JP2005205189A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine which enables the adjustment of the number of medals to be put out so as not to exceed the maximum obtainable number. <P>SOLUTION: The slot machine has a limit to the maximum obtainable number of medals in the BB games. The conditions for ending the RB games are that the counts of the JAC games reach the prescribed value. As for the RB game under the BB game, when the maximum obtainable number of medals exceeds the reference number, the conditions for ending the BB game is made preferential to those for ending the RB game and the RB game is forcibly ended to shift to the normal game following the subsequent game. The reference number of medals is set smaller than the maximum obtainable number. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine.

  A slot machine generally includes three reels, three reel stop buttons corresponding to each reel, and a start lever for starting a game. When the player depresses the start lever, all reels rotate at the same time, and each reel stops at the timing when the player depresses each reel stop button. Of the combinations of symbols arranged on the winning line in a state where the reels are stopped, a combination of symbols that gives a game value is called a role. When a combination of symbols composing a combination on the effective winning line is completed, a winning is made, and the player can obtain the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination. That is, when the state where the reels are stopped is a state (predetermined state) that is a combination of symbols constituting the winning combination, the winning combination is awarded and a game value corresponding to the winning winning combination is given.

  Here, the winning is generally determined by two steps. The first step is called internal lottery. In the internal lottery, the lottery is executed at the operation timing of the start lever to determine which prize group will be won or lost, and internal lottery information indicating the lottery result is generated. Here, the prize group refers to a group of one or a plurality of roles and corresponds to a lottery category. That is, a prize group and a combination may correspond one-to-one, or a plurality of combinations may correspond to one prize group.

  In the second step, the reel stop position is controlled in accordance with the operation of the reel stop button. If the internal lottery information indicates a loss, even if the player operates the reel stop button at the timing when the symbol that constitutes a certain role reaches the valid pay line, the reel stop timing is delayed, The reel is controlled so that the symbols constituting the winning combination do not stop on the valid winning line. The same applies to the combination corresponding to the prize that was not won in the internal lottery. Such control is called kick control. On the other hand, if a prize group which is an internal lottery is won, even if the operation timing of the reel stop button is slightly early, the pull-in control is performed so that the symbols constituting the role corresponding to the prize group stop on the winning line. The However, if the operation timing of the reel stop button is significantly deviated, no prize will be awarded. In other words, in order for a player to win a prize, it is necessary to win a prize group by internal lottery and align the winning prize group on an effective prize line. Winning any prize group in the internal lottery is called winning, and not winning any prize group is called losing. And, the fact that the symbols stopped on the winning line make up the winning combination is called winning, and the non-winning is not forming the winning combination. In non-winning cases, when the internal lottery result is lost, even if the internal lottery is won, the operation timing of the reel stop button is greatly shifted, so that the role corresponding to the winning prize is not established, so-called Includes missing items.

  Such a slot machine can execute a plurality of types of games such as a big bonus game and a regular bonus game in addition to the normal game. The transition from the normal game to the big bonus game is conditional on winning the BB prize, and the transition to the regular bonus game is conditional on winning the RB prize. The internal lottery described above is executed for each game, and the internal lottery result is usually not carried over to the next game. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The RB game ends when the JAC game is played 12 times or a maximum of 8 times is won. The JAC game is played by betting one medal and enabling only the central winning line. JAC games will adopt the JAC Award. When winning the JAC Award, the slot machine usually pays out 15 medals. The big bonus game has a higher probability of winning the RB prize than the normal game.

JP 2002-191760 A

  By the way, the conventional big bonus game is continued until the RB award is won three times or the game is exhausted thirty times, so that a large number of medals are paid out during the period. For this reason, there is a concern that the player may be jealous. Therefore, it is conceivable to set an upper limit on the number of medals that can be obtained in one big bonus game. Here, when the maximum value of the acquired number is the maximum acquired number, payout exceeding the maximum acquired number is prohibited.

  There is a problem that if a prize with a large payout number is won in a state where the current acquired number is approaching the maximum acquired number, the maximum acquired number will be exceeded. For example, if you win the RB award during the big bonus game, the regular bonus game starts, but during the regular bonus, the winning probability of the JAC award is set high, so the regular bonus during the big bonus game is currently being executed. When the acquired number approaches the maximum acquired number, the possibility of exceeding the maximum acquired number in the next game is extremely high. Furthermore, if the current winning number approaches the maximum acquired number by winning the RB award during the big bonus, the next game will be a jack game and the possibility of exceeding the maximum acquired number is extremely high.

  In addition, as described above, winnings are generally prohibited except for the prizes won in the internal lottery, but at least one reel can be played with a reel stop game regardless of the result of the internal lottery. Slot machines are known. Such a game is referred to as a free bonus game in this specification. In order to shift from the normal game to the free bonus game, a game with a higher probability of winning the predetermined prize in the internal lottery than the normal game, on condition that a predetermined prize (hereinafter referred to as FB prize) is won. There is also a demand to realize it. Such a game is referred to herein as a challenge bonus game. In the challenge bonus game, as in the big bonus game, it is preferable to set a limit on the maximum number obtained from the viewpoint of suppressing the player's happiness. In this case, as in the big bonus game, there is a problem that if the current winning number is approaching the maximum acquired number and a prize with a large payout number is won, the maximum acquired number will be exceeded. In addition, if the FB prize is won during the challenge bonus game, the game shifts to the free bonus game. In the free bonus game, the reel stop button is operated for a desired symbol regardless of the result of the internal lottery, and a high dividend is won. Therefore, when the current acquisition number approaches the maximum acquisition number by winning the FB prize, there is a very high possibility that the maximum acquisition number will be exceeded in the next game.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine that adjusts the number of payouts so as not to exceed the maximum obtained number.

  The present invention will be described below. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

  The slot machine according to the present invention includes a plurality of display columns (R1-R3) that cyclically variably display a plurality of types of symbols, and in a state where variable display of the plurality of display columns (R1-R3) is stopped, Of the plurality of winning lines (L1-L5) crossing the plurality of display columns (R1-R3), any of the arrangements of symbols stopped on the activated winning line (L1-L5) is in a predetermined mode. Can be executed by switching various games including a normal game, a special game, and a specific game according to a predetermined condition. The plurality of start prizes, which are conditions for winning another type of game, and a plurality of small prizes that do not change the type of game even if the prize is won. Start condition to start The special game start award and the winning a prize include a specific game start award that is a start condition for starting the specific game, and the specific game can be executed over a plurality of games, in a period from the start to the end of the specific game In the slot machine that shifts the game state from the specific game to the normal game when a predetermined end condition is satisfied, the special game in the specific game is limited in the total number of game media to be paid out. The winning probability of the starting prize is set higher than the winning probability of the special game starting prize in the normal game, and one of a plurality of prizes and loses is determined by lottery, and the winning prize that is the winning prize or If lottery means (31, 33) for generating lottery information (ISD) indicating a loss and the lottery information (ISD) indicates a winning prize, A set of symbols corresponding to a winning prize is allowed to stop on the activated winning line (L1-L5), and a set of symbols corresponding to a prize other than the winning prize is set to the activated winning line. When it is prohibited to stop on the line (L1-L5) and the lottery information (ISD) indicates a loss, the combination of symbols corresponding to all the prizes is activated on the winning line (L1-L5) Stop control means (31) for stopping the variable display of the plurality of display columns (R1-R3) so as to prohibit the stop, and the symbols stopped on the validated winning line (L1-L5) A winning determination means (31) for determining a prize won according to the combination, a payout means (31) for paying out the number of game media corresponding to the winning prize, and a payout amount of the game media in the specific game To calculate the quantity acquired Acquired quantity calculating means (31, 34), comparing means for comparing the acquired quantity with a reference quantity less than the predetermined quantity, and referring to a comparison result of the comparing means, the acquired quantity exceeds the reference quantity A game state management means (31) for ending the specific game in the current game and shifting the game state from the next game to the normal game.

  According to the present invention, in the special game, when the acquired number exceeds the reference quantity that is smaller than the predetermined quantity, the special game is ended. Therefore, the specific game can be ended before the acquired number exceeds the predetermined quantity. As a result, a large amount of game media will not be paid out in the specific game, and the game of the slot machine will not mischief the player. Here, the game medium includes pachinko balls in addition to medals used for games (game medals). Further, the payout of the game medium includes storing the game medium as a credit in addition to discharging the game medium from the slot machine, or recording it on a recording medium by an electromagnetic method. In addition to the mechanical reels, the display columns include those displayed electronically on the display means. That is, the slot machine includes a so-called video slot. The special games include RB games and FB games. Furthermore, when the special game is an RB game, the specific game is a BB game, and when the special game is an FB game, the specific game is a CB game.

  In the slot machine described above, the game state management means (31) wins the special game start prize in the current game, and if the acquired quantity exceeds the reference quantity, the game state management means (31) It is preferable to execute a process of ending the specific game and shifting the game state to the normal game without shifting to the special game in the next game. In the special game, the number of game media that the player can acquire per unit game is larger than that in the normal game. Therefore, if the standard quantity of the game won in the special game start prize is exceeded, the possibility of exceeding the predetermined quantity in the next game is extremely high. Therefore, priority is given to the end condition of the specific game over the start condition of the special game, and the process is forcibly shifted to the normal game. Thereby, the acquisition quantity of a specific game can be suppressed so that it may be surely less than a predetermined quantity.

In the slot machine described above, the game state management means (31) is a special game in which the current game is the specific game, and the game does not satisfy the special game end condition, and the acquired quantity When the number exceeds the reference quantity, it is preferable that the special game is terminated in the current game, and a process of shifting the game state from the special game to the normal game is executed in the next game.
In the special game, the number of game media that the player can acquire per unit game is larger than that in the normal game. Therefore, if the reference quantity is exceeded during the special game, the possibility of exceeding the predetermined quantity in the next game is extremely high. Therefore, the special game is forcibly ended by giving priority to the specific game end condition over the special game end condition. Thereby, the acquisition quantity of a specific game can be suppressed so that it may surely fall below a predetermined quantity.

  In the slot machine described above, the game state management means (31), in the special game started by winning the special game start prize in the normal game, only when the special game end condition is satisfied. It is preferable to shift the game state from the next game to the normal game. The special game in the normal game is not intended to be limited by the number of acquisitions in the specific game.

  In the slot machine described above, the game state management means (31) is configured such that when the reference quantity is an allowable quantity that is greater than or equal to a maximum payout quantity among one or more prizes that can be won in the next game. It is preferable to set to a quantity obtained by subtracting the allowable quantity from a predetermined quantity. According to the present invention, since the reference quantity is determined in consideration of the maximum payout quantity assumed in the next game, the acquired quantity does not exceed the predetermined quantity. In particular, it is preferable to set the allowable quantity to the maximum payout quantity from the viewpoint of not exceeding the predetermined quantity and maximizing the acquired quantity.

  In the slot machine described above, the maximum payout amount of one or more awards that can be won in the special game and the maximum payout amount of one or more awards that can be won in a game other than the special game in the specific game. Are different, the game state management means (31) determines whether or not the next game is the special game in the specific game, and sets the allowable quantity according to the determination result. preferable. In this case, the reference quantity can be varied depending on the game state.

  The slot machine described above further includes a payout rate calculating means for calculating a payout rate in a period from a current game to a past game of a predetermined number of games, wherein the game state management means (31) is configured to start the specific game. It is preferable that the predetermined quantity is set according to the payout rate calculated by the payout rate calculating means in a game that has won a prize. According to the present invention, since the predetermined quantity is determined in consideration of the payout rate, even if a large amount of game media is paid out in a specific game, the upper limit of the quantity of game media to be paid out can be adjusted. It is possible to suppress a sudden change in the ball ratio.

  In the slot machine described above, it is preferable that the slot machine includes display means for displaying the acquired quantity calculated by the acquired number calculation means and the remaining number of game media that can be acquired during the specific game. According to the present invention, since the player can know the acquired quantity and the quantity of game media that can be acquired, the preference of the specific game is greatly improved.

  In the slot machine described above, the types of games that can be executed include a replay game that can be executed under the same conditions as the immediately preceding game without inserting the game medium, and the prize includes the start prize and the small part In addition to a prize, a replay prize is included, and the game state management means (31) executes the next game as the replay game when winning the replay prize, and the lottery means (31, 33) It is preferable that the winning probability of the replay prize is set to be higher in the game during the specific game.

  Since there is a limit to the number of games that can be acquired for a particular game, the player's interest is in how to increase the net increase. According to the present invention, since there is no payout even if the replay prize is won, there is no change in the number obtained, so the net increase quantity of the specific game is increased by increasing the winning probability of the replay prize in the predetermined game period. It becomes possible.

  In the slot machine described above, when one game is defined as a game from a bet operation in which a player inserts the game medal to a bet operation of the next game in order to start a certain game, the one game sequentially executes a plurality of processes. A time management means for controlling the time from a predetermined process of the plurality of processes of the one game to the predetermined process of the next one game to exceed a predetermined time; The replay game preferably includes time shortening means for invalidating the control of the time management means. According to the present invention, it is possible to finish the replay game period in a short time and to win the special game early.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a slot machine capable of adjusting the period of a specific game so that the acquired quantity in the specific game does not exceed a predetermined quantity.

<1: External configuration of slot machine>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The housing of the slot machine 1 includes a main body 2 and a front door 3 attached to the front surface of the main body 2. A liquid crystal display device 64 for presenting predetermined information to the player is provided on the upper stage of the front door 3. The panel display portion D in the middle stage of the front door 3 is provided with three vertically long display windows 4a, 4b, and 4c. The display windows 4a, 4b, and 4c are formed of a transparent material such as acrylic resin. Further, three winning lines L1 to L5 are provided horizontally and obliquely on the display windows 4a, 4b, and 4c.

  In addition, an auxiliary display unit 20 is provided on the left side of the display window 4a. The auxiliary display unit 20 is composed of five LEDs respectively corresponding to the pay lines L1 to L5. When the player inserts medals or performs a bet operation to be described later, the number of pay lines L1 to L5 corresponding to the number of bets becomes valid. In this slot machine 1, the winning line L1 is valid when the number of bets is one, the winning lines L1 to L3 are valid when the number of bets is two, and the winning lines L1 to L1 when the number of bets is three. L5 becomes effective. Each LED constituting the auxiliary display unit 20 is turned on when the corresponding winning line L1 to L5 is valid, and is turned off when the corresponding winning line L1 to L5 is invalid. Thus, the player can know which winning lines L1 to L5 are valid.

  Inside the panel display D, three rows of left, middle and right reels R1, R2 and R3 each having a plurality of types of symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface thereof are rotatably provided. FIG. 2 shows the structure of the left, middle, and right reels R1, R2, and R3, and FIG. 3 shows the detailed structure of the right reel R3. Each of the reels R1 to R3 has an annular shape, and various symbols are printed on its surface (surface visible from the display windows 4a to 4c). A light shielding film S that shields light is formed on the back surface of the right reel R3 except for a part thereof. In the portion where the light shielding film S is formed, light is not transmitted even if light is irradiated from the back side. On the other hand, the light shielding film S is not formed on each design portion, and the uneven member P for scattering light is formed on the back surface of the right reel R3. In addition, the reel of each design part is white and translucent. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the concavo-convex member P is formed inside the contour portion of the symbol “7”.

  A right reel illumination unit 670 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the right reel R3. The right reel lighting unit 670 includes upper, middle, and lower shades partitioned by walls. A light source 67 is provided in each of the upper, middle, and lower shades. As the light source 67, a cold cathode tube, an LED, or a light bulb can be used.

  Further, a light shielding piece 491 is provided on a part of the right reel R3 so as to protrude from the reel body, and crosses the photocoupler 492 when the right reel R3 rotates. The structure of the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2 and the peripheral configuration thereof are the same as the structure of the right reel R3 and the peripheral configuration thereof described with reference to FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. Below the display windows 4a, 4b, and 4c, there is provided an operation unit OP on which various operation members for a player to execute a game are arranged. The operation unit OP includes a medal slot 5, a start lever 6, left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, a credit button 8, and a BET button 15.

  The medal slot 5 is provided below the display window 4c so that medals can be inserted. When one medal is inserted, the winning line L1 is activated, when two medals are inserted, the winning lines L1 to L3 are activated, and when three medals are inserted, the winning lines L1 to L5 are activated. Further, when the player inserts more than 3 medals, the slot machine 1 stores the number of medals of 4 or more as credits. The slot machine 1 includes a storage device therein. The storage device stores the medals acquired by the medals inserted into the slot machine 1, so that the player can operate the buttons and other devices without newly inserting medals into the slot machine. It is a device that can provide a predetermined number of medals from among medals in order for a game, and is used for the game based on the total number of medals entered in the slot machine and medals acquired by the game. It is possible to record the number obtained by subtracting the total number of objects by an electromagnetic method.

  The BET button 15 is provided on the lower left side of the display window 4a. The BET button 15 is used for designating the number of medals bet by the player in one game. By operating the BET button 15 by the player, the stored medals can be bet without inserting medals from the medal insertion slot 5. Therefore, the winning lines L1 to L5 are appropriately enabled according to the number of medals designated by operating the BET button 15. The relationship between the number of medals designated by the operation of the BET button 15 and the valid pay lines L1 to L5 is the same as when medals are directly inserted.

  The start lever 6 is provided below the BET button 15. The start lever 6 is used by the player to instruct the start of the game. When the player depresses the start lever 6, the reels R1, R2, and R3 start to rotate all at once, and the symbols in the display windows 4a, 4b, and 4c are variably displayed.

  Left, middle and right reel stop buttons 7 a, 7 b and 7 c are provided on the right side of the start lever 6. The left, middle and right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b and 7c are used to stop the three rows of left, middle and right reels R1, R2 and R3 rotating in the display windows 4a, 4b and 4c, respectively.

  On the right side of the reel stop button 7c, a credit check button 8 is provided for returning medals stored as credits to the medal tray 10.

<2: Role>
FIG. 4 shows an example of symbols displayed on the left / middle / right reels R1, R2, and R3. As shown in the figure, 21 symbols and 7 types of symbols are displayed on each reel R1, R2, R3, and symbol numbers PN = 1 to 21 are assigned to the symbols.

  In a game by the slot machine 1, when a predetermined combination of symbols is aligned on the winning lines L1 to L5 enabled by inserting medals, the number of medals corresponding to the aligned symbols is paid out. The medal is inserted into the slot machine 1 when starting the game, and is necessary for the player to continue the game. That is, a medal can be said to be a medium (game medium) having a game value such as continuation of a game. In this case, the medal corresponds to the game value. Note that an information recording medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card in which information corresponding to the number of medals is recorded is also included in the game medium.

  Of the arrangement (combination) of symbols, the one that gives game value is called “role”, and is distinguished from “valueless” non-winning. The game value refers to a privilege given to the player, and includes transferring a predetermined amount of medals to the player and shifting from one type of game to another type of game. The type of game value given as a result of one game is called “prize”, and obtaining “prize” is called “winning”. The award starts with the same conditions as the previous game without inserting a medal, and the start award that shifts from the normal game to another type of game and the small role award with a medal payout (payout award) It is roughly divided into replay prizes. The start prize may be accompanied by a medal payout, or may not be paid out.

  The types of games that can be executed by the slot machine 1 include normal games, regular bonus games (hereinafter referred to as RB games), big bonus games (hereinafter referred to as BB games), and challenge bonus games (hereinafter referred to as CB games). ), And a free bonus game (hereinafter referred to as FB game). Note that the normal game includes a replay game that can be played under the same conditions as the immediately preceding game without inserting medals on the condition that the replay prize is won. The RB game start prize is called RB prize, the BB game start prize is called BB prize, the CB game start prize is called CB prize, and the FB game start prize is called FB prize. In the RB award, BB award, CB award, and FB award, 15 medals are paid out by winning, but even if a replay prize is won, no medal is paid out.

  The CB game is a game in which the winning probability of the FB prize in the internal lottery is different from that of the normal game, and the winning probability of the FB prize of the present embodiment is higher in the CB game than in the normal game. However, there is a limit to the number of medals acquired during the CB game, and the CB game is terminated before the predetermined number is exceeded. In the FB game, stop control is executed for at least one reel regardless of the result of the internal lottery, and the operation ends in one game. Therefore, in the FB game, kick control is not executed for at least one reel. In the following description, the FB game in the CB game is referred to as the FB in CB, and the FB game won in the normal game is referred to as the single FB.

  The replay game is a game that can be played without inserting medals (including using medals for games by operating buttons and other devices related to the storage device). The RB game ends when the JAC game is played 12 times or a maximum of 8 times is won. The JAC game is played by betting one medal and enabling only the central pay line L1. JAC games will adopt the JAC Award. When winning the JAC Award, the slot machine 1 pays out 15 medals.

  The BB game has a higher probability of winning the RB prize than the normal game. However, there is a limit to the number of medals that the player can acquire during the BB game, and the BB game is terminated before the predetermined number is exceeded. In the following description, in order to distinguish between RBs in the BB and RBs that have won alone, the former is referred to as RB in BB and the latter is referred to as single RB.

  On the other hand, the small role prize includes a cherry prize with two medal payouts, a bell prize with five medal payouts, and a watermelon prize with seven medal payouts. The relationship between roles and prizes is as follows.

  1) Red 7 Role This role is a sequence of symbols with symbol numbers PN = 1 and 7 on the left reel R1, symbols with symbol number PN = 9 on the middle reel R2, and symbols with symbol numbers PN = 1 and 9 on the right reel R3. It is. The red 7 role corresponds to the BB prize and is an opportunity to shift from the base game to the BB game.

  2) White 7 role This role is a sequence of symbols of symbol number PN = 12 on the left reel R1, symbols of symbol numbers PN = 1 and 11 on the middle reel R2, and symbols of symbol number PN = 13 on the right reel R3. . The white 7 role corresponds to the CB award and is an opportunity to shift from the base game to the CB game.

  3) BAR Role This role is a sequence of symbols of symbol number PN = 17 in the left reel R1, symbols of symbol number PN = 14 in the middle reel R2, and symbols of symbol numbers PN = 5 and 18 in the right reel R3. The BAR combination corresponds to a single RB award and triggers the transition from the base game to the RB game.

  4) FB Role This role is a sequence of symbols with symbol number PN = 17 on the left reel R1, symbols with symbol number PN = 14 on the middle reel R2, and symbols with symbol number PN = 13 on the right reel R3. That is, the arrangement is “BAR-BAR-White 7”. The FB combination corresponds to the FB award and becomes an opportunity to shift to a single FB or FB in CB. However, the FB game does not correspond to the FB prize for transferring the next game to the FB game.

  5) Bell role This role consists of a symbol number PN = 4, 8, 10, 15, or 20 on the left reel R1, a symbol number PN = 4, 8, 13, 17 or 21 on the middle reel R2, right This is an arrangement of symbols of symbol number PN = 4, 8, 12, 17 or 21 on the reel R3. When a bell role is established in a normal game, a BB game, or a CB game, a bell prize is won.

  6) Watermelon role This role consists of the symbol number PN = 2, 6, 11, 16 or 21 on the left reel R1, the symbol number PN = 2, 6, 10, 15 or 19 on the middle reel R2, the right reel This is an arrangement of symbols of symbol number PN = 3, 7, 11, 16, or 20 in R3. When a watermelon role is established in a normal game, a BB game, or a CB game, a watermelon prize is won.

  7) Cherry role This role only needs to stop when the symbol number PN = 13, 18 on the left reel R1 is activated among the winning lines L1 to L5, regardless of the stop position of the other reels. is there. When the cherry role is established in the base game, the BB game, or the CB game, the cherry prize is won.

  8) Plum Role This role is based on the symbol number PN = 3, 5, 9, 14, or 19 on the left reel R1, the symbol number PN = 3, 7, 12, 16 or 20 on the middle reel R2, the right This is an arrangement of symbols of symbol number PN = 2, 6, 10, 15 or 19 on the reel R3. The role of the plum corresponds to the replay prize of the normal game, the RB prize during the BB game, the FB prize during the CB game and the FB game, and the JAC prize during the RB game.

  9) FB bell role This role is an array of symbols "Plum-Plum-Bell", "Plum-Bell-Plum", "Bell-Plum-Plum", and "Bell" It is conditional on stopping at the winning line where the symbol is activated. That is, not only the arrangement of symbols but also the operation order in which the player operates the reel stop button is a condition for establishing the FB bell combination. This role corresponds to the Bell Prize in the FB game.

  10) FB watermelon role This role is an array of symbols “Plum-Plum-Watermelon”, “Plum-Watermelon-Plum”, “Watermelon-Plum-Plum”, and “Watermelon” in the last stop operation. It is conditional on stopping at the winning line where the symbol is activated. That is, not only the arrangement of symbols but also the operation order in which the player operates the reel stop button is a condition for establishing the FB watermelon combination. This role corresponds to the watermelon prize in the FB game.

  11) FB cherry role This role is an arrangement of the symbols “Plum-Plum-Cherry”, “Plum-Cherry-Plum”, “Cherry-Plum-Plum”, and “Cherry” in the last stop operation. It is conditional on stopping at the winning line where the symbol is activated. That is, not only the arrangement of symbols but also the operation order in which the player operates the reel stop button is a condition for establishing the FB cherry combination. This role corresponds to the cherry prize in the FB game.

<3: Electrical configuration of slot machine>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control device that controls the game processing operation in the slot machine 1 and a circuit configuration including peripheral devices related to the present invention among those constituting the slot machine 1.

  The control device includes main board 30A and sub board 30B as main components. The main board 30A includes a CPU 31, a clock generation circuit 32, a sequence generation circuit 33, a RAM 34, a ROM 35, a transmission timing control circuit 36, a data transmission circuit 37, an input port 38 and an output port 39.

  The CPU 31 is connected to each component of the main board 30A excluding the transmission timing control circuit 36 via a bus (not shown). The CPU 31 executes the first control program CP1 and controls each component. The first control program CP1 describes how to operate the entire slot machine 1. For this reason, the CPU 31 functions as a control center of the slot machine 1. The clock generation circuit 32 includes an oscillation circuit including a crystal resonator, generates a reference clock signal CLK having a fixed period, and supplies the reference clock signal CLK to the CPU 31 and the number sequence generation circuit 33.

  The sequence generator 33 is composed of a high-speed ring counter, and counts the reference clock signal CLK to generate count data CD. The numerical value range of the count data CD is, for example, 0 to 65535, depending on the contents stored in the prize group lottery table TBL1 described later. The count data CD can be input to the CPU 31 through the input port. The CPU 31 detects the timing when the player depresses the start lever 6 and reads the count data CD through the input port at the timing. Sampling data SD is generated.

  Since the player cannot know the value of the count data CD, the timing at which the start lever 6 is pushed down by the player is random. Therefore, the value of the sampling data SD is equivalent to a value sampled from a random number. Since the sequence generator 33 operates in synchronization with the reference clock signal CLK, the cycle of the count data CD is extremely short. For example, if the frequency of the reference clock signal CLK is 30 MHz, the time required for the value of the count data CD to change from “0” to “65535” is 2.2 msec. Therefore, even if the player can know the value of the count data CD by unauthorized means, it is impossible to cause the CPU 31 to generate sampling data SD having a desired value by operating the start lever 6.

  Next, the RAM 34 functions as a work area of the CPU 31 and stores intermediate results of arithmetic processing, data generated as necessary, flags used for various controls, and the like. For example, internal lottery data ISD indicating the result of the internal lottery is stored in the RAM 34.

  In addition to the first control program CP1, the ROM 35 stores a prize group lottery table group TBL1, a stop table group TBL2, a winning symbol combination table TBL3, and the like. In the winning symbol combination table TBL3, combinations of winning symbol combinations and medal payout numbers for winning combinations are stored in association with each other.

  Since the control of the slot machine 1 requires control according to the difference in game value, it is convenient to classify various roles by paying attention to the game value. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, one prize group is assigned to each combination, but one or more combinations may be assigned to one prize group.

  Next, the prize group lottery table group TBL1 includes a plurality of prize group lottery tables. CPU31 performs internal lottery using the prize group lottery table selected according to the kind of game. As a prize group lottery table, a table used for a normal game, a table used for a BB game, a table used for an RB game, a table used for a CB game, and a table used for an FB game are prepared.

  FIG. 6 shows the stored contents of the prize group lottery table TBL11 for the base game. As shown in this figure, the prize group lottery table TBL11 stores lottery division data in the first to ninth storage areas ADR1 to ADR9, respectively. The value of the lottery category data indicates the width of the lottery category corresponding to each prize group. For example, the lottery classification data stored in the first storage area ADR1 corresponds to the loss, and the value is “59536”. The lottery classification data stored in the ninth storage area ADR9 corresponds to the BB prize, and its value is “200”.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 31 in the internal lottery process using the prize group lottery table TBL11. First, the CPU 31 performs an initialization process (step S1). Specifically, the value of the variable N is reset to “0” and the value stored in the internal register is reset to “0”.

  Next, the CPU 31 stores the sampling data SD in the internal register (step S2), and subsequently changes the value of the variable N to N + 1 (step S3). Thereafter, the CPU 31 reads the lottery classification data from the Nth storage area (step S4). In the process immediately after the initialization process, since the value of the variable N is “1”, the lottery classification data is read from the first storage area ADR1. The value in this case is “59536”.

  Next, the CPU 31 reads the stored contents of the internal register, adds the read data value and the lottery classification data value, and stores the added value in the internal register (step S5). As a result, the content stored in the internal register is updated from the original data value to the added value.

  Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the added value is greater than or equal to the reference value (step S6). The reference value is equal to the sum of the values of the lottery classification data stored in the first to ninth storage areas ADR1 to ADR9.

  If the added value is less than the reference value, the CPU 31 returns the process to step S3, and repeats the processes from step S3 to step S6 until the added value becomes equal to or greater than the reference value. When the added value is equal to or greater than the reference value, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S7, determines a prize group according to the value of the variable N, and generates internal lottery data ISD. Specifically, when N = 1, it is a loss, when N = 2, a replay prize, when N = 3, a cherry prize, when N = 4, a bell prize, when N = 5, a single FB prize, when N = 6, a watermelon It is determined that the CB prize is won when N = 7, the RB prize when N = 8, and the BB prize when N = 9. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the correspondence between the sampling data SD and the prize group is lost at SD = 65535-6000, replay prize at SD = 5999-4300, cherry prize at SD = 4299-3300, SD = 3299 to 2400 for the Bell Award, SD = 2399 to 1600 for the Single FB Award, SD = 1599 to 900 for the Watermelon Award, SD = 899 to 500 for the CB Award, SD = 499 to 200 for the RB Award SD = 199 to 0 corresponding to the BB prize.

  Then, the CPU 31 generates internal lottery data ISD based on the determination result. The internal lottery data ISD includes the BB award for the first bit, the RB award for the second bit, the CB award for the third bit, the Bell award for the fourth bit, the watermelon award for the fifth bit, the cherry award for the sixth bit, A replay award is assigned to 7 bits and a single FB award is assigned to the 8th bit. If any prize is won by internal lottery, the CPU 31 sets the value of the corresponding bit to “1”, otherwise sets the value of the bit to “0”. Therefore, by referring to the internal lottery data ISD, it is possible to know whether the player has won or lost, and the winning group that has won.

  In the following description, the first bit of the internal lottery data ISD is called a BB winning flag, the second bit is called an RB winning flag, and the third bit is called a CB winning flag. Then, setting each flag to “1” is referred to as setting, and setting to “0” is referred to as clear. With regard to a small role, even if a game is won by an internal lottery, no medal will be paid out unless the game is won. However, for the RB prize, the BB prize, and the CB prize, when winning in an internal lottery of a certain game, the BB winning flag, the RB winning flag, and the CB winning flag are not cleared without winning in the game. The BB winning flag, the RB winning flag, and the CB winning flag are maintained until winning in the game. This is called carrying over the winning flag. As described above, the internal lottery is executed for each game, and the internal lottery data ISD is generated. The lottery result is valid only in the game except for winning the RB prize, the BB prize, and the CB prize. Thus, even if the winning flag is carried over, the internal lottery is executed for each game. For example, when the watermelon prize is won in the internal lottery in the game in which the winning flag of the BB prize is carried over, the internal lottery data ISD In this state, the values of the first bit and the fifth bit are set to “1”. Further, if neither game is won in this game, only the fifth bit is cleared to “0” and the first bit remains set to “1”.

  Next, the stop table group TBL2 is composed of a plurality of stop tables. In each stop table, a symbol number PN (symbol number at the reference position) displayed on the central pay line L1 and advancing frame number data indicating the advancing frame number (moving symbol number) are stored in association with each other. . Here, the number of advance frames is a symbol that advances from when the player depresses each of the left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c until the left / middle / right reels R1, R2, R3 stop. A number.

  Since each of the left, middle, and right reels R1, R2, and R3 rotates at high speed, even if the player operates the stop button aiming at a specific symbol, skill is required to stop the desired symbol. There are individual differences in the mastery of the stop button operation. In particular, it is difficult for a player with low moving eyesight to stop a desired symbol. On the other hand, a highly skilled player can operate the stop button when a desired symbol is displayed on the winning line.

  However, in order for a low-skilled player to enjoy the game, it is necessary to make it easy to align the symbols to some extent. On the other hand, when the result of the internal lottery is lost, it is necessary to control the rotation of the reel so that the combination is not established There is. The stop table is used to control such reel rotation. The stop positions of the left, middle, and right reels R1, R2, and R3 are determined with reference to the stop table.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the description will be continued. The transmission timing control circuit 36 and the data transmission circuit 37 shown in the figure transmit to the sub-board 30B information on the type of combination determined by the internal lottery and the stop table selected corresponding to the combination. The sub-board 30B is responsible for processing for notifying the player of predetermined information.

  Next, the input port 38 is an input interface for signals supplied from various sensors described later. On the other hand, the output port 39 is an output interface for supplying control signals to each motor and various devices.

  The main input signal generating means connected to the input port 38 and generating various input signals includes the following. The inserted medal detection sensor 41 detects a medal inserted through the medal slot 5 and generates one output pulse for one medal. Therefore, the CPU 31 can detect the number of inserted medals by counting the output pulses.

  The BET button sensor 42 detects the operation of the BET button 15. The start lever sensor 43 detects the operation of the start lever 6 and outputs a start operation signal 43a. The left / middle / right reel stop button sensors 44, 45, 46 detect the operations of the left / middle / right reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, respectively, and output stop operation signals 44a, 45a, 46a, respectively. The left / middle / right reel position detection sensors 47, 48, 49 detect the rotational positions of the left / middle / right reels R1, R2, R3, and generate detection signals 47a, 48b, 49c. The CPU 31 detects these signals and acquires the operation timing of the start lever 6, the operation timings of the reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, and 7c, and the rotation positions of the reels R1, R2, and R3.

  The right reel position detection sensor 49 includes a photocoupler 492, an amplifier, and a comparator shown in FIGS. The photocoupler 492 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. When the light receiving unit outputs a light reception signal at a level corresponding to the amount of light received, the amplifier amplifies the light reception signal. The comparator compares the output signal of the amplifier with a predetermined threshold value to generate a detection signal 49a, and outputs this as an output signal of the right reel position detection sensor 49. When the right reel R3 rotates, the light shielding piece 491 shown in FIG. 2 passes through the photocoupler 492 once per rotation. Therefore, the rotation position of the right reel R3 can be detected by the detection signal 49a. The left / middle position detection sensors 47 and 48 are configured in the same manner as the right reel position detection sensor 49.

  As main means connected to the output port 39 and supplied with various output signals, there are left, middle and right reel drive motors 51, 52 and 53. The left, middle, and right reel drive motors 51, 52, and 53 are motors that respectively rotate the left, middle, and right reels R1, R2, and R3, and in this example, are constituted by stepping motors. Therefore, the CPU 31 stops the left, middle, and right reels R1, R2, and R3 by adjusting the number of pulses of the drive signals 51, 52a, and 53a supplied to the left, middle, and right reel drive motors 51, 52, and 53. It is possible to determine the position accurately.

  Each of the motors 51, 52, and 53 is configured to rotate once by 400 pulses. As described above, 21 symbols are formed on each of the reels R1, R2, and R3. Of these, 20 symbols advance by 1 pulse with 19 pulses, and 1 symbol advances by 1 pulse with 20 pulses. Further, the CPU 31 counts the number of pulses supplied to the motors 51, 52, and 53, and holds the count result as position data MD1, MD2, and MD3. The values of the position data MD1, MD2, and MD3 are reset when the detection signals 47a, 48a, and 49a become active.

  FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the detection signal 49a, the symbol number PN, the drive signal 53a, and the position data MD3. As shown in this figure, when the detection signal 49a rises from the low level to the high level at time t1, the value of the position data MD3 is reset. Time t1 is timing when the light shielding piece 491 shown in FIG. 3 passes through the photocoupler 492. At this time, as the rotational position of the right reel R3, the symbol (BAR) of the symbol number PN = 1 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed in the middle of the display window 4c. In other words, the mounting position of the light shielding piece 491 and the photocoupler 492 is determined so that the symbol is displayed in the middle of the display window 4c.

  When 20 pulses are supplied to the right reel drive motor 53 as the drive signal 53a in the period from time t1 to time t2, the right reel drive motor 53 rotates the right reel R3 by 1/21. As a result, the symbol (cherry) of symbol number PN = 2 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed in the middle of the display window 4c. Thereafter, the symbols are sequentially displayed in the same manner, and when the time t3 is reached, the right reel R3 makes one rotation and the symbol (BAR) of the symbol number PN = 1 is displayed again. Thus, since the detection signal 49a, the symbol number PN, the drive signal 53a, and the position data MD3 are closely related, the CPU 31 can detect the display state of the symbol based on the position data MD3.

  As for the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2, as with the right reel R3 described above, the CPU 31 can detect the display state of the symbols based on the position data MD1 and MD2.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the stop table. This stop table is used for drawing a plum symbol into the winning line L1. For example, when the player depresses the left reel stop button 7a, the stop operation signal 44a becomes active. The CPU 31 detects this and acquires the symbol number PN. At this time, it is assumed that the symbol number PN is “12”. In this case, the white 7 symbol is approaching the winning line L1. The CPU 31 reads the number of moving frames corresponding to the acquired symbol number PN = 12, from the stop table shown on the left in FIG. 9, and acquires the number of moving frames “2”. Thereafter, the CPU 31 moves the left reel R1 by two frames and stops it. That is, the plum symbol located two frames above the symbol of white 7 is drawn into the winning line L1 and stopped.

  In each stop table shown in FIG. 9, “0” is recorded as the number of moving frames at a location corresponding to the plum symbol. A moving frame number of “0” means that not only the symbol stops at the moment of stop operation, but also moves within the range of less than one symbol from the moment of stop operation and the center position of the symbol overlaps the winning line. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the center position Q of the plum symbol is before the activated pay line L1 when the reel stop button is operated, the plum symbol The reel rotates and stops so that the center position Q overlaps the activated pay line L1. On the other hand, when the reel stop button is operated as shown in FIG. 4B, if the center position Q of the plum symbol has gone too far from the activated pay line L1, the bell symbol which is the next symbol is displayed. The reel rotates and stops so as to stop at the winning line L1 for which is enabled. Therefore, when the number of moving frames is “0”, the symbol immediately before reaching the winning line is stopped on the winning line L1 by the rotation of the reel.

  Next, the sub board 30B includes a CPU, a data input circuit, a clock generation circuit, a ROM, a RAM, and a liquid crystal display control circuit 60, and causes the liquid crystal display device 64 to display various effects. The sub-board 30 </ b> B controls turning on / off the left / middle / right backlights 65 to 67 and emits sound effects from the speaker 68.

  The CPU of the sub board 30B receives various commands transmitted from the main board 30A. This command includes internal lottery data ISD and the like. Based on the BB winning flag and CB winning flag of the internal lottery data, the CPU displays an animation and a character on the liquid crystal display device 64 in order to notify the player that the BB prize or CB prize has been won. In addition, a predetermined sound is emitted from the speaker 68 when the start lever 6 is operated.

<4: Overall operation of slot machine>
Next, the overall operation of the slot machine 1 will be described. 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing the operation of the CPU 31 controlling the slot machine 1 from the start to the end of one game. One game period is a period from when a bet operation is accepted until the next bet operation is accepted.

  The CPU 31 determines whether or not the player has made a bet operation based on detection signals from the inserted medal detection sensor 41 and the BET button sensor 42 (step S11). Proceed to S12.

  In step S <b> 12, the CPU 31 determines whether the player has operated the start lever 6 based on the detection signal of the start lever sensor 43. When the player operates the start lever 6, the CPU 31 performs a process for prohibiting a bet operation (step S13). If the bet operation is prohibited, even if the player inserts a medal or operates the BET button 15 during the period until the prohibition is canceled, the acceptance is rejected.

  Next, the CPU 31 sets a prize group lottery table corresponding to the game mode (step S14). Specifically, a table corresponding to the type of game such as a base game, an RB game, a BB game, a CB game, and an FB game is selected from the prize group lottery table group TBL1. In this case, the CPU 31 refers to the RB game flag, the BB game flag, the CB game flag, and the like stored in the RAM 34, identifies the game type of the game, and selects a table based on the result.

  In the internal lottery of the FB game, there are the following two modes. In the first aspect, winning or losing is determined by lottery. However, it is preferable to make the lottery probabilities different between the FB in CB and the single FB (FB game in the normal game). The second mode does not execute internal lottery.

  Next, the CPU 31 executes an internal lottery process using the prize group lottery table TBL1 set in step S14 (step S15). That is, the type of prize group lottery table TBL1 also changes according to the type of game. Thereafter, based on a flag (management information) indicating the type of game, the CPU 31 determines during the normal game, during the BB game, during the CB game, during the RB game, and during the FB game (step S16). If it is determined that the game is a normal game, a BB game, or a CB game, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S17, and executes a winning flag setting process. The contents of the winning flag setting process are shown. Specifically, as described with reference to FIG. 7, first, the CPU 31 samples the count data CD and obtains the sampling data SD at the timing when the detection signal of the start lever sensor 43 becomes active. To do. Second, the CPU 31 refers to the prize group lottery table and sets a winning flag. The BB game or CB game is different from the normal game in the winning probability of the RB prize or the FB prize, but the type of prize adopted is the same as that of the normal game. Accordingly, the winning flag setting process is the same for the base game, the BB game, and the CB game.

  If it is determined in step S16 that the game is a normal game, a BB game, or a CB game, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S17, and performs the process of setting a winning flag in the normal game, the BB game, or the CB game shown in FIG. Execute. The CPU 31 determines whether or not the BB is won (step S70). If it is won, the BB winning flag is set (step S71). If the BB prize is not won, the process proceeds to step S72. Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the CB is won (step S72). If the CB is won, the CPU 31 sets a CB winning flag (step S73). If the CB prize is not won, the process proceeds to step S74. Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not it is a single RB win (step S74), and if it is a win, sets a single RB win flag (step S75). Proceed to Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the BB winning RB is won (step S76). If the winning is the winning BB, the CPU 31 sets the BB winning RB winning flag (step S77). Proceed to step S78. Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not it is a single FB win (step S78). If a single FB win is set, a single FB win flag is set (step S79). Proceed to Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the CB FB win is selected (step S80). If the CB is selected, the CPU 31 sets the CB FB winning flag (step S81). Proceed to step S82. Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the bell is won (step S82). If the bell is won, a bell winning flag is set (step S83). If the bell award is not won, the process proceeds to step S84. Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the watermelon has been won (step S84). If the watermelon has been won, the CPU 31 sets a watermelon winning flag (step S85). If the watermelon prize has not been won, the process proceeds to step S85. Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the cherry is won (step S86). If the cherry is won, a cherry winning flag is set (step S87). If the cherry award is not won, the process proceeds to step S88. Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the replay is won (step S88), and if it is won, the replay winning flag is set (step S89).

  Next, when it is determined in step S16 shown in FIG. 11 that the RB game is in progress, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S18 to execute a winning flag set process. Specifically, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the JAC is won. If the JAC prize is won, the CPU 31 sets the JAC winning flag. On the other hand, if the JAC prize is not won, the CPU 31 sets the JAC winning flag. The process ends without setting.

  Next, when it is determined in step S16 that the FB game is in progress, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S19 and executes a winning flag setting process. In the case where the internal lottery is the first mode described above, the CPU 31 determines whether or not it is a win. If it is a win, the CPU 31 sets the FB small portion flag. The process ends without setting. In the internal lottery, it is different from the normal game or the CB game in which only a winning or a lost game is drawn. On the other hand, when the internal lottery is the second mode described above, the internal lottery itself is not executed. In this case, the winning flag is always set during the FB game. Further, an FB prize lottery may be executed during the FB game.

  Next, in step S20 shown in FIG. 11, a reel stop data group selection process is executed based on the winning flag of the base game, BB game, or CB game set in step S17. FIG. 17 shows the processing contents of reel stop data group selection in the base game, BB game, or CB game. The CPU 31 refers to the winning flag of the internal lottery data ISD, and replays a winning flag, a watermelon winning flag, a bell winning flag, a cherry winning flag, a BB winning flag, a CB winning flag, a single RB winning flag, and an RB winning RB winning flag. Are sequentially determined (step S90 to step S97). If the replay winning flag is set, the CPU 31 selects the replay stop data group (step S98). If the watermelon winning flag is selected, the CPU 31 selects the watermelon stop data group (step S99). If the winning flag is set, the stop data group for bell is selected (step S100). If the cherry winning flag is set, the stop data group for cherry is selected (step S101), and the BB winning flag is set. If so, the BB stop data group is selected (step S102). If the CB winning flag is set, the CB stop data group is selected (step S103). If the single RB winning flag is set, the RB winning data group is selected. A stop data group is selected (step S104). If the RB winning flag in BB is set, R in BB Selecting use stop data group (step S105).

  Next, in step S21 shown in FIG. 11, a reel stop data group selection process is executed based on the winning flag of the RB game set in step S18. The CPU 31 refers to the winning flag of the internal lottery data ISD and determines whether or not the JAC winning flag is set. The CPU 31 selects the JAC stop data group if the JAC winning flag is set, and selects the non-winning stop data if the JAC winning flag is not set. Here, the stop data group for JAC is set so that the plum symbol can be drawn into the central winning line L1 as shown in FIG. More specifically, at the timing when the CPU 31 detects the stop operation signals 44a to 46a, if the plum symbol is within a predetermined number of moving symbols from the winning line L1, the plum symbol is drawn onto the winning line L1. The reels R1 to R3 are controlled so as to be stopped. In the JAC game, only one bet is allowed, so the pay line L1 is an activated pay line. In this example, the number of moving symbols is set to “4”. Accordingly, a plum symbol in the range of 0 frame to 4 frames is drawn into the winning line L1.

  Next, in step S22 shown in FIG. 11, a reel stop data group selection process is executed based on the winning flag of the FB game set in step S19. The CPU 31 refers to the winning flag of the internal lottery data ISD and determines whether or not the winning flag for the FB prize is set. Then, the CPU 31 selects the FB stop data group if the FB win flag is set, and selects the small role stop data group if the FB win flag is not set. Here, the FB stop data group is set so that the plum symbol can be drawn into the activated pay line. More specifically, at the timing when the CPU 31 detects the stop operation signals 44a to 46a, the plum symbol is activated when the plum symbol is within a predetermined number of moving symbols from the activated winning line. The reels R1 to R3 are controlled so as to be drawn on the winning line and stopped. In addition, the small combination stop data group is set so that the plum symbol is not stopped on the activated pay line in the third stop.

  The FB game may be a single bet game or a multiple bet game. In the former case, it is preferable that the FB stop data group is also used as the JAC stop data group in the RB game. On the other hand, in the latter case, it is preferable that the FB stop data group is also used as the replay stop data group in the normal game. In these cases, the predetermined number of moving symbols is set to “4”. Thus, by sharing the stop data group between different types of games, the number of stop tables can be reduced and the data capacity of the ROM 35 can be reduced.

  As for the arrangement of the plum symbols constituting the plum role of the FB prize, as shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the most separated plum symbols is 5 symbols. Therefore, by setting the predetermined number of moving symbols to “4” as described above, the plum symbol is always placed on the activated pay line regardless of the timing at which the player operates the reel stop buttons 7a to 7c. Can be pulled in. In this example, the plum symbol is adopted for the FB prize, but a plurality of types of symbols may be adopted. In this case, it is preferable that the symbol arrangement on the reel is set so that a predetermined number of moving symbols such as a bell symbol can be drawn on the winning line.

  Returning to FIG. When the selection of the above-described reel stop data group is completed, the CPU 31 sets each reel driving flab indicating that the reel is rotating, starts reel rotation (step S23), and executes reel rotation stop processing. (Step S24). The reel rotation stop process will be described later.

  Next, the CPU 31 determines whether the game type is a normal game, a BB game, a CB game, an RB game, or an FB game (step S25 shown in FIG. 12). Then, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S26 if it is a normal game, BB game or CB game, advances the process to step S27 if it is an RB game, and advances the process to step S28 if it is an FB game. Execute. The winning determination process for each game will be described later.

  In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the number of medals that a player can acquire is limited for the BB game and the CB game. In the following description, the upper limit of the acquired number in the BB game is referred to as the maximum acquired number MAXbb, and the upper limit of the acquired number in the CB game is referred to as the maximum acquired number MAXcb. In the present embodiment, the maximum acquired number of sheets MAXbb and MAXcb are set according to the payout rate. Here, the payout rate is the ratio of the total number of medals paid out to the total number of medals inserted within a predetermined number of games in the past. The former is called the total number of medals IN, and the latter is called the total number of medals OUT. The medal IN number counting process in step S30 calculates the total medal IN number, the medal OUT number counting process shown in step S31 is a total medal OUT number calculation process, and the game number counting process in step S29 is also performed. This is a process of counting the number of games necessary for the processes of step S30 and step S31.

  FIG. 13 shows the contents of the game count processing. First, the CPU 31 increments the count value of the game counter by “1” (step S40), and determines whether or not the count value of the game counter is equal to “400” (step S41). If the count value is “400”, the CPU 31 clears the count value of the game counter and returns it to “0” (step S42). On the other hand, if the count value of the game counter is less than 400, the process of step S42 is terminated and the game number counting process is terminated. Therefore, the count value of the game counter circulates from “0” to “399”. “400”, which is the determination criterion in step S41, is set to be the number of games in the past that is the basis for calculating the payout rate. In this example, the payout rate is calculated based on the game results of the past 400 games. In addition, a dedicated ring counter may be provided as a game counter, but in this example, this is realized by a program. In this case, a predetermined storage area of the RAM 34 is used as a game counter, and the count value of the game counter stored in the storage area is updated for each game.

  FIG. 14 shows the processing contents of the medal IN number counting process and the medal OUT number counting process. As shown in the figure, these processes proceed while reading / writing data from / to a predetermined storage area of the RAM 34. The RAM 34 has a storage area 341 for storing the total IN number, a storage area 342 for storing the count value of the game counter, a storage area 343 for storing the number of inserted medals IN and the number of paid-out medals OUT in each of the past 400 games, and A storage area 344 for storing the total OUT number is provided.

  FIG. 15 shows a detailed configuration of the storage area 343. The storage area 343 is configured as a so-called ring buffer. In one stage of the ring buffer, 8-bit data is stored, IN data indicating the number of inserted sheets is stored from the 0th bit b0 to the 3rd bit b3, and from the 4th bit b4. OUT data indicating the number of payouts is stored up to the seventh bit b7. Each storage area of the ring buffer is associated with the count value of the game counter. In this example, addresses of 400 storage areas are allocated from 2000H to 218FH, and the lower bits of the address match the count value of the game counter. Therefore, it is possible to immediately generate a buffer pointer indicating the ring buffer address from the count value of the game counter.

  In the medal IN number counting process shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the game is a replay game (step S50), and if the replay prize is won, the number of insertions is set to “0” (step S51). Then, the process proceeds to step S52. On the other hand, when the replay prize is not won, the CPU 31 omits the process of step S51 and advances the process to step S52.

  In step S <b> 52, the CPU 31 adds the new insertion number, which is the number of medals inserted in the game, to the total IN number read from the storage area 341, and writes this in the storage area 341. As a result, the total IN number is updated. Next, the CPU 31 reads the count value of the game counter from the storage area 342, and calculates a buffer pointer based on the count value (step S53).

  Next, the CPU 31 reads and acquires the old inserted number stored in the storage area indicated by the buffer pointer (step S54), and writes the new inserted number in the storage area (step S55). Subsequently, the CPU 31 updates the total IN number by subtracting the old insertion number from the total IN number (step S56).

  Next, the medal OUT number counting process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 31 first accesses the storage area 344 of the RAM 34, reads the total OUT number, adds the new payout number to this, and writes it in the storage area 344 (step S60). Next, the CPU 31 reads the count value of the game counter from the storage area 342, and calculates a buffer pointer based on the count value (step S61).

  Next, the CPU 31 reads out and acquires the old payout number stored in the storage area designated by the buffer pointer (step S62), and writes the new payout number in the storage area (step S63). Subsequently, the CPU 31 subtracts the old payout number from the total OUT number, writes this in the storage area 344, and updates the total OUT number (step S64).

  Returning to FIG. When the above-described medal OUT number counting process is completed, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the replay prize has been won by comparing with a plum combination that is a combination of a symbol on the active line of each reel and a symbol of the replay prize. (Step S32). When winning the replay prize, the same winning line as the winning line activated in the previous game is automatically activated without performing a betting operation. Therefore, if the replay prize is won, the process returns to step S12. Thereafter, the CPU 31 executes a one-game end process (step S33) and cancels the prohibition of the betting operation (step S34).

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the reel rotation stop processing (step S26). First, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the first button stop operation has been performed based on the stop operation signals 44a to 46a (step S120).

  When the first stop operation of the reel stop button is detected, the CPU 31 acquires the stop button number (button type) of the currently pressed reel stop buttons 7a to 7c (step S121), and the pattern immediately after the stop operation is obtained. The number PN is acquired (step S122). Specifically, the CPU 31 detects the timing at which the reel stop buttons 7a, 7b, and 7c are pressed based on the stop operation signals 44a to 46a from the reel stop button sensors 44 to 46, and the symbol number PN at the timing. To get. In this example, the stop button number “1” is assigned to the reel stop button 7a, the stop button number “2” is assigned to the reel stop button 7b, and the stop button number “3” is assigned to the reel stop button 7c.

  Next, the CPU 31 limits the usable stop data table group based on the internal lottery data ISD, the stop button number, the symbol number PN, etc. from the stop data table group selected in steps S20 to S22 ( In step S124), a combination of stop data tables for each stop operation order is specified. When there are a plurality of combinations, the CPU 31 specifies a combination of stop tables to be used by lottery or the like. When there are not a plurality of combinations, the combinations are specified. As a result, the CPU 31 determines one stop data table to be used for the first stop of the reel. (Step S125)

  Next, the CPU 31 acquires the advance frame number (moving symbol number) corresponding to the symbol number from the determined stop table (step S126), and then stops the reel that has been stopped based on the advance frame number. (Step S127).

  Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the second button stop operation has been performed based on the stop operation signals 44a to 46a (step 128). If there is a second button stop operation, the stop button number is acquired ( In step S129), the symbol number is acquired (step S130), the stop table corresponding to the second stop of the reel is determined from the combination of the stop tables specified in step S124 (step S131), and the advance frame number is acquired (step S132). ) And reel stop (step S133). Thereafter, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the third button stop operation has been performed based on the stop operation signals 44a to 46a (step S134). If there is a third button stop operation, acquisition of the stop button number ( In step S135), the symbol number is acquired (step S136), the stop table corresponding to the third stop of the reel is determined from the combination of the stop tables specified in step S124 (step S137), and the advance frame number is acquired (step S138). ) And reel stop (step S139). As described above, the CPU 31 selects a stop table used for stop control from among a plurality of stop tables according to the type of game, the result of the internal lottery, and the order of the stop operation of the reel stop button. When the internal lottery data (lottery information) indicates winning, the CPU 31 that executes the reel stop control process described above allows the symbol set corresponding to the winning prize to stop on the activated winning line, When a set of symbols corresponding to a prize other than the winning prize is prohibited from being stopped on the activated winning line, and the internal lottery data (lottery information) indicates a loss, the set of symbols corresponding to all prizes Functions as stop control means for stopping the variable display of each reel (a plurality of display columns) so as to prohibit the stop on the pay line in which is activated.

  Next, the winning determination process of the base game, BB game, or CB game described above with reference to FIG. 19 will be described. In this process, by comparing the symbols on each active line of each stopped reel with the combination of symbols assigned to each award, it is sequentially determined whether or not a watermelon, bell, or cherry award was won. A determination is made (steps S140 to S142), and each unit is controlled so as to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the winning prize with reference to the winning symbol combination table TBL3 (steps S143 to S145).

  Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not it is a single RB win (step S146). If it is a single RB win, the medal is paid out (step S147), and further an RB game start process is executed (step S148). . In this process, the CPU 31 sets an RB game flag and sets the number of JAC winnings. For example, 8 times. Next, the CPU 31 sets the number of JAC games. For example, 12 times.

  If the determination condition is negative in step S146 of FIG. 19, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S149 and determines whether or not the BB winning is in BB. Specifically, the determination condition is affirmed when the BB game flag is set and the RB winning flag is set, and otherwise the determination condition is denied. If the determination condition is affirmed, the CPU 31 pays out medals assigned to the RB award (step S150) and executes an RB start process (step S151). Since the RB start process in step S151 is the same as that in step S148, description thereof is omitted.

  On the other hand, if the determination condition in step S149 is negative, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S152 and determines whether or not it is a single FB winning. Specifically, the determination condition is affirmed when the CB game flag is cleared and the FB winning flag is set, and otherwise the determination condition is denied. If the determination condition is affirmed, the CPU 31 pays out medals assigned to the FB prize (step S153), and executes the FB game start process (step S154). In this process, the CPU 31 sets an FB game flag and sets the number of FB games to “1”.

  If it is not a single FB winning, the determination condition in step S152 is denied, and the CPU 31 advances the process to step S155 to determine whether or not the FB winning is in CB (step S155). Specifically, the determination condition is affirmed when the CB game flag is set and the FB winning flag is set, and otherwise the determination condition is denied. If the determination condition is affirmed, the CPU 31 pays out medals assigned to the FB prize (step S156) and executes an FB game start process (step S157). Since the FB start process in step S157 is the same as that in step S154, description thereof is omitted.

  If it is not CB FB winning, the determination condition of step S155 is denied, and the CPU 31 advances the process to step S158 to determine whether or not the BB game is in progress (step S158). Specifically, the determination condition is affirmed when the BB game flag is set, and the determination condition is denied otherwise. When the determination condition is affirmed, the CPU 31 executes a BB game end determination process (step S159).

  FIG. 20 shows the contents of the BB game end determination process. In this process, the CPU 31 determines whether or not a medal has been paid out (step S180). If there has been a medal payout, the CPU 31 adds the acquired number of games to the acquired number of BB games (step S181). If no medal is paid out in the game, the process of step S181 is omitted, and when the process of step S181 ends, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S182 to determine whether or not the acquired medal number exceeds the reference number. Determine. Note that the number of acquired medals is calculated by adding the number of medals paid out by the CPU 31 during the period from the start of the BB game to the current game. In this sense, the CPU 31 functions as an acquired quantity calculating means for calculating the acquired medal number (acquired quantity). Here, the reference number X1 is X1 = MAXbb−, where the maximum number of acquisitions MAXbb allowed for the entire BB game is Z1, and the maximum number of acquisitions that can be acquired in one game (next one game) in the BB game is Z1. Given by Z1. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the maximum number of allowed MAXbb allowed for the entire BB game is 465, and the maximum number of medals that can be acquired in one game in the BB game is 15. Therefore, 450 sheets becomes the reference number. By setting the reference number in this way, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a possibility that the maximum acquired number MAXbb will be exceeded in the next game when the game is finished.

  If the number of acquired medals exceeds 450 and the determination condition in step S182 is negative, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S183, and displays the number of acquired medals during the BB game (step S183). On the other hand, when the number of acquired medals exceeds 450, the BB game flag is cleared (step S184), and it is further determined with reference to the RB game flag whether the RB game is being played (step S185). ) If the RB game is in progress, the RB game flag is cleared (step S186). Thereby, during the period when the RB game is won and the RB game is executed during the BB game, even if the original end condition of the RB game is not reached, the RB game is interrupted if the acquired medal number exceeds the reference number Is possible. In addition, when an RB prize is won during the BB game, an RB game start process (S151) is performed. If it is determined that the reference number is exceeded in the game won the RB prize, the BB game flag is cleared. (S184) Since the RB game flag is cleared (S186), it is possible to control to end the BB game without executing the RB game. Note that, during the single RB game that is not in the BB game, the determination condition of S158 is denied, so the RB game is not ended without starting the RB game. Further, the CPU 31 that executes the process of step S182 functions as a comparison unit that compares the number of acquired medals (acquired quantity) with a reference number (reference quantity) smaller than the maximum acquired number of sheets MAXbb (predetermined quantity). Further, the CPU 31 that executes the processing of step S184 to step S186 refers to the comparison result of the comparison means, and when the acquired medal number (acquired quantity) exceeds the reference number (reference quantity), the BB game in the current game It functions as a game state management means for ending (specific game) and shifting the game state from the next game to the normal game.

  In the BB game end determination process, the maximum acquired number MAXbb may be fixed, but the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment adjusts the maximum acquired number MAXbb according to the payout rate. In the BB game, the winning probability of the RB award is higher than that in the normal game, so the number obtained per unit game is large. Therefore, the payout rate is high during the BB game. From the viewpoint of suppressing the player's happiness, it is preferable to set a certain limit on the payout rate. If an upper limit is set for the payout rate, the upper limit may be exceeded if the BB prize is won in a short period of time. Therefore, by adjusting the value of the maximum acquired number MAXbb according to the payout rate, it is possible to adjust so as not to exceed the upper limit of the payout rate. In this case, it is preferable to calculate the ratio of the total OUT number with respect to the total IN number as a payout rate, and to determine the maximum acquired number MAXbb so as not to exceed the maximum payout rate.

  Further, as described above, the reference number is set to a value obtained by subtracting the maximum medal number that can be acquired in the next game from the maximum acquired number MAXbb. For example, it is assumed that the JAC award is 15 in the RB in the BB, the maximum award of the award of the BB game other than the RB game is 12, and the maximum number of winning MAXbb is 465. In this case, in the RB in the BB, as shown in FIG. 21, the reference number is 450 sheets obtained by subtracting 15 sheets from the maximum obtained number. In this case, the acquired number of games in the immediately preceding game is 450 or less, and the acquired number of games in the current game is allowed to be 450 to 465. On the other hand, if the next game is a BB game other than the RB game, the reference number is 453, which is obtained by subtracting 12 from the maximum acquired number as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the number of acquired games in the immediately preceding game is 453 or less, and the number of acquired games in the current game is allowed to be 453 to 465.

  FIG. 23 shows an example in which the reference number of sheets is set to 450 and RB in BB ends in the middle. In this example, the number of games acquired in the RB game in the BB game is 410. The RB game wins the JAC award 8 times or ends with 12 games. That is, the end condition is associated with the number of games. Therefore, if the game does not progress by the number of times that the end condition is satisfied, the RB game does not end originally. However, if the RB prize is won in a state where the acquired number is close to the reference number, there is a very high possibility that the maximum acquired number MAXbb will be exceeded in the RB during BB. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the RB in the BB, the BB game end condition by the reference number is prioritized over the RB game end condition, and if the acquired number of the game exceeds the reference number, the RB Even during the game, the RB game is forcibly terminated, and the CPU 31 manages the game state so that the next game becomes the normal game. In this example, after shifting to RB in BB, the JAC prize is won for three consecutive games, and the number acquired is 455, which exceeds the reference number. For this reason, the BB game end condition is prioritized over the RB game end condition in the game with 455 acquired games, the RB game is ended, and the next game is shifted to the normal game.

  FIG. 24 shows a game progress example in which the reference number is set to 450 and the game returns to the normal game without shifting to the RB game even if the RB prize is won. In this example, the number of acquired games won RB in the BB game is 452. The RB game is started by winning the RB award. However, if the reference number is exceeded at the time of winning the RB award, there is a very high possibility that the maximum acquired number MAXbb will be exceeded in the RB during BB. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for the RB winning in the BB game, the BB game end condition with the reference number is prioritized over the RB game start condition, and the number of acquired games exceeds the reference number Even if the RB prize is won, the CPU 31 manages the game state so that the next game becomes the normal game without starting the RB game. In this example, when the RB prize is won, the acquired number is 452, which exceeds the reference number. For this reason, the BB game end condition is prioritized over the RB game start condition in the game with 452 acquired games, the BB game is ended, and the next game is shifted to the normal game.

  Returning to FIG. If it is determined in step S158 that the BB game is not being played, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S160 to determine whether or not a BB prize has been won. When the BB prize is won, a predetermined number of medals are paid out (step S161), and a BB game start process is executed (step S162). FIG. 25 shows details of the BB game start process. As shown in the figure, the CPU 31 sets a flag during the BB game (step S187), and clears the acquisition number count during the BB game (step S188). Thereby, the accumulation of the number of acquisitions from the next game is executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S160 that it does not correspond to the BB winning, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S163 to determine whether or not the CB game is in progress. Specifically, the determination condition is affirmed when the CB game flag is set, and the determination condition is denied otherwise. When the determination condition is affirmed, the CPU 31 executes a CB game end determination process (step S164).

  FIG. 26 shows details of the CB game end processing. As shown in the figure, the CPU 31 determines whether or not a medal has been paid out (step S190). If a medal has been paid out, the acquired number of games in the FB game is added (step S191). ). If no medal is paid out in the game, the process of step S191 is omitted. When the process of step S191 is completed, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S192 to determine whether the acquired medal number exceeds the reference number. Determine. Here, the reference number X2 is X2 = MAXcb, where MAXcb is the maximum number of sheets allowed for the entire CB game, and Z2 is the maximum number of sheets that can be acquired in one game in the CB game (next one game). -Z2. In this example, the maximum number of acquisitions allowed in the entire CB game is 253, and the maximum acquisition number that can be acquired in one game in the CB game is 15. Accordingly, 238 sheets are the predetermined number.

  If the number of acquired medals exceeds 238 and the determination condition in step S192 is negative, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S193 and displays the number of acquired medals during the CB game (step S193). On the other hand, if the number of acquired medals exceeds 238, the CB game flag is cleared (step S194), and it is further determined with reference to the FB game flag whether the FB game is in progress (step S195). ) If the FB game is in progress, the FB game flag is cleared (step S196). That is, when the acquired number exceeds the reference number, the CB game is ended. As a result, it is possible to make adjustments so as not to exceed the maximum acquired number MAXcb allowed for the entire CB game.

  In the CB game end determination process, as in the above-described BB game end determination process, the maximum acquired number MAXcb may be fixed. However, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment determines the maximum acquired number MAXcb according to the payout rate. It is adjusted. In the CB game, the winning probability of the CB award is higher than that in the normal game, so the number obtained per unit game is large. Therefore, the payout rate becomes high during the CB game. From the viewpoint of suppressing the player's happiness, it is preferable to set a certain limit on the payout rate. If an upper limit is set for the payout rate, the upper limit may be exceeded if the CB prize is won multiple times in a short period of time. Therefore, by adjusting the value of the maximum acquired number MAXcb according to the payout rate, it is possible to adjust so as not to exceed the upper limit of the payout rate. In this case, it is preferable to calculate the ratio of the total OUT number with respect to the total IN number as a payout rate, and to determine the maximum acquired number MAXcb so as not to exceed the maximum payout rate. Further, as described above, the reference number is set to a value obtained by subtracting the maximum medal number that can be acquired in the next game from the maximum acquired number MAXcb.

  Returning to FIG. If it is determined in step S163 that the CB game is not being played, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S165 to determine whether or not a CB winning is achieved. When a CB prize is won, a predetermined number of medals are paid out (step S166), and a CB game start process is executed (step S167). FIG. 27 shows details of the CB game start process. First, the CPU 31 sets a CB game flag (step S197), and clears the acquired number count during the CB game (step S198). Thereby, the accumulation of the number of acquisitions from the next game is executed.

  Next, the winning determination process (step S31 in FIG. 12) in the RB game will be described. FIG. 28 shows a detailed flowchart of the winning determination process in the RB game. First, the CPU 31 determines whether or not it is a JAC prize (step S200). If it is a JAC prize, a predetermined number of medals are paid out (step S201). It is determined whether the medal payout process ends, or if it is not a JAC prize, it is during the RB game (step S202). If the RB game flag is set, the CPU 31 determines that the RB game is being played, advances the process to step S203, and executes an RB game end determination process.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing details of the RB game end determination process. As shown in the figure, the CPU 31 first determines whether or not it is a JAC prize (step S210). If it is a JAC prize, the JAC prize number is subtracted by "1" (step S211), and the number of JAC prizes is further increased. Is determined to be “0” (step S212). If the JAC winning number is “0”, the CPU 31 clears the RB game flag (step S217). On the other hand, if the JAC winning number is not “0”, the CPU 31 displays the remaining number of the JAC winning numbers (step S213), and subtracts the JAC game number by “1” (step S214). If the JAC prize is not won, the CPU 31 skips the processing from step S211 to step S213, and proceeds from step S210 to step S214. Thereafter, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the remaining number of JAC games is “0” (step S214). If it is “0”, the RB game flag is cleared (step S217), while it must be “0”. For example, the remaining number of JAC games is displayed (step S216).

  The description returns to FIG. When the above-described RB game end determination process ends, or when the RB game flag is cleared and the determination condition in step S202 is negative, the CPU 31 sets whether the BB game is in progress or not. The determination is made with reference to (step S204). When the BB game flag is set, the CPU 31 determines that the BB game is being played, advances the process to step S205, and executes a BB game end determination process. On the other hand, if the BB game flag is cleared, the CPU 31 determines that the BB game is not in progress and ends the RB game winning determination process. Note that the BB game end determination process has already been described with reference to FIG.

  Here, even if the JAC prize is won during the RB game in the BB game, if it is determined that the reference number is exceeded in the BB game end determination process (S205), the BB game flag is cleared (S184). ) And the RB game in-progress flag is cleared (S186), it is possible to control to end the BB game even when the original end condition of the RB game has not been reached. Note that, during the single RB game that is not in the BB game, the determination condition of S204 is denied, so the RB game is not interrupted in the middle of the RB game.

  Next, the winning determination process in the FB game (step S32 in FIG. 12) will be described. FIG. 30 shows a detailed flowchart of the winning determination process in the FB game. First, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the FB prize is won (step S220), and if it is the FB prize, a predetermined number of medals are paid out (step S221).

  If the FB prize has not been won, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the FB small role prize has been won (step S222). The FB small role award is a small role award adopted in the FB game, and includes an FB bell role, an FB watermelon role, an FB cherry role, and the like. When winning the small bonus for FB, the CPU 31 pays out the number of medals corresponding to the winning prize (step S223). If the medal payout process ends, or if the determination condition in step S222 is negative without winning the FB small role award, the CPU 31 refers to the FB game flag to determine whether the FB game is in progress. Determination is made (step S224), and if the FB game is in progress, an FB game end determination process is executed (step S225). FIG. 31 shows a flowchart of the FB game end determination process. As shown in this figure, in the FB game end determination process, the FB game number is subtracted by “1” (step S230), and it is determined whether or not the remaining FB game number is “0” (step S231). If the number of FB games is “0”, the CPU 31 clears the FB game flag (step S232). As described above, since the number of FB games is set to one, the FB game does not continue in principle. However, when the FB prize lottery is executed during the FB game, it becomes possible to win the FB prize again in the FB game. Therefore, the FB game continues apparently. The unit of the FB game is the same as that of one game, and only the FB prize is won continuously.

  When the FB game end determination process ends or when the FB game is not in progress, the CPU 31 advances the process to step S226 to determine whether or not the FB prize is won. It executes (step S227). Next, it is determined with reference to the CB game flag whether or not the CB game is being played (step S228). If the determination condition is affirmed, a CB game end determination process is executed (step S229). Since the CB game end determination process has already been described with reference to FIG. 26, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, the one-game end process (step S34 in FIG. 12) will be described. 32 and 33 are flowcharts showing the processing contents of one game end processing. The CPU 31 sequentially determines whether or not the replay winning flag, the watermelon winning flag, the bell winning flag, and the cherry winning flag are set (steps S240 to S243), and clears the set winning flags (steps S245 to S248). ). Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the BB winning flag is set (step S249). If the BB winning flag is set, the CPU 31 further determines whether or not the BB prize is won (step S250). If the BB winning flag is won, the BB winning flag is cleared (step S251). On the other hand, if no prize has been won, it is carried over to the next game without clearing the BB winning flag.

  Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the CB winning flag is set (step S252). If the CB winning flag is set, the CPU 31 further determines whether or not a CB prize has been won (step S253), and if it has won, the CB winning flag is cleared (step S254). On the other hand, if it is not won, it is carried over to the next game without clearing the CB winning flag.

  Next, the CPU 31 advances the processing to step S255 shown in FIG. 33, and determines whether or not the single RB winning flag is set (step S255). If the single RB winning flag is set, the CPU 31 further determines whether or not the RB prize has been won (step S256). If the single RB winning flag has been won, the single RB winning flag is cleared (step S257). . On the other hand, if no winning is made, it is carried over to the next game without clearing the single RB winning flag.

  Thereafter, the CPU 31 sequentially determines whether the RB winning flag during BB, the FB winning flag during CB, and the JAC winning flag are set (steps S258 to 260), and clears the set winning flag (step S261). ~ S263).

<5. Modification>
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the most practical and preferred embodiments at the present time, the invention is limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. However, the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a gaming machine and a control method therefor are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Must be understood as being. For example, the following modifications are naturally included in the present invention.

  (1) In the slot machine 1 of the above-described embodiment, a ring buffer is provided as the storage area 343 of the RAM 34, and 4-bit IN data and 4-bit OUT data are stored in one stage buffer. Alternatively, only OUT data may be stored in a single buffer, and storage of IN data may be omitted. For example, in a slot machine that allows only three bets at the start of one game, the number of inserted 400 games is 1200, and it is not necessary to store the number of inserted games for each game. The number of sheets may be fixed to 1200 sheets. In addition, storage of IN data may be omitted even in a slot machine that allows only three bets in the base game and the BB game and only one bet in the RB game. In this case also, the total IN number is fixed to 1200 in calculating the payout rate. There is an error compared with the case where both the IN data and OUT data are stored and the output rate is calculated. However, since 4 bits of OUT data for two games can be stored in one buffer, the ring buffer The storage area 343 of the RAM 34 can be halved, and the storage area can be saved.

  In addition, a storage area 341 for storing the total IN number, a storage area 342 for storing the count value of the game counter, a storage area 343 for storing the number of inserted medals IN and the number of payout medals OUT in each of the past 400 games, and the total OUT In the storage area 344 for storing the number of sheets, the RAM 34 is preferably backed up by a battery or the like so that the stored value can be saved even when the power is turned off. It is preferable that a predetermined value is set as an initial value in advance so that the buffer value does not become unstable when the power is turned on for the first time.

  (2) The embodiment described above relates to the slot machine, but the present invention can also be understood as a game program or a game machine imitating the slot machine described above. In this case, instead of the reels R1 to R3, the images of the reels R1 to R3 may be displayed on the display, and their operations may be controlled according to the game program. Further, the present invention can be applied to a video slot for displaying an image of a reel on a display such as a liquid crystal display device instead of the mechanical reels R1 to R3.

  (3) Although the slot machine of the above-described embodiment or modification employs medals as game media, it may adopt pachinko balls and medals. In this case, the conversion number of medals and pachinko balls may be determined in advance, and the number of pachinko balls may be converted into the number of medals according to the conversion number and stored electronically as credits. For example, five pachinko balls may be assigned per medal.

  (4) Although the slot machine of the above-described embodiment or modification can execute both the BB game and the CB game, it may be a slot machine that can execute either one of them. Moreover, although the maximum acquired number of sheets MAXbb and MAXcb are adjusted according to the payout rate, it is needless to say that it may be fixed.

  (5) In the slot machine of the above-described embodiment or modification, a replay time game (hereinafter referred to as an RT game) may be adopted. A replay time game is a game set with a higher probability of winning a replay prize than a normal game. For example, the internal lottery may be executed using the prize group lottery table TBL12 shown in FIG. In this case, the RT game is defined as a predetermined period or the entire period from the start of the BB game to the end of the BB game.

  In a slot machine in which the BB game ends when the specified number of acquired games is reached, it is preferable that the player can play the game so as to reach the specified acquired number of games by reducing the number of inserted games as much as possible. In other words, it is preferable that the game can be performed so that the net increased number obtained by subtracting the inserted number from the acquired number is increased. When the RT game is started during the BB game, the amount lost in the internal lottery in the base game is won by replay, and stop control of each reel is executed so that the replay prize is won in that game. A game that has won the replay award will not be counted as an acquired number because both the IN number and the OUT number will be zero. In other words, it is unrelated to the number obtained. Therefore, a useless IN number is not generated, and a game advantageous to the player can be performed. When the RT game is started simultaneously with the start of the BB game, the RT game may be ended when a predetermined number of BB games are consumed, or the RT game may be ended when a specific symbol is prepared. Good.

  Or you may employ | adopt stop control which can win a replay prize when the pushing order of stop operation corresponds for the stop control of each reel of the replay prize of RT game. In this case, since it is possible to control whether or not the replay winning is possible without notifying the pressing order of the stop operation, there are a BB game that performs the pressing order notification of the stopping operation related to the replay winning and a BB game that does not notify. Alternatively, a plurality of BB games having different BB game modes can be provided such that the frequency of the push order notification of the stop operation for the replay winning and the game period are varied.

  By the way, when one game is defined from a bet operation in which a player inserts a medal to a bet operation of the next game in order to start a certain game, one game progresses by sequentially executing a plurality of processes. The CPU 31 controls such that the time from a predetermined process to a predetermined process of the next one game exceeds a predetermined time among a plurality of processes of one game. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a large amount of medals from being consumed in a short time. However, since the replay game does not require insertion of medals, for the replay game in the BB game, the CPU 31 may invalidate the above-described time management to shorten the time of one game. As a result, during the BB game, the RT game is started and the time of one game can be shortened, so that it is possible to perform a BB game that can acquire the specified number of acquisitions in a short time without increasing the number of useless throws. For the player, an efficient game can be played. Furthermore, in a slot machine in which three bets are fixed during the normal game, a BB game with a larger net increase is possible by allowing one bet during the BB game. The same can be said for the CB game.

  (6) In the above-described embodiment and modification, the RB game has been described as executing a JAC game. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a unit game compared to a normal game. As long as the expected value of the number of medals that can be obtained by the player is large, any value may be used. For example, the winning probability of the internal lottery of the small role prize may be higher than that of the normal game.

  (7) In the embodiment and the modification described above, the IN number for the replay winning is counted as it is, and the number of the next replay game is set to “0” (step S50 shown in FIG. 14). It is also possible to set the number of inserted game winning games to 0 and set the number of replay games that can be executed under the same conditions as the previous game to the number of previous game input, for example, three. In this case, both the IN number and OUT number of the replay-winned game are zero. Specifically, the CPU 31 may execute the medal IN number counting process shown in FIG. First, the CPU 31 determines whether or not a replay prize has been won (step S300). If the replay prize has been won, the number of insertions is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 34 (step S301), and the number of insertions of the game is set to “0” (step S302). On the other hand, if the replay prize is not won, steps S301 and S302 are omitted. Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the game is a replay game (step S303). If the game is a replay game, the CPU 31 reads out the number of games that have won the replay award from a predetermined storage area of the RAM 34, The number of inserted games is set (step S304). On the other hand, if the game is not a replay game, the process of step S304 is omitted. Thereafter, the CPU 31 calculates the total IN number (step S305). Note that the processing in step S305 is the same as the processing in steps S52 to S56 described with reference to FIG. 14 in the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing left / middle / right reels R1, R2, R3 and peripheral configuration. It is a perspective view which shows the detailed structure of right reel R3 and a peripheral part. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the symbol displayed on the left / middle / right reels R1, R2, and R3. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the memory content of prize group lottery table TBL11. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of CPU31 in an internal lottery process. It is a timing chart which shows the relationship between the detection signal 49a, symbol number PN, drive signal 53a, and position data MD3. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a stop table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the behavior of a reel in case the moving frame number is 0. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an overall operation of a CPU 31. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an overall operation subsequent to FIG. 10. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a game number count process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a medal IN number count process and a medal OUT number count process. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed configuration of a storage area 343. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the winning flag set process in a normal game. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the reel stop data group selection process in a normal game. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of reel stop control. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the winning determination process in a normal game. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of BB game completion | finish determination processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the reference | standard number of sheets in RB in BB, and the largest acquisition number of sheets. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the reference | standard number of sheets and the largest acquisition number in case the next game is BB games other than RB game. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a game progress by which the reference | standard number is set to 450 pieces and RB in BB is complete | finished on the way. It is explanatory drawing which shows the game progress example which sets the reference | standard number of sheets to 450 sheets and returns to a normal game, without shifting to RB game even if winning RB prize. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a BB game start process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of CB game completion | finish determination processing. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of CB game start processing. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the winning determination process in RB game. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of RB game completion | finish determination processing. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of FB game winning determination processing. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of FB game completion | finish determination processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of 1 game completion | finish processing. FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the content of one game end processing following FIG. 32. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the ring buffer which concerns on a modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the memory content of the prize group lottery table used for RT game. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the IN sheet count process which concerns on a modification.

Explanation of symbols

1 Slot machine 6 Start levers 7a, 7b, 7c Reel stop button 31 CPU
58 ROM
R1-R3 Left / Middle / Right reel

Claims (2)

A plurality of display columns that cyclically variably display a plurality of types of symbols are provided, and in a state where variable display of the plurality of display columns is stopped, among the plurality of winning lines crossing the plurality of display columns, When the arrangement of symbols stopped on the winning line is in a predetermined mode, the player wins one of the prizes, pays out a quantity of game media according to the prize that has been won, and various types of games including normal games, special games, and specific games. The game can be executed by switching according to a predetermined condition, and the prize includes a plurality of start prizes which are conditions for starting another type of game, and a plurality of small roles whose game type does not change even if the prize is won. The plurality of start prizes include a special game start prize that is a start condition for winning the special game and a specific game start prize that is a start condition for starting the specific game. The specific game can be executed over a plurality of games, and the total number of the game media to be paid out in the period from the start to the end of the specific game is provided with a predetermined amount limit, and when a predetermined end condition is satisfied In the slot machine for transferring the game state from the specific game to the normal game,
The winning probability of the special game start prize in the specific game is set higher than the winning probability of the special game start prize in the normal game, and one of a plurality of prizes and loses is determined by lottery, A lottery means for generating lottery information indicating a winning prize or a lost game,
When the lottery information indicates a winning prize, the set of symbols corresponding to the winning prize is allowed to stop on the activated winning line, and the set of symbols corresponding to a prize other than the winning prize is It is prohibited to stop on the activated winning line, and when the lottery information indicates a loss, it is prohibited to stop the symbol set corresponding to all the winnings on the activated winning line. Stop control means for stopping variable display of the plurality of display columns;
A winning determination means for determining a winning according to a combination of symbols stopped on the activated winning line;
A payout means for paying out a quantity of the game medium corresponding to the winning prize;
In the specific game, an acquisition quantity calculation means for calculating an acquisition quantity by calculating a payout quantity of the game medium;
Comparing means for comparing the acquired quantity with a reference quantity less than the predetermined quantity;
Game state management for ending the specific game in the current game and shifting the game state from the next game to the normal game when the acquired quantity exceeds the reference quantity with reference to the comparison result of the comparison means Means,
With
The types of games that can be executed include a replay game in which the game can be executed under the same conditions as the immediately preceding game without inserting the game medium, and the award includes a replay award in addition to the start award and the small role award. Including
The game state management means executes the next one game as the replay game when winning the replay prize,
The slot machine, wherein the lottery means is set so that the winning probability of the replay prize is higher in the game in the specific game than in the normal game. When one game is defined from the bet operation in which the player inserts the game medium to the bet operation of the next game in order to start a certain game, the one game proceeds by sequentially executing a plurality of processes, Time management means for controlling the time from a predetermined process of the plurality of processes of one game to the predetermined process of the next one game to exceed a predetermined time;
2. The slot machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a time shortening unit that invalidates the control of the time management unit for the replay game in the specific game.

Images