JP2019165943A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of suppressing disadvantage of a player.SOLUTION: In a game machine 10, special pattern determination is executed by entry of game balls into a first start winning hole 14AK or a second start winning hole 14BK, and a game state is controlled to a normal game state or a time-shortening game state on the basis of a result of the special pattern determination. The time-shortening game state is completed when the number of execution times of special pattern determination reaches the number of upper-limit times. The number of upper-limit times of special pattern determination pertaining to a time-shortening completion condition in control to the time-shortening game state by the special pattern determination caused by entry of game balls into the first start winning hole 14AK differs from the number of upper-limit times of special pattern determination pertaining to a time-shortening completion condition in control to the time-shortening game state by the special pattern determination caused by entry of game balls into the second start winning hole 14BK.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a plurality of entering areas.

  In the normal state, the gaming machine of Patent Document 1 aims at a big hit by putting a game ball into the first start opening, and in a short time state, the game machine aims at a big hit by putting a game ball at the second start opening. It has become.

JP-A-2006-083402 (paragraphs [0255] to [0257], FIG. 2)

  In the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, for example, when the game ball enters only the first start port when shifting from the normal state to the time reduction state, the time reduction state may end against the player's will, There was a possibility of causing a disadvantage of the player.

  An object of this invention is to provide the gaming machine which can suppress a disadvantage of a player.

  The first means is caused by the first entrance area where the game ball can enter, the second entrance area different from the first entrance area, and the entrance of the game ball into the first entrance area. A first success / failure determination means for executing a first success / failure determination means; a second success / failure determination means for executing a second success / failure determination due to the entry of a game ball into the second entry area; Based on the result of the determination of success or failure or the determination of the second success / failure, the gaming state is controlled to a normal state and a special state in which it is easier for the game ball to enter the second entering area than the normal state. A gaming state control means; and a counting means for counting the number of times of execution of the first and second determinations. The gaming state control means counts the number of times counted by the counting means in the special state. When the maximum number of times is reached, the gaming state is controlled from the special state to the normal state. Made is, the upper limit number in the special state based on the first propriety determination result is different from the upper limit number in the special state based on the second propriety determination result, a game machine.

  According to the above invention, the disadvantage of the player can be suppressed.

Front view of gaming machine according to the embodiment Front view of game board Block diagram showing electrical configuration of gaming machine Conceptual diagram showing the flow of the game Table showing an example of the time-saving end condition (A) A figure for explaining the first instruction effect, (B) A figure for explaining the second instruction effect. Diagram for explaining the flow of instruction production Flow chart of instruction effect control processing The figure which shows the flow of the display of the display screen during the big hit game and the short time game Conceptual diagram showing the correspondence between jackpot images and jackpot sounds Time chart showing the on / off status of the jackpot sound, the jackpot image, and the short and middle shot image Conceptual diagram of the display of the first layer and the second layer in the jackpot game state Conceptual diagram of display of first layer and second layer in short-time gaming state The conceptual diagram which shows the flow of a display of a 1st layer, a 2nd layer, and a display screen

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment covers the gaming board 11 shown in FIG. 2 with a front frame 10Z, and passes through the glass window 10W formed in the front frame 10Z. 11, a substantially circular game region R1 (see FIG. 2) formed on the front surface of the front surface is visible. The game area R1 is surrounded by a substantially circular guide rail 12 protruding from the front surface of the game board 11. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, “right” and “left” refer to “right” and “left” when the gaming machine 10 is viewed from the front.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a decorative lamp 22 is provided around the glass window 10W in the front frame 10Z. In addition, speakers 25 are provided on both sides of the front frame 10Z above the glass window 10W.

  An upper plate 26 and a lower plate 27 are provided in two upper and lower stages below the glass window 10W in the front frame 10Z, and a firing handle 28 is provided on the right side of the lower plate 27. When the firing handle 28 is turned, the game balls accommodated in the upper plate 26 are ejected one by one toward the game area R1 by a launching device (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a display opening 11H is formed through the center of the game area R1 of the game board 11, and the display device 30 faces the display opening 11H from the back side of the game board 11. Yes. The display device 30 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal module, and has a display screen 30G on the front surface for performing effects related to games. Various effects relating to the game are performed on the display screen 30G.

  A display decoration frame 23 is attached to the front center of the game board 11 so as to surround the display screen 30G. The display decoration frame 23 is fitted into the display opening 11 </ b> H from the front side of the game board 11 and projects forward from the front side of the game board 11. This restricts the game balls flowing down the game area R1 from entering the inside of the display decoration frame 23 over the display decoration frame 23.

  A first start winning opening 14AK is provided in a central portion of the gaming region R1 in the lateral direction below the display decoration frame 23. The first start winning opening 14AK is always open, and more specifically, has a pocket structure having an opening in the upper part that allows a game ball to enter one by one.

  A first big prize device 15A is provided below the first start prize opening 14AK. The first grand prize winning device 15A includes a first big prize opening 15AK opened to the right side, and a first variable member 15AT disposed on the right side of the first big prize opening 15AK. The first variable member 15AT is configured to be slidable between a first protruding position that is inclined downward to the left and protrudes from the front surface of the game board 11 and a first retracted position in which the protrusion is suppressed from the first protruding position. Has been. Then, when the first variable member 15AT is disposed at the first protruding position, the game ball can enter the first big prize opening 15AK with the first variable member 15AT as a guide, and the first variable member 15AT becomes the first variable member 15AT. When placed at the 1 retreat position, it becomes difficult for the game ball to enter the first grand prize opening 15AK.

  An arc-shaped upper communication path 24 along the guide rail 12 is formed above the display decoration frame 23 in the game area R1. The upper communication path 24 connects the left region R2 and the right region R3 located on the left and right sides with respect to the display decoration frame 23 in the game region R1. Here, a game ball launched from a launching device (not shown) enters the game area R1 from the upper left of the game area R1. In the gaming machine 10, the game ball that has passed through the upper communication path 24 flows down the right region R3 of the game region R1. The upper communication path 24 is formed to have a width that allows game balls to pass one by one.

  In the right region R3, there is provided a start gate 18 having a gate shape through which a game ball can dive. When the game ball passes through the start gate 18, a normal symbol success / failure determination (hereinafter referred to as “common figure determination”) is performed. When the normal symbol determination is performed, the normal symbol is variably displayed on the general symbol determination display unit 18H (see FIG. 3), and is stopped and displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed. And the result of a common figure determination is displayed by the stopped normal symbol.

  When a game ball passes through the start gate 18 during a normal symbol change, information related to the general symbol determination resulting from the passage (specifically, the result display of the general symbol determination and the symbol variation associated therewith) is preset. Up to the maximum number of holds. When the variation of the normal symbol being executed is completed, one hold is consumed, and the variation of the normal symbol that has been suspended and the determination result are displayed. For example, the upper limit number of suspensions of information related to the common map determination (hereinafter referred to as “general map suspension”) is four. In addition, when there are a plurality of common map holds, the general map hold is digested in the order of occurrence.

  A start winning device 14B is provided below the start gate 18 in the right region R3. The start winning device 14B includes a second start winning port 14BK that is open on the left side, and a start variable member 14BT that is inclined to the right on the left side of the second start winning port 14BK. The start variable member 14BT is configured to be slidable between a start protrusion position protruding from the front surface of the game board 11 and a start retract position where protrusion is suppressed from the start protrusion position. If the result of the above-mentioned common map determination is successful, it is arranged at the start protrusion position for a predetermined period. Then, when the start variable member 14BT is arranged at the start projecting position, the game ball can enter the second start winning port 14BK with the start variable member 14BT as a guide, and the start variable member 14BT is arranged at the start retracted position. When this is done, it becomes difficult for the game ball to enter the start winning opening 14BK.

  A second big prize device 15B is provided below the start prize device 14B in the right region R3. The second big winning device 15B includes a second big winning port 15BK opened upward and a second variable member 15BT that opens and closes the second big winning port 15BK. The second variable member 15BT is configured to be slidable between a second protruding position protruding from the front surface of the game board 11 and a second retracted position where the protrusion is suppressed from the second protruding position. And when 2nd variable member 15BT is arrange | positioned in a 2nd protrusion position, 2nd big prize opening 15BK is obstruct | occluded and it becomes difficult for a game ball to enter into 2nd big prize opening 15BK, and 2nd variable member 15BT is made. When arranged at the second retreat position, the second grand prize opening 15BK is opened and the game ball can enter the second big prize opening 15BK.

  When a game ball enters the first start winning opening 14AK or the second start winning opening 14BK, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the upper plate 26 (see FIG. 1) as a prize ball, and a special symbol success / failure determination (hereinafter, referred to as “award”). "Special figure determination") is performed. The result of the special figure determination is displayed on the special figure determination display unit 14H (see FIG. 3) and the display screen 30G. Hereinafter, the special figure determination based on the first start winning opening 14AK and the special figure determination based on the second start winning opening 14BK will be appropriately referred to as first special figure determination and second special figure determination.

  The result of the special figure determination on the display screen 30G is displayed as follows. That is, normally, three special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R on the left, middle, and right are stopped and displayed side by side on the display screen 30G. Each special symbol 30L, 30C, 30R is composed of, for example, a plurality of types representing numbers “0” to “9”, and each special symbol 30L, 30C, 30R has a predetermined type. Stop is displayed. When the special figure determination is performed, the three special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R are scroll-displayed in a vertical direction (variable display), and are stopped and displayed in the order of, for example, left, right, and middle after a predetermined time has elapsed. And the result of special figure determination is displayed by the combination of the stopped special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R.

  When it is displayed on the display screen 30G that the result of the special figure determination is a big hit, the gaming state becomes the big hit gaming state, the big hit game is executed, and the first big winning opening 15AK or the second big winning opening 15BK is played. Game balls can enter. When a game ball enters the first grand prize port 15AK or the second big prize port 15BK, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the upper plate 26 (see FIG. 1) as prize balls.

  Specifically, when the big hit game is executed, the first variable member 15AT is driven to the first protruding position for a predetermined period, and the first big prize opening 15AK is opened. Here, when the operation from the opening of the first grand prize winning opening 15AK to the closing is referred to as “round”, one big hit game continues until a predetermined number of rounds are executed. In one round, the opening time of the first grand prize opening 15AK has reached a predetermined time (for example, 29 seconds), or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls have been won in the first big prize opening 15AK. The process ends when any of the above is established first. A winning sensor (not shown) is provided inside the first major winning opening 15AK, and counts the number of winning balls.

  Further, when the display screen 30G displays that the result of the special figure determination is a small hit, the gaming state becomes the small hit gaming state, and the small hit game is executed. In the small hit game, a game ball can enter the second big prize opening 15BK. The opening time of the second big winning opening 15BK is shorter than the opening time of the first big winning opening 15AK in the big hit game. There are fewer than balls.

  Here, if a game ball enters the first start winning opening 14AK or the second start winning opening 14BK while the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R are changing, during the small hit game or during the big hit game, it is attributed to that ball The information related to the special figure determination (specifically, the result display of the special figure determination and the accompanying symbol fluctuation) is held up to the preset upper limit number. Then, when the symbol variation, small hit game or big hit game being executed is finished, one hold is consumed, and the symbol variation and the result that have been held are displayed. Here, holding the information regarding the first special figure determination and the holding of the information relating to the second special figure determination are referred to as the first special figure holding and the second special figure holding as appropriate, and the upper limit number of holding is: It is set for each of the first special figure hold and the second special figure hold, and the upper limit number of the second special figure hold is smaller than the upper limit number of the first special figure hold. The numbers of the first special figure hold and the second special figure hold can be recognized by the player, for example, by being displayed on the hold display unit 30H (see FIG. 3). In addition, for example, the upper limit number of the first special figure hold is four, and the upper limit number of the second special figure hold is one.

  In addition to the above-described winning holes 14AK, 14BK, 15AK, and 15BK, the gaming area R1 is provided with a plurality of general winning holes 20 that are open upward or sideways and into which a game ball can always enter. In addition, at the lower end of the game area R1, specifically, below the first variable member 15AK, an out port for discharging game balls that have not entered any of the winning holes to the outside of the game area R1. 16 is provided. Further, a number of obstacle nails K for randomly changing the flow direction of the game balls are planted in the game area R1.

  FIG. 3 shows an electrical configuration of the gaming machine 10. In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a main control circuit 50, which includes a microcomputer having a CPU 50A, a RAM 50B, a ROM 50C and a plurality of counters, an input / output circuit connecting the microcomputer and the sub-control circuit 52, and a prize winning device. Etc. are connected to an input / output circuit connecting a relay circuit and a payout control circuit, etc., to perform main control related to the game. The CPU 50A includes a success / failure determination unit, a control unit, a calculation unit, various counters, various registers, various flags, etc., and performs calculation control, and also generates random numbers and the like related to special figure determination and common figure determination, and sub-controls the control signal. It is configured to be able to output (transmit) to the circuit 52 and the like. The RAM 50B includes a storage area for various random values generated by the CPU 50A, a storage area and a flag for temporarily storing various data, and a work area for the CPU 50A. The ROM 50C stores control data, special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R, and symbol variation data related to the normal symbol variation display, etc., as well as judgment values for special symbol determination and general symbol determination, the number of rounds of jackpot game, etc. Has been written. Note that the first special figure determination information related to the first special figure hold and the second special figure determination information related to the second special figure hold are stored in the RAM 50B. In addition, information on the general map determination related to the general map hold is also stored in the RAM 50B.

  Similar to the main control circuit 50, the sub control circuit 52 includes a microcomputer including a CPU 52A, a RAM 52B, a ROM 52C and a plurality of counters, an input / output circuit connecting the microcomputer and the main control circuit 50, a display control circuit 54, An input / output circuit connecting the voice control circuit 55, the lamp control circuit 56, and the like is provided. The CPU 52A includes a control unit, a calculation unit, various counters, various registers, various flags, etc., and performs calculation control, and outputs (transmits) control signals to the display control circuit 54, the sound control circuit 55, the lamp control circuit 56, and the like. It is configured to be possible. The RAM 52B has a storage area for various data and a work area for the CPU 52A. The ROM 52C stores various production data and the like.

  The display control circuit 54 is provided in the display device 30 and includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. The CPU of the display control circuit 54 acquires image data from the ROM based on the control signal output from the sub control circuit 52, and displays an image on the display screen 30G based on the image data.

  The audio control circuit 55 selects music and audio generated from the speakers 25 and 25 based on the control signal output from the sub-control circuit 52, and controls audio.

  The lamp control circuit 56 is connected to the lamps such as the decoration lamp 22 and the accessory decoration lamp mounted on the accessory, and is a board for relaying the lamp control signal output from the sub control circuit 52.

[Gameability of gaming machine 10]
FIG. 4 shows a game flow in the gaming machine 10. As shown in the figure, in the gaming machine 10, there are two types of game states, a normal game state and a short-time game state, as game states other than the big hit game state and the small hit game state. Control of the gaming state is performed by the main control circuit 50.

  In the short-time game state, it becomes easier to enter the game ball into the second start winning opening 14BK than in the normal game state. More specifically, there are two types of common figure determination, which is a trigger for arranging the start variable member 14BT at the start protrusion position, per short common figure and long common figure. The time for which the start variable member 14BT is disposed at the start protrusion position when the long normal position is reached is longer than the time for which the start variable member 14BT is disposed at the start protrusion position when the short position is reached. ing. Note that in the gaming machine 10, it is impossible to substantially enter the game ball into the second start winning opening 14BK in the case of the short usual figure, and only in the case of the long usual figure, the second A game ball cannot be entered into the start winning opening 14BK.

  Here, between the normal gaming state and the short-time gaming state, the winning probability of the common game determination is the same, and in the short-time gaming state, the ratio of the long normal game is set higher than the normal gaming state. . As a result, in the normal gaming state, it is difficult to enter the second start winning opening 14BK even if it is a win in the normal game determination. It becomes easy to enter the 2 start winning opening 14BK. Therefore, in the normal game state, the player causes the game ball to flow down to the left region R2 of the game region R1 and receives the first special figure determination by entering the first start winning opening 14AK. In the short-time game state, A game ball is caused to flow down to the right region R3 of the game region R1, and a second special figure determination is received by entering the second start winning opening 14BK.

  The first gaming state of the gaming machine 10 is a normal gaming state. The state transition from the normal gaming state to the short-time gaming state is triggered by a big hit. Specifically, the jackpot is a jackpot with a short time that becomes a short-time game state after the end of the big jackpot game, and a jackpot without a short time that does not become a short-time game state after the jackpot game ends (that is, a normal game state). There are types. Whether it is a big hit with time reduction or a big hit without time reduction is determined by a judgment value (big hit random number) of special figure determination.

  In the present embodiment, there are two types of big hits with time reduction and big hits without time reduction in the first special figure determination, and only one type of big hit with time reduction is in the second special figure determination. Yes. That is, in the gaming machine 10, all the big hits in the short-time gaming state are big hits with a short time, so once the short-time gaming state is entered, it becomes difficult for the gaming state to shift to the normal gaming state. The short-time game state is ended when a preset short-time end condition is satisfied. When the short-time gaming state ends, the gaming state shifts to the normal gaming state.

  In the present embodiment, the big hit in the first special figure determination may be only one type of big hit with a short time, or the big hit in the second special figure determination may be two types, a big hit with a short time and a big hit without a short time. May be present.

  In the gaming machine 10, between the first special figure determination and the second special figure determination, regardless of whether the gaming state is the normal gaming state or the short-time gaming state, the winning probability of the big hit is the same. In addition, between the first special figure determination and the second special figure determination, the second special figure determination is more preferable than the first special figure determination regardless of whether the gaming state is the normal gaming state or the short-time gaming state. The probability of winning a small hit is also high. FIG. 5 shows an example of the big hit probability and the small hit probability in the gaming machine 10, and the big hit probability and the small hit probability in the first special figure determination are 1/200 and 1/500, The big hit probability and the small hit probability in the second special figure determination are 1/200 and 1/2.

  In the gaming machine 10, when a small hit game is executed, a game ball can enter the second large winning opening 15BK. Here, in the second grand prize winning device 15B, the game balls that have entered the second grand prize winning opening 15BK are distributed to either a specific area (V zone) or a normal area (both not shown). When the game ball passes through the specific area (that is, wins V), the big hit is confirmed, the gaming state is changed from the small hit gaming state to the big hit gaming state, and the big hit game is executed. Then, in the big hit game after winning the V prize, the game ball can enter the first big prize opening 15AK. When the big hit is confirmed by the V winning, the gaming state after the big hit game is changed to the short-time gaming state.

  In the gaming machine 10, in the small hit game when the small hit in the short-time gaming state, the game balls are more easily distributed to the specific area than in the small hit game in the normal gaming state. . Specifically, in the gaming machine 10, when the small special hit is determined in the second special figure determination, the allocation to the specific area becomes 100% regardless of whether the game state is the normal game state or the short-time game state. On the other hand, when a small hit is made in the first special figure determination, the allocation to the specific area is 100% in the short-time gaming state, and to the specific area in the normal gaming state. Is 0%. In the gaming machine 10, in the short-time gaming state, the big hit probability of the second special figure determination is higher than the big hit probability of the first special figure determination and the second special figure determination. Is more likely to occur in the case of a small win in the second special figure determination and a big win due to V winning in the small hit game.

  As described above, in the gaming machine 10, when it is in the short-time gaming state, it becomes easy for a game ball to enter the second start winning opening 14 </ b> BK, and it is easy to win a small hit. If a game ball passes a specific area (that is, V wins) during execution of the small hit game, the big hit is determined. In the gaming machine 10, when the big win is won by winning the V, the gaming state after the big winning game is in the short-time gaming state, so once the short-time gaming state is entered, it is difficult to shift to the normal gaming state. The big hits are easy to continue (continuous change) without shifting to the normal gaming state.

[About short-time end conditions]
In the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the condition for ending the short-time gaming state is that the big hit (including winning a V in the small hit game) and the number of executions of the special figure determination are set in advance. Either the upper limit number of times (hereinafter referred to as the “short-time upper limit number of times”) is established.

  Here, when the time limit upper limit number is set as the sum of the number of times of execution of the first special figure determination and the number of times of execution of the second special figure determination, there are a large number of first special figure holds when the time-short game state is entered Then, contrary to the player's will, there arises a problem that the number of executions of the second special figure determination is reduced. In particular, in the gaming machine 10, a game ball is often shot into the left region R2 in the normal game state, and a game ball is often shot into the right region R3 in the short-time game state. As a result, in the gaming machine 10, the first special figure hold tends to exist in the normal gaming state, and the second special figure hold tends to exist in the short-time gaming state. Therefore, if the upper limit number of time reductions is smaller than the number of first special figure hold, the special figure determination of the upper limit number is started before the game ball enters the second start winning opening 14BK. There may be a problem that the short-time gaming state ends without executing the special figure determination.

  In order to suppress the occurrence of the above-described problem, the gaming machine 10 firstly digests the second special figure hold preferentially over the first special figure hold. According to this configuration, when a game ball enters the second start winning opening 14BK in a state where the first special figure hold exists, the second special figure hold caused by entering the second start winning opening Is preferentially digested, and the variation related to the second special figure determination is started. As a result, it is possible to increase the number of executions of the second special figure determination. In addition, between the first special figure reservations, the reservations are digested in the order of occurrence, and even between the second special figure reservations, the reservations are digested in the order of occurrence.

  Second, the gaming machine 10 has a short time upper limit number of times (hereinafter referred to as “first time short time upper limit”) when entering the normal game state via the big hit game state (hereinafter referred to as “first time short game state”). The number of times in the short-time game state (hereinafter referred to as “second time-short game state”) when re-entering from the short-time game state via the jackpot game state (hereinafter “second-time and subsequent times”). It is configured to be larger than the shortest upper limit number of times)). According to this configuration, even if the first special figure hold exists when the first short-time game state is started, the short-time game state is suppressed from being terminated by the first special figure hold. In particular, in the gaming machine 10, the first time limit upper limit count is set to be equal to or more than the upper limit number of the first special figure hold, so when the first short game state is started, the first special figure hold is the hold upper limit. Even if there are up to the number, if the game balls can be put into the second start winning opening 14BK before all the first special figure hold is digested, the second special figure determination is executed. Become. In addition, it is preferable that the first short time upper limit number of times is larger than the upper limit number of reservations of the first special figure reservation.

  Specifically, in the gaming machine 10, whether the time limit upper limit number is set for each of the first special figure determination and the second special figure determination, and the execution number of the first special figure determination reaches the first upper limit number. Or, when the number of executions of the second special figure determination reaches the second upper limit number of times, the short-time gaming state is ended. By adopting such a configuration, in the gaming machine 10, the total number of executions of the first special figure determination and the second special figure determination is, for example, the smaller one of the first upper limit number and the second upper limit number. It is possible to increase the number of times of execution of the second special figure determination as compared with the case where the short-time gaming state ends when the time is reached.

  Furthermore, in the gaming machine 10, the first upper limit number in the first short time gaming state (hereinafter referred to as “first first upper limit number”) is the first upper limit number in the second short time gaming state (hereinafter referred to as “2”). It is referred to as “the first upper limit number after the first time”). With such a configuration, in the gaming machine 10, the number of executions of the first hit / failure determination reaches the first upper limit number in the first short time gaming state than in the second time short time gaming state. It becomes difficult.

  Specifically, in the gaming machine 10, the first first upper limit number of times is set to be equal to or greater than the upper limit number of the first special figure hold. Thereby, even if the first special figure hold exists up to the upper limit number of hold when the short time gaming state is started for the first time, the second start winning opening 14BK until all the first special figure hold is consumed. If a game ball can be entered in the second, the second special figure determination is executed. In addition, it is preferable that the first first upper limit number of times is larger than the upper limit number of the first special figure hold.

  The first upper limit number of times after the second time may be equal to or greater than the upper limit number of the first special figure hold, or may be equal to or less than the upper limit number of the first special figure hold. In any configuration, since the second special figure hold often exists in the short time gaming state after the second time, the second special figure hold is preferentially digested over the first special figure hold, Contrary to the player's will, the short-time gaming state is suppressed from being terminated.

  The second upper limit number of times in the first short-time gaming state (hereinafter referred to as “first upper limit number of times”) is the second upper limit number of times in the short-time gaming state after the second time (hereinafter referred to as “second upper limit number of times after the second time”). ]) May be the same as or different from each other. When the first upper limit number of times for the first time and the second upper limit number of times after the second time are the same, the maximum number of times of execution of the second special figure determination in the short-time gaming state can always be made the same. When the first second upper limit number and the second upper limit number after the first time are different, the second special figure determination in the first short time gaming state can be treated specially, and the first short time gaming state and 2 It becomes possible to give a change to the game play during the short-time game state after the first time.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the time-saving end condition of the gaming machine 10. In the figure, paying attention to the time-saving end condition when the first special figure judgment results in a time-saving big hit, if in the normal gaming state, the first special figure judgment results in a time-saving big hit, it will rush after the time-short big hit In the short game state (that is, the first short game state), the first upper limit number is set to 7 and the second upper limit number is set to 1. Also, when the first special figure determination results in a time-saving big hit in the time-short gaming state, the first upper limit number of times is 5 in the time-short gaming state (that is, the time-saving gaming state after the second time) that rushes after the time-hit big hit. And the second upper limit number is set to 1. That is, in the gaming machine 10, the first upper limit number in the first short time gaming state is larger than the first upper limit number in the second and subsequent short time gaming state.

  Also, in FIG. 5, when paying attention to the short-term end condition when the first special figure determination results in a small win and when the short win game is changed from the V winning to the short-time game state, the small hit is in the short-time game state, When the short-time game state (that is, the short-time game state after the second time) is entered from the V prize during the small hit game, the first upper limit number is set to 5 times and the second upper limit number is set to 1 time. Has been. The short time end condition is the same as the short time end condition in the time-short gaming state when the first special figure determination results in a jackpot with a time-short. In the gaming machine 10, when a small hit is made in the first special figure determination in the normal gaming state, there is no V winning during the small hitting game, so when the V winning is won from the small hit in the normal gaming state The first upper limit number and the second upper limit number are not set.

  In FIG. 5, paying attention to the time-saving end condition when the second special figure judgment results in a time-saving big hit, if the second special figure judgment results in a time-saving big hit in the time-saving gaming state, it will rush after the time-short big hit In the short game state (that is, the second and subsequent time short game states), the first upper limit number is set to 5 and the second upper limit number is set to 1. The short-time end condition is the same as the short-time end condition in the time-short game state when the first special figure determination results in a jackpot with time-saving.

  On the other hand, in the normal gaming state, when the second special figure determination results in a time-saving big hit, the first upper limit number of times is 5 in the short gaming state (that is, the first short-time gaming state) that enters after the time saving big hit. And the second upper limit number is set to one. The short-time end condition is the same as the short-time end condition in the time-short game state when the second special figure determination is a big hit with a time-short. That is, when the second special figure determination is a big hit with a short time, there is no difference in the short time end condition between the first short time gaming state and the second and subsequent short time gaming states. This is because, in the gaming machine 10, a game ball is often shot into the right region R3 in the short-time gaming state, and when the second special figure determination is executed, there is a possibility that the second special figure hold exists. Due to its high nature.

  Also, in FIG. 5, when paying attention to the short-term end condition when the second special figure determination results in a small win and when the short win game is changed from the V winning to the short-time game state, In both cases, the first upper limit number is set to 5 and the second upper limit number is set to 1 in both cases where a small hit is made in the short-time gaming state. In other words, when the short game state is triggered by the small bonus of the second special figure determination, regardless of whether the short game state is the first short time game state or the second short time game state, The time-saving end condition is the same as the time-saving end condition when the first special figure determination results in a time-saving big hit in the time-saving gaming state, and in the time-saving gaming state, the time reduction when the second special figure determination results in a time-saving big hit. Same as the end condition.

  From FIG. 5, in the gaming machine 10, the short-time end condition is different between the short-time gaming state triggered by the result of the first special figure determination and the short-time gaming state triggered by the result of the second special figure determination. I understand that. Specifically, in the normal gaming state, the time-saving end condition when the first special figure determination results in a timed big hit is a timed big hit or a small hit in the second special figure judgment in the short time gaming state It is different from the time-saving end condition. As a result, in the gaming machine 10, the short-time end condition is different between the first short-time game state and the second and subsequent short-time game states.

  In the gaming machine 10, the first upper limit number and the second upper limit number are stored in the ROM 50C of the main control circuit 50 (see FIG. 3). Further, the number of executions of the first special figure determination and the number of executions of the second special figure determination in the short-time gaming state are counted by the CPU 50A of the main control circuit 50, and each counted number of executions is stored in the RAM 50B. Then, the main control circuit 50 determines whether or not the number of executions of the first special figure determination reaches the first upper limit number or the number of executions of the second special figure determination reaches the second upper limit in the short-time gaming state. When the number of times is reached, the short-time gaming state is terminated. Note that when the short-time gaming state is completed without a big hit, the main control circuit 50 controls the gaming state to the normal gaming state.

[Instructions on the direction of game ball firing in the short-time gaming state]
As described above, in the gaming machine 10, the second special figure determination has a higher probability of winning a small hit than the first special figure determination. Therefore, in the short-time gaming state, the first start prize opening 14AK is displayed. It is easier to win a game when a game ball is entered into the second start winning opening 14BK than when a game ball is entered.

  In addition, as described above, the time-saving end condition in the gaming machine 10 is a big hit (including winning a V in the small hit game), and the number of executions of the special figure determination is a preset upper limit number. Either. Here, in the gaming machine 10, one special figure determination is from the start of the special figure determination until the result of the special figure determination is notified to the player. Then, when the upper limit number of special figure determination is started, the short-time gaming state is not ended, and until the fluctuation of the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R based on the special figure determination ends, the second A state in which a game ball easily enters the start winning opening 14BK continues. And while the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R are fluctuating, the information relating to the special figure determination can be reserved up to the maximum number of reservations. It is possible to receive.

  In view of the circumstances described above, in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, in the short-time gaming state, the right region R3 (see FIG. 2) of the gaming region R1 in order to launch a game ball toward the second start winning opening 14BK. An instruction effect for instructing the player to drive a game ball into (see) is executed.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the instruction effect is performed on the display screen 30G. There are two types of instruction effects: a first instruction effect shown in FIG. 6 (A) and a second instruction effect shown in FIG. 6 (B).

  As shown in FIG. 6A, in the first instruction effect, a first instruction image 61 for instructing the player to drive a game ball toward the right region R3 is displayed on the display screen 30G. Specifically, the first instruction image 61 includes a right-pointing arrow 61A and a “right-handed” character 61B.

  Here, in the gaming machine 10, the special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R are reduced and displayed at the corners of the display screen 30G when the game is in the time-short game state, and the entire display screen 30G has a time-short-medium image peculiar to the time-short game state. 60 is displayed. The first instruction image 61 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the time-shortage image 60 while avoiding the central portion of the display screen 30G. In the example of FIG. 6A, the first instruction image 61 is displayed at the corner of the display screen 30G.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (B), in the second instruction effect, a second instruction image 62 for instructing the player to enter the game ball into the second start winning opening 14BK in the right region R3 is displayed. It is displayed on the screen 30G. Specifically, the second instruction image 62 includes a board surface image 62A representing the front surface of the game board 11, a target portion 62B representing the second start winning opening 14BK in the board surface image 62A, and a second starting prize opening in the board image 62A. A track 62C representing a driving path to 14BK, a circle 63 surrounding the target unit 62B, and an instruction message 64 for instructing the target unit 62B to enter a game ball. The second instruction image 62 is displayed on the entire display screen 30 </ b> G in place of the short / medium image 60.

  In the gaming machine 10, as shown in FIG. 7, when the time-short gaming state is entered, first, the first instruction effect is executed. The second instruction effect is executed in addition to the first instruction effect or in place of the first instruction effect when a preset start condition is satisfied (in the example of FIG. 7, the second instruction effect is the first instruction effect). It is executed in place of the one-instruction production.)

  Specifically, the first instruction effect is executed until the upper limit number of special figure determination is started after entering the short-time gaming state. When the upper limit number of special figure determination is started, the first instruction effect is obtained in advance until the result of the special figure determination is notified, that is, the remaining time until the end of the variation of the special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R. It is executed until the set specified time (for example, 5 seconds) is reached. Then, when the remaining time until the end of the variation of the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R reaches the specified time, the second instruction effect is executed.

  The instruction effect described above is controlled when the sub control circuit 52 (see FIG. 3) of the gaming machine 10 executes the instruction effect control process S30 shown in FIG. The instruction effect control process S30 is performed only when the gaming state is the short-time gaming state, and is performed in a process executed by the sub control circuit 52 every predetermined time (for example, 10 milliseconds).

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the instruction effect control process S30, first, it is determined whether or not the variation related to the special figure determination for the upper limit number of times is started in the short-time gaming state (step S31). When the variation related to the special figure determination for the upper limit number has not been started (No in step S31), the first instruction effect execution process S35 is executed, and the instruction effect control process S30 ends. In the first instruction effect execution process S35, the sub control circuit 52 outputs a control signal for displaying the first instruction image 61 on the display screen 30G to the display control circuit 54. And if 1st instruction | indication effect execution process S35 is performed, the 1st instruction | indication image 61 will be displayed on the time-short medium image 60 (refer FIG.6 and FIG.7).

  If the variation related to the upper limit number of special figure determination has been started (Yes in step S31), it is determined whether or not there is a second special figure hold (step S32). Here, the determination in step S32 may be a determination as to whether or not there is at least one second special figure hold, and whether or not the second special figure hold exists up to the upper limit number of hold (ie, Or whether the second special figure hold is full.

  When the second special figure hold exists (Yes in step S32), the first instruction effect execution process S35 is executed, and the instruction effect control process S30 ends. If the second special figure hold does not exist (No in step S32), whether or not the remaining time until the fluctuation related to the upper-limit number of special figure determination ends is longer than a preset specified time (for example, 5 seconds). Is determined (step S33).

  If the remaining time until the end of the change is longer than the specified time (Yes in step S33), the first instruction effect execution process S35 is executed, and the instruction effect control process S30 ends. On the other hand, when the remaining time until the end of the fluctuation is equal to or shorter than the specified time (No in step S33), the second instruction effect execution process S34 is executed, and the instruction effect control process S30 ends. In the second instruction effect execution process S34, the sub control circuit 52 outputs a control signal for displaying the second instruction image 62 on the display screen 30G to the display control circuit 54. And if 2nd instruction | indication effect execution process S34 is performed, it will replace with the time-short medium image 60, and the 2nd instruction | indication image 62 will be displayed (refer FIG.6 and FIG.7).

  In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the instruction effect instructing the game ball driving in the short-time gaming state is a first instruction effect and a second instruction effect whose instruction content is clearer than the first instruction effect in stages. It is supposed to be executed. Specifically, the instruction effect is for the purpose of causing a game ball to enter the second start prize opening 14BK in the right region R3, and the first instruction effect is a game ball in the right region R3. The second instruction effect is a content for instructing a game ball to enter the second start winning opening 14BK. According to this configuration, it is possible to make the game ball enter the second start winning opening 14BK while clarifying the instruction content and suppressing the disadvantage to the player than when only the first instruction effect is performed. Compared to the case where the instruction is always performed in the short-time gaming state, it is possible to suppress the player from being bothered.

  In addition, in the gaming machine 10, only the first instruction effect is performed until the short-time gaming state ends, that is, until the remaining time until the fluctuation related to the upper-limit number of special figure determination ends is a specified time, The short and medium image 60 is displayed on the entire display screen 30G, and the first instruction image 61 is displayed on the short and medium image 60 so as to overlap the central portion of the display screen 30G. Then, on the condition that the remaining time has reached the specified time, the second instruction effect is executed, and the second instruction image 62 is displayed on the entire display screen 30 </ b> G instead of the time-shortage image 60. According to this configuration, until the remaining time reaches the specified time, it is possible to display the time-shortage image on the display screen 30G and provide the player with the effect of the time-shortage image. Moreover, since the second instruction image 62 is displayed on the entire display screen 30G, the instruction content of the second instruction effect can be easily noticed by the player.

  In addition, in the gaming machine 10, when the remaining time reaches the specified time, when there is no predetermined number of second special figure hold (for example, one or the upper limit number of second special figure hold), the second instruction effect Is executed. In other words, even if the remaining time reaches the specified time, if there is a predetermined number of second special figure reservations, the second instruction effect is not executed. According to this configuration, when there is a predetermined number of second special figure reservations, the excessive execution of the second instruction effect is suppressed, and the short-time / medium-time image 60 remains displayed on the display screen 30G. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the production by the time-short-time image 60 from being interrupted unnecessarily.

[Direction during short-time and big hit games]
In the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the big hit game is likely to be executed in the short-time gaming state. Also, when a big hit is made in the short-time game state, the game state after the end of the big-hit game becomes the short-time game state, so that the big hit is easy to continue. At this time, the big hit game and the short time game are repeated alternately. The gaming machine 10 employs the configuration described below in order to make the player feel as if it is an extension of the big hit game when entering the short-time gaming state.

  First, as shown in FIG. 9, in the gaming machine 10, during the big hit gaming state, the big hit middle image 70 is displayed on the display screen 30G. The big hit image 70 is a moving image and is a unique image displayed only in the big hit gaming state.

  Here, the time (length) of the big hit game varies depending on the skill of the player. In addition, when the big hit game is provided with a plurality of types having different numbers of rounds, the time (length) of the big hit game changes according to the number of rounds. In order to cope with such a change in the time (length) of the big hit game, as shown in FIG. 10, in the gaming machine 10, a basic unit image 71 having a predetermined length is repeatedly displayed as the big hit medium image 70. The Note that the basic unit image 71 is repeatedly displayed, so that it is possible to suppress an enormous amount of data of the big hit middle image 70.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the gaming machine 10, the big hit sound 72 is output from the speaker 25 (see FIG. 1) in the big hit gaming state. The jackpot sound 72 is associated with the jackpot image 70 on a one-to-one basis, and the gaming machine 10 repeatedly outputs the basic unit music 73 corresponding to the basic unit image 71 and the one-to-one correspondence as the jackpot sound 72. In addition, it becomes possible to suppress that the data amount of the big hit medium sound 72 becomes huge by outputting the basic unit music 73 repeatedly.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the time (length) of the basic unit music 73 coincides with the time (length) of the basic unit image 71, and the basic unit music 72 and the basic unit image 71 are simultaneously output from the beginning. Note that the lengths of the basic unit image 71 and the basic unit music 73 do not have to match, and when the basic unit image 71 is output from the beginning, the basic unit music 73 may not be output from the beginning.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the gaming machine 10, the short / medium image 60 is displayed on the display screen 30 </ b> G in the short / short game state. The short-time medium image 60 is a unique image displayed only in the short-time gaming state. The display of the short-time medium image 60 is started when the short-time gaming state is entered, and continues until the short-time gaming state ends. Here, the first special figure determination (that is, the fluctuation of the special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R) in the short-time gaming state is performed for a preset time (for example, 10 seconds). Therefore, the short / medium image 60 is displayed for the duration of the first special figure determination.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the gaming machine 10, in the short-time gaming state, the big hit sound 72 that was output during the big hit game immediately before that is continuously output. The jackpot sound 71 is not interrupted at the timing of switching from the jackpot gaming state to the short-time gaming state. Therefore, for example, when the big hit game ends, if the music as the big hit middle sound 72 has been output halfway, the subsequent part of the music is output at the start of the short-time gaming state.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the display screen 30 </ b> G is configured by overlapping a plurality of layers, and has a first layer 31 and a higher level than the first layer 31, i.e., the front side of the first layer 31 ( And a second layer 32 stacked from the front side. One or a plurality of layers may exist on the front side of the second layer 32, or one or a plurality of layers may exist on the back side (rear side) of the first layer 31, One or a plurality of layers may exist between the first layer 31 and the second layer 32.

  In the gaming machine 10, the big hit image 70 is displayed on the first layer 31, and the short / medium image 60 is displayed on the second layer 32. That is, in the gaming machine 10, the big hit middle image 70 and the short / medium image 60 are displayed in different layers, and the layer displaying the short / medium middle image 60 is on the near side of the layer displaying the big hit middle image 70. Is arranged. Note that the first instruction image 61 and the second instruction image 62 in the instruction effect described above may be displayed on the second layer 32, or when there is a higher layer (front side) than the second layer 32, It may be displayed on the upper layer.

  As shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 14, in the big hit gaming state, the display of the layer before the first layer 31 is turned off, and the big hit being displayed on the first layer 31 is displayed on the display screen 30G. An image 70 is displayed. That is, in the big hit gaming state, the second layer 32 is turned off, and the display of the first layer 31 is visible through the second layer 32.

  As shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, in the short-time gaming state, the display of the second layer 32 is turned on, and the short- and medium-time image 60 displayed on the second layer 32 is displayed on the display screen 30G. Is done. At this time, the big hit medium image 70 is displayed on the first layer 31 continuously from the big hit game state, but the short / medium image 60 of the second layer 32 overlaps with the big hit medium image 70 from the near side. . For this reason, in the short-time gaming state, only the short-time medium image 60 is visible, and the big hit medium image 70 is invisible.

  When the big hit is made in the short-time gaming state and the big hit gaming state is reached again, the second layer 32 is turned off again, and the big hit image 70 is displayed on the display screen 30G. The big hit image 70 at this time starts from a point where the time-short game state has progressed from the big hit middle image 70 displayed at the end of the previous big hit game (see the lower part of FIG. 14).

  As described above, in the gaming machine 10, the second layer 32 that displays the short / medium image 60 is superimposed on the front side of the first layer 31 that displays the big hit mid-image 70, and the second layer 32 is turned on / off. The image displayed on the display screen 30G is switched to either the big hit middle image 70 or the short time middle image 60. The on / off of the display of the second layer 32 is controlled by the sub control circuit 52.

  In the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the big hit sound 72 is output without interruption when the big hit gaming state is shifted to the short-time gaming state, so that it is possible to suppress a decrease in interest of the production due to the interruption of the sound. Here, the short-time gaming state continues for at least the variation time of the symbol variation related to the first special symbol determination, and the big hit sound 72 is output during this symbol variation, so that the short-time gaming state is a big hit. It is possible to give the player a feeling as if the game state has been extended.

  Further, in the gaming machine 10, when the big hit game state continues with the short-time game state in between, the sound 72 during the big hit game state is continuously output from the first big hit game state without being interrupted. It is possible to give the player a feeling that the game continues without interruption. Moreover, in the gaming machine 10, the big hit game image 70 displayed when the short hit game state is shifted to the big hit game state is equivalent to the time of the short hit game state from the big hit medium image 70 displayed in the previous big hit game state. Since the skipped image is obtained, it is possible to give the player an impression as if the big hit gaming state continued even during the transition to the short-time gaming state.

  Further, in the gaming machine 10, since the big hit middle image 70 and the big hit middle sound 72 are associated one-to-one, the unity of the big hit middle image 70 and the big hit middle sound 72 is increased, so that the big hit gaming state is changed to the short-time gaming state. Since the sound 72 during the big hit continues to flow when the transition is made, it is easy to give the player the impression that the big hit gaming state continues even during the short-time gaming state.

[Technical feature group extracted from the above embodiment]
Hereinafter, features extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configuration in the above embodiment is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses.

<Feature A group>
The following feature group A relates to a gaming machine having “a plurality of entry areas”, and the gaming machine of “Patent Document A (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-083402 (paragraphs [0255] to [0257], FIG. 2)) In a normal state, a game ball is inserted into the first starting port to aim at a big hit, and in a short time state, a gaming ball is inserted into the second starting port to aim at a big hit. For example, in the gaming machine of Patent Document A, for example, when a game ball enters only the first start port when the game machine shifts from the normal state to the short-time game, the short-time state is terminated against the player's will. There was a risk of incurring a disadvantage to the player. ”

[Feature A1]
A first entry area (first start prize opening 14AK) in which a game ball can enter and a second entry area (second start prize opening 14BK) different from the first entry area;
First winning / failing determining means (main control circuit 50) for executing a first winning / failing determination (first special figure determination) due to the entry of a game ball into the first landing area;
Second win / fail judgment means (main control circuit 50) for executing a second win / no-go judgment (second special figure judgment) due to the game ball entering the second ball entering area;
Based on the result of the first win / no-go determination or the second win / no-go determination, the game state is a normal state (normal game state), and it is easier for the game ball to enter the second entrance area than the normal state. A special state (short-time gaming state), and a gaming state control means (main control circuit 50) for controlling
Counting means (main control circuit 50) for counting the number of executions of the first success / failure determination and the second success / failure determination;
The gaming state control means is configured to control the gaming state from the special state to the normal state when the number of times counted by the counting means in the special state reaches an upper limit number of times,
The upper limit number of times in the special state based on the result of the first success / failure determination (the short time upper limit number of times of the first short time gaming state) is the upper limit number of times in the special state based on the result of the second success / failure determination (second and subsequent times). A gaming machine (gaming machine 10) that is different from the number of times in the short-time gaming state.

  In the structure shown in this feature, the special condition end condition is different between the special state based on the entry into the first entry area and the special state based on the entry into the second entry area. Contrary to the intention of the player, the special state is suppressed from being terminated, and the disadvantage to the player is suppressed.

[Feature A2]
The counting means includes a first counting means (main control circuit 50) for counting the number of executions of the first success / failure determination, and a second counting means (main control circuit 50) for counting the number of executions of the second success / failure determination. Consists of
The gaming state control means is configured such that the number of times counted by the first counting means in the special state reaches a first upper limit number or the number of times counted by the second counting means reaches a second upper limit number. The gaming machine according to Feature A1, wherein the gaming state is configured to control the gaming state from the special state to the normal state.

  According to the configuration shown in this feature, the number of executions of the first success / failure determination and the number of executions of the second success / failure determination are separately counted, and the special state is terminated when any number reaches a predetermined upper limit number. Therefore, the special state ends when the sum of the number of executions of the first success / failure determination and the number of executions of the second success / failure determination becomes the smaller one of the first upper limit number and the second upper limit number. Compared to the case, the special state is suppressed from being terminated with a small number of balls entering any of the ball entering areas against the player's will.

[Feature A3]
The second upper limit number is set to the same number regardless of whether the special game is based on the result of the first success / failure determination or the result of the second success / failure determination,
The first upper limit number of times is the first upper limit number of times in the special state based on the result of the first success / failure determination (the first first upper limit number of times) is the first upper limit number of times in the special state based on the result of the second success / failure determination. The gaming machine according to Feature A2, which is set to be greater than one upper limit number (first upper limit number after the second).

  In the configuration shown in this feature, when the normal state is controlled to the special state, the number of executions of the first success / failure determination is difficult to reach the first upper limit number. As a result, when the normal state is controlled to the special state, the special state is suppressed from being terminated without executing the second win / fail determination.

[Feature A4]
A first hold means (main control circuit 50) capable of storing up to a first hold number (holding upper limit number of hold of the first special figure hold) as information on the first success / failure determination;
Second hold means (main control circuit 50) capable of storing up to a second hold number (holding upper limit number of hold of the second special figure hold) as information on the second success / failure determination;
The holding information of the second holding means is configured to be used with higher priority than the holding information of the first holding means,
The gaming machine according to Feature A2 or A3, wherein the first upper limit number is set to be greater than the second upper limit number.

  According to the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to suppress the special state from being terminated without executing the second win / fail determination.

[Feature A5]
The gaming machine according to Feature A4, wherein the first upper limit number of times in the special game based on the result of the first success / failure determination is set to be equal to or greater than the first reserved number.

  According to the configuration shown in this feature, even when the number of the hold information of the first hold means is the first hold number when controlled from the normal state to the special state, the hold information for the first hold number Only the game is used and the special game is prevented from ending.

[Feature A6]
The second entrance area is arranged at a position where a game ball that has passed through a predetermined path (upper communication path 24) can enter, while the first entrance area has game balls that do not pass through the predetermined path. The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A5, which is arranged at a position where a ball can be entered.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, a game ball directed to the second entrance area is prevented from entering the first entrance area, and a game ball directed to the first entrance area is prevented from entering the second entrance area. Entering the ball area is suppressed.

[Feature A7]
A first entry area (first start prize opening 14AK) in which a game ball can enter and a second entry area (second start prize opening 14BK) different from the first entry area;
On the condition that a game ball enters the first entrance area or the second entrance area, the game state is changed to a normal state (normal game state) in which entry into the second entrance area is difficult. Game state control means (main control circuit 50) for controlling to a special state (time-short game state) that makes it easier to enter the second entry area than the normal state,
The gaming state control means is configured to control the gaming state from the special state to the normal state when an end condition (short-time end condition) is established in the special state.
A gaming machine (game machine) in which the termination condition of the special state based on the entry to the first entry area is different from the termination condition of the special state based on the entry to the second entry area 10).

  In the configuration shown in this feature, the special condition end condition is different between the special game based on the entrance to the first entrance area and the special game based on the entrance to the second entrance area. Contrary to the intention of the player, the special state is suppressed from being terminated, and the disadvantage to the player is suppressed.

  Note that the configuration shown in the features A1 to A6 may be combined with the configuration shown in the features A7.

  The following embodiment may be included in the feature A group.

  (A1) In the above embodiment, the second upper limit number is the same as the holding upper limit number of the second special figure determination, but may be different. If the second upper limit number is the same as the pending upper limit number of the second special figure determination, even if the short-time gaming state is ended, the same condition as the short-time gaming state is obtained due to the second special figure determination pending. It is possible to receive an extra set of the second special figure determination.

  (A2) In the gaming machine 10 of the above embodiment, a big hit game is executed as a one-type big hit when a big hit is obtained in the special figure determination, and a big hit game is executed as a two-type big hit when winning V in the small hit game The so-called ST machine in which the winning probability of special figure determination is higher than that in the normal gaming state when the time-short gaming state is entered.

  (A3) The value of the winning probability per small match the value obtained by dividing 1 by the total number (2 times) of the second upper limit number and the holding upper limit number of the second special figure determination, but they are different. Also good. In addition, the value of the winning probability per small is larger than the value obtained by dividing 1 by the total number (2 times) of the second upper limit count and the second upper limit figure hold upper limit, and the second upper limit figure hold upper limit. It is preferably smaller than the value obtained by dividing 1 by a number.

  (A4) In the above embodiment, the second upper limit number (one time) is equal to or less than the holding upper limit number (four) of the first special figure determination. Good.

  (A5) In the above embodiment, the first upper limit number of times is set to be greater than the upper limit number of the first special figure determination, but if the first upper limit number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the first special figure determination is suspended. It may be less than the upper limit. The predetermined number related to the first upper limit number is a relationship between the time of the symbol variation related to the first special figure determination and the average required time from when the game ball is launched until it enters the second start winning opening 14BK. It may be determined by. With such a configuration, it is possible to allow a game ball to enter the second start winning opening 14BK before the number of executions of the first special figure determination reaches the first upper limit number, and the second special figure determination is performed. The situation where the short-time gaming state ends without being executed is avoided.

<Feature B group>
The following feature group B relates to a gaming machine that can “execute an instruction effect instructing the launch of a game” and “Patent Document B1 (Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-083402 (paragraphs [0255] to [0259], FIG. 10)). In this gaming machine, an image instructing that a game ball is driven into an area where the specific entrance is placed is displayed during the short-time game when it is easy to enter the specific entrance. “In the gaming machine of Patent Document A1, since the content of the instruction is vague, the player may not notice that he / she wants to enter a specific entrance. If a specific instruction is always given during a short-time game, this time, there is a possibility that the player may be bothered. ”

[Feature B1]
Special game execution means (main control circuit 50) for executing a special game (short time game state) advantageous to the player until a predetermined end condition (short time end condition) is satisfied;
In a gaming machine (gaming machine 10) comprising instruction effect execution means (sub control circuit 52) capable of executing an instruction effect instructing the launch of a game ball during execution of the special game,
The instruction effect includes a first instruction effect and a second instruction effect whose instruction content is clearer than the first instruction effect.
The instruction effect executing means is a gaming machine configured to be able to execute the first instruction effect and the second instruction effect in stages.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, since the first instruction effect instructing the launch of the game and the second instruction effect in which the instruction content is clearer than the first instruction effect are executed in stages, the player is bothered. It becomes possible to suppress giving a disadvantage to a player, suppressing giving.

[Feature B2]
The instruction effect execution means until the remaining time until the special game ends (the time until the symbol variation related to the upper-limit number of special symbol determination ends in the short-time gaming state) reaches a predetermined time. The gaming machine according to Feature B1, configured not to perform the second instruction effect.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, since the second instruction effect is not performed until the remaining time until the special game is finished reaches the specified time, it is possible to suppress annoying the player.

[Feature B3]
The gaming machine according to Feature B2, wherein the instruction effect execution means executes only the first instruction effect until the remaining time reaches the specified time after the special game is started.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to suppress the disadvantage to the player due to the first instruction effect until the remaining time until the special game is finished becomes the specified time.

[Feature B4]
The gaming machine according to feature B2 or B3, wherein the instruction effect execution means executes the second instruction effect on condition that the remaining time has reached the specified time.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to secure the time for launching the game ball for a specified time in accordance with the instruction of the second instruction effect.

[Feature B5]
It has a ball entry device (second start winning opening 14BK) that allows a game ball that has passed through a predetermined route (upper communication route 24) to enter,
The first instruction effect is an instruction to launch a game ball toward the predetermined route,
The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B4, wherein the second instruction effect instructs the ball entry device to enter a game ball.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to prompt the player to enter the entrance device by the first instruction effect and the second instruction effect.

[Feature B6]
Holding means (main control circuit 50) that can hold information based on the entry to the entry device (information relating to special figure determination) up to a preset upper limit number of holds,
The instruction effect executing means executes the second instruction effect when there is no hold of the holding means when the remaining time reaches the specified time, and the instruction effect executing means is described in the feature B5 subordinate to the feature B4. Game machines.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, since the second instruction effect is performed when the hold is zero, it is possible to suppress the execution of the extra second instruction effect and to suppress annoying the player.

[Feature B7]
Holding means (main control circuit 50) that can hold information based on the entry to the entry device (information relating to special figure determination) up to a preset upper limit number of holds,
The instruction effect executing means executes the second instruction effect when the number of reservations of the holding means has not reached the upper limit number of reservations until the remaining time reaches the specified time. A gaming machine according to B5.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, since the second instruction effect is performed when the on-hold is not full, it is possible to suppress the execution of the extra second instruction effect and suppress annoying the player.

[Feature B8]
A display unit (display screen 30G);
Effect image display means (sub control circuit 52) for displaying an effect image (short-time medium image 60) on the display unit;
The instruction effect execution means, when executing the first instruction effect, displays the instruction content (first instruction image 61) on the effect display image on the display unit and executes the second instruction effect. The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B7, wherein when displaying, the instruction content (second instruction image 62) is displayed instead of the effect image.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to make the player easily notice the instruction content of the second instruction effect.

[Feature B9]
Special game execution means (main control circuit 50) for executing a special game (short time game state) advantageous to the player until a predetermined end condition (short time end condition) is satisfied;
In a gaming machine (gaming machine 10) comprising instruction effect execution means (sub control circuit 52) capable of executing an instruction effect instructing the launch of a game ball during execution of the special game,
The instruction effect includes a first instruction effect and a second instruction effect whose instruction content is clearer than the first instruction effect.
The instruction effect execution means executes the first instruction effect until the remaining time until the special game ends reaches a predetermined time set in advance, and the remaining time reaches the specified time. A gaming machine configured to be able to execute two-instruction effects.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, since the first instruction effect instructing the launch of the game and the second instruction effect in which the instruction content is clearer than the first instruction effect are executed in stages, the player is bothered. It becomes possible to suppress giving a disadvantage to a player, suppressing giving.

  Note that the configuration shown in the features B1 to B8 may be combined with the configuration shown in the features B9.

  The feature B group may include the following embodiments.

  (B1) In the above-described embodiment, the second instruction image 62 is configured to be displayed instead of the time-shortage image 60, but may be configured to be displayed superimposed on the time-shortage image 60. Even in such a configuration, when the second instruction image 62 is displayed at the center of the display screen 30G or displayed so as to overlap most of the time-shortage image 60, the second instruction effect is displayed. It becomes possible to make the player aware of the instruction content.

  (B2) In the above embodiment, the second instruction image 62 is configured to specify the place where the game ball is entered using the board image 62A. For example, “Aim at the right start chucker!” Or “Right The configuration may be specified using a message such as “Aim for through!”.

  (B3) In the above embodiment, in the short-time gaming state, the second start winning opening 14BK or its periphery is illuminated by the light emitting member provided in the start winning device 14B, and the second instruction image 62 is played on the light emitting portion. The instruction may be to inject a ball.

  (B4) In the above embodiment, the second instruction image 62 is a content that prompts the player to enter the second start winning opening 14BK. However, in order to make the second start winning opening 14BK ready for entering. The content may prompt the passage of the start gate 18 which is the previous stage of entering the second start winning opening 14BK.

  (B5) In the above embodiment, one type of first instruction effect and one type of second instruction effect are provided, but two or more types of first instruction effects or second instruction effects may be provided. Specifically, as the second instruction effect, there is provided an effect instructing the passage of the start gate 18 and an effect instructing the entry to the second start winning opening 14BK, and these are executed step by step. (For example, an effect of instructing the passage of the start gate 18 is executed, and if the passage of the start gate 18 is confirmed, an effect of instructing a ball entering the second start winning opening 14BK may be executed).

  (B6) In the above embodiment, the upper limit number of second special figure determination is the same as the second upper limit number in the short-time gaming state, but is not limited to this, and is less than the second upper limit number. It may be greater than the second upper limit number.

  (B7) In the above embodiment, a plurality of patterns may be provided as the specified time related to the execution condition of the second instruction effect. In this case, the pattern of the prescribed time may be determined in accordance with the number of suspensions of special figure determination at the start of fluctuation related to the special figure determination for the upper limit number of times.

  (B8) In the above embodiment, the second upper limit number is the same as the holding upper limit number of the second special figure determination, but may be different. If the second upper limit number is the same as the pending upper limit number of the second special figure determination, even if the short-time gaming state is ended, the same condition as the short-time gaming state is obtained due to the second special figure determination pending. It is possible to receive an extra set of the second special figure determination.

  (B9) Although the gaming machine 10 of the above-described embodiment is a so-called one-type two-type mixing machine, it may be an ST machine. In the type 1 and type 2 mixing machine, special figure determination is performed based on a winning at the start opening, and if the big hit is made in the special figure determination, a big hit game is executed as a type 1 big hit. A small hit game is executed when a small hit is made in the special figure determination based on a winning at the start opening, and a big hit game is executed as a two-type big hit when a game ball passes to a specific area (V zone) during this small hit game Is done. On the other hand, the ST machine is shifted to a high probability state in which the big hit probability is higher than that in the normal gaming state in response to the big hit of the special figure determination. The high probability state of the ST machine ends when the special figure determination is executed a specified number of times or a big hit, as in the short time gaming state of the above embodiment.

<Feature C group>
The following feature group C relates to gaming machines: “In the gaming machine of Patent Document C1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-252401 (paragraphs [0013] to [0014]), when the big hit gaming state is entered, it is output during the big hit gaming. Regarding the background technology that “the music can be selected”, in the gaming machine of Patent Document C, when the big hit game state or the short-time game state is entered, the music that has been output until then is interrupted, and the entertainment interest is reduced. It was made with the task of “Yes.”

[Feature C1]
Effect control means (sub-control) for causing the display unit (display screen 30G) to display an effect image (short-time medium image 60, big hit medium image 70) and to output a sound (big hit medium sound 72) to the sound output unit (speaker 25). In a gaming machine (game machine 10) having a circuit 52),
As the gaming state, there are provided a first gaming state (big hit gaming state) and a second gaming state (time-short gaming state) that transitions after the first gaming state,
The production control means includes
A game configured to cause the sound output unit to continuously output the sound output in the first gaming state without being interrupted when transitioning from the first gaming state to the second gaming state. Machine.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, when the transition is made from the first gaming state to the second gaming state, the sound is not interrupted, so that the effect of the effect due to the sound interruption is suppressed. Note that examples of “sound” include music, voice, and combinations thereof.

[Feature C2]
The first gaming state is configured to be continuous with the second gaming state interposed therebetween,
When the first gaming state continues across the second gaming state, the effect control means continuously outputs the sound output unit without interrupting the sound output in the second gaming state. The gaming machine according to Feature C1, configured to cause

  In the configuration shown in this feature, when the first game state continues with the second game state in between, the sound is continuously output without interruption from the first first game state. It is possible to give a player a feeling that the state continues without interruption.

[Feature C3]
The display unit is provided with a first layer (first layer 31) and a second layer (second layer 32) that is a layer higher than the first layer,
The production control means includes
In both the first gaming state and the second gaming state, the first effect image (big hit image 70) is continuously displayed on the first layer,
While in the first gaming state, the first effect image can be visually recognized without displaying the effect image on the second layer, while in the second gaming state, the first effect image and The gaming machine according to Feature C2, configured to display different second effect images (short and medium images 60) on the second layer to make the first effect image invisible or difficult to view.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, the first effect image displayed when the transition from the second gaming state to the first gaming state is the first effect image displayed before the transition to the second gaming state. Since the image is skipped for the time corresponding to the two gaming states, it is possible to give the player the impression that the first gaming state has continued even while the game has shifted to the second gaming state.

[Feature C4]
The game according to Feature C3, wherein the effect control means causes the sound output unit to output a first sound (a big hit sound) associated with the first effect image in a one-to-one relationship in the first game state. Machine.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, the unity of the first effect image and the first sound is increased, and the first sound continues to flow when the first gaming state shifts to the second gaming state. It is easy to give the player an impression as if the first gaming state continues even during the gaming state.

  Here, if the production control means is configured to repeatedly output the first production image and the first sound, it is possible to suppress the data volume of the first production image and the first sound from becoming enormous. The repetition cycle of the first effect image and the repetition cycle of the first sound may be the same or different. According to the former, by synchronizing the first effect image and the first sound, it becomes possible to further improve the unity of both.

[Feature C5]
The gaming machine according to any one of features C1 to C4, wherein the second gaming state is configured to continue for a preset minimum gaming time.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, the music that has been output in the first gaming state even after entering the second gaming state is output for the minimum gaming time, so is the second gaming state an extension of the first gaming state? It is possible to give such an impression to the player.

[Feature C6]
Special game execution means (main control circuit 50) for setting a game state to the first game state and executing a special game (big hit game) advantageous to the player when a predetermined special game execution condition is satisfied Prepared,
The gaming machine according to any one of features C1 to C5, wherein in the second gaming state, the special game execution condition is more easily satisfied than in a normal gaming state (normal gaming state).

  In the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to give the player a feeling that the special game continues and to give the player a sense of excitement.

[Feature C7]
In a gaming machine (game machine 10) having presentation control means (sub control circuit 52) for outputting sound to the sound output unit (speaker 25),
As a gaming state, a normal gaming state, a special gaming state in which a special game is executed (a big hit gaming state), a transition after the end of the special game, and a next transition destination is the normal gaming state or the special gaming state. And an intermediate gaming state (short-time gaming state),
The effect control means is configured to keep the sound output unit outputting a preset sound (big hit sound 72) during the state transition between the special game state and the intermediate game state. , Gaming machines.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, the sound is not interrupted during the state transition between the special game state and the intermediate game state, so that a decrease in interest of the effect due to the sound break is suppressed. Moreover, when the special game state continues with the intermediate game state interposed therebetween, it is possible to give the player an impression as if the special game state has continued during the transition to the intermediate game state.

  Note that the configuration shown in the features C1 to C6 may be combined with the configuration shown in the features C7. At that time, if the “first game state” of the features C1 to C6 is set as the “special game state” of the feature C7, the “second game state” of the features C1 to C6 is set as the “intermediate game state” of the feature C7. Good.

  The feature C group may include the following embodiments.

  (C1) In the above embodiment, music is shown as an example of the jackpot sound 72, but it may be voice such as narration or dialogue, or a combination of music and voice.

  (C2) In the above embodiment, the first layer 31 may be configured to be visible through the second layer 32 when in the short-time gaming state. Specifically, the display of the second layer 32 may be made translucent so that the big hit middle image 70 displayed on the first layer 31 can be seen through, or displayed on the second layer 32. Alternatively, a transparent or semi-transparent portion of the short-medium image 60 may be provided, and the big hit image of the first layer 31 may be visible through the transparent or semi-transparent portion. In any case, the medium-short image 60 displayed on the second layer 32 makes it difficult to visually recognize the big hit image 70 of the first layer 31.

  (C3) In the above embodiment, the jackpot image 70 and the jackpot sound 72 may not be associated one-to-one. For example, the jackpot sound 72 is selected by the player at any timing during the jackpot game. It may be configured to be possible. In this case, the big hit sound 72 is reproduced from the beginning at the timing of the selection.

  (C4) In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of patterns are prepared for the big hit medium image 70. For example, the pattern of the big hit medium image 70 may be changed stepwise according to the number of consecutive big hits. In this case, when changing from the short-time gaming state to the big hit gaming state, the pattern of the big hit middle image 70 displayed in the previous big hit gaming state is taken over, so that the player feels that the big hit gaming state continues. It is possible to give the player a sense of exaltation.

  (C5) In the above-described embodiment, the jackpot winning probability in the second special figure determination may be higher than the jackpot winning probability in the first special figure determination without providing the small hit.

  (C6) The form included in the feature C7 includes a configuration in which the jackpot sound 72 is continuously output in the short-time gaming state without providing a plurality of layers on the display screen 30G. In this configuration, the medium-short image 62 and the big hit image 70 are displayed on one layer. At this time, the big hit game 70 may be displayed from the beginning every time in the big hit game when the big hit game is in the short-time game state, or the big hit image 70 is internally reproduced even in the short-time game state. The big hit image 72 may be displayed from the time when the time of the short-time gaming state is skipped from the end of the previous big hit game.

  (C7) Although the gaming machine 10 of the above embodiment is a so-called type 1 / type 2 mixing machine, it may be a probability change machine or an ST machine. Even if it is a probability changing machine or an ST machine, the output of the big hit gaming image 70 and the big hit middle sound 72 may be continued while the big hit continues (continuous change) without shifting to the normal gaming state. In the type 1 and type 2 mixing machine, special figure determination is performed based on a winning at the start opening, and if the big hit is made in the special figure determination, a big hit game is executed as a type 1 big hit. A small hit game is executed when a small hit is made in the special figure determination based on a winning at the start opening, and a big hit game is executed as a two-type big hit when a game ball passes to a specific area (V zone) during this small hit game Is done. In addition, in the probability changing machine, the big hit probability is higher than the normal gaming state in response to the big hit of the special figure determination. The high probability state continues until the next jackpot game is executed. In the ST machine, as in the case of the probabilistic machine, a transition to a high probability state is triggered by a big hit. The high probability state of the ST machine ends when the special figure determination is executed a predetermined number of times or a big hit.

  In addition, from the above embodiment, the following feature C ′ group can be extracted separately from the above-described feature C group.

[Feature C′1]
In a gaming machine (gaming machine 10) having presentation control means (sub control circuit 52) for displaying a presentation image on the display unit (display screen 30G),
As the gaming state, a first gaming state (big hit gaming state) and a second gaming state (short-time gaming state) that transitions after the first gaming state are provided, and the first gaming state is the first gaming state. It is configured to be continuous with 2 game states in between,
The display unit is provided with a first layer (first layer 31) and a second layer (second layer 32) that is a layer higher than the first layer,
The production control means includes
In both the first gaming state and the second gaming state, the first effect image (big hit image 70) is continuously displayed on the first layer,
While in the first gaming state, the first effect image can be visually recognized without displaying the effect image on the second layer, while in the second gaming state, the first effect image and A gaming machine configured to display different second effect images (short and medium images 60) on the second layer so that the first effect image is invisible or difficult to view.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, when the second game state is resumed with the second game state in between, the second effect image displayed in the previous first game state is second from the first effect image displayed. Since the effect image skipped for the gaming state time is displayed, it is possible to give the player an impression as if the first gaming state continued while transitioning to the second gaming state. .

[Feature C'2]
In a gaming machine (gaming machine 10) having presentation control means (sub control circuit 52) for displaying a presentation image on the display unit (display screen 30G),
As the gaming state, a normal gaming state, a special gaming state in which a special game (big hit game) is executed (a big hit gaming state), a transition is made after the special game is finished, and the next transition destination is the normal gaming state and the special gaming state. An intermediate gaming state (short-time gaming state) that is one of the gaming states,
The display unit is provided with a first layer (first layer 31) and a second layer (second layer 32) that is a layer higher than the first layer,
The effect control means continues to display the first effect image (big hit image 70) on the first layer during the state transition between the special game state and the intermediate game state,
While in the special gaming state, the first effect image can be viewed without displaying the effect image on the second layer, while in the intermediate gaming state, it is different from the first effect image. A gaming machine configured to display a second effect image (short-time medium image 60) on the second layer so that the first effect image is invisible or difficult to view.

  In the configuration shown in this feature, when the special gaming state is resumed with the intermediate gaming state in between, the first effect image displayed in the previous special gaming state is skipped for the intermediate gaming state. Since the effect image is displayed, it is possible to give an impression to the player as if the special game state continued while transitioning to the intermediate game state.

  According to such a feature C ′ group, it is possible to visually give a player an impression as if a specific gaming state is continuing, so that the following problems can be solved.

  Regarding the background technology of “Patent Document C ′” (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-043950 (paragraph [0306])), a big hit opening image is displayed when the big hit game is started. In the C2 gaming machine, even if the big hit is a big hit in the probability change game after the big hit game or the short-time game and the big hit is continuously changed, the big hit opening image is displayed as in the first big hit game. It may be difficult to give a player a sense that the game is low and the jackpots are continuous. "

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game machine 11 Game board 14AK 1st start winning opening 14BK 2nd starting winning opening 25 Speaker 30G Display screen 50 Main control circuit 52 Sub control circuit 60 Time-short image 61 First instruction image 62 Second instruction image 70 Big hit image 72 Big hit sound

Claims (6)

A first entrance area where game balls can enter and a second entrance area different from the first entrance area;
First winning / failing determining means for executing a first winning / failing determination due to a game ball entering the first ball entering area;
Second win / fail judgment means for executing a second win / no-go judgment due to a game ball entering the second ball entering area;
Based on the result of the first success / failure determination or the second success / failure determination, the game state is a normal state, and a special state in which the game ball can easily enter the second entrance area than the normal state, Game state control means for controlling
Counting means for counting the number of executions of the first success / failure determination and the second success / failure determination;
The gaming state control means is configured to control the gaming state from the special state to the normal state when the number of times counted by the counting means in the special state reaches an upper limit number of times,
The gaming machine, wherein the upper limit number in the special state based on the result of the first success / failure determination is different from the upper limit number of times in the special state based on the result of the second success / failure determination. The counting means includes a first counting means for counting the number of executions of the first success / failure determination, and a second counting means for counting the number of executions of the second success / failure determination,
The gaming state control means is configured such that the number of times counted by the first counting means in the special state reaches a first upper limit number or the number of times counted by the second counting means reaches a second upper limit number. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured to control the gaming state from the special state to the normal state. The second upper limit number is set to the same number regardless of whether the special game is based on the result of the first success / failure determination or the result of the second success / failure determination,
The first upper limit number is such that the first upper limit number in the special game based on the result of the first success / failure determination is greater than the first upper limit number in the special game based on the result of the second determination result. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein A first holding means capable of storing up to a first holding number as information on the first success / failure determination as holding information;
Second hold means capable of storing up to a second hold number as hold information with respect to the second success / failure determination,
The holding information of the second holding means is configured to be used with higher priority than the holding information of the first holding means,
The gaming machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first upper limit number is set to be larger than the second upper limit number.   The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the first upper limit number in the special game based on the result of the first success / failure determination is set to be equal to or greater than the first hold number.   The second entrance area is disposed at a position where a game ball that has passed through a predetermined path can enter, while the first entrance area is disposed at a position where a game ball that does not pass through the predetermined path can enter. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gaming machine is arranged.