JP2007229088A - Game machine, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine for making a player spend all tokens after playing a game with expectation. <P>SOLUTION: If a start lever is operated by the number of bets less than MAX bets, a random number at this time is extracted, and balloting (game start balloting) is performed for deciding whether start operation is valid or not by using the random number. When it is determined that the start operation of the game is valid in a specified probability, a game starts under the same conditions as the MAX bets. When it is determined that the start operation is not valid, tokens are retrieved. Thereby, even if the player has tokens less than the number of MAX bets, the player has expectation equivalent to the game with MAX bets when it is determined that the start operation of the game is valid in a specified probability by the game start balloting. Thus, the game with expectation is provided to the end and it is possible to make the player spend all the tokens. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine installed in a game hall such as a pachinko parlor, and in particular, a game such as operation of a start lever is started by inserting a predetermined number of gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that can be operated effectively.

  A slot machine is an example of a gaming machine installed in a game hall represented by a pachinko parlor. In this slot machine, a medal is inserted by directly inserting a game medium such as a medal from the insertion slot or by pressing a bet button using a credited medal. After the medal has been inserted, when the start lever is pressed, the game is executed, and one of a plurality of winning combinations or a loss in the game is determined by lottery. After the lottery is performed, for example, three reels are rotated, and the reel associated with the pressed stop button is stopped in accordance with the pressing operation of the stop button by the player. Then, for example, when the same symbols are arranged on the winning line that becomes valid by the insertion of medals, the winning is made and the medals are paid out for the winning.

  As described above, in such a slot machine, medals are inserted when a game is started. The number of medals inserted when starting this game (hereinafter referred to as the number of medals inserted) is any one of 1-3, and the player can select the number of medals inserted. In the case of a slot machine that can execute a game with the number of inserted medals intended by the player, the probability of winning a plurality of winning combinations in the lottery described above differs according to the number of inserted medals. If the number of inserted medals increases, the number of winning lines that are effective in the game increases. Therefore, in the case of playing a game with three medals, rather than playing with one or two medals. However, since the game can be performed in an advantageous state for the player, even if the slot machine can select from 1 to 3 medals, the player can play with 3 medals. become. For this reason, there is a drawback that there are few advantages to playing a game with one or two medals inserted.

Some slot machines that allow the player to select the number of medals inserted, such as BB (Big Bonus) mode, RB (Regular Bonus) mode, etc., which are more advantageous to the player than normal games After the game, a slot machine has been proposed in which a game can be executed a predetermined number of times under the same conditions as when the number of inserted medals is 1 and the number of inserted medals is 3. For example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-000801 A

  Such a service game is a game that can be performed only when, for example, a transition to a special game or a lottery performed after the special game is finished, so there is a high significance of the privilege for shifting to a special game . In addition, the probability of winning the transitional role transitioning to the special game is set lower than the other winning roles, so the probability of winning the above-mentioned transitional role is low even if a normal game is performed. There is a disadvantage that the probability of playing service games is inevitably low. For this reason, even if such a service game is provided, in a normal game, three medals are inserted and the game is performed. Advantages of the above-described game in which one or two medals are inserted are performed. It is difficult to solve the shortcoming of being less.

  Recently, there has been provided a slot machine that can play a game only when the number of inserted medals is three. In the case of such a slot machine, a player can play a game with a winning probability higher than the winning probability of a lottery performed when one or two medals are inserted. You can have a sense of expectation for winning. However, in the case of such a slot machine, it is possible to solve the disadvantage that there are few advantages when playing with one or two medals, but the player has only one or two medals. In some cases, the remaining medals cannot be used to play a game, so there is a problem that a new medal can be borrowed or returned from the game hall without being used up.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art. In a slot machine in which the number of inserted medals is determined to be, for example, three, the player has one or two medals. Even if it is a case, it aims at providing the gaming machine which can play a game on the same conditions as the case where the insertion number of medals becomes three using the medal which a player possesses.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the number of gaming media to be thrown in before the start of the game is actually thrown in at least two and a predetermined number as a predetermined number. A decision to determine whether or not to enable the game start operation by lottery when a game start operation is performed in a state where the number of game media played is less than the predetermined number of game media And a collecting means for collecting the inserted game media triggered by the fact that the determination means has performed the lottery. Note that the game start operation is performed by pressing a start lever installed in the gaming machine.

  Further, if the probability that the game start operation is validated by lottery by the determining means is X, the number of inserted game media is A, and the number of game media determined in advance is B, X = A / B is satisfied.

  In the program of the present invention, the number of game media to be inserted prior to the start of a game is predetermined as at least two and a predetermined number, and the number of game media input is determined in advance. When a game start operation is performed in a state of less than the number of media, a means for determining whether or not to enable the game start operation by lottery, and triggered by the fact that the lottery has been performed The computer is made to function as a means for collecting the inserted game media.

  The storage medium of the present invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned program is stored and the program can be read by a computer.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, even if the number of game media possessed by the player is smaller than the number of game media required for the game start operation that is determined to be at least 2 or more in advance As a result of the lottery with the probability, it is possible to give the player the possibility of playing a game under the same conditions as when a predetermined number of game media are inserted for the start operation of the game. Therefore, the player can fully use the game medium without losing the expectation for the game.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the slot machine, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration in the vicinity of a display window described later. The slot machine 2 includes a first reel 10, a second reel 11, a third reel 12, which will be described later, inside a housing 3 including a storage box 4 and a front door 5 provided on the front surface of the storage box 4. A hopper device, a power supply device (not shown), and the like are arranged.

  The front door 5 is composed of two doors, an upper door 6 and a lower door 7. A decorative panel 8 is provided at the center of the upper door 6, and a display window 9 is provided at the approximate center of the decorative panel 8. A first reel 10, a second reel 11, and a third reel 12 are disposed in the back of the display window 9. As is well known, a plurality of types of symbols, for example, are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12. When the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 are stopped, three symbols arranged on the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 through the display window 9. Displayed. As a result, the total number of symbols displayed through the display window 9 is nine, and there are three horizontal pay lines that are obtained by combining the symbols of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 one by two. A total of five books are set.

  Display portions 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 indicating the above-described winning lines are provided at both ends of the display window 9 in the width direction. LEDs 106, 107, 108, 109, and 110 (see FIG. 3) are provided on the rear surfaces of the display units 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24, respectively. The corresponding display section is lit and displayed. For example, when the first medal is inserted, the display unit 20 is lit and displayed, and the winning line 25 in the horizontal center is activated. When the second medal is inserted, the display units 21 and 22 are displayed in a light-emitting manner, and the horizontal upper winning line 26 and the horizontal lower winning line 27 are activated. Further, when the third medal is inserted, the display units 23 and 24 are displayed in a light-emitting manner, and the two diagonal winning lines 28 and 29 are activated.

  Below the display window 9, an inserted number display unit (display unit) 30 and a game state display unit 31 are provided. The insertion display unit 30 includes display units 34, 35, and 36, and displays the number of medals inserted by inserting medals. That is, when the first medal is inserted, the display unit 34 emits light by turning on the LED 116 (see FIG. 3) provided on the rear surface of the display unit 34, and the medal of the second medal is inserted. When the LED 117 (see FIG. 3) provided on the back surface of the display unit 35 is turned on, the display unit 35 emits light. When a third medal is inserted, the LED 118 (see FIG. 3) provided on the back surface of the display unit 36 is displayed. 3), the display unit 36 emits light.

  The game state display unit 31 includes, for example, three display units 38, 39, and 40. Among these display units 38, 39, and 40, the left display unit 38 displays the number of medals to be paid out when winning is won. The central display unit 39 displays, for example, the number of games in the BB (Big Bonus) mode and the RB (Regular Bonus) mode that make it easier to win a game than in the normal mode game. Displays the set value at. The right display unit 40 displays the number of credited medals. Although not shown, a display device such as a 7-segment display or a liquid crystal display is provided on the back of the game state display, and the display of each display 38, 39, 40 is provided by this display. Is done.

  Various operation buttons such as a MAX bet button 45 and a payout button 46 which are operated at the start of the game are provided on the upper portion of the lower door 7. The MAX bet button 45 is pressed when three medals that are used among the credited medals are inserted. The inserted medals include not only directly inserting medals from the medal insertion slot 55 but also operating the above-described MAX bet button 45 using the credited medals. The payout button 46 is a button that is pressed when paying out a credited medal.

  In the vicinity of these buttons, a start lever 50, a first stop button 51, a second stop button 52, and a third stop button 53 are provided. The start lever 50 is operated when a game is executed.

  The first stop button 51 is a button that is pressed when stopping the rotating first reel 10. Similarly, the second stop button 52 and the third stop button 53 are buttons that are pressed when the rotating second reel 11 and third reel 12 are stopped.

  The lower door 7 is provided with a medal slot 55 for inserting a medal when playing a game. A selector (not shown) is incorporated in the back of the medal insertion slot 55, and inappropriate medals are discharged to the medal tray 57 through the medal payout opening 56. In addition, when the medal is inserted at an improper timing such as when the selector is inserted in the middle of a game or in a state where various operation buttons are pressed, the selector receives the inserted medal as the medal tray 57. To discharge. Since the number of medals that can be inserted prior to the start of the game is limited to 1 to 3, medals up to the first to third inserted are automatically inserted when the credit function is not used. The medals inserted after the fourth sheet are discharged to the medal tray 57.

  On the other hand, when the credit function is on, medals inserted after the fourth sheet are detected by the medal sensor 64 (see FIG. 3) provided in the selector, and then, for example, the inside of the slot machine 2 is limited to 50 sheets. It is stored in. When medals are credited, if medals are inserted through the medal slot 45, the first to third medals are automatically inserted and inserted after the fourth one. Medals are credited. If there is a credited medal, a medal insertion operation is performed by operating the above-described MAX bet button 45, and the inserted number is sequentially subtracted from the credit number. Further, as a result of the game, when a winning is obtained, medals as a payout are also credited, and medals credited when the payout button 46 is operated are paid out to the medal tray 57.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine 2. The slot machine 2 includes a game control device 60 that performs basic control in the game. The game control device 60 includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62, and a RAM 63. When power is supplied to the slot machine 2, the CPU 61 reads the activation program stored in the ROM 62 and executes the program. The RAM 63 stores data for control during the game, and also stores setting values at the time of setting change.

  The medal sensor 64 is provided inside the selector and detects a medal that is determined to be a regular medal by authenticity determination by the selector. The CPU 61 is provided with a medal counter (not shown). For example, when the credit function is enabled, the detection signals of the fourth and subsequent medals are counted by the medal counter. On the other hand, in the case of detection signals for medals inserted up to the first to third sheets, based on the respective detection signals, the CPU 61 turns on an LED provided on the back surface of the display unit and becomes a valid winning prize. Display the line.

  The bet switch sensor 65 is disposed inside the MAX bet button 35. When the MAX bet button 45 is pressed, the bet switch sensor 65 is turned on, and an on signal (hereinafter referred to as an insertion signal) is output to the CPU 61. In response to the input signal, the CPU 61 refers to the RAM 63 and then reads out the input program stored in the ROM 62 to perform the input process. During this insertion process, display of the display unit using the LED, that is, display of a valid winning line is performed.

  The start switch sensor 66 is turned on when the start lever 50 is pressed, and an on signal (hereinafter referred to as a start signal) is output to the CPU 61. In response to the input start signal, the CPU 61 reads out a game control program (not shown) stored in the ROM 62 and data temporarily stored in the RAM 63, and starts the game process.

  Indexes 10a, 11a, and 12a are provided at the reference positions of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12, respectively. The passage of the indexes 10a, 11a, 12a is photoelectrically detected. Detection signals from the photo sensors 70, 71, 72 are output to the CPU 61 as a reset signal for each reel. The first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 are press-fitted with drive shafts of stepping motors 75, 76, and 77, respectively. The reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 rotate. In FIG. 3, for convenience, the first reel 10 and the stepping motor 75, the second reel 11 and the stepping motor 76, and the third reel 12 and the stepping motor 77 are surrounded by solid lines. Reference numerals 78, 79, and 80 denote drivers that drive the stepping motors 75, 76, and 77, respectively.

  The CPU 61 is provided with a pulse counter (not shown) for each stepping motor, and counts the number of drive pulses supplied to each stepping motor. As a result, every time a reset signal is input from the photosensors 70, 71, 72, it is cleared and up-counted again. By monitoring the count value of the pulse counter for each reel, the CPU 61 can identify, for example, which symbol has moved on the horizontal center winning line, and how much the reel should be rotated. It is possible to predict whether the target symbol will move on the winning line where the symbol becomes valid.

  The first stop switch sensor 82 is provided inside the first stop button 51 and is turned on when the first stop button 51 is pressed, and an on signal (hereinafter referred to as a first stop signal) is directed to the CPU 61. Output. In response to this, the CPU 61 refers to the symbol table 97 stored in the ROM 62 so that the target symbol out of the symbols arranged on the first reel 10 is stopped on the winning line. The driver 78 controls the supply of drive pulses to the stepping motor 75.

  The second stop switch sensor 83 is provided inside the second stop button 52 and is turned on when the second stop button 52 is pressed, and outputs an on signal (hereinafter referred to as a second stop signal) to the CPU 61. . In response to this, the CPU 61 refers to the symbol table 97 stored in the ROM 62 so as to be stopped on the winning line where the target symbol becomes valid among the symbols arranged on the second reel 11. The driver 79 controls the supply of drive pulses to the stepping motor 76.

  The third stop switch sensor 84 is provided inside the third stop button 53 and is turned on when the third stop button 53 is pressed, and outputs an on signal (hereinafter referred to as a third stop signal) to the CPU 61. . In response to this, the CPU 61 refers to the symbol table 97 stored in the ROM 62 so as to be stopped on the winning line where the target symbol becomes valid among the symbols arranged on the third reel 12. The driver 80 controls the supply of drive pulses to the stepping motor 77.

  The CPU 61 includes a control unit 90, a first random number acquisition unit 91, a second random number acquisition unit 92, a winning combination determination unit 93, and a game start determination unit 94. Based on the game control program stored in the ROM 62, the control unit 90 executes, for example, rotation / stop control of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12, a payout control in the case of winning, etc. . In addition, a medal insertion process is performed, a lighting signal is output to LED drivers 105 and 115, which will be described later, and an extinguishing signal is output to the LED drivers 105 and 115 when all reels are stopped.

  When power supply to the slot machine 2 is started, the first random number acquisition unit 91 starts a random number update process, and obtains a random number (hereinafter referred to as a first random number) when a start signal is output from the start switch sensor 66. get. The first random number acquired by the first random number acquiring unit 91 is stored in the RAM 63 and used by the winning combination determining unit 93.

  Similar to the first random number acquisition unit 91, the second random number acquisition unit 92 starts a random number update process when power supply to the slot machine 2 is started, and the random number at the time when the start signal is output (hereinafter referred to as the first random number acquisition unit 92). 2 random numbers). The second random number acquired by the second random number acquisition unit 92 is stored in the RAM 63 and used by the game start determination unit 94.

  The winning combination determining unit 93 determines any of a plurality of types of winning combinations or a loss from the first random number acquired by the first random number acquiring unit 91 and the random number table stored in the ROM 62. Below, the acquisition of the 1st random number in the 1st random number acquisition part 91 and the determination of either of the multiple types of winning combination in the winning combination determination part 93, or a lose will be described as a winning combination lottery. The result of the winning combination lottery is stored in the RAM 63. It should be noted that, for a plurality of winning combinations, for example, the BB mode in which the ball-out rate is higher than the game in the normal mode, the BB transition combination or the RB transition combination to shift to the RB mode, and only the payout of medals when winning a prize In addition to the bell role and the plum role, the replay role can be obtained so that the right for the next game can be obtained without inserting a medal when winning a prize. The acquisition of the right for the next game means that a medal is automatically inserted without using a credited medal or a medal from the medal insertion slot 55 when winning.

  The game start determination unit (determination means) 94 is operated by the control unit 90 when one or two medals are inserted and the start lever 50 is pressed. The game start determination unit 94 depresses the start lever 50 from the first probability table 98 or the second probability table 99 stored in the ROM 62 described later and the second random number acquired by the second random number acquisition unit 92. It is determined whether or not to enable the game start operation performed by this. The acquisition of the second random number in the second random number acquisition unit 92 and the determination as to whether or not to enable the game start operation in the game start determination unit 94 will be described as a game start lottery.

  Note that the control unit (collection means) 90, when it is determined that the game start operation is invalid with a predetermined probability as a result of the game start lottery in the game start determination unit 94, the LED driver 105, 115 to be described later is turned off And turns off all of the LEDs 106, 107, 108 and LEDs 116, 117 that are lit. In response to this, the display units 20, 21, 22 and the light emission display of the display units 34, 35 of the input number display unit 30 are stopped. This informs the player that the game start operation is invalidated in the game start lottery, that is, that medals have been collected.

  In the ROM 62, in addition to the above-described start program, game control program, throw-in program, and the like, a random number table 96, a symbol table 97, a first probability table (game start lottery table) 98, a second probability table (game start) Lottery table) 99 and the like are stored. The random number table 96 is used when the winning combination determining unit 93 determines which of a plurality of winning combinations is lost. In the random number table 96, a first random number is distributed to each of a plurality of winning combinations and loses. The symbol table 97 is a table in which symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 are associated with the number of steps from the reference position.

  The first probability table 98 and the second probability table 99 are tables used in the game start determination unit 94. For example, the probability X that the game start operation is determined to be valid as a result of the game start lottery is X = A / when the number of inserted medals is A and the number of medals required for MAX betting is B. It is determined so as to satisfy B. In the first probability table 98, the second random number is assigned to whether the game start operation is validated or invalidated. When this first probability table 98 is used, the probability is X becomes 2/3. The first probability table 98 is used when an operation for starting a game is performed with two inserted medals.

  Similar to the first probability table 98, in the second probability table 99, the second random number is assigned to whether the game start operation is validated or invalidated. When is used, the probability X is 1/3. The second probability table 99 is used when a game start operation is performed with one medal inserted.

  The LED driver 105 receives a lighting signal from the control unit 90 and controls lighting of the corresponding LED. For example, when the first medal is inserted, the LED driver 105 turns on the LED 106. Thereby, the display unit 20 is lit and displayed, and the player is notified that the winning line 25 is valid. When the second medal is inserted, the LEDs 107 and 108 are turned on in addition to the LED 106. Thereby, in addition to the display unit 20, the display units 21 and 22 are lit and displayed, and the player is notified that the pay lines 26 and 27 are valid. Further, when the third medal is inserted, the LEDs 109 and 110 are turned on in addition to the LEDs 106, 107 and 108. As a result, in addition to the display units 20, 21, and 22, the display units 23 and 24 are lit and displayed, and the player is notified that the pay lines 28 and 29 are valid. When the rotation of all the reels is stopped, since the turn-off signal is input from the control unit 90, the LED driver 105 turns off all the LEDs 106, 107, 108, 109, 110 that are turned on.

  The LED driver 115 receives the lighting signal from the control unit 90 and controls lighting of the corresponding LED. For example, when the first medal is inserted, the LED driver 115 turns on the LED 116. As a result, the display unit 34 of the inserted number display unit 30 is lit to notify that the first medal has been inserted. When the second medal is inserted, the LED 117 is turned on in addition to the LED 116. As a result, in addition to the display unit 34, the display unit 35 emits light and notifies that the second medal has been inserted. When the third medal is inserted, the LED 118 is turned on in addition to the LEDs 116 and 117. As a result, in addition to the display units 34 and 35, the display unit 36 is lit and informed that the third medal has been inserted. When the rotation of all the reels is stopped, a turn-off signal is input from the control unit 90, so that the LED driver 115 turns off the LEDs 116, 117, and 118 that are turned on.

  Next, the effect | action of this embodiment is demonstrated based on the flowchart of FIG. When starting the game, the player directly inserts medals from the medal slot 55. When the medal is inserted, the insertion process is performed on the medals inserted up to the first to third sheets. That is, when the first medal is inserted, the display unit 20 is turned on and the winning line 25 is activated. At the same time, the display unit 34 of the inserted number display unit 30 is displayed with light emission. When the second medal is inserted, the display units 21 and 22 are lit up in addition to the display unit 20, and the winning lines 26 and 27 in addition to the winning line 25 are activated. At the same time, in addition to the display section 34 of the inserted number display section 30, the display section 35 is lit and displayed. Similarly, when the third medal is inserted, the display units 23 and 24 are lit in addition to the display units 20, 21 and 22, and in addition to the winning lines 25, 26 and 27, the winning line 28, 29 becomes effective. At the same time, in addition to the display units 34 and 35 of the inserted number display unit 30, the display unit 36 is lit and displayed. Note that, when a medal is inserted using a credited medal, when the MAX bet button 45 is pressed, an insertion signal is input to the CPU 61. Upon receiving this input signal, the CPU 61 performs the above-described input process.

  When the player operates the start lever 50 with three medals inserted, the start signal from the start switch sensor 66 is input to the CPU 61, and the CPU 61 extracts and acquires the first random number and the second random number. The winning combination lottery is performed using the first random number. At the same time, the CPU 61 rotates the first reel 10, the second reel 11 and the third reel 12 via the drivers 78, 79 and 80. Thereafter, in response to the pressing operation of the stop button, the CPU 61 controls to stop the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button based on the winning combination lottery result. When all the stop buttons are pressed, all reels stop, and if the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to any of the multiple winning combinations stops on the effective winning line, it becomes a prize, The medal payout process for the winning is performed.

  On the other hand, when the player operates the start lever 50 with the number of inserted medals being 2, the start signal from the start switch sensor 66 is input to the CPU 61, and the CPU 61 extracts the first random number and the second random number. At the same time, the CPU 61 performs a game start lottery from the first probability table 98 and the acquired second random number. As a result of the game start lottery, when it is determined that the game start operation is invalid, the CPU 61 invalidates the pay lines 25, 26, and 27 that are already valid, and collects medals. When it is determined that the game start operation is valid as a result of the game start operation, the CPU 61 validates the pay lines 28 and 29 in addition to the pay lines 25, 26 and 27 that have already been valid. The winning combination lottery is performed using the acquired first random number, and the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 are rotated via the drivers 78, 79, and 80. Thereafter, in response to the pressing operation of the stop button, the CPU 61 controls to stop the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button based on the winning combination lottery result. When all the stop buttons are pressed, all reels stop, and if the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to any of the multiple winning combinations stops on the effective winning line, it becomes a prize, The medal payout process for the winning is performed.

  On the other hand, when the player operates the start lever 50 with one medal inserted, the start signal from the start switch sensor 66 is input to the CPU 61, and the CPU 61 extracts the first random number and the second random number. At the same time, the CPU 61 performs a game start lottery from the second probability table 99 and the acquired second random number. As a result of the game start lottery, if it is determined that the game start operation is invalid, the CPU 61 invalidates the pay line 25 that has already been valid and collects medals. When it is determined that the game start operation is valid as a result of the game start operation, the CPU 61 validates the pay lines 26, 27, 28, and 29 in addition to the pay line 25 that is already valid. The winning combination lottery is performed using the acquired first random number, and the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 are rotated via the drivers 78, 79, and 80. Thereafter, in response to the pressing operation of the stop button, the CPU 61 controls to stop the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button based on the winning combination lottery result. When all the stop buttons are pressed, all reels stop, and if the symbol or symbol combination corresponding to any of the multiple winning combinations stops on the effective winning line, it becomes a prize, The medal payout process for the winning is performed.

  As described above, according to the slot machine 2 of the present embodiment, even if it is a dedicated MAX bet machine that requires three medals for one game, the start lever is inserted with one or two medals inserted. A game start lottery is performed by pressing 50 and performing a game start operation. As a result of the game start lottery, if it is determined that the game start operation is valid with a predetermined probability, the game can be performed with all the winning lines valid as in the case of inserting three medals. Therefore, even when the number of medals possessed by the player is less than three MAX bets, it is possible to play a game with the possessed medals.

  In addition, in a gaming machine in which the player can select one of 1 to 3 medals, it is possible to place a 1-bet and 2-bet game as compared to a 3-bet game. It is well known that the winning probability in these games is low, and it cannot be said that the player can play a game with a sense of expectation. However, in the slot machine 2 of this embodiment, when the number of inserted medals is A and the number of medals required for MAX betting is B, the game start operation is made effective as a result of the game start lottery. By setting the probability X to satisfy X = A / B, the expected number of medals required to start a game under the same conditions as the MAX bet game is always 3 (MAX bet medal Thus, the player can have the same expectation as the MAX bet game for the one betting game and the two betting game in the slot machine 2 of the present embodiment.

  In the slot machine 2 of the present embodiment, when the game start operation is determined to be invalid as a result of the game start lottery, no special notification is given to the player, but the game start lottery is not performed for the player. In order to make it easy to understand what has been done, it is desirable to notify by means of effects such as light and sound. For example, when a liquid crystal display device is provided, an animation or the like is displayed on the liquid crystal display device at the time of game start lottery, and the player is notified of the fact that the game start lottery has been performed and the result thereof in an easy-to-understand manner. It is desirable.

  The slot machine 2 of the present embodiment is a MAX bet-dedicated machine and cannot perform a conventional one-bet game and two-bet game with a low winning probability. However, the present invention is not limited to a machine dedicated to MAX betting, and can also be applied to a conventional slot machine capable of single betting games and two betting games. Here, a modified example of the present embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine capable of a one-stake bet game and a two-stake bet game will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 5 showing the external configuration of the slot machine 150 of this modification, members having the same functions as those of the slot machine 2 of the present embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the slot machine 2, and description thereof is omitted. .

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a modified slot machine. The slot machine 150 includes a game mode switching button 155 and a 1-bet button 160 on the upper part of the lower door 7. The game mode switching button 155 is a switching button for selecting a game mode to be described later in advance. In the slot machine 150, the MAX mode and the free mode can be selected as the game mode, and the MAX mode and the free mode can be switched alternately by pressing the game mode switching button 155.

  The MAX mode is a game mode for performing the same game process as the slot machine 2 of the present embodiment. That is, when the number of inserted medals is 3, normal game processing is executed, and when the number of inserted medals is 1 or 2, a game start lottery is performed. As a result of the game start lottery, if the game start operation is determined to be valid, the game having the same winning probability as the MAX bet is executed, and if the game start operation is determined to be invalid, the medal collection process I do.

  In the free mode, a game can always be started when the number of inserted medals is one, two, or three, but a game with different winning probabilities depending on the number of inserted medals. Mode. The winning probability in the game in the free mode is set to the highest when the number of inserted medals is 3, and then the number of inserted medals is 2, and the winning probability is when the number of inserted medals is 1. Is low. Note that a game played by inserting three medals in the free mode has the same winning probability as a game played by inserting three medals in the MAX mode.

  Next, the effect | action of this modification is demonstrated based on the flowchart of FIG. When the player presses the game mode switching button 155 and sets the game mode to the MAX mode, the player executes a game process in the MAX mode after inserting a medal. Here, the game processing in the MAX mode performs the same game processing as the slot machine 2 of the present embodiment as described above. That is, when the number of inserted medals is 3, normal game processing is executed, and when the number of inserted medals is 1 or 2, a game start lottery is performed. As a result of the game start lottery, if the game start operation is determined to be valid, the game having the same winning probability as the MAX bet is executed, and if the game start operation is determined to be invalid, the medal collection process I do.

  In addition, when the player presses the game mode switching button 155 and sets the game mode to the free mode, after the player inserts a medal, the player presses the start lever 50 to play the game in the free mode. Execute the process. Here, as described above, the game processing in the free mode means that the game can always be started regardless of whether the number of inserted medals is 1, 2, or 3. Games with different winning probabilities are executed according to the number of medals won. The winning probability in the game in the free mode is set to the highest when the number of inserted medals is 3, and then the number of inserted medals is 2, and the winning probability is when the number of inserted medals is 1. Is low.

  As described above, according to the slot machine 150 of the present modification, the player can arbitrarily change the game mode by pressing the game mode switching button 155. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to not only the MAX betting machine but also a gaming machine capable of a single betting game and a double betting game without impairing the conventional gaming function.

  FIG. 7 shows an example in which a storage medium (magnetic disk, flexible disk, IC memory, etc.) 170 is installed in the slot machine. The storage medium is shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 3 and the flowcharts of FIGS. A program for realizing such means by a slot machine 173 including a CPU 171 and a memory 172 is stored. In this case, the number of game media to be inserted prior to the start of the game is at least 2 and predetermined as a predetermined number, and the number of inserted game media is equal to the predetermined number of game media. When a game start operation is performed in a state that is less than the above, a means for determining whether or not to enable the game start operation by lottery, and the fact that the lottery has been performed are input A program for realizing the means for collecting game media in the slot machine 173 is stored in the storage media 170. Then, the storage medium 170 is loaded into the reading device 174 and the program is installed in the slot machine 173.

  Further, instead of installing the program using a storage medium, the program can be distributed to a gaming machine using the Internet. Further, by adding a program for executing the basic operation of the gaming machine to the above program, it can be installed on a personal computer and played on a monitor.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine of this invention. It is a front view which shows the structure of the vicinity of a display window. It is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is a flowchart showing the flow of the game in the slot machine. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine of a modification. It is a flowchart showing the flow of the game in the slot machine of a modification. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram when a storage medium storing a program is installed in a slot machine.

Explanation of symbols

2 slot machine 8 decorative panel 9 display window 10 1st reel 11 2nd reel 12 3rd reel 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 display unit 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 winning line 30 number of input display unit 60 game Control device 61 CPU
62 ROM
63 RAM
90 Control unit (collection means)
92 Second random number acquisition unit 94 Game start determination unit (determination means)
98 first probability table (game start probability table)
99 Second probability table (game start probability table)
150 slot machine 155 game mode switch button

Claims (4)

In the gaming machine in which the number of game media to be input prior to the start of the game is at least 2 and predetermined as a predetermined number,
When a game start operation is performed in a state where the number of actually inserted game media is less than the predetermined number of game media, it is determined whether or not to enable the game start operation. A gaming machine comprising: a determining means for determining the game medium; and a collecting means for collecting the inserted game media when the lottery is performed by the determining means.   X = A, where X is the probability when the game start operation is validated by lottery by the determination means, A is the number of inserted game media, and B is the number of game media determined in advance. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein / B is satisfied.   A state in which the number of game media to be inserted prior to the start of the game is at least 2 and predetermined as a predetermined number, and the number of game media inserted is less than the predetermined number of game media When a game start operation is performed, a means for determining whether or not the game start operation is valid by lottery, and an input game medium triggered by the fact that the lottery is performed A program for causing a computer to function as a means for collecting.   A storage medium characterized in that the program according to claim 3 is stored and the program can be read by a computer.

Images