JP2001327655A - Symbol display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display the operation timing of a stop button for stopping a symbol constituting a hit, when electronically drawn, in a display window so as to be easy for a player to understand and utilize. SOLUTION: When a big hit is drawn in an electronic lottery device 30, a drawing control is performed when the stop button is operated. When a symbol '7' constituting a big hit is present within the drawing control range, the stop control of a reel 5 is performed by a CPU 20 and a motor control circuit 25, and the symbol '7' stops in the display window. A lamp 40c is lighted by a timing display drive part 48 every movement of the symbol '7' to the drawing control range while the reel 5 is rotated, and the operation timing of the stop button 7 providing the big hit is displayed to the player. The approach or passage of the symbol '7' to the drawing control range is also displayed by the lighting of lamps 40a, 40b, 40d, and 40e.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a combination of symbols appearing in a display window when a plurality of reels having symbols arranged on the outer circumference are rotated, and a player operates a stop button to stop them. More particularly, the present invention relates to a symbol display device for notifying a player of an operation timing of a stop button that is easy to obtain a hit, and a symbol display device for determining a winning combination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A slot machine is provided with a reel on which a plurality of types and a plurality of symbols are arranged on an outer periphery and a symbol display device including a driving mechanism for the reel. When the game starts, for example, three reels rotate at the same time, and when the rotation stops, a combination of symbols appearing in the display window determines a hit and a loss, and in the case of a hit, it is determined according to a winning combination. Payout of the number of medals is performed.

Most of the recent symbol display devices using mechanical reels have a structure in which the reel is driven by a stepping motor, and the rotation and stop of the stepping motor are controlled by a computer, so that the symbol at the time of reel stop is controlled. Can be freely determined. At the start of the game, an electronic lottery using random numbers is performed to determine a hit and a loss, and reel stop control is performed so as to satisfy the loss.

If the reel stop timing is arbitrarily determined independently of the player's operation, the reel stop control can be performed according to the result of the electronic lottery. However, in the case where a stop button for reel stop operation is provided, after the stop button is operated, the reel is simply stopped so that the hit determined by the electronic lottery appears, the stop button is operated. Depending on the instantaneous rotation position of the reel, a large variation corresponding to a maximum of approximately one rotation of the reel may occur between the operation timing of the stop button and the stop timing of the reel, which may give a sense of incongruity to the player. Retraction control is used to alleviate such inconvenience.

[0005] The pull-in control is based on the brake control, for example, when the reel on which 21 symbols are arranged is brake-controlled and stopped while the reel moves five symbols after the stop button is operated. Can be changed within a range in which the reel rotates by four symbols. According to this, it is possible to adjust the stop position within a range of four symbols from when the stop button is operated to when the reel is stopped. Is included, the symbol can be stopped at the display window without giving the player a sense of incongruity. Of course, if there are no symbols constituting a hit in the range of the four symbols, a loss occurs.

As described above, the pull-in control has an advantage that the period from the operation of the stop button to the stop of the reel does not fluctuate extremely, and does not give the player a sense of discomfort. If no symbol that constitutes a jackpot, for example, a symbol that constitutes a jackpot is included, the jackpot cannot be obtained according to the electronic lottery. Therefore, a skilled player who can perform the stop button operation at an appropriate timing while observing the movement of the symbol while the reel is rotating can surely obtain the big hit when the big hit is electronically drawn, whereas the unskilled player can This cannot be used effectively.

In order to make it easier for an unskilled player to get a big hit, a slot machine having a function of notifying the player of the operation timing of the stop button is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-22.
It is known from JP 0314. This slot machine has a structure in which a light emitting device or a speaker is driven to notify a player every time a timing of stopping a big hit symbol at a display window comes while detecting a rotation position of a reel.

[0008]

However, in the slot machine described in the above publication, the notifying means is simply driven based on the rotational position of the reel. The notification is instantaneous. There is a response delay from when the player confirms the notification to when the stop button is operated, and even if the notification timing is set according to the average player response delay, the stop button Since the operation timing is instantaneous, after all, the stop button must be operated based on the instantaneous notification, and it is extremely difficult to utilize the notification effectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and has as its object to provide a symbol display device which can notify the operation timing of a stop button in a manner that is easy for a player to use.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention focuses on the fact that pull-in control is performed when the reel is stopped, and not only detects the operation timing of the stop button based on the rotation position of the reel. Further, the operation timing of the stop button is notified to the player including the rotation period within the predetermined angle range of the reel by the pull-in control. Since the pull-in control is usually performed after the stop button is operated and the reel rotates within a predetermined angle range of less than half a rotation, the symbol constituting the hit is stopped at a predetermined position of the display window. The stop button hit operation period that can be performed is not instantaneous, and the display can be continued during the period in which the reel rotates within the predetermined angle range. This makes it possible for the player to display the operation timing of the stop button in a form that is easily and effectively utilized.

It is desirable that the means for displaying the operation timing of the stop button has a function of displaying not only the hit operation period of the stop button but also the period before and after the stop button operation. For example, when a light emitting display is used, , In addition to the first display portion illuminated and displayed during the hit operation period, second and third indicators disposed on both sides of the first display portion and illuminated before and after the hit operation period are provided. It is effective to do. In addition, when there are various types of winning combinations, the timing display means is driven when a large winning with a large privilege is electronically drawn, and even if the predetermined number of games have been exhausted, the big winning may be reduced. It is also effective in practicing the present invention to operate the timing display means when a new jackpot is newly selected in a situation where no big hit has occurred.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to a symbol display device for actually rotating a mechanical reel, but a pseudo display of the reel rotation on a CRT or a liquid crystal display panel based on a clock pulse and graphic data. The present invention is equally applicable to a video-type symbol display device configured to perform the above operation.

[0013]

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a three-reel slot machine using the present invention. In FIG. 1, a reel unit including three reels 5 in a main body 2 and a drive mechanism for these are incorporated. I have. A display window 4 is provided on the front panel 3 for each reel, and three symbols are observed through the display window 4 when the reel 5 stops.

Around the front panel 3, a medal slot 6, a stop button 7 provided for each reel, and a start lever 8 are provided. The front panel 3 may be appropriately provided with other various operation units, for example, a bet button and a settlement button for playing a game by inserting a large number of medals from the medal insertion slot 6 in a credit manner. A medal payout opening 10 and a medal receiving tray 11 are provided below the front panel 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, a total of five winning determination lines, three horizontal and two oblique, are written so as to straddle the three display windows 4. Is displayed according to the number of medals inserted at the start of the game. Below each display window 4, a timing display 14 and a stop display 15 are provided. The stop indicator 15 is turned on after the reels 5 start rotating at once by operating the start lever 8, and after the rotation speed reaches a steady rotation, indicating that the operation of the stop button 7 is enabled. To be displayed.

The timing display 14 is divided into five display areas 14a to 14e, and a red filter plate is provided in a central display area 14c, and left and right display areas 1a to 14e.
Yellow filter plates are fitted into 4a, 14b, 14d, and 14e. Each display area 14a-14
Lamps are provided in the back of e, and by illuminating these lamps sequentially from the left side, a display using a photometer can be performed. Instead of using a color filter, it is also possible to use an LED or the like that performs each color. Further, the color of the timing display 14 may be appropriate, and the color does not necessarily need to be changed for each display area.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the slot machine. CPU 20 is a program ROM 2
The operation of the slot machine is controlled in accordance with the sequence program stored in 1. The medal sensor 22 detects a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 6 and inputs a detection signal to the CPU 20. The CPU 20 counts up the number of medals every time a medal detection signal is input, and writes the counted number into a predetermined address area of the RAM 23.

The start signal generator 24 allows the player to operate the start lever 8 after a medal has been inserted, or when a medal has been inserted by a credit method, after betting operations for one to three medals. CP
A start signal is input to U20. In response to the input of the start signal, the CPU 20 sends a drive signal for each reel to the motor control circuit 25.

The motor control circuit 25 receives a drive signal from the CPU 20 and controls the rotation and stop of the reel 5 via a drive unit 26 provided for each reel 5. Since these drive units have a common configuration, only one configuration is shown in the drawings for simplification. The drive unit 26 includes a driver 27,
It comprises a stepping motor 28 and a counter 29. The driver 27 receives a rotation signal from the motor control circuit 25 and supplies a driving pulse to the stepping motor 28. The stepping motor 28 rotates by a unit step angle according to the number of driving pulses input from the driver 27.

The reel 5 is directly connected to the spindle of the stepping motor 28, and the rotation position of the reel 5 corresponds one-to-one with the number of drive pulses supplied to the stepping motor 28. The counter 29 counts the number of drive pulses supplied to the stepping motor 28 in real time, and the count value is cleared to “0” each time the stepping motor 28 rotates by passing the reference position.
Therefore, the count value of the counter 29 indicates the rotation position of the reel 5. Since the type of the symbols arranged on the reel 5 is known in advance with respect to the reference position of the stepping motor 28, it is possible to identify the type of the symbol appearing in the display window 4 based on the count value of the counter 29. Become.

The electronic lottery device 30 is used as a winning determining means for determining whether or not a hit is generated for the game after the reels are rotated and before the stop button 7 is operated. The electronic lottery device 30 includes a random number generator 31,
It comprises a sampling circuit 32, a symbol determination circuit 33, and a symbol data memory. Start signal generator 2
When the start signal is input from 4, the CPU 20 activates the random number generator 31, and the sampling circuit 32 samples one random number from the randomly generated random numbers. The symbol determination circuit 33 has a data table in which a winning combination is assigned to each of the random numbers generated by the random number generator 31. Then, the value of the sampled random number is compared with the data table, and whether or not to generate a hit is determined. If a hit is to be generated, a winning combination type and a winning determination line for generating the hit are determined.

In the symbol data memory 34, the type of symbol and the number of driving pulses for stopping the symbol in the display window 4 are associated with each reel. The symbol determination circuit 33 accesses the symbol data memory 34 and inputs the data of the number of drive pulses for each reel corresponding to the symbol determined by the sampled random numbers to the CPU 20. Since the CPU 20 monitors the count value of the counter 29 via the motor control circuit 25, the stop control of the stepping motor 28 is controlled so that the count value of the counter 29 matches the number of drive pulses input from the symbol determination circuit 33. , It is possible to make a hit or a loss by the electronic lottery.

When all the reels 5 are stopped, the winning confirmation unit 36 confirms the count value of the counter 29 and confirms whether or not a winning has been made on the winning effective line. Normally, a hit or a loss determined by the electronic lottery device 30 should have occurred. However, in consideration of an unexpected event such as a step-out of the stepping motor 28, a final hit or loss is determined based on the count value of the counter 29. Loss is confirmed here. The medal payout device 37 pays out a specified number of medals according to the winning combination when the winning confirmation unit 36 confirms that a win has been achieved.

The timing display driver 38 is a CPU
0, the lamps 40a to 40e provided for each of the display areas 14a to 14e of the timing display 14.
The lighting of 40e is controlled. Timing display driver 38
Is obtained by the timing detecting means including the CPU 20, the counter 29, and the electronic lottery device 30. The rotation position of the reel is determined by the counter 29
The CPU 20 constantly monitors the symbols based on the count value, and it is possible to identify, for each reel, which position the symbol constituting the winning determined by the electronic lottery has moved. Is moved to the display window 4 or the pull-in control range described later by sequentially lighting the lamps 40a to 40e.

The stop display driving section 42 is a CPU
The lamp 15a incorporated in the stop indicator 15 is turned on by the lighting signal from the controller. Further, the stop signal generator 43 detects that the stop button 7 is pressed after the stop indicator 15 is lit and displayed for each reel, and inputs a stop signal to the CPU 20. CPU2
0 receives this stop signal and starts the reel stop control so that the hit determined by the electronic lottery is made. At the time of the reel stop control, the brake control for a certain period and the pull-in control described above are performed.

After the processing for gradually widening the pulse interval of the driving pulse supplied to the stepping motor 28 is performed by the brake control, the reel 5 stops together with the stepping motor 28. By this brake control, the inertia applied to the joint between the spindle of the stepping motor 28 and the reel 4 can be reduced as compared with when the stepping motor 28 is suddenly stopped.

The pull-in control means inputs to the CPU 20 a counter 29 for counting the number of drive pulses corresponding to the rotation position of the reel, the motor control circuit 25, the CPU 20, and the number data of drive pulses corresponding to the target stop position of the reel. The electronic lottery device 30, the stop signal generator 43 for inputting the operation timing of the stop button 7 to the CPU 20, and the program RO storing the pull-in control program
M21.

In the pull-in control, as described above, the rotation angle of the reel from when the stop signal is input to when the reel is stopped is adjusted within the range of four symbols in addition to the rotation angle required for the brake control. Done for. For example, if the brake control is performed during the movement of five symbols, if the pull-in control is not performed, the symbols appearing in the display window when the reels are stopped will be displayed from the display window when the stop signal is input. It is uniquely identified as being upstream by the number of symbols, but by performing pull-in control within the range of 4 symbols, an appropriate symbol is selected from 5 to 9 frames on the upstream side and activated. It is possible to stop on the winning determination line.
In addition, instead of performing the pull-in control by shifting the timing at which the brake control is started, the period from the time when the stop button 7 is operated to the time when the brake control is performed is represented by five symbols or more.
It is also possible to perform the pull-in control by adjusting within nine ranges.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When a start signal is input to the CPU 20 by operating the start lever 8 after inserting one to three medals, the motor control circuit 25 operates and the reels 4 start rotating at the same time. The game number counter in the RAM 23 increments the game number M by “1”. An electronic lottery is performed by the electronic lottery device 30, and a hit or a loss is determined for the currently executed game. Then, at this time, the stop indicator driving section 42 operates, the lamp 15a lights up, and it indicates that the operation of the stop button 7 has been validated.

When an ordinary lottery or a loss other than a big hit is selected by the electronic lottery, the timing display 14 is not driven, and the reel 4 is stopped after the stop button 7 is operated. The pull-in control is used for the stop processing of the reels 4, and the respective reels 4 are stopped so as to satisfy the result of the electronic lottery. Note that there are a plurality of types of winning combinations in the normal winning, but the number of medals corresponding to the winning combinations is paid out and the game is over.

When a jackpot is selected by electronic lottery, and the number of repetition games is k (for example, 200
), The timing display 14 is driven only when the jackpot has not been hit but the jackpot has not come out. The jackpot is obtained by stopping the specific symbol “7” for each reel on the activated winning determination line and arranging the combination of “7-7-7”. When a big hit comes out,
For example, after paying out 15 medals, the mode is shifted to the bonus game mode, and the player can play the bonus game.

In the bonus game, one medal is taken for each reel.
A bet is made, and a game is performed depending on whether or not a predetermined bonus symbol appears on a display window in reel units.
Every time a bonus hit is obtained, 15 medals can be obtained. Furthermore, if the combination of these symbols corresponds to a hit at the time when the three reels are stopped, the payout of medals can be received at that time. Since about 10 bonus symbols are provided for each reel, a winning can be obtained with a high probability. In addition, since the bonus game can be repeatedly performed up to a predetermined number of times, the player has a chance to acquire many medals.

The specific mode of the bonus game is not necessarily limited to the above. The jackpot is not limited as long as a large number of medals can be obtained as compared with the normal hit. When about 15 medals are paid out in the normal hit, for example, about 100 to 200 medals are paid out. It may be. Therefore, for a player, whether or not a jackpot can be obtained is the greatest concern in playing a game.
By using the display when 4 is activated, even an unskilled player can obtain a big hit. FIG. 5 schematically shows the operation of the timing display 14.

In order to obtain a jackpot, it is necessary to operate the stop button 7 so as to make use of the jackpot when the jackpot is selected by the electronic lottery device 30. Assuming that the symbol "7" is stopped at the target stop position "S" in order to obtain a big hit, if the brake control period from when the stop button 7 is pressed until the reel is stopped is equivalent to five symbols. , Symbol “7” is the rotational position “S-5”
The stop button 7 may be operated when moving to. In addition, in the slot machine of the present invention, pull-in control is also performed at the time of reel stop control, and the period from the operation of the stop button 7 to the start of brake control is automatically adjusted within the range of four symbols. Is done. Therefore, the symbol “7” is changed from the rotational positions “S-5” to “S-9”.
If the stop button 7 is operated during the pull-in control range, the symbol "7" can be stopped at the stop target position "S".

In the display area 14c at the center of the timing display 14, the symbol "7" indicates the rotation position "S-9" to "S".
When the stop button 7 is operated during the lighting period of the lamp 40c, the symbol "7" is stopped so that the symbol "7" stops at the stop target position "S". 5 can be stopped. Therefore, since the display of the display area 14c is performed during a period corresponding to the pull-in control range,
There is an advantage that the player can easily grasp the timing as compared with the instantaneous display. Note that the brake control period is not limited to the rotation range for five symbols, and can be set as appropriate. Further, the pull-in control range may be included in the brake control period, and the pull-in control may be performed by adjusting the brake control period. It is possible.

In the present embodiment, in order to more easily operate the stop button 7 during the hit operation period,
The display areas 14a and 14 are located on both sides of the display area 14c.
b, display areas 14d and 14e are provided, and the symbol "7"
The display also indicates that the rotational position of the camera has approached or passed the pull-in control range. That is, during the period when the symbol “7” is in the range of the rotational positions “S-16” to “S-12”, the lamp 40 of the timing display 14
a is turned on, and the rotation positions "S-12" to "S-9"
, The lamp 40b is additionally turned on to display a state in which the symbol "7" approaches the pull-in control range as time elapses.

Then, the symbol "7" changes the rotation position "S-
During the period from "9" to "S-5", after turning on the lamp 40c as described above, the symbol "7" passes through the retraction control range, and the rotational positions "S-5" to "S-2" , The lamp 40c is further turned on, and further moved to the rotation position “S−2” to “S + 1”.
0e is turned on. Thereby, the timing display 14
After the yellow display of the display areas 14a and 14b is sequentially performed, the red display of the display area 14c is performed, and then the yellow display of the display areas 14d and 14e is performed.

The above display is temporarily interrupted during the period in which the symbol "7" is at the rotation positions "S + 1" to "S-16", but is repeated during the period in which the reel rotation is continued. Therefore, timing becomes much easier than when displaying the hit operation period of the stop button 7 only by displaying the display area 14c in red. Thus, in most cases, the player can operate the stop button 7 at the timing when the symbol "7" is stopped at the stop target position "S". In FIG. 5, the rotation position of the reel is represented in symbol units for convenience, but the CPU 20 controls the timing display drive unit 38 to control the lamps 40 a to 40 e based on the number of drive pulses counted up by the counter 29. A signal for turning on and off is input.

When the stop button 7 is operated, the drive of the timing indicator 14 is stopped at that time, all the lamps 40a to 40e are turned off, and the reel is stopped. When the stop button 7 is operated while the display area 14c is displayed in red and the display area 14d is not yet displayed in yellow, the symbol "7" is stopped on the winning determination line activated. However, if the stop button 7 is operated at other times, the symbol “7” cannot be stopped on the winning determination line,
You won't get a jackpot by electronic lottery.

After all the reels have stopped, it is confirmed by the prize check section 36 whether or not a big hit has actually occurred. When a big hit has occurred, the game number counter sets the game number M to "0".
To clear. Therefore, the game number counter counts how many times the game for which no big hit has been made is repeated. Therefore, when the count value of the game number counter has reached k but no big hit has occurred, the timing indicator 14 is operated to make it easier to obtain a big hit. This can be utilized regardless of the proficiency level, and the interest of the slot machine game can be enhanced.

Instead of using the game number counter, if a jackpot is not obtained despite the jackpot being drawn in the electronic lottery, the result of the electronic lottery is carried over to the next and subsequent games, and the timing display is displayed. 1
After the number of times that the jackpot cannot be utilized by the electronic lottery reaches two or three times, or when the jackpot is next electronically selected, the timing display 14 is operated. Techniques can also be taken.

Although the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiment, other various changes are possible in practicing the present invention, and the number of symbols arranged on a reel is not limited to 21. Needless to say, the number of symbols corresponding to the pull-in control range is not limited to four as long as the number of symbols is less than a half rotation of the reel that does not give the player a sense of discomfort. In addition, the number of display areas of the timing display 14 is not limited to five, but can be increased or decreased to one or an appropriate number. Good. Furthermore, a mark or coloring that is easy for the player to identify is given to the sub reel that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the reel, and this is used as a timing display, or characters and characters are displayed on the liquid crystal display panel in synchronization with the rotation of the reel. The operation timing of the stop button may be notified by changing the pattern such as the symbol and the pattern.

The timing display is not limited to a display which is visually observed by a player, such as a light-emitting display, but may be a display which displays sound or vibration. If it is changed in synchronization with the rotation, it is also possible to notify that the operation period of the stop button is approaching or has passed. Further, instead of providing a timing indicator for each reel, one timing indicator can be used for each reel. In this case, the stop indicator 15 may be lit only for the reels that are the target of the stop operation so that the user can know which reel displays the operation timing of the stop button.

Further, the symbol constituting the jackpot is 1
When a plurality of reels are provided, one of the movements may be displayed on the timing display.
In addition, it is possible to drive the timing display not only at the time of the big hit but also at the time of the electronic lottery at the normal hit. Then, by monitoring the number of inserted medals and the number of paid-out medals, and driving the timing display when the payout rate in a certain period is extremely low, even a beginner can do so. You will be able to enjoy the game.

It is needless to say that the number of reels in the symbol display device of the present invention is not limited to three. Only one timing indicator is provided for a plurality of reels, and rotation of the other reels is stopped except for one of the reels, and the symbols constituting the winning reels are displayed on the winning determination line. The timing indicator may be activated when the vehicle is stopped, that is, when the vehicle reaches the reach state. According to this, since the probability that a skilled person has a reach eye is high, a skilled person is not dissatisfied, and even a beginner can almost certainly connect to a hit when a reach eye comes out,
It is effective in enhancing or maintaining the interest of the game.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, a symbol display device that performs a unique process of pull-in control when a reel is stopped, forms a winning when a winning is determined by the winning limiting means. During the period of moving into the symbol pull-in control range, the timing of the hit operation of the stop button, which is easy to obtain, is continuously notified to the player by the timing display means. , And the player can more reliably grasp the operation timing of the stop button by displaying before and after the hit operation period together. Furthermore, if the timing display means is not always driven, but is driven or not driven in accordance with the progress of the game, the skilled player is somewhat more advantageous between the expert and the beginner. Can be performed without complaining to the skilled person.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a slot machine using the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a front panel of the slot machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the symbol display device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a rotation position of a reel and an operation of a timing indicator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Display Window 5 Reel 7 Stop Button 14 Timing Display 15 Stop Display 20 CPU 26 Drive Unit 30 Electronic Lottery Device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A reel comprising a plurality of reels in which symbols are arranged in a rotational direction, and a stop button operated by a player when the reels are individually stopped, and displayed when the plurality of reels are stopped. In a symbol display device in which the presence or absence of a hit is determined by a combination of symbols appearing in a window, at least a prize determining means for determining whether or not to generate a hit before the stop button is operated, and a time when the stop button is operated On the basis of the rotation position of the reel, the specific symbol constituting the hit determined by the winning determination means stops at the predetermined position of the display window while the reel continues to rotate within a predetermined angle range of less than half a rotation. A pull-in control means for controlling the stop position of the reel, and monitoring the rotational position of the reel while the reel is rotating. Timing detecting means for detecting a hit operation period of a stop button capable of stopping a reel so that the specific symbol stops at a predetermined position in the display window, and hit operation of the stop button based on a signal from the timing detecting means. A symbol display device comprising: timing display means for displaying a period to a player. 2. The symbol display device according to claim 1, wherein said timing display means also displays a period before and after a stop button hit operation period. 3. The timing display means includes a first display section lit and displayed during a hit operation period, and a second display section disposed on both sides of the first display section and lit before and after the hit operation period. 3. The symbol display device according to claim 2, comprising a third display and a third display. 4. The symbol display device according to claim 1, wherein said timing display means is driven only when it is determined by the winning determination means to generate a specific hit. . 5. The symbol display device according to claim 4, wherein said timing display means is driven when said specific hit does not occur during a predetermined number of game repetition periods.