JP2000325600A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make game contents rich in variety after the appearance of a ready-to-win state and to sufficiently rouse the expectation of a player to a success. SOLUTION: An effective line display means 40 is provided for displaying a straight or diagonal effective line while overlapping it on a picture of a variable display means 30 and a picture pattern matching game executing means 110 displays respective picture patterns on the variable display means 30 while fluctuating them for a prescribed period and successively stops them later. When the ready-to-win state of establishing the success by arranging one more specified picture pattern on the effective line appears, an effective line display control means 120 selects lines more than one or two as effective lines out of a lot of lines passing through a stop display spot of picture patterns constituting this ready-to-win state and displays them on the effective line display means 40. Since the success is provided by arranging the specified picture patterns on the effective lines, game contents are made rich in a thrill and variety corresponding to which kind of and how many effective lines are to be displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention executes a symbol matching game, which is achieved when a plurality of symbols of a specific combination are aligned on an active line, based on the establishment of a predetermined starting condition. The present invention relates to a gaming machine for giving a special value advantageous to a player at the time of the above-mentioned hit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional gaming machine has a liquid crystal display as a variable display means for displaying a screen game such as a symbol matching game, and executes a symbol matching game on the liquid crystal display when a ball is won in a starting winning opening. There is a so-called fever machine that generates a special value advantageous to a player when a specific symbol is completed as a result of the execution.

For example, when a display screen of a liquid crystal display is divided into a 3.times.3 matrix and a number or the like is displayed in each display area to execute a screen game like a slot machine, a start winning hole is provided. When a ball is won, each symbol is scroll-displayed for a predetermined period in units of three display regions connected in the column direction of the matrix, and then the symbols are sequentially stopped and displayed. And one more
When the same number is aligned on a horizontal or diagonal line via a reach state in which a predetermined symbol becomes a hit, a hit occurs and a special value is given to the player.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional gaming machine, when a specific symbol is arranged on a horizontal or diagonal line, a hit occurs, and when a reach state appears, this is changed to a hit. The stop point of the pattern to get is
It is fixedly limited to only one location on a straight line including the symbols constituting the current reach state. For this reason, there has been a problem that the game content is poorly changed and lacks interest. In addition, since there is only one stop point of the symbol that can be changed to one hit state in one reach state, the number of the stop points is small and does not fluctuate, so that the player's expectation and thrill for the hit can be sufficiently evoked. I couldn't do that.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the contents of the game after the reach state has appeared have been changed and the expectation of the player's hit has been increased. It is intended to provide a gaming machine that can sufficiently evoke.

[0006]

The gist of the present invention to achieve the above object lies in the following inventions. [1] When a plurality of symbols of a specific combination are arranged in a specific arrangement pattern, a symbol matching game is executed based on the establishment of a predetermined start condition, and the execution result is provided to the player when the execution result is the hit. In a gaming machine providing an advantageous special value, a variable display means (30) for expanding and displaying the symbol matching game, and a symbol matching game executing means for executing the symbol matching game on the variable display means (30) (110) and winning candidate location display means (40, 120), wherein the variable display means (30)
Is provided with a plurality of variable display areas (31-39) capable of displaying an arbitrary one of a plurality of predetermined symbols, and the symbol matching game execution means (110) is provided with: Said variable display means based on the establishment
After the symbols are variably displayed over a predetermined period, the symbols are sequentially stopped and displayed in each of the variable display areas (31 to 39), and the winning candidate portion display means (40, 120) includes:
In the process of executing the symbol matching game, when a reach state that can be the hit appears when one more specific symbol is completed, the specific symbol is stopped in order to transition the current reach state to the hit state. A gaming machine for notifying a player of one or more winning candidate locations to be displayed.

[2] The gaming machine according to [1], wherein the display number of the winning candidate portion is changed each time.

[3] The game according to [1] or [2], wherein the variable display means (30) includes the variable display areas (31 to 39) arranged in a matrix of length and width. Machine.

[4] The above-mentioned starting condition is satisfied based on that a ball hit on the game board surface has won a predetermined starting winning opening (60) [1], [2] or The gaming machine according to [3].

[5] The special value is provided to the player by repeatedly opening and closing a large variable winning opening (70) provided on the game board surface up to a predetermined number of times. The gaming machine according to [1], [2], [3] or [4].

The present invention operates as follows. The symbol matching game executing means (110) determines that the ball is the starting winning opening (6).
On the basis of establishment of a start condition such as winning a prize of 0), the symbols are variably displayed on the variable display means (30) for a predetermined period, and then the symbols are sequentially stopped and displayed in the respective variable display areas (31 to 39). In the process of executing the symbol matching game, when the reach state which can be hit when one more specific symbol is completed appears in the process of executing the symbol matching game, the activated line display control means (120) displays the symbol constituting the reach state which has appeared this time. One or more effective lines (510...) Which can pass through the stop display portion are selected and displayed on the effective line display means (40).

As described above, after the reach state appears,
Since one or more effective lines (510...) That can pass through the stop display portion of the symbol constituting the reach state are selected and displayed, the effective lines (510 ..) Appears, the player's attention is paid, and even after the appearance of the reach, a variety of game contents can be provided to the player. Effective line (5
10) changes each time, the player is given an impression that the probability of a hit transition changes depending on how many activated lines (510 ...) appear. Expectations can be further evoked.

A plurality of valid lines (510...) Which can be formed on the valid line display means (40) are defined as initial lines, and when a reach state is formed on this initial line, the valid lines are set. With the display of the activated lines (510...) On the display means (40), the player can easily recognize that the reach state has been formed without displaying the activated lines (510...) At first. be able to. In particular, if a straight line similar to the conventional one such as a horizontal line or an oblique line is set as the initial line, the player can very easily recognize that the reach state has been formed.

If one of the effective lines (510...) Displayed on the effective line display means (40) includes the initial line on which the reach state appears, a conventional game It does not give a sense of incongruity to a player who is used to the game.

Further, if the effective lines (510...) Are displayed so as to be superimposed on the symbols displayed on the variable display means (30), the display position of the effective lines (510...) Can be easily and accurately grasped. And variable display means (3) for confirming the position of the active line (510...).
0) It is not necessary to look away from above, and it is possible to concentrate on the game.

When a plurality of symbols of a specific combination are formed on the activated line (510...) And a winning state is formed, the display mode of the activated line (510. Vary from earlier ones. For example, by changing the color of the effective line (510.
…) To make it easier for the player to know whether or not it was a hit.

In addition, instead of displaying the activated lines (510...), One or more winning candidate locations at which a specific symbol should be stopped and displayed in order to transition the current reach state to a winning state are designated by the player. May be notified. For example, a player is notified of a winning candidate position by lighting a frame around the corresponding variable display area (31 to 39).

The variable display means (30) is preferably one in which the variable display areas (31 to 39) are arranged in a matrix of vertical and horizontal directions, for example, a 3 × 3 matrix. Further, the starting condition can be configured to be established based on the fact that the ball hit on the game board surface has won a predetermined starting winning opening (60). Furthermore, the special value given to the player when a hit appears may be obtained by repeatedly opening and closing a large variable winning opening (70) provided on the game board surface up to a predetermined number of times.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 2, a gaming machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is a pachinko machine in which a player hits a ball on a game board surface 11 by rotating a handle 12 and enjoys winning of the hit ball. It is.

At a substantially central portion of the game board surface 11, a variable display means 30 having variable display areas 31 to 39 arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns, and a reserved ball display device 50 arranged therebelow. A central character is arranged. The variable display means 30 is a display device for developing and displaying a symbol matching game which is a hit when the same symbol such as “777” is aligned on a straight or broken line of the effective line.

The variable display means 30 also functions as an effective line display means 40, and can display an effective line so as to be superimposed on a design to be displayed. That is, here, the variable display means 30 and the activated line display means 40 are
Two color LCD displays are also used. Note that a monochrome liquid crystal display or a CRT display may be used instead of the color liquid crystal display.

One effective line forms a straight line or a polygonal line connecting the number of variable display areas equal to the number of symbols (three in this case) constituting a specific winning combination. Of the effective lines, each of the three horizontal lines in the upper, middle, and lower rows and two diagonal diagonal lines are set as initial lines. This initial line is an effective line on which the reach state appears.

During the execution of the symbol matching game, symbols are scrolled and displayed in units of columns of the matrix.
Each symbol that is the execution result of the symbol matching game is provided in a respective variable display area 31 divided in a vertical and horizontal matrix.
The display is finally stopped and displayed within the range of ~ 39.

Below the reserved ball display device 50, a start winning port 60 is provided. The start winning opening 60 is a winning opening for securing a right to execute a symbol matching game developed on the variable display means 30. The starting winning port 60 includes a movable piece 61 that opens and closes to switch the winning port between a state in which the ball has a high winning probability and a state in which the ball has a low winning probability.

The holding ball display section 50 displays the number of the execution right of the symbol matching game which has been secured by winning the starting winning opening 60, on the variable display means 30, for which the symbol matching game has not been executed (holding). Number).
The number of reservations is limited to four, and the execution right is discarded for more than four. The reserved ball display unit 50 has four lamps, and displays the current reserved number based on the number of the lamps.

Below the start winning opening 60, a large variable winning opening 70 is arranged. The variable winning opening 70 has an opening / closing plate 71 for switching the winning opening between a closed state where the ball is hard to win and an open state where the ball is easy to win. FIG. 2
Although not appearing in the inside of the variable winning opening 70
A winning opening 75 is provided.

In addition to the above, on the game board surface 11, various winning holes 13 and windmills 14, as well as obstacle nails 15 for playing balls.
In addition to the opening 16 and the ball that was launched, the game board surface 11
A rail 17 and the like for guiding to the upper part of the vehicle are arranged.
A lamp 18 for performing illumination and the like is attached to an upper portion of the gaming machine 10.

Further, a front plate 19 for storing a ball to be used for a game and a lower plate for receiving and storing a ball overflowing from the front plate 19 are provided in front of the gaming machine 10 and below the game board surface 11. 20 are provided. On the right side of the lower plate 20, there is provided a handle 12, which is an operation unit of a firing mechanism for hitting a ball onto the game board surface 11. In addition, the control unit 100 that controls various operations of the gaming machine 10 is attached to the inside of the machine such as the back surface of the gaming board surface 11.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of a circuit configuration of the gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 has a CPU (central processing unit) and an R
OM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random
And an access memory) as a main part.

Various peripheral devices are connected to the control unit 100. The start winning opening 60 includes a winning detection switch 62 for detecting a winning of a ball, and a solenoid 63 for driving the movable piece 61 to open and close. The prize detection switch 62 may be a mechanical switch, an optical sensor that detects a prize when light is blocked by a ball, or a magnetic sensor that detects a change in a magnetic field due to the passage of a ball. it can.

The variable winning opening 70 (attacker) is
1 is provided with a solenoid 72 for opening and closing 1, a winning detection switch 73 for detecting the winning of a ball in the variable winning opening 70, and a winning counter 74 for counting the number of winning balls.
The opening / closing plate 71 of the variable winning opening 70 is opened for a certain period (for example, 29 seconds) when a symbol appears in the symbol matching game developed on the variable display means 30 and then opened for a short time (2 seconds).
The opening / closing operation of closing (about a second) is repeated up to a predetermined number of times.

The opening / closing plate 71, when a predetermined allowable upper limit number (10 in this case) of balls is won in the variable winning opening 70 before the predetermined time (29 seconds) elapses in each round, At this point, the opening and closing plate 71 is closed. Further, inside the variable winning opening 70, there is a V winning opening 75.
And a V winning detection switch 76 for detecting the winning of a ball into the V winning opening 75. The winning ball payout means 90 is a mechanism portion for paying out a winning ball and a control circuit portion thereof.

The control section 100 controls the various operations of the gaming machine 10 by executing a program stored in the ROM.
10, the function of the activated line display control means 120, the hold management means 130, and the special value provision control means 140.

Of these, the holding management means 130 is a part that fulfills the function of securing and holding the execution right of the symbol matching game up to a predetermined number of times as an upper limit based on the fact that a ball has won the starting winning opening 60. The holding management means 130 has a function of performing a random lottery for determining the execution result of the symbol matching game by the random lottery section 131 when the ball wins in the starting winning port 60, and storing the result in a memory. are doing.

The symbol matching game executing means 110 changes each symbol on the variable display means 30 over a predetermined period based on the execution right of the symbol matching game secured and held by the hold managing means 130. , Which sequentially perform the function of stopping the fluctuation of symbols. That is, the result of the random lottery stored in the memory by the hold management unit 130 is read, and the symbol matching game is developed so that the execution result follows the result.

In the execution process of the symbol matching game, the activated line display control means 120, when a reach state which can be hit when one more specific symbol is completed appears, a symbol constituting the reach state which has appeared this time. The function of selecting one or two or more lines from among the effective lines that can pass through the stop display portion and displaying them on the effective line display means 40 is achieved.

The results of the random lottery performed by the random lottery unit 131 include three types: hit, out of reach, and out of reach.
In the case of a hit and a loss of reach, in the course of executing the symbol matching game, a reach state that can become a hit (a state where the same symbols are aligned on the activated line) when one more predetermined symbol is completed comes to appear. ing. In the case of a hit, the hit finally appears via this reach state.

In the case of the reach failure, the vehicle goes through the reach state, but eventually comes off without a specific combination of symbols on the payline. When the lottery result is out, the execution result of the symbol matching game ends in the out state without passing through the reach state.

The special value giving control means 140 performs various controls for giving a special value when a winning occurs in the symbol matching game. The special value giving control means 140 has an opening / closing control section 141 for controlling the opening / closing of the opening / closing plate 71 of the variable winning opening 70 and the variable winning opening 7
0 is repeatedly opened and closed a plurality of times to form a state in which the ball can easily win, thereby giving a special value. In practice, every time one ball wins in the variable winning opening 70, 10 balls are paid out to the front plate 19 by the winning ball payout means 90, so that the special value is given to the player as a winning ball. become.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 3 shows an operation flow when the execution right of the symbol matching game is secured. When a ball wins in the start winning opening 60 (step S301; Y), the hold management unit 130 determines whether or not the number of holds at the present time has reached the upper limit of four (step S302). When the number of reserves has already reached the upper limit (step S302; Y), the right to execute the symbol matching game is not secured based on the current winning.

If the reserved number has not reached the upper limit (step S302; N), "1" is added to the present reserved number to secure the execution right (reserved) (step S30).
3) A random lottery for determining the execution result of the symbol matching game executed according to the execution right secured this time is performed. Then, the lottery result is stored in the memory (step S304).

FIG. 4 shows a flow when the symbol matching game is executed based on the reserved execution right. FIG. 5 shows transition of display contents of the variable display means 30 and the activated line display means 40 during the execution of the symbol matching game.

If the number of holdings is not 0 (step S401; Y), the symbol matching game executing means 110 subtracts "1" from the number of holdings (step S402), and selects one of the lottery results stored in the memory. Read one (step S
403). Here, the lottery results are read from the oldest one in the order in which the lottery results are stored in the memory by the hold management unit 130.

The symbol matching game executing means 110 starts executing the symbol matching game on the variable display means 30 so that the execution result according to the read out lottery result is stopped and displayed (step S404). That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, the symbols are scroll-displayed in the vertical direction for each column of the matrix constituting the variable display means 30. In the figure,
The scrolling state is indicated by a downward arrow 501.

Thereafter, the scroll operation is sequentially stopped for each column (step S405). If the lottery result for determining the execution result of the current symbol matching game, which is read out earlier, is a hit or out of reach, (Step S406; Y), after a predetermined scroll period,
As shown in FIG. 5B, a reach state in which two identical numbers are aligned on one initial line appears (step S40).
7).

In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the initial line in which the reach state has appeared is the middle horizontal line. In this example, the initial lines are not displayed on the screen, but all the initial lines are displayed from the beginning, and when the player is notified that the reach state has appeared, the initial lines are displayed. May be deleted.

Thereafter, the valid line display control means 120
Performs a random lottery by a random lottery unit not shown, selects a shape of an effective line to be displayed based on the result of the lottery, and selects a randomly selected effective line 510 as shown in FIG. 5c. It is displayed on the activated line display means 40 (step S408). One or more valid lines are selected and displayed from those that can pass through the stop display portion of the symbol constituting the reach state. In the example of FIG. 5B, an effective line to be displayed is selected from a straight line or a polygonal line passing through three variable display areas including the variable display area 34 at the middle left end and the variable display area 35 at the center.

If the result read out as the lottery result for determining the execution result of the current symbol matching game is out of reach (step S409; Y), as shown in FIG. The remaining symbols are stopped and displayed so that the same symbol "7" is not aligned on the displayed activated line 510 (step S410).

On the other hand, if the result of the lottery for determining the execution result of the current symbol matching game is a hit (step S409; N), it is displayed on the active line display means 40 as shown in FIG. 5d. Effective line 5
The remaining symbols are stopped and displayed so that the same symbols are aligned on 10 (step S411). Then, the activated line with the winning symbol is blinked, and the appearance of the winning is notified to the player. Thereafter, a special value is given to the player by opening and closing the large variable winning opening 70 a predetermined number of times (step S412).

If the result of the lottery for determining the execution result of the current symbol matching game is out of range (step S406; N), the out-of-state is formed without passing through the reach state (N). Step S41
3). That is, the scroll operation is stopped in a state where numbers are not aligned on any initial line without forming a reach state on the initial line.

As described above, after the reach state appears,
One or two or more effective lines that can pass through the stop display portion of the symbol constituting the reach state are selected and displayed, and a specific symbol for shifting the current reach state to a hit appears. Since the player should be notified of the point to be played, the player pays attention to what form of activated line appears, and can provide the player with various game contents even after the appearance of the reach. .

FIGS. 6 to 8 show various examples of effective lines displayed after the reach state appears. FIG.
In a, a reach state appears with the upper horizontal line as an initial line, and a polygonal line including this reach state is a valid line 6.
It is displayed as 01, and when the same symbols are arranged on the pay line as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which two effective lines are displayed. The middle horizontal line is the initial line, and the reach state appears with the symbols “4” at both ends. Then, the initial line in which the reach state has come out is referred to as the first line.
, And an eight-shaped polygonal line passing through the display portions 34 and 36 of the symbols constituting the reach state and the variable display area 32 in the upper center is displayed as the second effective line 702. ing.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B and FIG.
It is possible to give the player the impression that the probability of hitting is increased, and to stimulate the player's expectation of hitting.

FIG. 8 shows another example in which two effective lines are displayed. With the lower horizontal line as the initial line, the reach state appears with the symbols “7” aligned in the leftmost variable display area 37 and the lower central variable display area 38. Then, the initial line in which the reach state has come out is referred to as the first line.
, And a polygonal line passing through the display portions 37 and 38 of the symbols constituting the reach state and the variable display area 36 at the right end of the middle stage is displayed as the second effective line 802.

Note that the portions where the first valid line 801 and the second valid line 803 pass in common are displayed on the valid line display means 40 as one line.
In the case of the example of FIG. 8, two locations shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C are hits when the specific symbol “7” appears.

FIG. 9A shows three effective lines 901-90.
9 shows an example in which 3 is displayed, and FIG. 9B to FIG. 9D show appearances of winning. In the case of this example, there are three winning candidate locations that can be won by the appearance of the specific symbol, giving the player an impression that the probability of appearance of the winning is further increased, and the player's expectation of winning the winning. Can be further evoked.

By changing the number of activated lines displayed each time the reach state appears, the player is given an impression that the probability of transition per hit changes depending on how many activated lines appear. It is possible to further arouse a sense of expectation for the player's hit.

Also, how many effective lines are displayed is
For example, it may be changed in accordance with the type of the symbol forming the reach state, where the reach state is formed, and the like. For example, when the reach state is formed by "7", when the reach state is formed by "5", "3" or "1", and when the reach state is formed by other symbols And changing the number of displayed effective lines. Further, the number of displayed effective lines may be changed depending on whether the reach state appears on the horizontal line or the diagonal line.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show examples of effective lines that can be taken when each variable display area is configured to be able to independently display a symbol. When the symbols are scrolled in units of columns of the matrix, when two symbols are aligned vertically and the reach state appears, all the symbols in the same column are stopped and displayed, so that they are valid on that column. It is meaningless to display the line, but if the symbols can be independently and variably displayed in each variable display area, the vertical line as described above can be displayed as an effective line.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, as shown in FIG. 10A, the "5" symbol is aligned with the variable display area 32 at the upper end of the center column and the variable display area 35 at the center, and the reach state appears. ing. The effective lines are a central effective line 1001 and the reachable variable display areas 32 and 35.
Effective line 100 connecting the variable display area 36 at the right end of the middle row
2, an effective line 1004 connecting the reachable variable display areas 32 and 35 to the middle leftmost variable display area 34, and an effective line connecting the reachable variable display areas 32 and 35 to the lower rightmost variable display area 39. Five effective lines 1005 appearing between the variable display area 1004 and the variable display areas 32 and 35 with the reach and the variable display area 37 at the left end of the lower stage appear. FIG.
10 b to 10 f show a stop mode in which a specific symbol “5” appears in a row on each activated line.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the symbol "2" is aligned in the variable display area 31 at the upper end of the left column and the variable display area 34 located in the middle of the column as shown in FIG. A reach state has appeared. The active line includes an active line 1101 at the left end, an active line 1102 connecting the variable display areas 31 and 34 with the reach to the variable display area 35 at the center, and a variable display area 3 with the reach.
Three effective lines 1103 that connect the variable display areas 38 at the center of the lower stage with the numbers 1 and 34 appear. 11b to 11d
Represents a stop mode in which the specific symbol “2” appears in a row on each activated line.

In the above-described embodiment, the effective line is displayed as an appearance of the reach state when two symbols are aligned on a predetermined initial line, but the appearance state of the reach state is not limited to this. . For example, when the scroll operation is stopped in the order of the left column and the center column, the reach state may be established when two identical symbols are adjacently arranged. In the embodiment, a straight line is set as the initial line, but a broken line may be set as the initial line.

In the embodiment, the case where the initial line in which the reach state appears is not included in the valid lines displayed thereafter is provided. However, the initial line is always one of the valid lines.
It may be configured to be included as one.

In addition, in the embodiment, the variable display means 30 and the effective line display means 40 are shared by the same liquid crystal display, and the effective lines are displayed so as to be superimposed on the symbol. The means 40 and the variable display means 30 may be provided independently of each other, and the symbols and the effective lines may be displayed separately.

Further, in the embodiment, the activated pay line in which the winning has been achieved is blinked, but the appearance of the winning may be notified to the player by changing the display color of the activated line. It is not always necessary to change the display mode of the activated line when a hit occurs.

Further, in the embodiment, the activated line is displayed. However, in order to change the current reach state to the hit state, the specific symbol should be stopped or displayed.
If it is to notify the player of the above winning candidate places,
The notification method is not limited to the activated line. For example,
A frame may be displayed in the variable display area corresponding to the winning candidate location, or the background color may be changed to another one to notify the player of the location.

In the embodiment, a large variable winning opening 7
Opening and closing 0 is regarded as a special value, but the form of providing the special value is not limited to this. In the embodiment, the example of the pachinko machine has been described as the gaming machine, but the gaming machine may be a slot machine. In this case, when a coin is inserted and a predetermined start lever is operated, the start condition for starting the symbol matching game is set, and the special value is paid out of the coin. other than this,
The symbol appearing in the symbol matching game does not need to be composed only of the numeral symbol, and may include a symbol such as a fruit or a bell in addition to the numeral symbol.

[0069]

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, after the reach state appears, one or two or more winning candidate locations where a specific symbol should be stopped and displayed in order to transition the current reach state to a hit state. Is notified to the player, the player's attention is paid to where the winning candidate portion appears, and the game contents which are varied even after the reach appears can be provided to the player.

Further, in the case where the number of displayed winning candidate locations changes each time the reach state appears, it is possible to give the player an impression that the probability of a hit transition varies depending on how many winning candidate locations appear. It is possible to further excite the player's expectation of hitting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation when the right to execute a symbol matching game is secured in the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when a symbol matching game is executed based on a reserved execution right in the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the progress of a symbol matching game executed by the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of an active line.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a case where two activated lines are displayed.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another example when two effective lines are displayed.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in a case where three activated lines are displayed.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a case where five effective lines are displayed in a pattern in which a symbol can be changed for each variable display area.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a case where three effective lines are displayed in a pattern in which a symbol can be changed for each variable display area.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game machine 11 ... Game board surface 30 ... Variable display means 31-39 ... Variable display area 40 ... Effective line display means 50 ... Reserved ball display device 60 ... Start winning prize port 70 ... Variable winning port 90 ... Prize ball payout means 100 ... Control unit 120: Active line display control unit 130: Hold management unit 131: Random lottery unit 140: Special value assignment control unit 141: Open / close control unit 510, 601, 701, 702, 801, 802, 9
01 to 903, 1001 to 1005, 1101 to 110
3: Effective line

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A symbol matching game which is won when a plurality of symbols of a specific combination are arranged in a specific arrangement pattern based on the establishment of a predetermined starting condition. A gaming machine providing a special value advantageous to a player, a variable display means for developing and displaying the symbol matching game, a symbol matching game executing means for executing the symbol matching game on the variable display means, a winning candidate The variable display means comprises a plurality of variable display areas capable of displaying an arbitrary one of a plurality of predetermined symbols, and the symbol matching game execution means comprises: Based on the establishment of the starting condition, the symbols are sequentially displayed in the variable display area after the symbols are variably displayed on the variable display means for a predetermined period of time, The winning candidate point display means, in the course of executing the symbol matching game, transitions from the current reach state to the hit state when a reach state that can become the hit appears when one more specific symbol is completed. A game machine for notifying the player of one or more winning candidate locations at which the specific symbol should be stopped and displayed. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the number of the displayed winning candidate portions is changed each time. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the variable display means includes the variable display areas arranged in a matrix of vertical and horizontal directions. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the starting condition is satisfied based on a ball hit on a game board surface winning a predetermined starting winning opening. . 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the special value is given to a player by repeatedly opening and closing a large variable winning opening provided on a game board surface up to a predetermined number of times. The gaming machine according to 2, 3 or 4.