

In addition, if the hold branch effect results in a successful effect, the effect display device EH executes the hold effect, and the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game. On the other hand, if the hold branch effect results in a failed effect, the hold effect is not executed, and the execution image H0 is hidden after the specific variable game ends.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) For an execution image H0 indicating a probability of winning, a hold effect can be executed when the execution image H0 is displayed in a blue or green display mode, which indicates a higher probability of winning than a white display mode, when a variation game is started. Generally, if a hold effect is not executed, even if the execution image H0 is displayed in a blue or green display mode when a variation game is started, the execution image H0 disappears when the variation game ends, and the player's sense of expectation is lost. In contrast, by executing a hold effect, the execution image H0 displayed in a blue or green display mode may be maintained until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game that is executed after the end of the started variation game (specific variation game). Therefore, when a hold effect is executed, the sense of expectation that can be generated from the display mode of the execution image H0 can be maintained not only during the execution of the started variation game, but also until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game that is executed after the end of the variation game. Furthermore, compared to, for example, when an image that does not indicate a probability of winning by itself, such as a display pattern, is targeted, the effect of displaying the same image in multiple consecutive variation games can be enhanced. This can increase the player's interest in the game.

(2) The execution image H0 is an image different from the effect symbol EZ, and is an image displayed in the execution display area HR0 while the variable game is being played. Therefore, while the variable game is being played, the player can focus on the variable displayed effect symbol EZ, while also being able to infer the expected probability of winning and the effect content from the display mode of the execution image H0, which is different from the effect symbol EZ.

(3) The execution image H0 may be held after a reach effect (NR effect) is executed during the execution of a specific variable game. Therefore, if the execution image H0 is held after a miss in the reach effect, it is possible to lift the spirits of a player who was disappointed by the miss in the reach effect, and to keep the player hopeful of hitting a jackpot until the end of the special variable game.

(4) Reach effects include NR effects and SR effects, which have a higher probability of winning than NR effects. After the execution image H0 is held, the SR effect is executed during the execution of the special variable game. Therefore, by holding the execution image H0, the player can understand that the SR effect will be executed during the execution of the special variable game, and can also expect that a winning symbol combination will be derived in the SR effect.

(5) A special variable game is a variable game that is on hold when a specific variable game is started, and is executed one to four times after the specific variable game has been played. Therefore, for example, if multiple variable games are on hold when a specific variable game is started, and the execution image H0 displayed in blue or green is held after the specific variable game has ended, the player can expect that one of the multiple variable games that was on hold when the specific variable game started will result in a jackpot. Then, when the execution image H0 is held after the specific variable game has ended, the player can enjoy the fun of guessing which of the multiple variable games that was on hold when the specific variable game started is most likely to result in a jackpot.

(6) When the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game that is executed two to four times after the specific variation game, the likelihood of a win is relatively higher than when the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game that is executed one time after the specific variation game. Therefore, when the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game that is executed two to four times after the specific variation game, the expectation of a jackpot can be further heightened compared to when the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game that is executed one time after the specific variation game. Furthermore, when the execution image H0 is held, particular attention can be drawn to whether the execution image H0 will be held until a predetermined timing in the variation game that is executed two times after the specific variation game, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(7) If the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game, the display mode of the execution image H0 may change at the predetermined timing from a blue or green display mode to a red or rainbow display mode, which has a higher probability of winning than the previous display mode. Therefore, it is possible to draw attention to whether the display mode of the execution image H0 changes at the predetermined timing, and to anticipate that it will change to a display mode with a higher probability of winning.

(8) The predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game is a timing before the timing at which the reach effect can be started during the execution of the special variable game. Therefore, when the execution image H0 is held, during the execution of the special variable game, the player can infer the expected probability of winning from the display state of the execution image H0 at the predetermined timing before the reach effect is executed, and can then enjoy the reach effect that is executed after the predetermined timing.

(9) At a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variable game, whether or not the display mode of the execution image H0 changes from a blue or green display mode to a red or rainbow display mode, the execution image H0 continues to be displayed during the period from the predetermined timing until the SR effect is executed. Therefore, regardless of the display mode of the execution image H0 at the predetermined timing, the expected probability of a win can be predicted from the display mode of the execution image H0 during the period from the predetermined timing until the SR effect is executed. Furthermore, after the SR effect has started, regardless of which special display mode the display mode of the execution image H0 was before the SR effect started, the player can enjoy the SR reach effect without being distracted by the execution image H0.

(10) The hold branch effect is an effect that suggests that the result of the hold branch effect may be a successful effect. Therefore, when a hold branch effect is executed, the player can be made to understand that a situation may arise in which the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game that is executed after the specific variable game. This allows the player to pay attention to whether or not the hold branch effect is executed during the execution of the variable game. If the hold branch effect results in a successful effect, the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special game, while if the effect results in an unsuccessful effect, the execution image H0 is hidden after the specific variable game ends. This allows the player to anticipate a successful effect in the hold branch effect, and if a successful effect is achieved, the player can be made to understand with certainty that the execution image H0 will be held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game, thereby heightening the player's anticipation.

(11) The hold branch effect ends before the specific variable game ends. If the hold branch effect results in a successful effect, a hold continuation image that indicates the successful effect is displayed from the end of the hold branch effect until the end of the variable game immediately preceding the special variable game. Therefore, even if a player misses the result of the hold branch effect, if the hold branch effect results in a successful effect, the player can understand that the effect has been successful by checking the display of the hold continuation image from the end of the hold branch effect until the end of the variable game immediately preceding the special variable game. The hold continuation image is displayed until the end of the specific variable game. Therefore, compared to when the hold continuation image is not displayed, it is easier for the player to understand, before the specific variable game ends, that the execution image H0 will be maintained even after the specific variable game ends. As a result, the player can be made to expect that the special variable game executed after the specific variable game will result in a jackpot before the specific variable game ends, thereby reducing disappointment when the specific variable game ends without a jackpot.

(12) The hold continuation image continues to be displayed until the variable game immediately preceding the special variable game ends. In other words, when the displayed hold continuation image disappears, the player can identify that the special variable game has started. This allows the player to know when the special variable game will start, thereby drawing particular attention to the special variable game.

(13) When the execution image H0 is held, the reserved images H1 to H4 are not displayed in a special display mode. Therefore, compared to when the reserved images H1 to H4 are displayed in a special display mode when the execution image H0 is held, it is possible to more easily draw attention to the held execution image H0.

(14) At a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game, the display mode of the execution image H0 may change from a blue or green display mode to a red or rainbow display mode. Therefore, even if the reserved image is displayed in a blue or green display mode when the reserved image pre-read effect is executed, the hold effect is executed after the reserved image is displayed as the execution image H0, so that the display mode of the execution image H0 can be expected to change to a red or rainbow display mode at a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game.

The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows. Note that the above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradictions exist.

- The timing at which the display mode of the execution image H0 displayed in the execution display area HR0 changes to blue or green may be when the fluctuation pattern HP3 begins to fluctuate or while the fluctuation pattern HP3 is fluctuating. The timing of the change may also be before the fluctuation pattern HP3 begins to fluctuate, i.e., when it is displayed in the hold display areas HR1 to HR4. In other words, when the execution image H0 changes to a blue or green display mode, there is a possibility that a hold branch effect and a hold effect will be executed afterwards. When the execution image H0 is displayed in a blue or green mode, or when an NR effect fluctuates, the expectation of a win is usually low. However, by executing a hold effect in such cases, it is possible to create a sense of anticipation for a win, even when an effect with a low expectation of a win is being executed. Furthermore, by effectively using such effects with a low expectation of a win to create anticipation for a win, the variety of effects can be expanded. Note that the hold branch effect and the hold effect may be executable when the display mode of the execution image H0 is a blue display mode.

- The hold effect can be executed when fluctuation patterns HP4 and HP5 occur, but when the hold effect is executed, it may also be in a situation where high-expectation effects, such as fluctuation patterns HP4 and HP5, are more likely to be executed.

- The hold effect may be an effect that has a higher probability of winning when it is executed than when it is not executed. In this case, even if the same effect is used, that is, the display mode of the execution image H0 is blue or green, the probability of winning can be made different depending on whether the hold effect is executed or not.

- The degree of expectation that can be created by the hold effect may be other degrees of expectation in addition to or instead of the degree of expectation of a win. For example, the degree of expectation may be the type of jackpot game (the number of rounds) or the favorability of the game state after the jackpot game. The favorability of the game state may include whether or not a special state is granted, the number of times the special state continues, whether or not a high ball entry rate state is granted, the number of times the high ball entry rate state continues, etc., or any combination of these.

- The presentation mode of the hold effect includes continuously displaying the execution image H0 in a blue or green display mode. The presentation mode of the hold effect also includes further changing the display mode of the execution image H0 to a red or rainbow display mode that is different from either the white display mode or the blue or green display mode. As explained in the above embodiment, the display mode includes a white display mode, which is a predetermined mode, and a special display mode, which is a display mode other than white. The special display mode includes a specific mode, which is a blue or green display mode, and a special mode, which is a red or rainbow display mode. Note that such changes in display mode are also performed in the hold pre-reading effect.

- The hold effect only needs to be executed until the special variable game starts, and its end timing may be changed. For example, the end timing may be until a predetermined time has passed since the start of the special variable game, or when the effect develops into an SR effect.

- In the above embodiment, the expected probability indicated by the execution image H0 and the reserved images H1 to H4 was the expected probability of a big hit, but it may also be the expected probability of a combined big hit and small hit, or the expected probability of a small hit.

- In the above embodiment, the SR effect was a reach effect with a higher expectation of a jackpot than the NR effect, but the SR effect may also be a reach effect with a higher expectation of a combined jackpot and small jackpot than the NR effect, or a reach effect with a higher expectation of a small jackpot.

- When the execution image H0 is held, the probability of a big win is higher when it is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game that is executed two to four times after the specific variation game than when it is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game that is executed one time after the specific variation game, but this is not limited to this. The combined probability of a big win and a small win may be higher when it is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game that is executed two to four times after the specific variation game than when it is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game that is executed one time after the specific variation game. Also, the probability of a small win may be higher when it is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game that is executed two to four times after the specific variation game than when it is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variation game that is executed one time after the specific variation game.

- After the execution image H0 is held, there may be cases where an SR effect is not executed during the execution of a special variable game. In this case, for example, the predetermined condition may be met when one or more variable games held when the specific variable game is started include a variable game based on one of the variation patterns HP2, HP3 in which an NR effect is executed, and the variation patterns HP4, HP5 in which an SR effect is executed. For example, if an SR effect is not executed during the execution of a special variable game, the display mode of the execution image H0 held in blue or green may not change at a predetermined timing. Furthermore, even if an SR effect is not executed during the execution of a special variable game, an NR effect may be executed. By holding the execution image H0, the player can understand that an NR effect will be executed during the execution of the special variable game, but cannot know that an SR effect will be executed, but can understand that an SR effect may be executed. Furthermore, because it becomes clear that an SR effect will be executed when the display mode of the execution image H0 changes at a predetermined timing, the player can further pay attention to whether or not the display mode of the execution image H0 changes at the predetermined timing.

- Although the four types of special display modes shown in FIG. 8 have been defined for the execution image H0 and the reserved images H1-H4, this is not limited to these. For example, in addition to the four types of special display modes shown in FIG. 8, a flashing display mode may also be included. In this case, the flashing display mode may be a display mode with a higher probability of winning than the white display mode, and a lower probability of winning than the blue display mode. The flashing display mode may also be a display mode included in the second mode. Also, for example, the special display mode may not include one or more of the four types of special display modes shown in FIG. 8. For example, the special display mode may not include the blue display mode, and may not include the green display mode. Also, for example, the special display mode may not include the blue display mode or the rainbow display mode.

When the execution image H0 is displayed in a blue or green display mode, the NR or SR effect may not be executed during the execution of the variation game that started when the execution image H0 was displayed. In other words, the second mode of the execution image H0 and the hold images H1 to H4 may be a display mode with a higher expectation of a jackpot than the first mode, suggesting that a reach effect may or may not be executed during the execution of the variation game that started when the execution image H0 was displayed. In this case, the execution image H0 may be displayed in the second mode during the execution of a variation game based on variation patterns HP1 to HP5. Even if the execution image H0 is displayed in the second mode when a variation game based on variation patterns HP1 and HP3 starts, the execution image H0 may be retained after the variation game ends, thereby executing a hold effect similar to the above embodiment. In other words, the execution image H0 may be retained regardless of whether a reach effect is executed or not executed in the specific variation game that started when the execution image H0 was displayed in the second mode. This allows players to expect that the execution image H0 will be retained regardless of whether a reach effect is executed during the execution of a specific variation game. In this case, it is preferable to make it possible to execute a hold branch effect for a predetermined period even during the execution of a variation game based on variation pattern HP1. Furthermore, as in this modified example, it is possible to make it possible for the execution image H0 to be retained after the end of a variation game based on variation pattern HP1, and not to retain the execution image H0 after the end of a variation game based on variation pattern HP3. In other words, it is also possible to make it possible for the execution image H0 to not be retained after the reach effect is executed.

- If the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game, a reach effect may or may not be executed during the execution of the special variable game. In this case, whether or not to execute a hold effect may be determined when the specific variable game starts, regardless of whether or not a predetermined condition is met. Furthermore, as in the above modified example, the second state of the execution image H0 and the reserved images H1 to H4 is a display state that has a higher expectation of a jackpot than the first state, and is a display state that suggests that a reach effect may or may not be executed during the execution of the variable game that starts when the execution image H0 is displayed.

- If the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variation game, an NR effect or an SR effect may be executed during the execution of the special variation game. In this case, the predetermined condition may be a condition that is met when one or more variation games that are on hold when the specific variation game is started include a variation game based on variation patterns HP2 to HP5.

- As in the above embodiment, assuming that the "variable display" and "stop display" of the effect symbol EZ are executed during the variable game, in the variable game that starts when the start conditions for the special game are met, the effect symbol may be stopped and displayed after the variable display of the effect symbol EZ is executed multiple times. In this case, a reach effect may be executed in the final variable display of the multiple variable displays of the effect symbol EZ. Furthermore, in addition to or instead of the final variable display, a reach effect may be executed in the variable display executed before the final variable display, such as the first variable display and the variable display executed between the first and final variable displays.

- The presentation mode of the hold branching effect is not limited to the presentation mode of the above embodiment. For example, the presentation mode of the hold branching effect may be an effect that suggests that the hold image HG is displayed at a specific position in the image display area R that is different from the execution display area HR0. If the presentation result is successful, the hold image HG may be displayed at the specific position, while if the presentation result is unsuccessful, the hold image HG may not be displayed in the image display area R. In this case, the hold image HG that was displayed at the specific position when the presentation result was successful may be displayed as a hold continuation image. In this case, if the presentation result in the hold branching effect is successful, the hold image HG will not be displayed overlapping the execution image H0. In other words, the entire execution image H0 will be visible even while the hold continuation image is displayed.

The hold continuation image may be hidden at any time after the specific variation game has ended. For example, it may be displayed until a predetermined time has elapsed after the specific variation game has ended. In this way, the hold continuation image may be displayed from the end of the hold branching effect until at least the end of the specific variation game. As with the above embodiment, this modified example makes it easier for players to understand, before the specific variation game ends, that the execution image H0 will be retained even after the specific variation game has ended, compared to when the hold continuation image is not displayed. As a result, before the specific variation game ends, players can be made to hope that the special variation game executed after the specific variation game will result in a jackpot, which reduces player disappointment when the specific variation game ends without a jackpot.

- If the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game, and the special variable game is the variable game two times after the specific variable game, the hold branch effect may be executed at a predetermined timing even during the execution of the variable game executed one time after the specific variable game. In this case, the hold branch effect executed in the variable game one time after the specific variable game should result in a successful effect, just like the hold branch effect executed during the execution of the specific variable game. Furthermore, in any hold branch effect executed multiple times, the hold continuation image should be hidden when the variable game in which the hold branch effect is executed ends.

- The pachinko gaming machine 10 may have multiple types of presentation modes. In this case, depending on the type of presentation mode, one or both of the background image displayed on the presentation display device EH and the sound output from the speaker SP during execution of the variable game may be configured to differ. Furthermore, depending on the type of presentation mode, the shapes of the execution image H0 and the hold images H1 to H4 may differ. Furthermore, depending on the type of presentation mode, there may be presentation modes in which hold branching presentations and hold presentations are executed, and presentation modes in which hold branching presentations and hold presentations are not executed.

- In the above embodiment, when a hold effect is executed, the hold branch effect may not be executed. In this case, after the execution image H0 is displayed in blue or green, it is possible to determine whether the execution image H0 will be retained even after the start of the next specific variable game, depending on whether the execution image H0 becomes invisible when the specific variable game ends.

- In the above embodiment, the execution image H0 may be retained until a predetermined timing during the execution of a variation game that is executed one to four times after the specific variation game, but this is not limited to this. The execution image H0 may also be retained until a predetermined timing during the execution of a variation game that is executed one to three times after the specific variation game, or until a predetermined timing during the execution of a variation game that is executed one or two times after the specific variation game.

- In a situation where the execution image H0 is being held, if the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 10 is cut off and then resumed, the execution image H0 may not be displayed. In other words, if the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 10 is cut off and then resumed, the execution image H0 may no longer be held. Then, a new execution image H0 may be displayed when the first variable game is started after the power supply is resumed. In this case, the effect display device EH may be controlled to display a new execution image H0 when the CPU 51 inputs a variable start command. Alternatively, a new execution image H0 may be displayed when the next variable game after the special variable game is started after the power supply is resumed. In this case, the pachinko gaming machine 10 may be configured to have a backup power supply and to back up the value of the variable counter stored in the RWM 53 if the power supply is interrupted. Then, after the power supply is resumed, the CPU 51 decrements the backed-up fluctuation counter value by 1 each time it inputs a fluctuation start command, and if the fluctuation counter value reaches 0, it controls the effect display device EH to display a new execution image H0 when it inputs a fluctuation start command for the next fluctuation game.

- If the power supply to the pachinko gaming machine 10 is cut off (power supply is interrupted) while a hold effect is being executed and before the conditions for terminating the hold effect are met and its execution is restricted, and the power is then restored, the execution of the hold effect after restoration may be restricted. In other words, the hold effect will not be executed after power is restored. In this case, the display mode of the execution image H0 after restoration may be the same display mode as before power was interrupted, or it may be a white display mode, i.e., a state without a special display mode. Regardless of the display mode that the execution image H0 can take, the effect display device EH places a restriction on the execution of the hold effect, which may change the expectation level that can be determined from the display content. This allows the player to experience different sensations before and after the power is interrupted.

- If the power is cut off after the execution image H0 has turned blue or green and before the hold branch effect is executed, and then restored, the hold branch effect may be executed. Also, if the hold branch effect is executed after restoration, the execution image H0 may return to its blue or green display state. By executing the miss indication effect, it can be recognized that the state has returned to before the power was cut off.

- The execution image H0 may not be displayed while the SR effect is being performed, regardless of whether the execution image H0 is held. On the other hand, the execution image H0 may be displayed even while the SR effect is being performed, regardless of whether the execution image H0 is held or not. Note that if the execution image H0 is displayed while the SR effect is being performed, the display mode of the execution image H0 may be configured to be able to change to a display mode with a higher probability of winning than the display mode of the currently displayed execution image H0 at a predetermined timing during the SR effect.

-While the SR performance is being performed, the pending images H1 to H4 may or may not be displayed.
The execution image H0 may be hidden when the SR effect starts, and after the SR effect ends, the hidden execution image H0 may be redisplayed before the variable game in which the SR effect was executed ends.Then, the redisplayed execution image H0 may be hidden at the timing when the variable game in which the SR effect was executed ends.

- Each time a special game starts, the reserved image moves through the reserved display areas HR4 → HR3 → HR2 → HR1 → HR0 in that order. At the time the reserved image moves, the display mode of the reserved image may change to a display mode that indicates a higher chance of winning than the display mode of the reserved image before the move.

In addition to or instead of the above embodiment, when the execution image H0 is displayed in a red or rainbow display mode, the variable game that starts when the execution image H0 is displayed may be a specific variable game, and the execution image H0 may be held until a predetermined timing during the execution of a special variable game that is executed after the specific variable game has ended. In this case, when the execution image H0 is held, as in the above embodiment, the SR effect may not be executed during the execution of the specific variable game, and a hold branch effect may be executed during the execution of the NR effect. Furthermore, when the execution image H0 displayed in a red display mode is held, the display mode of the execution image H0 may or may not change from the red display mode to the rainbow display mode at a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game.

- The multiple display modes for the execution image H0 and the reserved images H1-H4 have different colors for the displayed images depending on the type of display mode, but this is not limited to this; the shape of the displayed image may also differ depending on the type of display mode.

- If the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variation game two times after the specific variation game, a reach effect with a lower expectation of a jackpot than the reach effect executed during the execution of the special variation game two times after the specific variation game may be executed during the execution of the variation game one time after the specific variation game. For example, if the execution image H0 is held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variation game two times after the specific variation game, an NR effect may be executed during the execution of the variation game one time after the specific variation game.

- After the execution image H0 is displayed in a white display mode when a variation game based on variation pattern HP3 (NR effect (miss)) is started, the display mode of the execution image H0 may change from the white display mode to a special display mode at a specific timing before the NR effect is started during the execution of the variation game. In this case, when a variation game based on variation pattern HP3 is started, it is preferable to determine which special display mode the display mode of the execution image H0 will change to at the specific timing. Then, a variation game based on variation pattern HP3 in which the display mode of the execution image H0 changes to a blue or green display mode at the specific timing may be treated as a specific variation game, and a hold branch effect and a hold effect may be executed as in the above embodiment.

- When multiple variable games are played consecutively, a predetermined interval period may be set between the end of one variable game and the start of the next variable game. In this case, the execution image H0 displayed when one variable game starts will be retained even after the start of the next variable game, and will therefore also be retained during the predetermined interval period.

- For example, suppose a situation occurs in which multiple variable games are on hold when a specific variable game is started, and the variable game executed one specific variable game after that is a variable game in which a reach effect is not executed (a variable game based on variable pattern HP1), and the variable game executed two specific variable games after that is a variable game in which an SR effect is executed. Given this situation, the variable game executed one specific variable game after that may be a special variable game, and the execution image H0 displayed in a blue or green display mode may be held until a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game. Furthermore, at the predetermined timing, the display mode of the execution image H0 may change to a red or rainbow display mode. Regardless of whether the display mode of the execution image H0 has changed at the predetermined timing, the execution image H0 may again be held from a predetermined timing during the execution of the special variable game until a predetermined timing during the execution of the variable game executed one special variable game after that (two specific variable games after that).

- The relative probability of winning may be the same when the special variable game is the variable game one time after the specific variable game and when the special variable game is the variable game two to four times after the specific variable game.

- In addition to or instead of the above embodiment, a hold look-ahead effect may be executed for the second special game in either or both of the first advantageous state and the second advantageous state. Furthermore, a hold effect and a hold branch effect may also be executed in the first advantageous state and the second advantageous state.

- The pachinko gaming machine 10 can be designed to provide a high probability state until the next jackpot game, a high probability state until a drop lottery is won (a so-called drop machine), or a high probability state until a specified number of variable games have been completed (a so-called ST machine). The pachinko gaming machine 10 can be designed to provide a high probability state on the condition that the gaming ball passes through a specific area (a so-called "V zone") (a so-called V-probability variable machine). The pachinko gaming machine 10 may also be designed to combine the drop machine and V-probability variable machine specifications.

- If a small prize is won in the special prize lottery, a small prize game (winning game) may be awarded after the special game ends. In this embodiment, the system may be configured to be controllable to create a state (so-called small prize rush) in which the number of times (frequency) a small prize is won per unit time or the number of times (frequency) a small prize game is awarded per unit time is increased compared to the normal game state (e.g., normal state).

- The pachinko gaming machine 10 may be a circulating pachinko gaming machine in which gaming balls, an example of a gaming medium, are circulated within the machine. In this case, the balls held by the player may be managed electronically in the pachinko gaming machine 10.

- The pachinko gaming machine 10 may adopt specifications classified as the second type, also known as a "wing type" or "airplane type." In this type of pachinko gaming machine, when a gaming ball enters the starting hole, the opening and closing blades (opening and closing members) of the ball entry device (big prize entry hole) open, and the gaming ball that entered the ball entry device enters the special prize entry hole, triggering a big win.

- The pachinko gaming machine 10 may have the sub-board 50 as a sub-general control board, and may also have, separate from the sub-board 50, a display control board that specializes in controlling the effect display device EH, an audio control board that specializes in controlling the speaker SP, and a lamp control board that specializes in controlling the decorative lamps LA. Also, some or all of the display control board, audio control board, and lamp control board may be the same board. Furthermore, the CPU 51 may be made up of multiple CPUs mounted on a single board.

- The pachinko gaming machine 10 may be equipped with a single control board that integrates the functions of the main board 40 and the sub-board 50. The functions of the main board 40 may also be realized by dividing them into multiple boards. The CPU 41 may be composed of multiple CPUs mounted on a single board.

Next, the technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be additionally described below.
(i) A gaming machine comprising an effect display means for displaying effects and a control means for controlling the display content of the effect display means, wherein the effect display means is capable of executing a predetermined effect while a specific variation pattern is changing, and a miss indication effect is capable of being executed after the predetermined effect, and the effect display means is capable of executing a specific effect in response to a ball entering a starting means before the predetermined effect is executed, and the specific effect may be executed when the miss indication effect is executed, or may be executed when the miss indication effect is executed.

(B) The effect display means has a first display area and a second display area, the first display area is an area for displaying a first image corresponding to a variable game that has not yet started and is stored as a pending memory, the second display area is an area for displaying a second image corresponding to a variable game that is currently being executed, and neither the first image nor the second image is displayed during standby when the number of variable games stored as a pending memory is zero, and the predetermined effect is executed in the second display area.

(C) A gaming machine according to the technical concept (A) or (B) in which high expectation effects are not executed or are difficult to execute during the fluctuation of the specific fluctuation pattern in which the miss indication effect is executed.

(D) A gaming machine in which a variable game is stored as a reserved memory when a reservation condition for suspending the execution of the variable game is met due to a ball entering the starting means, the gaming machine comprising: a display means for displaying a display effect; and a control means for controlling the display content of the display means; the gaming machine is capable of storing one variable game in a reserved memory for one ball entering the starting means, and is also capable of suspending the execution of multiple variable games; the display means may execute a predetermined display effect when the earliest variable game of the multiple variable games is started while the execution of the multiple variable games is suspended; the predetermined display effect is an effect that can continue until a specific variable game of the multiple variable games that starts after the earliest variable game; and when the specific variable game starts, a high expectation display effect with a higher expectation than a variable game that started before the specific variable game is executed, or the high expectation display effect is likely to be executed.

(E) A gaming machine comprising an effect display means for displaying effects and a control means for controlling the display content of the effect display means, wherein the effect display means is capable of executing a predetermined effect while a specific variation pattern is changing, and a loss indication effect is capable of being executed after the predetermined effect, and the effect display means is capable of executing a specific effect in response to a ball entering the starting means before the predetermined effect is executed, and the specific effect may be executed after the loss indication effect is executed, or may be executed after the loss indication effect is executed, and the expected degree of obtaining a predetermined profit may differ even if the presentation form of the predetermined effect is the same.

(F) The gaming machine described in the technical idea (E) stores the variable game as a reserved memory when a hold condition for suspending the execution of the variable game is met by a ball entering the starting means, and the specific effect is not executed if no ball enters the starting means before the predetermined effect is executed.

(G) A gaming machine in which a variable game is stored as a reserved memory when a reservation condition for suspending the execution of the variable game is met due to a ball entering the starting means, the gaming machine comprising: a display means for displaying a display effect; and a control means for controlling the display content of the display means; the gaming machine is capable of storing one variable game in a reserved memory for one ball entering the starting means, and is also capable of suspending the execution of multiple variable games; the display means may execute a predetermined display effect when the earliest variable game of the multiple variable games is started while the execution of the multiple variable games is suspended; the predetermined display effect is an effect that can continue until a specific variable game of the multiple variable games that starts after the earliest variable game; when the specific variable game starts, a high expectation display effect with a higher expectation than a variable game that started before the specific variable game is executed, or the high expectation display effect is more likely to be executed; the gaming machine is such that even if the presentation format of the predetermined display is the same, the expectation of obtaining a predetermined profit may differ.

(H) A gaming machine comprising an effect display means for displaying effects and a control means for controlling the display content of the effect display means, wherein the effect display means is capable of executing a predetermined effect while a specific variation pattern is changing, and a loss indication effect can be executed after the predetermined effect, and the effect display means is capable of executing a specific effect in response to a ball entering the starting means before the predetermined effect is executed, and the specific effect may be executed by executing the loss indication effect, and if power is cut off after the specific effect is executed and then restored before the end condition of the specific effect is met and execution is restricted, execution of the specific effect after restoration is restricted, and the restriction on execution of the specific effect can change the expected probability of obtaining a predetermined profit that can be identified from the display content of the effect display means before and after the power is cut off.

(i) A gaming machine according to the technical idea (h) in which, after the predetermined effect is executed, if the power supply is cut off and then restored, at least the slippage suggestion effect is executed.
(J) In a gaming machine capable of executing a continuous performance for a variable game that has not yet started and is stored as a reserved memory, the gaming machine is provided with a performance display means for displaying the continuous performance, a control means for controlling the display content of the performance display means, and a determination means for determining the final variable game that will be the target of the continuous performance when the execution condition for the continuous performance is established, and the execution condition for the continuous performance may be established during the fluctuation of a specific fluctuation pattern, and the fluctuation of the specific fluctuation pattern is a fluctuation that causes a losing symbol to be derived at the end of the fluctuation, and the execution of the continuous performance during the fluctuation of the specific fluctuation pattern In a situation where the execution condition is established, the determination means can determine as the final variation game a variation game that can become a variation of a special variation pattern from among the variation games stored as reserved memory at that time, the special variation patterns include multiple patterns with the same content of reach variation and have a higher expectation of winning than the specific variation patterns, the special variation patterns are multiple patterns with the same content of reach variation and have a higher expectation of winning than the specific variation patterns, and the effect display means can execute a specific effect at least until the final variation game is started.

(k) A gaming machine in which a variable game is stored as a reserved memory when a reservation condition for suspending the execution of the variable game is met by a ball entering the starting means, the gaming machine is equipped with a display means for displaying a display effect and a control means for controlling the display content of the display means, the gaming machine has a display area for displaying a specific image corresponding to the variable game, the specific image is an image that is not displayed during standby when the variable game stored as a reserved memory has reached zero, the specific image has multiple display modes that can be distinguished based on the expected probability of winning, a specific effect can be executed for the reserved variable game after the display mode of the specific image changes from a predetermined mode to a specific mode during the fluctuation of the specific variable pattern, and the display mode of the specific effect includes continuing to display the specific image in the specific mode and further changing the display mode of the specific image to a special mode different from both the predetermined mode and the specific mode.

10... Pachinko machine 40... Main board 41... CPU 42... ROM 43... RWM 44... Random number generation circuit 50... Sub-board 51... CPU 52... ROM 53... RWM DE... Performance device group EH... Performance display device EP1-EP8... Performance pattern EZ... Performance symbol H0... Execution image H1-H4... Hold image HG... Hold image HR0... Execution display area HR1-HR4... Hold display area HP1-HP5... Variable pattern LA... Decorative lamp R... Image display area SP... Speaker

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine in which, when a hold condition for holding the execution of a variable game is established by a ball entering a starting means, the variable game is stored as a hold memory,
a performance display means for displaying a performance;
a control means for controlling the display content of the performance display means;
The effect display means can execute a specific effect in response to a ball entering the starting means before a predetermined effect is executed,
In the gaming machine, one variable game can be reserved and stored for one ball entry, and the execution of multiple variable games can be reserved;
The execution of the plurality of variable games is suspended, and when the earliest variable game among the plurality of variable games is executed , the predetermined effect may be executed by the effect display means.
The predetermined effect is an effect that can be continued until a specific variation game that is executed after the earliest variation game among the plurality of variation games,
The specific effect ends when the specific variable game is executed,
When the specific variable game is executed , a high expectation effect with a higher expectation than the variable game executed before the specific variable game is executed, or the high expectation effect is likely to be executed,
Even if the performance mode of the predetermined performance is the same, the expected degree of obtaining a predetermined profit may differ.
The gaming machine is characterized in that after the predetermined performance is executed, one or more variation games can be executed, and whether the specific variation game is the one or more variation games, the probability of winning the specific variation game remains the same regardless of the number of times.