JP7466220B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) in which a game is played by shooting a game ball into a game area formed on a game board.

There is known a gaming machine that has a first start hole and a second start hole, and when a gaming ball enters the first start hole or the second start hole, a special symbol is displayed in a variable manner. In such a gaming machine, when the special symbol is displayed as a jackpot symbol, a jackpot game that is advantageous to the player is executed.

Among the gaming machines capable of playing the jackpot game described above, there are gaming machines that can be set to an electric support state in which the frequency of balls entering the second starting hole increases after the jackpot game ends (Patent Document 1).

JP 2019-170421 A

However, gaming machines that allow you to set the electric support state have become widely known among players in recent years, but there has been a problem in that it is difficult to say that they are sufficiently increasing interest in gaming.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can set the electric support state and can increase the interest in gaming.

In order to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, the gaming machine of the present invention adopts the following configuration.
a special pattern variation means capable of executing a first variation which is a variation display of a first special pattern based on a game ball entering a first starting hole, and a second variation which is a variation display of a second special pattern based on a game ball entering a second starting hole, as special pattern variations which are variation display of a special pattern;
A small win game execution means for executing a small win game when a small win pattern is stopped and displayed in the second variation;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game in which a round game is performed multiple times so that a jackpot opening is in a ball-entering state when a game ball passes through a specific area triggered by the execution of at least the small jackpot game, and
A normal pattern variation means capable of executing a normal pattern variation which is a variation display of a normal pattern;
A normal winning game execution means for executing a normal winning game in which the second starting hole is in a ball entry possible state when a normal winning pattern is stopped and displayed by the normal pattern variation;
A game state setting means capable of setting a non-electric support state and an electric support state as a game state;
Equipped with
When the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the electric support state, the possibility that the normal winning pattern will be stopped and displayed is higher than when the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the non-electric support state,
The second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-entry-enabled state for a longer period of time in the second regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular winning symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set, than in the first regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set,
The electric support state is ended at the timing when the first fluctuation, which is the first second fluctuation, starts after the electric support state is set,
During the second normal winning game, it is possible to execute a performance that suggests that the round game is being executed.
It is characterized by:

In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention is
a special pattern variation means capable of executing a first variation which is a variation display of a first special pattern based on a game ball entering a first starting hole, and a second variation which is a variation display of a second special pattern based on a game ball entering a second starting hole, as special pattern variations which are variation display of a special pattern;
A small win game execution means for executing a small win game when a small win pattern is stopped and displayed in the second variation;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game in which a round game is performed multiple times so that a jackpot opening is in a ball-entering state when a game ball passes through a specific area triggered by the execution of at least the small jackpot game, and
A normal pattern variation means capable of executing a normal pattern variation which is a variation display of a normal pattern;
A normal winning game execution means for executing a normal winning game in which the second starting hole is in a ball entry possible state when a normal winning pattern is stopped and displayed by the normal pattern variation;
A game state setting means capable of setting a non-electric support state and an electric support state as a game state;
Equipped with
When the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the electric support state, the possibility that the normal winning pattern will be stopped and displayed is higher than when the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the non-electric support state,
The second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-entry-enabled state for a longer period of time in the second regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular winning symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set, than in the first regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set,
The electric support state is ended at the timing when the first fluctuation, which is the first second fluctuation, starts after the electric support state is set,
When the second normal winning game is started, a performance suggesting that the big winning game has started can be executed.
This may also be the case.

In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention is
a special pattern variation means capable of executing a first variation which is a variation display of a first special pattern based on a game ball entering a first starting hole, and a second variation which is a variation display of a second special pattern based on a game ball entering a second starting hole, as special pattern variations which are variation display of a special pattern;
A small win game execution means for executing a small win game when a small win pattern is stopped and displayed in the second variation;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game in which a round game is performed multiple times so that a jackpot opening is in a ball-entering state when a game ball passes through a specific area triggered by the execution of at least the small jackpot game, and
A normal pattern variation means capable of executing a normal pattern variation which is a variation display of a normal pattern;
A normal winning game execution means for executing a normal winning game in which the second starting hole is in a ball entry possible state when a normal winning pattern is stopped and displayed by the normal pattern variation;
A game state setting means capable of setting a non-electric support state and an electric support state as a game state;
Equipped with
When the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the electric support state, the possibility that the normal map winning pattern will be stopped and displayed is higher than when the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the non-electric support state,
The second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-entry-enabled state for a longer period of time in the second regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular winning symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set, than in the first regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set,
The electric support state is ended at the timing when the first fluctuation, which is the first second fluctuation, starts after the electric support state is set,
In the case where the jackpot game is played based on the game ball entering the second starting hole during the execution of the second normal jackpot game,
During the execution of the jackpot game, the number of game balls to be newly paid out is added to the number of game balls to be paid out when the game ball enters the second starting hole during the execution of the second regular winning game, and the result is displayed.
This may also be the case.

In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention is
a special pattern variation means capable of executing a first variation which is a variation display of a first special pattern based on a game ball entering a first starting hole, and a second variation which is a variation display of a second special pattern based on a game ball entering a second starting hole, as special pattern variations which are variation display of a special pattern;
A small win game execution means for executing a small win game when a small win pattern is stopped and displayed in the second variation;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game in which a round game is performed multiple times so that a jackpot opening is in a ball-entering state when a game ball passes through a specific area triggered by the execution of at least the small jackpot game, and
A normal pattern variation means capable of executing a normal pattern variation which is a variation display of a normal pattern;
A normal winning game execution means for executing a normal winning game in which the second starting hole is in a ball entry possible state when a normal winning pattern is stopped and displayed by the normal pattern variation;
A game state setting means capable of setting a non-electric support state and an electric support state as a game state;
Equipped with
When the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the electric support state, the possibility that the normal map winning pattern will be stopped and displayed is higher than when the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the non-electric support state,
The second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-entry-enabled state for a longer period of time in the second regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular winning symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set, than in the first regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set,
The electric support state is ended at the timing when the first fluctuation, which is the first second fluctuation, starts after the electric support state is set,
As the second regular winning game, a second regular winning game A and a second regular winning game B can be executed,
When the second regular winning game A is started and when the second regular winning game B is started, it is possible to execute a performance suggesting that different types of winning games have started.
This may also be the case.

According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the interest in gaming in gaming machines that allow the electric support state to be set.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the surface configuration of the game board 20 of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a segment display unit 50 of the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the types per type 1 and type 2 of this embodiment. An explanatory diagram illustrating the display contents of the performance display device 41 of this embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing the progress of the game when hitting from the left in this embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing the progress of the game when hitting from the right in this embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a game control process executed by a CPU 201 of a main control board 200 in this embodiment. An explanatory diagram conceptually showing the variation pattern selection table of this embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing the types of variation pattern selection tables in this embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing the performance control processing executed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 in this embodiment. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing processing corresponding to a received command by a CPU 221 of a sub-control board 220 in this embodiment. FIG. An explanatory diagram showing the "expected probability of a jackpot" suggested by the reach effect of this embodiment. This is an explanatory diagram showing the "first regular winning game" and the "second regular winning game" in this embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the "second regular winning game" and the big winning game in this embodiment. This is an explanatory diagram showing the problems that arise when the execution timing of the "second regular winning game" and the big winning game in this embodiment overlap. An explanatory diagram showing the presentation related to the jackpot game in this embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing an example (part 1) of the end timing of the electric support state and the output timing of the jackpot signal in this embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing an example (part 2) of the end timing of the electric support state and the output timing of the jackpot signal in this embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing an example (part 3) of the end timing of the electric support state and the output timing of the jackpot signal in this embodiment.

In order to clarify the above-mentioned contents of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the right side when facing the front of the pachinko machine will be referred to as "right" and the left side will be referred to as "left."

The following examples will be described in the following order.
A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration of the front side of the device:
A-2. Game board configuration:
A-3. Control circuit configuration:
B. Game Contents:
C. Game Control Processing:
D. Production Control Processing:
E. Reach Production:
F. Types of normal winning games:
G. Effects related to big win games:
H. Timing of end of electric support state:
H-1. Part 1:
H-2. Part 2:
H-3. Part 3:

A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration of the front side of the device:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a front frame 4 is provided on the front part of the pachinko machine 1. A window 4a is formed in the approximate center of the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 4b made of synthetic resin is fitted into this window 4a. A player can view the game area of a game board 20 (see FIG. 2) arranged at the back side through the window 4a (transparent plate 4b). In addition, a small window 4c is formed at the lower right of the window 4a in the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 4d such as a synthetic resin plate is fitted into this small window 4c. A player can view a segment display section 50 (see FIG. 2) of the game board 20 arranged at the back side through the small window 4c (transparent plate 4d). As will be described in detail later, the segment display section 50 is a display section that displays information related to a game by a combination of multiple LEDs.

An upper lamp 5a is provided above the window 4a in the front frame 4, a right side lamp 5b is provided on the right side of the periphery of the window 4a, and a left side lamp 5c is provided on the left side of the periphery of the window 4a. Upper speakers 6a are provided on the left and right upper sides of the window 4a, and a lower speaker 6b is provided below the front frame 4 (the front panel of the main frame, described below). The upper lamp 5a, right side lamp 5b, left side lamp 5c, upper speaker 6a, and lower speaker 6b are driven to enhance the presentation effects of the game.

An upper tray section 7 is provided below the window section 4a in the front frame 4. The upper tray section 7 stores game balls that are loaned out via a card unit 60 provided in correspondence with the pachinko machine 1, and game balls that are paid out from the pachinko machine 1. In addition, a lower tray section 8 is provided below the upper tray section 7, and stores game balls that are loaned out in excess of the capacity of the upper tray section 7, and game balls that are paid out in excess of the capacity of the upper tray section 7.

A launch handle 9 is provided to the right of the lower tray 8 on the front frame 4. The rotation axis of the launch handle 9 is connected to a launch unit mounted on the rear side of the launch handle 9, and game balls stored in the upper tray 7 are supplied to this launch unit. When the player rotates the launch handle 9, the rotation is transmitted to the launch unit, which rotates the launch motor built into the launch unit, and game balls are launched with strength according to the angle of rotation, one every 0.6 seconds (100 balls per minute).

Additionally, a performance button 10a that can be pressed by the player is provided on the edge of the upper tray 7, and a jog shuttle 10b that can be pushed or rotated by the player is provided to the left of the lower tray 8. Although not shown in the figure, a directional button 10c is provided on the edge of the upper tray 7 to the left of the performance button 10a. The directional button 10c is made up of four buttons (up button, down button, left button, right button) that correspond to the up, down, left and right directions. These performance button 10a, jog shuttle 10b, and directional button 10c are all performance operation units that are operated by the player, and when operated by the player when a specified condition is met, a specified game performance is performed.

Although not shown, a middle frame and a main frame are provided on the rear side of the front frame 4, and one end (the left side in FIG. 1) of the front frame 4 is rotatably supported relative to the middle frame, and one end (the left side in FIG. 1) of the middle frame is rotatably supported relative to the main frame. The main frame is a roughly rectangular frame assembled from wooden plate-like members, and the pachinko machine 1 is installed in the game hall by attaching this main frame to the island equipment. A game board 20 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame, and when the front frame 4 is rotated (opened) toward the front of the pachinko machine 1 relative to the middle frame, the game board 20 is exposed.

A-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the surface configuration of the game board 20. As described above, the game board 20 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 21 is formed in the center of the game board 20. The game balls launched from the launcher unit 261 (see FIG. 3) are released into the game area 21 through the gap between the outer rail 22 and the inner rail 23, and flow down from the top to the bottom of the game area 21. The game area 21 is visible to the player through the window portion 4a of the front frame 4, so naturally, the game balls flowing down the game area 21 are also visible to the player through the window portion 4a.

A central device 40 is provided in approximately the center of the play area 21, and a performance display device 41 is provided approximately in the center of the central device 40. The performance display device 41 is composed of a liquid crystal display, and various images for performances can be displayed on its display screen. The detailed display contents of the performance display device 41 will be described later.

Below the central device 40 (performance display device 41) in the game area 21, there is a first starting hole 24, which is a starting hole whose opening size does not change (is constant) and through which game balls can always enter. Game balls that enter the first starting hole 24 are guided to the back side of the game board 20 through a passage provided inside. A first starting hole sensor 24s (see Figure 3) is provided in the internal passage of the first starting hole 24, and is capable of detecting game balls that enter the first starting hole 24.

In addition, a left normal symbol operation gate 71 through which the game ball can pass is provided at the lower left of the central device 40 (performance display device 41) in the game area 21, and a left gate sensor 71s (see FIG. 3) that detects the passage of the game ball is provided inside the left normal symbol operation gate 71. In addition, a right normal symbol operation gate 72 through which the game ball can pass is provided at the lower right of the central device 40 (performance display device 41) in the game area 21, and a right gate sensor 72s (see FIG. 3) that detects the passage of the game ball is provided inside the right normal symbol operation gate 72. Since the left normal symbol operation gate 71 and the right normal symbol operation gate 72 have the same function, in this specification, they are also collectively referred to as "normal symbol operation gates 71, 72" when they are not particularly distinguished. In addition, since the left gate sensor 71s and the right gate sensor 72s have the same function, in this specification, they are also collectively referred to as "gate sensors 71s, 72s" when they are not particularly distinguished.

In addition, below the right normal pattern activation gate 72, a second start port 25 is provided, which is an entry port (start port) where the possibility of game balls entering the port changes. That is, the second start port 25 has an opening and closing door 26 (hatched part in the figure) that can rotate in the front and rear directions of the pachinko machine 1, and can be changed between a closed state (ball entry disabled state) in which the opening and closing door 26 is approximately upright and game balls cannot enter the port, and an open state (ball entry enabled state) in which the opening and closing door 26 rotates to the front side of the pachinko machine 1 and game balls can enter the port. In FIG. 2, the second start port 25 is shown in an open state. The game ball that enters the second start port 25 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through a passage provided inside. A second start port sensor 25s (see FIG. 3) is provided in the internal passage of the second start port 25, and can detect the game ball that enters the second start port 25.

In addition, below the first starting hole 24 in the game area 21, a large, approximately rectangular opening is provided as a large opening for a large prize winning hole 28 (variable ball entry hole). The large prize winning hole 28 has an opening door 29 (hatched portion in the figure) that can be rotated in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 1, and can be changed between a closed state (ball entry not possible state) in which the opening door 29 is approximately upright and game balls cannot enter, and an open state (ball entry possible state) in which the opening door 29 is rotated to the front side of the pachinko machine 1 and game balls can enter. In FIG. 2, the large prize winning hole 28 is shown in an open state. Game balls that enter the large prize winning hole 28 are guided to the back side of the game board 20 through a passage provided inside. A large prize winning hole sensor 28s (see FIG. 3) is provided in the passage inside the large prize winning hole 28, and game balls that enter the large prize winning hole 28 can be detected.

In addition, below the second starting hole 25 in the game area 21 (the lower right corner of the game area 21), a protrusion 33 is provided that protrudes forward (toward the player) from the game board 20 surface. The upper surface of the protrusion 33 is inclined downward from the right side to the left side, forming a rolling surface 34 on which the game ball can roll from the right side to the left side (toward the center of the pachinko machine 1). A small winning hole 35 (variable ball entry hole) is provided in the middle of this rolling surface 34 (the middle part of the rolling direction of the game ball). This small winning hole 35 has an opening and closing door 36 (hatched part in the figure) that can slide (move) in the front and rear directions of the pachinko machine 1, and can be changed between a closed state in which the opening and closing door 36 slides (moves) forward to prevent the game ball from entering, and an open state in which the opening and closing door 36 slides (moves) backward to allow the game ball to enter. Naturally, the game ball rolling on the rolling surface 34 will enter the small prize opening 35 when the small prize opening 35 is open, and will pass above the small prize opening 35 (opening and closing door 36) without entering the small prize opening 35 when the small prize opening 35 is closed.

The game ball that enters the small winning opening 35 is guided to the specific opening 38 (so-called "V", the dashed line part in the figure) through a passage 37 (dashed line part in the figure) provided inside the protruding body 33. At least a part of the front wall of the protruding body 33 is formed from a transparent plate (has light transmission), and the player can see through the front wall of the protruding body 33 how the game ball that entered the small winning opening 35 is guided to the specific opening 38. A small winning opening sensor 35s (see Figure 3) is provided inside the small winning opening 35, and can detect the game ball that entered the small winning opening 35. In addition, a specific opening sensor 38s (see Figure 3) is provided inside the specific opening 38, and can detect the game ball that entered the specific opening 38.

In addition, around each of the above-mentioned gaming devices, there are provided other ball entry ports 30 through which the gaming balls can enter, as well as a windmill-shaped wheel 31 and numerous obstacle nails (not shown) that affect the flow path of the gaming balls. In addition, an outlet 32 is provided at the bottom of the gaming area 21, and gaming balls that do not enter any of the above-mentioned first start port 24, second start port 25, big prize port 28, small prize port 35, or other ball entry ports 30 are discharged from the outlet 32 to the back side of the gaming board 20.

The above-mentioned left normal symbol activation gate 71 and first start port 24 can be entered by game balls flowing down the area to the left of the central device 40 (performance display device 41). In contrast, the right normal symbol activation gate 72, second start port 25, large prize entry port 28, and small prize entry port 35 can be entered by (or passed through by) game balls flowing down the area to the right of the central device 40 (performance display device 41). In the following, firing a game ball so that it flows down the area to the left of the central device 40 (performance display device 41) is also referred to as "left hit," and firing a game ball so that it flows down the area to the right of the central device 40 (performance display device 41) is also referred to as "right hit." In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when a game ball enters the first start hole 24, three game balls are paid out to the player, when a game ball enters the second start hole 25, four game balls are paid out to the player, and when a game ball enters the other ball entry hole 30, five game balls are paid out to the player. Also, when a game ball enters the big prize hole 28, ten game balls are paid out to the player, and when a game ball enters the small prize hole 35, three game balls are paid out.

A segment display unit 50 is provided at the lower right of the play area 21 on the game board 20, which displays information related to the game using a combination of LEDs. The segment display unit 50 is visible to the player through a small window 4c (see Figure 1) provided in the front frame 4. The display content of the segment display unit 50 will be described in detail later.

A-3. Control circuit configuration:
Next, the configuration of the control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the pachinko machine 1 is composed of many control boards, various boards, relay terminal boards, etc. In detail, it is composed of a main control board 200 that controls the basic progress of the game, a sub-control board 220 that controls the performance of the game, an image and sound control board 230 that controls the display of images and the output of sounds under the control of the sub-control board 220, a lamp control board 226 that controls the light emission of lamps under the control of the sub-control board 220, a payout control board 240 that controls the lending and payout of game balls, and a launch control board 260 that controls the launch of game balls. These control boards are configured by connecting various peripheral LSIs together via a bus, such as a CPU (CPUs 201, 221, 231, etc. in FIG. 3) that performs various logical operations and calculation operations, a ROM (ROMs 202, 222, 232, etc. in FIG. 3) that stores various programs and data to be executed by the CPU, a RAM (203, 223, 233, etc. in FIG. 3) in which the CPU stores temporary data when executing a program, and input/output circuits.

The main control board 200 is connected to a first start gate sensor 24s that detects a game ball that has entered the first start gate 24, a second start gate sensor 25s that detects a game ball that has entered the second start gate 25, a large prize gate sensor 28s that detects a game ball that has entered the large prize gate 28, a left gate sensor 71s that detects a game ball that has passed through the left normal pattern activation gate 71, a right gate sensor 72s that detects a game ball that has passed through the right normal pattern activation gate 72, a small prize gate sensor 35s that detects a game ball that has entered the small prize gate 35, and a specific gate sensor 38s that detects a game ball that has entered the specific gate 38. When a detection signal of a game ball is input from these sensors, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 transmits a command corresponding to the sensor that received the detection signal to the sub-control board 220, the payout control board 240, the launch control board 260, etc.

The main control board 200 is also connected to a second start port solenoid 26m for opening and closing the opening door 26 provided in the second start port 25 (to open and close the second start port 25), a large prize port solenoid 29m for opening and closing the opening door 29 provided in the large prize port 28 (to open and close the large prize port 28), a small prize port solenoid 35m for opening and closing the opening door 36 provided in the small prize port 35 (to open and close the small prize port 35), a segment display unit 50, and the like. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 controls these operations by transmitting drive signals to the second start port solenoid 26m, the large prize port solenoid 29m, the small prize port solenoid 35m, and the segment display unit 50.

The sub-control board 220 is connected to the image/sound control board 230, the lamp control board 226, and the performance operation board 228. When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives various commands from the main control board 200, it analyzes the contents of the commands and performs a performance according to the contents. That is, it performs a performance by sending commands specifying the output image and output sound to the image/sound control board 230, and sending commands specifying the light emission patterns of the upper lamp 5a, the right side lamp 5b, and the left side lamp 5c (hereinafter also referred to as "various lamps 5a to 5c") to the lamp control board 226. In addition, when the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 detects the player's operation of the performance button 10a, the jog shuttle 10b, or the direction button 10c via the performance operation board 228, it performs a performance corresponding to the operation.

The image and sound control board 230 includes a VDP 234, an image ROM 235, and an audio ROM 236 in addition to a CPU 231, a ROM 232, and a RAM 233. When the CPU 231 of the image and sound control board 230 receives a command from the sub-control board 220, it instructs the VDP 234 to display an image corresponding to the command. The VDP 234 reads image data (e.g., sprite data or video data) used to display the instructed image from the image ROM 235, generates an image, and outputs it to the display screen of the performance display device 41. When the CPU 231 of the image and sound control board 230 receives a command from the sub-control board 220, it reads audio data corresponding to the command from the audio ROM 236. Then, audio based on the audio data is output from the upper speaker 6a and the lower speaker 6b (hereinafter also referred to as "various speakers 6a, 6b") via the amplifier board 224.

The payout control board 240 is connected to a ball lending button 241 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided on the upper tray 7, a card unit 242 arranged in parallel with the pachinko machine 1, a payout motor 243, and the like. When the ball lending button 241 is operated, this signal is transmitted to the card unit 242 via the payout control board 240. The card unit 242 drives the payout motor 243 to lend game balls while communicating data with the payout control board 240. Also, when a payout command instructing the payout of game balls is received from the main control board 200, it drives the payout motor 243 to pay out game balls.

The payout control board 240 is also connected to a launch control board 260, which is connected to a launch device unit 261 having a launch motor 262 for launching game balls and a touch switch 263 for detecting that the player is touching the launch handle 9. When the launch control board 260 detects via the touch switch 263 that the player is touching the launch handle 9, it drives the launch motor 262 to launch game balls with a strength that corresponds to the rotation angle of the launch handle 9.

B. Game Contents:
In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the game proceeds as follows. When the launch handle 9 is rotated with game balls stored in the upper tray 7, the stored game balls are supplied one by one to the launch unit 261 and launched into the game area 21 described above with reference to FIG. 2. The strength with which the game balls are launched corresponds to the rotation angle of the launch handle 9, so the player can make the game balls flow down to the desired area by changing the rotation angle of the launch handle 9. For example, the game balls can be launched so that they flow down the area to the left of the central device 40 (performance display device 41) (left shot), or the game balls can be launched so that they flow down the area to the right of the central device 40 (performance display device 41) (right shot).

Here, as will be described in detail later, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the game state is set to a non-electric support state or an electric support state. Of these, the non-electric support state is a state in which it is nearly impossible to get the game ball to enter the second starting hole 25, and the electric support state is a state in which it is possible to get the game ball to enter the second starting hole 25. Therefore, in the non-electric support state, the player can hit to the left (aiming to get the ball to enter the first starting hole 24), and in the electric support state, the player can hit to the right (aiming to get the ball to enter the second starting hole 25). The non-electric support state and the electric support state will be described in detail later.

The segment display unit 50 is provided with an electric support display unit 58 that indicates that the above-mentioned electric support state is in progress. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the electric support display unit 58 has three LEDs arranged therein, and during the electric support state, the three LEDs are lit to indicate that the electric support state is in progress. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a right-hit display unit 59 that indicates that a right hit is to be performed. During the electric support state, the frequency with which game balls enter the second starting hole 25 is high, and the second starting hole 25 can receive game balls hit from the right, so that it is beneficial for the player to perform a right hit during the electric support state. Therefore, during the electric support state, the two LEDs arranged in the right hit display unit 59 are lit to encourage the player to perform a right hit.

<Special pattern change display>
As described above with reference to FIG. 2, a game ball hit from the left (mainly during a non-electric support state) can enter the first start hole 24. When a game ball hit from the left enters the first start hole 24 and is detected by the first start hole sensor 24s, a predetermined judgment random number (such as a jackpot judgment random number described later) is obtained, and a jackpot judgment is made based on the judgment random number to determine whether the jackpot is a "jackpot" or a "miss". After making such a jackpot judgment, the first special symbol is displayed in a variable manner and then stopped based on the result of the jackpot judgment.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, a game ball hit from the right can enter the second starting hole 25. When a game ball hit from the right enters the second starting hole 25 and is detected by the second starting hole sensor 25s, a predetermined judgment random number (such as a jackpot judgment random number described below) is obtained, and a jackpot judgment is made to determine whether the result is a "jackpot" or a "small jackpot" based on the judgment random number. In other words, this jackpot judgment will never result in a "miss" but may instead result in a "small jackpot". Once such a jackpot judgment is made, the second special pattern is displayed in a variable manner and then stopped based on the result of the jackpot judgment.

In this specification, the "first special design" is also referred to as the "first special design" and the "second special design" is also referred to as the "second special design." In addition, when there is no particular distinction between the "first special design" and the "second special design," they are collectively referred to as the "special design."

Here, the first special chart and the second special chart will be explained. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the segment display section 50. As described above, the segment display section 50 is provided at the lower right of the play area 21 on the play board 20 (see FIG. 2), and the player can see the segment display section 50 through the small window section 4c of the front frame 4 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display section 50 is provided with a first special chart display section 51 that displays the first special chart and a second special chart display section 52 that displays the second special chart, and nine LEDs are arranged in each of these display sections. The first special chart and the second special chart are displayed in a variable manner by switching which of the nine LEDs is lit in each display section, and are displayed stationary by turning on a specific LED among the nine LEDs.

In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, 200 types of "jackpot symbols (jackpot symbols 101-300)" and one type of "miss symbol (miss symbol 401)" can be displayed as the first special symbols. In addition, 200 types of "jackpot symbols (jackpot symbols 501-700)" and 100 types of "minor win symbols (minor win symbols 701-800)" can be displayed as the second special symbols. These types of symbols can be identified by the different combinations of lit LEDs.

If the result of the jackpot determination based on the game ball entering the first starting hole 24 (also referred to as the "jackpot determination for the first special chart" in this specification) is a "jackpot," the first special chart will be displayed as one of the "jackpot patterns 101-300," and if it is a "miss," the first special chart will be displayed as the "miss pattern 401." Note that in the "jackpot determination for the first special chart," a "jackpot" is determined with a probability of approximately 1 in 300.

In addition, if the result of the jackpot determination based on the game ball entering the second starting hole 25 (also referred to as the "jackpot determination for the second special chart" in this specification) is a "jackpot," the second special chart will be displayed as one of the "jackpot patterns 501-700," and if the result is a "small jackpot," the second special chart will be displayed as one of the "small jackpot patterns 701-800." Note that even with the "jackpot determination for the second special chart," there is a probability of about 1 in 300 that the game is determined to be a "jackpot," and a probability of about 299 in 300 that the game is determined to be a "small jackpot."

When the special pattern (first or second special pattern) is displayed as either a big win pattern, a small win pattern, or a miss pattern, the pattern is displayed in a static state until a predetermined time has elapsed in order to finalize the pattern (hereinafter also referred to as "confirmed display"). In the following, the game from when the special pattern starts to change and is displayed as a fixed pattern, that is, the game until the result of one changing display is obtained, is also referred to as "pattern changing game".

＜Jackpot Game＞
In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, a jackpot game can be executed in which the jackpot opening 28 is opened and multiple rounds of play are played. When a game ball enters the jackpot opening 28, many game balls are paid out (10 game balls are paid out each time one game ball enters), so the jackpot game is advantageous to the player. As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the jackpot opening 28 can be entered by a game ball hit from the right, so naturally, it is beneficial for the player to hit from the right during the jackpot game. Therefore, during the jackpot game, the player is encouraged to hit from the right by turning on two LEDs arranged in the right hit display unit 59 of the segment display unit 50, as in the electric support state. In this embodiment, as such a jackpot game, a "one-type hit" and a "two-type hit" can be executed, which have different start triggers.

<Per type>
A type 1 win is started when the first or second special symbol is stopped and displayed with any of the jackpot symbols (when the result of the jackpot judgment for the first or second special symbol is "jackpot"). As for this type 1 win, multiple types with different "number of rounds" and "game state after jackpot play" can be executed according to the "type of jackpot symbol stopped and displayed".

That is, as shown in FIG. 5(a), when the first special chart is stopped and displayed with "jackpot pattern 101-200" (50% probability when the first special chart is stopped and displayed with the jackpot pattern), "six rounds of play are played, and the game state after the jackpot game ends is in the electric support state (also referred to as "6R electric support type per" in this specification)" is played. Also, when the first special chart is stopped and displayed with "jackpot pattern 201-300" (50% probability when the first special chart is stopped and displayed with the jackpot pattern), "six rounds of play are played, and the game state after the jackpot game ends is in the non-electric support state (also referred to as "6R non-electric support type per" in this specification)" is played.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5(b), if the second special chart is stopped and displayed with "jackpot pattern 501-660" (80% probability when the second special chart is stopped and displayed with a jackpot pattern), "10 rounds of play are played, and the game state after the jackpot game ends is in the electric support state (also referred to as "10R electric support type per" in this specification)" is performed. Also, if the second special chart is stopped and displayed with "jackpot pattern 661-700" (20% probability when the second special chart is stopped and displayed with a jackpot pattern), "10 rounds of play are played, and the game state after the jackpot game ends is in the non-electric support state (also referred to as "10R non-electric support type per" in this specification)" is performed.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, a type 1 hit with a greater number of rounds of play is performed when the second special chart is stopped and displayed as a jackpot pattern than when the first special chart is stopped and displayed as a jackpot pattern. Also, the electric support state is set with a higher probability after a type 1 hit is completed when the second special chart is stopped and displayed as a jackpot pattern than when the first special chart is stopped and displayed as a jackpot pattern. From these facts, it can be said that it is more advantageous for the player to perform a variable display of the second special chart (jackpot judgment for the second special chart) than when a variable display of the first special chart (jackpot judgment for the first special chart) is performed.

<2 types per item>
The above has been described regarding the one-type win. In contrast, the two-type win is started when the game ball enters the specific hole 38 (see FIG. 2). In detail, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when the second special symbol is stopped and displayed with any small win symbol (when the result of the big win judgment for the second special symbol is "small win"), a small win game is played in which the small winning hole 35 (see FIG. 2) is opened. Then, when the game ball enters the small winning hole 35 during this small win game and enters the specific hole 38, the two-type win is started. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when the small win game is played, if the right hit is performed, the game ball enters the small winning hole 35 with almost 100% probability. Therefore, when the small win game is played, the two-type win is played with almost 100% probability.

As for the two-kind win, multiple types can be executed with different "number of rounds" and "game state after the big win game ends" depending on the "type of small win pattern stopped and displayed." That is, as shown in FIG. 5(c), when the second special pattern is stopped and displayed with "small win pattern 701-780" (when the second special pattern is stopped and displayed with a small win pattern and a two-kind win is started, there is an 80% probability), "10 rounds are played and a two-kind win in which the game state after the big win game ends is an electric support state (also referred to as "10R electric support two-kind win" in this specification)" is executed. In addition, if the second special chart stops and displays the "small win pattern 781-800" (if the second special chart stops and displays the small win pattern and a two-type win is initiated, there is a 20% chance), "10 rounds of play will be played, and after the big win game ends, a two-type win will occur in which the game state is in a non-electric support state (also referred to in this specification as a "10R non-electric support two-type win").

As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when the variable display of the second special symbol is performed, a double win may occur. From this, it can be said that it is more advantageous for the player to have the variable display of the second special symbol (jackpot determination for the second special symbol) performed than to have the variable display of the first special symbol (jackpot determination for the first special symbol).

In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, one round of play ends when 10 game balls enter the slot (10 counts) or when 30 seconds have elapsed (the large prize opening 28 is closed), so in most cases 100 game balls (10 counts x 10 payouts) are paid out in one round of play. Naturally, therefore, more game balls will be paid out to the player in a jackpot game with a greater number of rounds than in a jackpot game with a smaller number of rounds. This allows the player to look forward to a jackpot game with a greater number of rounds.

In addition, while the jackpot game described above is being played, the round display section 55 of the segment display section 50 displays the number of rounds of the jackpot game being played. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, three LEDs are arranged on the round display section 55, and of the three LEDs, the left and center LEDs are lit to indicate that a jackpot game with six rounds is being played, and the right and center LEDs are lit to indicate that a jackpot game with ten rounds is being played.

<Special design reserved>
When the game ball enters the first starting hole 24, as described above, the "jackpot determination for the first special chart" and the change display of the first special chart are performed, but these jackpot determinations and change displays are not performed immediately after the game ball enters the first starting hole 24, but rather the acquired judgment random number is temporarily stored as the first special chart reservation. Then, when a predetermined condition is met, the jackpot determination and the change display of the first special chart are performed based on the stored first special chart reservation. Such first special chart reservations are stored with an upper limit of four. The number of first special chart reservations stored (number of first special chart reservations) is displayed on the first special chart reservation display section 53 of the segment display section 50. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, two LEDs are arranged in the first special chart reserved display unit 53, and in this first special chart reserved display unit 53, turning off both of the two LEDs indicates that the number of first special charts reserved is 0, turning on one LED indicates that the number of first special charts reserved is 1, turning on two LEDs indicates that the number of first special charts reserved is 2, flashing one LED indicates that the number of first special charts reserved is 3, and flashing two LEDs indicates that the number of first special charts reserved is 4.

In contrast, when the game ball enters the second starting hole 25, various judgment random numbers (for example, as a second special chart reservation) are not obtained (so-called reservation 0). In other words, only when it is a period during which a "jackpot judgment for the second special chart" or a variable display of the second special chart is possible, if the game ball enters the second starting hole 25, various judgment random numbers (second special chart judgment random numbers) are obtained and a "jackpot judgment for the second special chart" or a variable display of the second special chart is performed.

In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, while any special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner, while any special symbol is being displayed in a fixed manner, during a jackpot game, or during a small jackpot game, even if the first special symbol reservation is stored, a "jackpot determination for the first special symbol" or a variable display for the first special symbol is not performed. Also, while any special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner, while any special symbol is being displayed in a fixed manner, during a jackpot game, or during a small jackpot game, even if the game ball enters the second starting hole 25, a "jackpot determination for the second special symbol" or a variable display for the second special symbol is not performed.

<Normal symbol variation display, normal symbol winning play>
As described above with reference to FIG. 2, a game ball hit from the left can pass through the left normal symbol operation gate 71, and a game ball hit from the right can pass through the right normal symbol operation gate 72. When a game ball passes through either the left normal symbol operation gate 71 or the right normal symbol operation gate 72 (normal symbol operation gates 71, 72) and is detected by either the left gate sensor 71s or the right gate sensor 72s (gate sensors 71s, 72s), a predetermined judgment random number (a normal symbol hit judgment random number described later) is obtained, and a normal symbol hit judgment is made to determine whether the game ball is a "normal symbol hit" or a "miss" based on the judgment random number. In other words, a normal symbol hit judgment may be made whether the game ball is hit from the left or the right.

Then, based on the result of this normal winning judgment, the normal pattern is displayed in a variable manner and then stopped. As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a normal pattern display unit 56 that displays normal patterns, and two LEDs are arranged in the normal pattern display unit 56. The normal pattern is displayed in a variable manner by switching which of the two LEDs is turned on in the normal pattern display unit 56, and is stopped by turning on a predetermined LED of the two LEDs. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, three types of patterns can be displayed as normal patterns: a normal winning pattern 1100 in which the left LED of the two LEDs is turned on, a normal winning pattern 1101 in which the right LED is turned on, and a normal losing pattern 1102 in which the left and right (two) LEDs are turned on. If the result of the normal winning judgment is a normal winning, the normal symbol is displayed as either the normal winning symbol 1100 or 1101, and if the result of the normal winning judgment is a normal missing, the normal symbol is displayed as the normal missing symbol 1102. When the normal symbol is displayed as a normal winning symbol or a normal missing symbol in this way, a display (confirmation display) is performed that maintains the state in which the symbol is displayed as stopped until a predetermined time has elapsed in order to confirm the displayed symbol. Then, if the normal symbol is displayed as a normal winning symbol, a normal winning game is performed in which the second starting hole 25 is opened and then closed.

In addition, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the first regular winning game and the second regular winning game can be executed as regular winning games, but these regular winning games will be explained in detail later.

<Display contents of the performance display device 41>
The processing for performing the above-mentioned game is mainly performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, in accordance with the above-mentioned game, a performance is performed in which various images are displayed on the performance display device 41. The processing for performing such a performance is mainly performed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220.

For example, the performance display device 41 performs a performance (hereinafter also referred to as "pattern change performance") in accordance with the variable display (pattern change game) of the first or second special symbol. That is, in synchronization with the start timing of the variable display (pattern change game) of the special symbol (first or second special symbol), the performance display device 41 simultaneously starts the variable display of the three decorative symbols 41a, 41b, 41c. After that, the variable display of the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, 41c is performed in various modes until the variable time of the special symbol has elapsed. Then, in synchronization with the end timing of the variable display of the special symbol (stop display of the special symbol), the variable display of the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, 41c ends. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to display (designed) symbols showing numbers (for example, "1" to "9") as the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, 41c.

Figure 6(a) conceptually shows three decorative patterns 41a, 41b, 41c changing and being displayed all at once. After the changing display starts and a predetermined time has elapsed, normally the left decorative pattern 41a will first be displayed as a pattern showing a number, then the right decorative pattern 41c will be displayed as a stopped pattern, and finally the middle decorative pattern 41b will be displayed as a stopped pattern. The combination of the three decorative patterns displayed on the performance display device 41 is configured to correspond to the special patterns (first special pattern or second special pattern) displayed as stopped patterns on the first special pattern display unit 51 or second special pattern display unit 52 described above.

In detail, when the first or second special chart is stopped and displayed as a big win pattern, the three decorative patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c of the performance display device 41 are stopped and displayed as a pattern combination (also called "double numbers" in this specification) in which the three decorative patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c show the same number. Also, when the second special chart is stopped and displayed as a small win pattern, the three decorative patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c are stopped and displayed as "double numbers". In other words, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when the first or second special chart is stopped and displayed as a big win pattern, a single type win is performed, but when the second special chart is stopped and displayed as a small win pattern, a double type win is performed (through a small win game) with a probability of approximately 100%. And since these are the same from the perspective of playing a jackpot game, whether the first or second special chart is stopped and displayed as a jackpot pattern, or the second special chart is stopped and displayed as a small jackpot pattern, the three decorative patterns are displayed as "double numbers."

In contrast, when the first or second special symbol is displayed as a miss pattern, the three decorative symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are displayed as a combination of symbols that are not the same (also referred to as "varied patterns" in this specification). The decorative symbols that are displayed as stopped are displayed as stopped symbols (confirmed display) until the fixed display time for the special symbol has elapsed.

In this way, the special symbols displayed on the first special symbol display unit 51 or the second special symbol display unit 52 and the three decorative symbols displayed on the performance display unit 41 correspond to each other in terms of display content, and when the special symbol being displayed in a variable manner is stopped, the three decorative symbols are also stopped and displayed. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the performance display unit 41 is located in a more conspicuous position than the first special symbol display unit 51 or the second special symbol display unit 52 (segment display unit 50), has a large display screen, and the display content is easy to understand, so that players usually play while viewing the screen of the performance display unit 41.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 6(b), if the left decorative pattern 41a, which is displayed first on the display screen of the effect display device 41, and the right decorative pattern 41c, which is displayed next, are displayed in a manner that could result in a "doublet," the player will be watching the decorative pattern change display (pattern change effect) with the expectation that the last decorative pattern to be displayed will be a "doublet."

In this way, the effect in which two decorative patterns (all but one of multiple decorative patterns) are displayed in a stopped state in a manner that could result in a "double number" and the final decorative pattern is displayed in a variable manner is called a "reach effect", and the generation of this reach effect can increase interest in the game. The variable display of the decorative patterns can also be considered as "decorative pattern variation", and the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 which displays the variable display of the decorative patterns can also be considered as "decorative pattern variation means".

A first reserved display area 41d is set at the bottom of the display screen of the performance display device 41 to show the number of reserved first special charts. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of reserved first special charts (the upper limit is four) is shown by displaying the same number of "reserved patterns (small circular patterns in the figure)" as the number of reserved first special charts in the first reserved display area 41d. In the example shown in Figure 6, it is shown that the number of reserved first special charts is four.

Of course, the number of reserved first special symbols indicated by the reserved symbols displayed on the display screen of the performance display device 41 matches the number of reserved symbols indicated in the reserved first special symbol display section 53 of the segment display section 50.

<Main game progression>
In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the game progresses mainly in the following manner. Figures 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams showing the main game progress modes of this embodiment. In particular, Figure 7 shows the main game progress mode when a left hit is performed, and Figure 8 shows the main game progress mode when a right hit is performed. Note that left hits are mainly performed in a non-electric support state, and right hits are mainly performed in an electric support state.

As shown in FIG. 7, when a game ball enters the first starting hole 24 by hitting from the left (ev.1), a "jackpot determination for the first special chart" is made and the first special chart is displayed in a variable manner (ev.2). The "jackpot determination for the first special chart" determines a "jackpot" with a probability of about 1 in 300, so in most cases the first special chart is displayed as a stop symbol. While the first special chart is repeatedly displayed in this manner, if the "jackpot determination for the first special chart" determines a "jackpot", the first special chart is displayed as a stop symbol (ev.3) and a type 1 hit is performed (ev.4).

When this single type is completed, as described above with reference to FIG. 5(a), there is an approximately 50% probability that the non-electric support state will be set (ev. 5), and there is an approximately 50% probability that the electric support state will be set (ev. 6).

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 8, when a game ball enters the second starting hole 25 (ev. 11), a "jackpot determination for the second special chart" is performed and the second special chart is displayed (ev. 12). Note that a game ball cannot enter the second starting hole 25 unless the machine is in an electric support state.

In the "jackpot judgment for the second special chart", as in the "jackpot judgment for the first special chart", a "jackpot" is judged with a probability of about 1 in 300. If a "jackpot" is judged, the second special chart is displayed with a jackpot pattern (ev. 13), and a type 1 win is performed (ev. 14).

When this single type is completed, as described above with reference to FIG. 5(b), there is a probability of about 20% that the non-electric support state will be set (ev. 15), and there is a probability of about 80% that the electric support state will be set (ev. 16).

In addition, in the "Big Win Judgment for the Second Special Chart", a "Small Win" is judged with a probability of about 299 out of 300. If a "Small Win" is judged, the second special chart is stopped and displayed with a small win pattern (ev. 17), and a small win game is played (ev. 18). If a game ball enters the small winning hole 35 during a small win game and the game ball enters the specific hole 38 (ev. 19), a double win is played (ev. 20). On the other hand, if a game ball does not enter the specific hole 38 even if a small win game is played (ev. 23), a double win is not played. However, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when a small win game is played, if a right hit is performed, the game ball enters the small winning hole 35 with a probability of almost 100%. Therefore, when a small win is played, there is a nearly 100% chance that a two-type win will occur, and when the second special chart is displayed in a variable manner, there is a 299/300 chance that a two-type win will occur (through a small win).

When the double hit is over (ev.20), as described above with reference to FIG. 5(c), there is a probability of about 20% that the non-electric support state will be set (ev.21), and there is a probability of about 80% that the electric support state will be set (ev.22).

As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when "a jackpot determination for the second special chart (variable display of the second special chart)" is performed, the player can be made to feel as if a jackpot game is being played not only when the second special chart is stopped and displayed as a jackpot pattern, but also when the second special chart is stopped and displayed as a small jackpot pattern. In other words, in this case, the player can be made to feel as if a jackpot game is being played with a probability of 100%, which is the sum of the probability of a jackpot pattern being stopped and displayed in the variable display of the second special chart, which is approximately 1 in 300, and the probability of a small jackpot pattern being stopped and displayed, which is approximately 299 in 300.

C. Game control processing:
9 is a flow chart showing a game control process for controlling the progress of a game. The game control process is performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 at a predetermined cycle (for example, based on a timer interrupt that occurs every 4 msec). The game control process performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 will be described below according to the flow chart. In the following description, well-known processes such as the initialization process of the CPU 201, the interrupt prohibition process, and the interrupt permission process will be omitted.

<Output processing>
As shown in Fig. 9, when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 starts the game control process, it first performs the output process (S100). In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, in various processes described later, various commands to be sent to various control boards including the sub-control board 220 are stored in an output buffer secured in the RAM 203. In the output process (S100), the various commands stored in the output buffer in this way are sent to the various control boards. By doing so, for example, the sub-control board 220 controls the presentation in accordance with the progress of the game, and the payout control board 240 controls the drive of the payout motor 243 (payout of game balls).

<Input processing>
The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 then performs input processing (S200). As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when a game ball enters any of the first start hole 24, the second start hole 25, the other ball entry hole 30, the large prize entry hole 28, and the small prize entry hole 35, the game ball is paid out. Therefore, in the input processing (S200), it is determined whether or not a game ball is detected by the sensors (the first start hole sensor 24s, the second start hole sensor 25s, the large prize entry hole sensor 28s, the small prize entry hole sensor 35s, etc.) that detect these ball entries. As a result, if a game ball is detected, a payout command indicating the number of game balls to be paid out is stored in the output buffer described above. The payout command stored in the output buffer in this way is transmitted to the payout control board 240 in the next output processing (S100).

<Random number update process>
The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 then performs a random number update process (S300). As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, a jackpot determination and a normal hit determination are made based on a predetermined determination random number. In more detail, a jackpot determination is made based on a "jackpot determination random number", and a normal hit determination is made based on a "normal hit determination random number". In addition, the variable display of the special symbol in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is made based on a variable pattern described later, and this variable pattern is selected based on a "variation pattern selection random number".

In addition, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, if the jackpot determination result is "jackpot", one of the multiple types of jackpot patterns is displayed as a stopped pattern, and if the jackpot determination result is "small jackpot", one of the multiple types of small jackpot patterns is displayed as a stopped pattern, and the type of pattern is selected based on the "pattern selection random number". In the random number update process (S300), these random numbers are updated. Note that these random numbers may be updated not only in the random number update process (S300), but also in the period from the end of the game control process to the start of the next game control process (next timer interrupt). Also, a dedicated circuit for random number update may be provided, and the random numbers may be updated by this dedicated circuit.

<Start port and other sensor detection processing>
The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 then performs a start hole etc. sensor detection process (S400). In this start hole etc. sensor detection process (S400), first, based on the detection result of the gate sensors 71s, 72s, it is determined whether the game ball has passed through the normal symbol operation gates 71, 72. As a result, if the game ball has passed through the normal symbol operation gates 71, 72, it is determined whether the game is during a normal symbol win game, during a normal symbol variable display, or during a normal symbol fixed display. As a result, if the game is not during a normal symbol win game, during a normal symbol variable display, or during a normal symbol fixed display, a normal symbol win determination random number is obtained and the normal symbol win determination random number is stored.

After processing the gate sensors 71s and 72s in this manner, it is then determined whether or not the gaming ball has entered the first starting hole 24 based on the detection result of the first starting hole sensor 24s. If the result is that the gaming ball has entered the first starting hole 24, it is determined whether or not the number of first special symbols reserved has reached the upper limit of four. If the number of first special symbols reserved has not reached four, a jackpot determination random number, a variation pattern selection random number, and a design selection random number are obtained, and these random numbers are stored as first special symbols reserved. The first special symbols reserved (acquired information) are stored in a first special symbols reserved memory area (acquired information storage means) secured in RAM 203 so that the order of storage can be identified.

Here, the first special chart variable display (pattern variable game) is performed based on the jackpot determination random number, variable pattern selection random number, and pattern selection random number acquired as the first special chart reserved. In addition, the performance (pattern variable performance) performed in accordance with the first special chart variable display is also performed based on the jackpot determination random number, variable pattern selection random number, and pattern selection random number acquired as the first special chart reserved. Therefore, when the first special chart reserved is stored, even if the variable display based on the first special chart reserved has not yet started (even if the variable start condition has not been established), it is possible to determine the mode of the variable display and performance (pattern variable game and pattern variable performance based on the first special chart reserved) based on the first special chart reserved. For example, even before the variable display based on the first special chart reserved is performed, it is possible to determine the result of the jackpot determination for the first special chart reserved (jackpot, miss), the type of jackpot game to be started if the result of the jackpot determination is "jackpot", whether or not a reach performance will be performed (whether or not the acquired information is predetermined information), etc. This type of determination is called a pre-determination, and in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when the first special chart reservation is stored, a pre-determination is made for the first special chart reservation, and the result of the pre-determination is stored in association with the first special chart reservation.

In this way, once the first special chart reservation is stored and the preliminary judgment result for the first special chart reservation is stored, a preliminary judgment result command indicating this preliminary judgment result is stored in the output buffer of RAM 203. The preliminary judgment result command stored in the output buffer in this way is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S100). In this way, the sub-control board 220 is able to execute various effects based on the preliminary judgment result for the first special chart reservation.

If the game ball has not entered the first starting hole 24 or if the number of reserved first special symbols has already reached four, no new reserved first special symbols are stored and no advance judgment is made. Also, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the second special symbol is reserved at zero, so even if the game ball enters the second starting hole 25, various judgment random numbers (second special symbol judgment random numbers) are not acquired except during the period when the "jackpot judgment for the second special symbol" and the variable display of the second special symbol can be executed.

<Normal operation process>
The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 then performs a normal operation process (S500). In this normal operation process (S500), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs processes such as displaying the normal symbols in a variable manner and executing a normal winning game. That is, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first determines whether or not a normal winning judgment random number has been stored in the above-mentioned start port sensor detection process (S400). As a result, if a normal winning judgment random number has been stored, the stored normal winning judgment random number is read out and a normal winning judgment is performed based on the normal winning judgment random number.

After the normal winning judgment is performed, it is judged whether the result of the normal winning judgment is a normal winning. If the result of the normal winning judgment is a normal winning, the normal winning pattern (stop pattern) to be displayed in the normal pattern change display is determined, and the determined normal winning pattern is stored. In other words, if the normal winning pattern 1100 is determined as the stop pattern, the LED to the left of the normal pattern display unit 56 (see FIG. 4) is stored as the result of the normal pattern change display. On the other hand, if the normal winning pattern 1101 is determined as the stop pattern, the LED to the right of the normal pattern display unit 56 (see FIG. 4) is stored as the result of the normal pattern change display. On the other hand, if the result of the normal winning judgment is a normal missing, the normal missing pattern 1102 is stored as the pattern (stop pattern) to be displayed in the normal pattern change display. In other words, it is memorized that the two LEDs on the left and right of the normal pattern display section 56 (see Figure 4) will be lit as a result of the current normal pattern change display.

In this way, when the pattern (stop pattern) to be displayed in the normal pattern change display is stored, the change time of the normal pattern is set and the change display of the normal pattern is started. Then, when the change time has elapsed, the normal pattern being displayed in the change display is stopped in the previously stored manner. That is, when the result of the normal pattern hit judgment is a normal pattern hit and the normal pattern hit pattern 1100 is to be stopped and displayed, the left LED of the normal pattern display unit 56 is turned on (the normal pattern hit pattern 1100 is stopped and displayed), and when the normal pattern hit pattern 1101 is to be stopped and displayed, the right LED of the normal pattern display unit 56 is turned on (the normal pattern hit pattern 1101 is stopped and displayed). On the other hand, when the result of the normal pattern hit judgment is a miss, the left and right (two) LEDs of the normal pattern display unit 56 are turned on (the normal pattern miss pattern 1102 is stopped and displayed). When the normal pattern is stopped and displayed in this way, the fixed display of the normal pattern begins, so the fixed display time of the normal pattern is set.

Then, when the normal symbol confirmation display time has elapsed, it is determined whether the normal symbol that has been stopped (confirmed) this time is a normal winning symbol (the LED to the left of the normal symbol display section 56 is lit). If the result is that the normal symbol that has been stopped is a normal winning symbol, the opening pattern (number of times it is opened, opening time, closing time, etc.) of the second start hole 25 in a normal winning game is set. The opening pattern of the second start hole 25 in a normal winning game will be explained in detail later.

Once the opening pattern for the normal winning game has been set, the normal winning game is started. During the normal winning game, the second starting port solenoid 26m is controlled to operate the opening and closing door 26 so that the second starting port 25 is in the open and closed state according to the set opening pattern. Then, when the control according to this opening pattern is completed, the normal winning game ends. When the normal winning game ends, a normal winning game end command indicating the end of the normal winning game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. The normal winning game end command stored in the output buffer in this way is also sent to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S100).

<Special Action Processing>
The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 then performs a special operation process (S600). In this special operation process (S600), the CPU 201 performs processes such as displaying the special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) in a variable manner, executing a big win game, and executing a small win game. That is, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first determines whether the game is a big win game, a small win game, a variable display of the special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol), or a fixed display of the special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol).

If none of these conditions are met, it is determined whether the game ball has entered the second start hole 25 based on the detection result of the second start hole sensor 25s. If the game ball has entered the second start hole 25, the jackpot determination random number, the variable pattern selection random number, and the design selection random number are obtained as the "second special pattern determination random number". Then, a jackpot determination (jackpot determination for the second special pattern) is made based on the jackpot determination random number contained in the obtained second special pattern determination random number. In the "jackpot determination for the second special pattern", it is determined whether it is a "jackpot" or a "small jackpot".

On the other hand, if the game ball has not entered the second starting hole 25, then it is determined whether or not a first special chart reserve is stored in the first special chart reserve memory area. If a first special chart reserve is stored in the first special chart reserve memory area, then the first special chart reserve (jackpot determination random number, pattern selection random number, variation pattern selection random number) that was stored first among the stored first special chart reserves is read out. Then, a jackpot determination (jackpot determination for the first special chart) is made based on the jackpot determination random number contained in the read first special chart reserve. In the "jackpot determination for the first special chart", it is determined whether it is a "jackpot" or a "miss".

In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the jackpot determination random number is a random number that is updated in the range of 0 to 65535 (a random number that can take on 65536 values), and if the jackpot determination random number obtained as the first special chart reserved or second special chart determination random number is one of the values corresponding to a "jackpot", it is determined to be a "jackpot". By appropriately setting such a value corresponding to a "jackpot", the probability of being determined to be a "jackpot" in both the "jackpot determination for the first special chart" and the "jackpot determination for the second special chart" is set to approximately 1 in 300.

In addition, if the jackpot determination random number obtained as the second special chart determination random number is one of the values corresponding to a "small hit", it is determined to be a "small hit". By appropriately setting the value corresponding to such a "small hit", the probability of being determined to be a "small hit" in the "jackpot determination for the second special chart" is set to approximately 299 out of 300.

If the result of the jackpot determination is "jackpot," the type of jackpot pattern to be displayed in the current special pattern variable display (pattern variable game) is selected based on the pattern selection random number included in the currently read first special pattern reservation or the acquired second special pattern determination random number. That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, jackpot patterns 101 to 300 can be displayed as the first special pattern, and jackpot patterns 501 to 700 can be displayed as the second special pattern. Therefore, when the first special pattern reservation is read, the jackpot pattern corresponding to the pattern selection random number read as the first special pattern reservation is selected as the pattern to be displayed in the stopped state by referring to a jackpot pattern selection table (not shown) in which pattern selection random numbers are assigned to the jackpot patterns 101 to 300. In addition, when the second special symbol determination random number is obtained, the jackpot symbol selection table in which symbol selection random numbers are assigned to the jackpot symbols 501 to 700 is referenced, and the jackpot symbol corresponding to the symbol selection random number read as the second special symbol determination random number is selected as the symbol to be stopped and displayed. The jackpot symbol selection table is pre-stored in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200.

In addition, if the result of the big win judgment for the second special symbol is "small win," the type of small win symbol to be displayed in the variable display of the current special symbol (variable symbol game) is selected based on the symbol selection random number included in the currently acquired second special symbol judgment random number. That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, small win symbols 701-800 can be displayed as the second special symbol. Therefore, by referring to the small win symbol selection table in which symbol selection random numbers are assigned to the small win symbols 701-800, the small win symbol corresponding to the symbol selection random number acquired as the second special symbol judgment random number is selected as the symbol to be displayed in the variable display. The small win symbol selection table is stored in advance in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200.

On the other hand, if the result of the jackpot determination is a "miss," and the currently read special reserved symbol is the first special reserved symbol, then the miss symbol 401 is selected as the symbol to be displayed as a stopped symbol. Note that a jackpot determination based on the second special reserved symbol random number will never result in a "miss." The jackpot symbol, minor win symbol, and miss symbol selected in this way are stored in the stop symbol memory area secured in RAM 203.

After selecting the symbol to be displayed in this way, the variation pattern of the special symbol variation display (symbol variation game) is selected. The variation pattern is the time (variation time) from when the special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) starts to vary to when it is displayed in a stopped state, and each variation pattern is assigned information (variation pattern ID) to distinguish it from other variation patterns. The variation pattern selection table is referenced in the process of selecting the variation pattern. The variation pattern selection table is a table in which variation pattern selection random numbers are assigned to multiple variation patterns (variation pattern ID, variation time) as shown in FIG. 10. In the process of selecting the variation pattern, such a variation pattern selection table is referenced and the variation pattern corresponding to the variation pattern selection random number read out this time as the first special symbol reserved or the variation pattern selection random number acquired this time as the second special symbol determination random number is determined as the current variation pattern. Therefore, the probability that each variation pattern is selected is determined by the proportion of random numbers assigned to each variation pattern among the available variation pattern selection random numbers.

The variation pattern selected in this manner is sent to the sub-control board 220 as a variation pattern designation command, which will be described later. When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives the variation pattern designation command, it recognizes the variation pattern of the current symbol variation game based on the variation pattern designation command, and executes a symbol variation presentation with a presentation pattern based on (corresponding to) the recognized variation pattern.

In the process of selecting the above-mentioned variation pattern, the same variation pattern selection table is not always referenced, but a variation pattern selection table corresponding to various game progress situations is referenced. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a variation pattern selection table corresponding to the type of special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol), the currently set game state, the result of the jackpot determination, the number of stored first special symbol reserves, etc. is referenced. In addition, although not shown, a variation pattern selection table corresponding to the type of 1 type or 2 types to be started this time (the type of 1 type or 2 types described above with reference to FIG. 5) is also referenced. In this way, a variation pattern corresponding to various game progress situations can be selected, and the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 can execute a pattern variation presentation with a presentation pattern corresponding to various game progress situations.

For example, if the result of the "jackpot determination for the first special chart" is "jackpot," or if the result of the "jackpot determination for the second special chart" is "jackpot" or "minor hit" (in all cases where a jackpot determination is made for the second special chart), the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 executes a pattern change effect in which the decorative patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c are displayed stopped in a "double number" pattern after the reach effect.

In addition, if the result of the "jackpot determination for the first special chart" is "miss," a symbol variation effect is executed in which the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are displayed in a stopped state with "variable eyes" without performing a reach effect, or after the reach effect. The variation pattern selection tables are stored in advance in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200.

In this way, the symbol to be displayed in a stopped state in the current special symbol variable display is selected, and the variable pattern of the current special symbol variable display is selected, and then the special symbol variable display begins. Then, a variable pattern designation command indicating the currently selected variable pattern is stored in the output buffer of RAM 203. The variable pattern designation command stored in the output buffer in this way is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S100). Also, if the current jackpot determination is a "jackpot determination for the first special symbol," the first special symbol reserved that was the subject of the jackpot determination is erased from the first special symbol reserved memory area.

The above describes the processing when the game is not a big win game, a small win game, a special pattern (first special pattern or second special pattern) during a variable display, or a fixed special pattern display. In contrast, when a special pattern is during a variable display, it is determined whether the variable time of the variable special pattern has elapsed. As a result, if it is determined that the variable time has elapsed, the variable special pattern is displayed as a static pattern stored in the static pattern storage area (fixed display is started). When the special pattern is displayed as a static pattern, the fixed special pattern display is started, so the fixed special pattern display time is set. Then, a variable stop command indicating that the special pattern has been displayed as a static special pattern is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. The variable stop command stored in the output buffer in this way is sent to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S100).

If the special symbol is currently being displayed, it is determined whether the display time has elapsed. If the display time has elapsed, it is determined whether the special symbol that has been stopped (displayed) this time is a big win symbol, a small win symbol, or a miss symbol.

As a result, if the special symbol displayed as stopped is a small win symbol, the opening pattern (number of times it is opened, the opening time, the closing time, etc.) of the small winning opening 35 during the small win game is set. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the small winning opening 35 is open for 1.6 seconds (for example, 0.2 seconds x 8 times) during the small win game, so such an opening pattern of the small winning opening 35 is set. Once the opening pattern of the small winning opening 35 is set in this way, the small win game is started. Then, a small win game start command indicating the start of the small win game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. The small win game start command stored in the output buffer is sent to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S100).

In addition, if the special symbol that is stopped is a jackpot symbol, the opening pattern (number of times to open, opening time, closing time, etc.) of the large prize opening 28 in one type is set. As described above with reference to FIG. 5, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of rounds during one type varies depending on the type of jackpot symbol that is stopped. Therefore, the opening pattern of the large prize opening 28 is set in accordance with the type of jackpot symbol that is stopped. After the opening pattern of the large prize opening 28 is set in this way, the one type is started. Then, a jackpot game start command indicating the start of the one type is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. This jackpot game start command also includes information indicating the type of one type that is started this time (see FIG. 5). The jackpot game start command stored in the output buffer is sent to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S100).

The above describes the processing when the special pattern is being confirmed and displayed. In contrast, when a small win is being played, the small win port solenoid 35m is controlled to operate the opening/closing door 36 so that the small win port 35 is opened/closed in the above-mentioned opening pattern (opening pattern that keeps the port open for 1.6 seconds). Then, when the control of the small win port solenoid 35m (operation of the opening/closing door 36) according to the above-mentioned opening pattern is completed, a small win game end command indicating the end of the small win game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. The small win game end command stored in the output buffer in this way is sent to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S100).

Then, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the small winning port 35 during the current small winning game. As a result, if a game ball has entered the small winning port 35 during the current small winning game, it is determined whether or not the game ball has entered the specific port 38. As a result, if the game ball has entered the specific port 38, the opening pattern (number of openings, opening time, closing time, etc.) of the large winning port 28 in the two-type win is set to start the two-type win. After the opening pattern of the large winning port 28 is set in this way, the two-type win is started. Then, a big win game start command indicating the start of the two-type win is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. This big win game start command also includes information indicating the type of two-type win to be started this time (see FIG. 5). The big win game start command stored in the output buffer is sent to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S100).

The above describes the processing when a small win is being played. In contrast, when a big win is being played (when a single type win or double type win is being played), the large win opening solenoid 29m is controlled to operate the opening/closing door 29 so that the large win opening 28 is opened or closed in the opening pattern described above. Then, when a round play starts, a round play start command indicating the start of the round play is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and when the round play ends, a round play end command indicating the end of the round play is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. The round play start command and round play end command stored in the output buffer in this way are sent to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S100).

Furthermore, when the control of the big prize opening solenoid 29m (operation of the opening/closing door 29) according to the above-mentioned opening pattern is completed, the big prize game ends. Then, a big prize game end command indicating the end of the big prize game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. The big prize game end command stored in the output buffer in this way is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S100). When the big prize game ends, the game state is set to a non-electric support state or an electric support state according to the type of the big prize game (see FIG. 5). Even when the game state is set in this way, a game state designation command indicating the set game state is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. The game state designation command stored in the output buffer in this way is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S100).

<Pending number processing>
The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 then performs reserved number processing (S700). In this reserved number processing (S700), the number of reserved first special symbols stored in the reserved first special symbol storage area is read out, and a reserved number transmission command indicating these numbers is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. The reserved number transmission command thus stored in the output buffer is also transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output processing (S100). In this way, the sub-control board 220 can execute various effects based on these numbers, such as displaying reserved symbols corresponding to the number of reserved first special symbols on the effect display device 41.

The display of the special symbols can be regarded as a "special symbol change", the display of the first special symbol can be regarded as a "first change", and the display of the second special symbol can be regarded as a "second change", and the "CPU 201 of the main control board 200" that executes the display of the special symbols can be regarded as a "special symbol change means". Also, the "CPU 201 of the main control board 200" that executes the small hit game when the small hit symbol is displayed as a stopped symbol in the display of the second special symbol (second change) can be regarded as a "small hit game execution means". Also, the "CPU 201 of the main control board 200" that executes the big hit game when the big hit symbol is displayed as a stopped symbol in the display of the special symbol (special symbol change) and when the game ball passes through the specific port 38 (specific area) as a result of the execution of the small hit game can be regarded as a "big hit game execution means". In addition, the "CPU 201 of the main control board 200" that can set the non-electric support state and the electric support state can also be regarded as a "game state setting means." In addition, the "CPU 201 of the main control board 200" that executes a normal winning game when a normal winning pattern is displayed in a stopped state in the normal pattern changing display (normal pattern changing) can also be regarded as a "normal winning game execution means."

D. Performance control processing:
12 is a flowchart showing the performance control process for controlling the performance. The performance control process is performed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 at a predetermined cycle (for example, based on a timer interrupt that occurs every 10 msec). The performance control process performed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 will be described below according to the flowchart. Note that in the following description, well-known processes such as the initialization process of the CPU 221, the interrupt prohibition process, and the interrupt permission process will not be described.

When the performance control process starts, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 first performs a command analysis process (S800). Here, every time the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives a command from the main control board 200, it stores the received command in a received command storage area of the RAM 223 as an external interrupt process. In the command analysis process (S800), it determines the performance that corresponds to the command stored in this received command storage area, i.e., the command received from the main control board 200, and stores the command to be sent to the image/audio control board 230, lamp control board 226, etc. to perform this performance in an output buffer secured in the RAM 223.

The CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 then performs output processing (S900). In this processing, the command stored in the output buffer of the RAM 223 is sent to the image/audio control board 230, the lamp control board 226, etc. When a command is received from the sub-control board 220, the image/audio control board 230 displays an image corresponding to the received command on the performance display device 41, and outputs sound corresponding to the received command from the various speakers 6a, 6b, etc. In addition, the lamp control board 226 causes the various lamps 5a to 5c, etc. to emit light in a light emission pattern corresponding to the received command.

As described above, the sub-control board 220 cooperates with the image/sound control board 230, the lamp control board 226, etc. to execute various effects, but for ease of explanation in this specification, the execution of such various effects will also be expressed simply as "the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 executing various effects."

Figure 13 shows the processing (various effects, etc.) performed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 in response to a command received from the main control board 200. As shown in Figure 13, when the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives a pre-determination result command, it performs a pre-determination, which is a performance based on the pre-determination result. For example, an image of a character or the like corresponding to the pre-determination result may be displayed on the performance display device 41, or the mode of the reserved pattern displayed in the first reserved display area 41d of the performance display device 41 may be set to a mode corresponding to the pre-determination result. Note that when a pre-determination result command is received, the pre-determination performance does not need to be performed all the time, and may be performed when a predetermined condition is met (for example, when a predetermined execution lottery is won).

In addition, when the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives a hold number transmission command, it displays the same number of hold patterns as the first special pattern hold number indicated by this command in the first hold display area 41d of the performance display device 41.

In addition, when the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives a variation pattern designation command, it starts a pattern variation presentation (including the variation display of decorative patterns) corresponding to the variation pattern indicated by the variation pattern designation command in accordance with the variation display of the special pattern (first special pattern or second special pattern).

In other words, when a change pattern (change pattern designation command) is received that is selected when the result of the "jackpot determination for the first special chart" is "jackpot" (when the first special chart is stopped and displayed as a jackpot pattern), a pattern change performance is started in which the decorative patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c are stopped and displayed as "double numbers" after the reach performance. Also, when a change pattern (change pattern designation command) is received that is selected when the result of the "jackpot determination for the second special chart" is "jackpot" or "small win" (when the second special chart is stopped and displayed as a jackpot pattern or small win pattern), a pattern change performance is started in which the decorative patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c are stopped and displayed as "double numbers" after the reach performance.

In addition, if a variation pattern (variation pattern designation command) is received that is selected when the result of the "jackpot determination for the first special chart" is "miss" (if the first special chart is displayed as a miss pattern), a pattern variation performance is started in which the decorative patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c are displayed as "barakeme" without a reach performance, or after the reach performance.

Also, as shown in FIG. 13, when the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives a small win game start command, it starts a small win game presentation indicating that a small win game is in progress. Then, when the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives a small win game end command, it ends the small win game presentation. Also, when a specific ball entry command is received during a small win game, a specific ball entry presentation indicating that the game ball has entered the specific ball entry 38 (indicating that a two-type win has been confirmed to start) is executed. The specific ball entry command is a command transmitted from the main control board 200 when a small win game (a small win game based on the second special chart) is started by the second special chart being stopped and displayed with a small win pattern, and when a game ball that entered during the small win game enters the specific ball entry 38, in other words, when a two-type win is performed. As a specific ball entry presentation, for example, a presentation displaying a letter image of "V" is executed.

When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives a game state designation command, it starts an effect that corresponds to the set game state. For example, it executes an effect in which the decorative pattern and its background image have a form (such as color or shape) that corresponds to the game state, or, if an electric support state is set, starts an effect that displays the remaining number of electric support times.

E. Reach Production:
Here, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, four types of reach performances A to D can be executed as the reach performances described above with reference to Fig. 6(b). In detail, it is possible to execute reach performance A in which character A is displayed, reach performance B in which character B is displayed, reach performance C in which character C is displayed, and reach performance D in which character D is displayed. Since the symbol change performance is executed in response to the change pattern, these reach performances executed as part of the symbol change performance are also executed when the corresponding change pattern is selected.

In more detail, when the result of the "jackpot determination for the first special chart" is "jackpot", a pattern change effect corresponding to each reach performance is selected, and after the reach performance corresponding to this pattern is performed, a pattern change effect is performed in which the decorative patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c stop and display with "double numbers". Also, when the result of the "jackpot determination for the first special chart" is "miss", a pattern change effect is performed in which the decorative patterns 41a, 41b, and 41c stop and display with "variable numbers".

When a "jackpot determination for the second special chart" is made, reach effects A to D are not performed (after a reach effect in which no characters are displayed is performed), and a pattern change effect is performed in which the decorative symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c stop and display as "double numbers."

Reach effects A to D are effects that suggest the "possibility of the first special chart stopping and displaying a jackpot pattern (possibility of a type 1 hit)," in other words, the "possibility of a jackpot game being played (also referred to as the "jackpot expectation rate" in this specification). The "jackpot expectation rate" suggested by these reach effects is lowest when reach effect A is performed, and increases as reach effect B is performed, then reach effect C is performed, and finally reach effect D is performed. This makes the player expect a reach effect that has a higher "jackpot expectation rate" to be performed.

Figure 14 shows the "jackpot expectation rate" for reach performances A to D. As shown in Figure 14, the "jackpot expectation rate" is 10% when reach performance A is performed (there is a 10% chance that the decorative symbols will stop and be displayed as a double number), 30% when reach performance B is performed (30% chance that the decorative symbols will stop and be displayed as a double number), 40% when reach performance C is performed (40% chance that the decorative symbols will stop and be displayed as a double number), and 50% when reach performance D is performed (50% chance that the decorative symbols will stop and be displayed as a double number).

This "expected chance of winning" is achieved by appropriately setting the execution probability of reach effects A to D (the probability that a fluctuation pattern corresponding to reach effects A to D will be selected). In detail, the execution probability of reach effects A to D (the probability that a fluctuation pattern corresponding to reach effects A to D will be selected) is achieved by appropriately setting the proportion of the fluctuation pattern selection random numbers assigned to each fluctuation pattern in the fluctuation pattern selection table described above with reference to Figure 10.

In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when "the first or second special chart is stopped and displayed as a big win pattern" or "the second special chart is stopped and displayed as a small win pattern", in other words, when a one-type or two-type win occurs (when the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed as a repeat number), the "execution probability of reach performance A" is set to be the lowest, and then increases as the "execution probability of reach performance B" → "execution probability of reach performance C" → "execution probability of reach performance D".

On the other hand, when "the first or second special symbol stops and displays as a miss pattern," in other words, when a jackpot game is not being played (when decorative symbols stop and display as random patterns), the "probability of reaching effect A being executed" is set to be the highest, and then decreases as the "probability of reaching effect B being executed" → "probability of reaching effect C being executed" → "probability of reaching effect D being executed."

As a result, the suggested "big win expectation" is lowest when reach performance A is performed, and increases as reach performance B is performed → reach performance C is performed → reach performance D is performed. As a result, the player is made to expect the performance of a reach performance with a higher "big win expectation" to be performed.

In addition, "Reach effects A to D," which indicate the possibility that the special symbol will stop and be displayed as a jackpot symbol (the likelihood of a jackpot), can also be considered "jackpot suggestion effects."

F. Types of regular winning games:
In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the "first normal symbol hit game" and the "second normal symbol hit game" can be executed as normal symbol hit games that start when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a normal symbol hit pattern. Of these, the "first normal symbol hit game" is a normal symbol hit game that starts when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a normal symbol hit pattern in the non-electric support state (during the setting of the non-electric support state). In detail, as shown in FIG. 15(a), in the non-electric support state, when the normal symbol is displayed as a variable pattern, the normal symbol hit pattern is stopped and displayed with a probability of about 1 in 100, and as a result, the "first normal symbol hit game" is performed. In this "first normal symbol hit game", the second starting hole 25 is opened (ball entry possible state) for only 0.2 seconds and then closed (ball entry impossible state).

In contrast, the "second normal winning game" is a normal winning game that starts when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a normal winning symbol in the electric support state (while the electric support state is set). In more detail, as shown in FIG. 15(b), in the electric support state, when the normal symbol is displayed in a variable manner, there is a probability of about 99 out of 100 (or 100%) that the normal winning symbol will be stopped and displayed, and as a result, the "second normal winning game" is played. In this "second normal winning game", the second starting hole 25 is in an open state (a state in which a ball can be scored) for 5.8 seconds, and then in a closed state (a state in which a ball cannot be scored).

In this way, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the second start hole 25 is open for only 0.2 seconds in the "first normal winning game", whereas the second start hole 25 is open for 5.8 seconds in the "second normal winning game". Therefore, during the "first normal winning game", it is impossible to insert a game ball into the second start hole 25, but during the "second normal winning game", it is possible to insert 10 game balls into the second start hole 25. When one game ball enters the second start hole 25, 15 game balls are paid out, so when the "second normal winning game" is played (in the second normal winning game), 150 game balls (so-called 15 balls x 10 counts) are paid out.

Here, when a game ball enters the second start port 25, if the timing is "a period in which a jackpot judgment for the second special chart or a variable display of the second special chart can be executed" (if it is not during the variable display of any special chart, the fixed display of any special chart, or during a jackpot game or a small jackpot game), the variable display of the second special chart will be executed. Then, when the variable display of the second special chart is executed, the jackpot chart is displayed as a stop and a one-type win is executed, or the small jackpot chart is displayed as a stop and a small jackpot game is executed (a miss chart is not displayed as a stop). When a small jackpot game is executed, the game ball that entered the small winning port 35 enters the specific port 38 and a two-type win is executed. Therefore, when a "second regular chart win game" is executed, a one-type win or two-type win is executed afterwards. In this type of one or two-type game, multiple rounds of play are played, with 100 balls (so-called 10 balls x 10 counts) being paid out.

To summarise the above, as shown in Figure 16(a), if a single type win is played after a "second normal win game", 150 game balls are paid out in the "second normal win game", and then 100 game balls are paid out in each of multiple rounds of play via the variable display of the second special game. Also, as shown in Figure 16(b), if a two type win is played after a "second normal win game", 150 game balls are paid out in the "second normal win game", and then 100 game balls are paid out in each of multiple rounds of play via the variable display of the second special game and small win game.

In other words, when the "second regular jackpot game" is played, regardless of whether a jackpot game for one type or two types is played afterwards, 150 game balls will be paid out in the "second regular jackpot game", and then 100 game balls will be paid out in each of the multiple rounds of play.

In this way, in the "second regular winning game", prior to the execution of multiple rounds of play, more game balls are paid out than in one round of play. In more detail, in the "second regular winning game", prior to the payment of 100 game balls in each of multiple rounds of play, 150 game balls are paid out. For this reason, when a round of play begins after the "second regular winning game", it is possible to make the player feel that the "second regular winning game" is part of the jackpot game (one round of play), and thus, it is possible to make the player feel that the number of game balls paid out in the jackpot game has increased.

In other words, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of game balls (15) paid out based on one game ball entering the second starting port 25 during the execution of the second normal winning game is equal to or greater than the number of game balls (10) paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize port 28 during the execution of the round game. Therefore, during the execution of the "second normal winning game", the number of game balls paid out at one time can be made greater than during the execution of the round game. Therefore, when the round game starts after the "second normal winning game", the player can feel that the "second normal winning game" is part of the big winning game (one round game), and thus the number of game balls paid out in the big winning game has increased.

As mentioned above, in order to make the player feel that the "second regular winning game" is part of the jackpot game (one round of play), it is better for the "second regular winning game" and the round game not to overlap in timing. If the "second regular winning game" and the round game overlap in timing, the impression of each of these games will be diluted (the player's attention will be dispersed to these games).

However, as shown in FIG. 17(a), if a single-type hit is played after a "second-type hit game", if the round game starts immediately after the variable display of the second special symbol ends, there is a risk that the "second-type hit game" and the round game will overlap. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16(a), a period from the start of a single-type hit to the start of the first round game (also referred to as the "per-type OP period" in this specification) is provided. The length of this "per-type OP period" is set to a time (6.2 seconds) longer than the time (5.8 seconds) during which the second start hole 25 is open in the "second-type hit game" (or the time during which 10 (prescribed number) game balls enter the second start hole 25 in the second-type hit game). In this way, the "second regular winning game" will end between the start of the first winning type and the start of the first round of play, so the "second regular winning game" and the round of play will not overlap. As a result, it is possible to make the player feel more strongly that the "second regular winning game" is part of the big win game (one round of play).

Also, as shown in FIG. 17(b), if a two-type win is played (through a small win game) after the "second normal win game" is played, if the small win game starts immediately after the variable display of the second special game ends, there is a risk that the "second normal win game" (and the period during which the small winning hole 35 is open in the small win game) and the round game will overlap. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16(b), a period from the start of the small win game to the opening of the small winning hole 35 (also referred to as the "small win OP period" in this specification) is provided. The length of this "small win OP period" is set to a time (6.2 seconds) longer than the time (5.8 seconds) during which the second start hole 25 is open in the "second normal win game" (or the time during which 10 (prescribed number) game balls enter the second start hole 25 in the second normal win game). In this way, the "second regular winning game" ends between the start of the small winning game and the time when the small winning opening 35 opens, so not only can the execution time of the "second regular winning game" and the "period during which the small winning opening 35 opens in the small winning game" not overlap, but the execution time of the "second regular winning game" and the round game also can not overlap. As a result, it is possible to make the player feel more strongly that the "second regular winning game" is part of the big winning game (one round game).

G. Jackpot Game Effects:
As described above, the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment can make the player feel that the "second normal winning game" is a part of the big win game. Therefore, in order to further enhance this effect, the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment executes the performance related to the big win game in the following manner.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 18(a), if a single type hit is played after a "second regular hit game" is played, an effect is executed at the timing when the "second regular hit game" starts (even though the single type hit has not started yet) to indicate that a jackpot game has started. For example, when the "second regular hit game" starts, the words "jackpot game starts" are displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 41.

Then, during the "second normal winning game" (even though the first type of winning game has not yet started), a performance is executed that suggests that the big win game (or round game) is being played. For example, during the "second normal winning game" (even during the first type of OP period), the characters "1R" are displayed on the display screen of the performance display device 41, indicating that the first round game is being played since the start of the big win game. After that, during the first round game after the start of the first type of winning game, the characters "2R" are displayed on the display screen of the performance display device 41, indicating that the second round game is being played since the start of the big win game, and during the second round game, the characters "3R" are displayed on the display screen of the performance display device 41, indicating that the third round game is being played since the start of the big win game. In other words, during the execution of the first type of winning game, the number of round games (a number different from the actual number of round games) is displayed, which is the number of actual round games plus one for the "second normal winning game".

In addition, during the "2nd regular hit game" and during the per-type game, the payout number in the "2nd regular hit game" and the payout number in the per-type game are summed up and indicated (displayed) (a sum is displayed). For example, when the "2nd regular hit game" starts, "0" is displayed as the payout number, and the "payout number" is increased by 15 each time a game ball enters the second start port 25 in the "2nd regular hit game". Then, even when the per-type game starts, this "payout number" remains displayed, and the "payout number" is increased by 10 each time a game ball enters the large prize port 28 in the per-type game. Therefore, during the per-type game, the payout number in the "2nd regular hit game" plus the payout number in the "2nd regular hit game" is displayed.

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 18(b), if a double win occurs after the "second normal win game" is played, an effect is executed at the time the "second normal win game" starts (even though the double win has not yet started) to indicate that the jackpot game has started. For example, when the "second normal win game" starts, the words "jackpot game starts" are displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 41.

Then, during the "second normal winning game" (even though the double winning game has not yet started), a presentation is executed that indicates that the big win game (or round game) is being played. For example, during the "second normal winning game" (even during the small winning OP period), the characters "1R" are displayed on the display screen of the presentation display device 41, indicating that the first round game is being played since the start of the big win game. Then, during the period in which the small winning opening 35 is open during the subsequent small winning game, the characters "2R" are displayed on the display screen of the presentation display device 41, indicating that the second round game is being played since the start of the big win game.

After that, during the first round of play after the start of the double hit, the display screen of the effect display device 41 displays the characters "3R" to indicate that the third round of play is being played since the start of the big hit game, and during the second round of play, the display screen of the effect display device 41 displays the characters "4R" to indicate that the fourth round of play is being played since the start of the big hit game. In other words, during the execution of the double hit, the number of rounds (a number different from the actual number of rounds) is displayed, which is the actual number of rounds plus two rounds for the "second normal hit game" and the "small hit game".

In addition, during the "second normal hit game", the small hit game, and the two-type hit game, the payout number for the "second normal hit game", the payout number for the small hit game, and the payout number for the two-type hit are added together and suggested (displayed) (a combined display is performed). For example, when the "second normal hit game" starts, "0" is displayed as the payout number, and the "payout number" is increased by 15 each time a game ball enters the second start port 25 during the "second normal hit game". After that, even if a two-type hit game starts, this "payout number" remains displayed, and the "payout number" is increased by 3 each time a game ball enters the small winning port 35 during the small hit game. Then, even if a two-kind win is started, this "payout number" remains displayed, and the "payout number" is increased by 10 each time a game ball enters the large prize opening 28 during the two-kind win. Therefore, during the execution of a two-kind win, the payout number for the two-kind win plus the payout number for the small prize game and the payout number for the "second regular prize game" is displayed.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, during the execution of the "second normal winning game", it is possible to execute a presentation that suggests that the jackpot game (or round game) is being executed. This makes it possible for the player to feel that the "second normal winning game" is part of the jackpot game (round game), and in turn makes it seem as if the number of game balls paid out in the jackpot game has increased.

In addition, the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment can execute a presentation that suggests the sum of "the number of game balls paid out based on game balls entering the second starting port 25 during the execution of the second normal winning game" and "the number of game balls paid out based on game balls entering the big prize port 28 during the execution of the round game." This also makes it seem as if the "second normal winning game" is part of the big winning game (round game), and ultimately makes it seem as if the number of game balls paid out in the big winning game has increased.

H. End timing of the electric support state:
H-1. Part 1:
As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when the electric support state is set, the "second normal winning game" is played, and 150 game balls are paid out in this "second normal winning game". Therefore, the number of game balls paid out to the player in the electric support state (also referred to as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" in this specification) tends to be large.

Here, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively large, there is a risk that the following inconveniences will occur. That is, in an arcade, business policies are decided and abnormalities in the pachinko machine 1 are detected based on the tallied "number of payouts in electric support state." For this reason, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively large, there is a risk that business policies will be decided in error or abnormalities in the pachinko machine 1 will be detected in error.

Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the timing of the end of the electric support state is advanced to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. In detail, as shown in FIG. 19, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the electric support state is ended at the timing when the "first change display of the second special chart after the electric support state is set (also referred to as the "first change" in this specification)" ends (a signal indicating that the electric support state has ended or that a non-electric support state has started is output from a well-known external output terminal (the same external output terminal as that of conventional gaming machines) to an external device such as a hall computer).

Moreover, the time for this "initial change" is set to be shorter than the time (5.8 seconds) during which the second starting hole 25 is open during the second normal winning game. For example, the time for the "initial change" is set to 4.0 seconds.

In this way, when the "second normal winning game" is started, the electric support state ends when the display of the second special game (initial change) based on the first ball entering the second starting hole 25 ends. And since the change time of this "initial change" is shorter than the "time during which the second starting hole is open in the second normal winning game (5.8 seconds)", the electric support state ends before the "second normal winning game" ends (before the second starting hole 25 closes). Therefore, even if a game ball enters the second starting hole 25 after the end of the "initial change", the payout of the game ball based on the ball entering is not counted as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" (it is counted as the number of payouts after the end of the electric support state), so it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. As a result, it is possible to prevent the risk of erroneously deciding on a business policy or erroneously detecting an abnormality in the pachinko machine 1.

Alternatively, the fluctuation time of the "initial fluctuation" may be set as follows. That is, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, during the "second normal winning game", it is possible to insert multiple (10) game balls into the second starting hole 25, and when one game ball enters the second starting hole 25 during the "second normal winning game", 15 (N) game balls are paid out. Therefore, the fluctuation time of the "initial fluctuation" is set to be shorter than the time required to pay out 15 (N) game balls (for example, 1.5 seconds). In this way, when the "second normal winning game" is started, the "initial fluctuation" ends and the electric support state ends at a timing before the payout of 15 (N) game balls based on the first ball entering the second starting hole is completed. In this case, the payout of game balls based on the second or subsequent balls entering the second starting hole 25 will not be counted as the "number of payouts in electric support state" (it will be counted as the number of payouts after the electric support state ends). As a result, it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in electric support state" from becoming excessively large, which makes it possible to prevent the risk of erroneous decisions about business policies or erroneous detection of abnormalities in the gaming machine.

Alternatively, the following time may be set as the fluctuation time of the "first fluctuation". That is, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, during the "second normal winning game", it is possible to have multiple (10) game balls enter the second starting hole 25. Therefore, the fluctuation time of the "first fluctuation" is set to be shorter than the firing interval of the game balls (0.6 seconds). Here, since the fired game ball naturally enters the second starting hole 25, the interval at which the game balls enter the second starting hole 25 is likely to be about the same as the firing interval (0.6 seconds). For this reason, when the "second normal winning game" is started, the second game ball is likely to enter the second starting hole after the electric support state ends due to the end of the variable display (first fluctuation) of the second special figure based on the first ball entering the second starting hole 25. In other words, it is highly likely that the electric support state ends before the second game ball enters the second starting hole 25. Therefore, the payout of game balls based on the second or subsequent balls entering the second starting hole 25 is not counted as the "number of payouts in electric support state" (it is counted as the number of payouts after the electric support state ends), so it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in electric support state" from becoming excessively large. As a result, it is possible to prevent the risk of erroneous decisions on business policies or erroneous detection of abnormalities in the gaming machine.

If the "initial change" cannot be performed immediately when the jackpot game ends (when the electric support state is set), the timing to end the electric support state will be delayed, and as a result, there is a risk that the "number of payouts in the electric support state" will not be prevented from becoming excessively large. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, if the first special chart reserve is stored when the jackpot game ends (when the electric support state is set), the change display based on the first special chart reserve is ended at high speed. For example, the change time of the change display is set shorter than the change time of the "initial change".

Alternatively, even if the first special chart reserve is stored when the jackpot game ends (when the electric support state is set), it may be possible to execute the display of the second special chart change in parallel with the display of the first special chart change so that the "initial change" can be performed immediately.

Here, in a normal gaming machine, a jackpot signal indicating that a jackpot game has started can be output to an external device (such as a hall computer), and the external device tallies the number of game balls paid out to the player during the jackpot game based on this jackpot signal. Conventionally, such a jackpot signal would naturally be output when the jackpot game starts, but in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, it is output when the electric support state ends.

That is, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, a certain number of game balls are paid out during the period from when the electric support state (initial fluctuation) ends until the jackpot game starts (the period after the initial fluctuation during the second normal hit game). The player also recognizes these game balls as game balls paid out during the jackpot game. However, if the jackpot signal is output at the timing when the jackpot game starts as in the past, the game balls paid out during the period from when the electric support state (initial fluctuation) ends until the jackpot game starts (the period after the initial fluctuation during the second normal hit game) cannot be counted as game balls paid out during the jackpot game, and a discrepancy occurs between the player's recognition and the game balls paid out during the jackpot game. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the jackpot signal is output at the timing when the electric support state (initial fluctuation) ends. In this way, game balls dispensed during the period from the end of the electric support state (initial fluctuation) to the start of the jackpot game (the period after the end of the initial fluctuation during the second normal hit game) can also be counted as game balls dispensed during the jackpot game, making it possible to prevent discrepancies from occurring with the player's recognition.

Naturally, the jackpot signal is output to an external device from a well-known external output terminal (similar to an external output terminal of a conventional gaming machine).

H-2. Part 2:
In the above-mentioned "H-1. Part 1", the electric support state is ended at the timing when the "initial fluctuation" ends, thereby preventing the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. Not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 20, the electric support state may be ended at the timing when the "initial fluctuation" starts (a signal indicating that the electric support state has ended or a signal indicating that a non-electric support state has started may be output from a well-known external output terminal (similar to an external output terminal of a conventional gaming machine) to an external device such as a hall computer).

In this way, when the "second normal winning game" starts, the electric support state ends when the display of the second special game (initial change) based on the first ball entering the second starting hole 25 starts. In other words, the electric support state ends before the "second normal winning game" ends (before the second starting hole 25 closes). Therefore, even if a game ball enters the second starting hole 25 after the start of the "initial change", the payout of the game ball based on the ball entering is not counted as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" (it is counted as the number of payouts after the electric support state ends), so it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. As a result, it is possible to prevent the risk of making an erroneous decision on a business policy or erroneously detecting an abnormality in the gaming machine.

Here, in "H-2. Part 2", a certain number of game balls are paid out during the period from when the electric support state ends (when the first fluctuation begins) until the jackpot game starts (the period after the first fluctuation begins during the second normal hit game). The player also recognizes these game balls as game balls paid out during the jackpot game. However, if the jackpot signal is output at the timing when the jackpot game starts as in the past, the game balls paid out during the period from when the electric support state ends (when the first fluctuation begins) until the jackpot game starts (the period after the first fluctuation begins during the second normal hit game) cannot be counted as game balls paid out during the jackpot game, and a discrepancy occurs with the player's recognition. Therefore, in "H-2. Part 2", the jackpot signal is output at the timing when the electric support state ends (when the first fluctuation begins). In this way, game balls dispensed during the period from when the electric support state ends (when the first fluctuation begins) until the start of the jackpot game (the period after the start of the first fluctuation during the second normal hit game) can also be counted as game balls dispensed during the jackpot game, making it possible to prevent discrepancies from occurring with the player's recognition.

H-3. Part 3:
In the above-mentioned "H-1. Part 1", the electric support state is ended at the timing when the "initial fluctuation" ends, thereby preventing the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. Not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 21, the electric support state may be ended at the timing when the first "second normal winning game" starts after the electric support state is set (a signal indicating that the electric support state has ended or a signal indicating that the non-electric support state has started may be output from a well-known external output terminal (similar to an external output terminal of a conventional gaming machine) to an external device such as a hall computer).

In this way, the electric support state is ended while the "second normal winning game" is being played. Therefore, even if a game ball enters the second starting hole 25 during the "second normal winning game", the payout of the game ball based on the ball entering the hole is not counted as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" (it is counted as the number of payouts after the electric support state ends), so it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. As a result, it is possible to prevent the risk of making erroneous decisions about business policies or erroneously detecting abnormalities in the gaming machine.

Here, in "H-3. Part 3", a certain number of game balls are paid out during the period from when the electric support state ends (when the first second normal hit game starts) until the jackpot game starts (during the second normal hit game). The player also recognizes these game balls as game balls paid out during the jackpot game. However, if the jackpot signal is output at the timing when the jackpot game starts as in the past, the game balls paid out during the period from when the electric support state ends (when the first second normal hit game starts) until the jackpot game starts (during the second normal hit game) cannot be counted as game balls paid out during the jackpot game, which would cause a discrepancy with the player's recognition. Therefore, in "H-3. Part 3", the jackpot signal is output at the timing when the electric support state ends (when the first second normal hit game starts). In this way, game balls dispensed during the period from the end of the electric support state (the start of the first second regular winning game) to the start of the jackpot game (during the second regular winning game) can be counted as game balls dispensed during the jackpot game, making it possible to prevent discrepancies from occurring with the player's recognition.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these, and is not limited to the wording of each claim as long as it does not deviate from the scope of each claim, and includes a range that can be easily substituted by a person skilled in the art, and improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art would normally possess can be added as appropriate.

For example, in the above embodiment, in order to make the player feel that the "second normal winning game" is part of the big winning game (one round of play), the "number of game balls (15 balls) paid out based on one game ball entering the second starting hole 25 during the second normal winning game" is set to be equal to or greater than the "number of game balls (10 balls) paid out based on one game ball entering the big winning hole 28 during the round of play". Not limited to this, the "time during which the second starting hole 25 is open during the second normal winning game (e.g., 15 seconds)" may be set to be equal to or greater than the "time during which the big winning hole 28 is open during one round of play (e.g., 10 seconds)". In this way, the number of balls entering the second starting hole 25 during the "second normal winning game" can be increased (the number of game balls paid out based on the balls entering can be increased). Even in such cases, the player can feel that the "second regular winning game" is part of the big winning game (one round of play).

In the above-mentioned embodiment, it may be possible to execute "second normal winning game A" and "second normal winning game B" as the "second normal winning game". And, the number of game balls that can be paid out may be different between "second normal winning game A" and "second normal winning game B". For example, it may be possible to pay out 150 game balls when "second normal winning game A" is performed, and pay out 200 game balls when "second normal winning game B" is performed. In this way, even if the same type of jackpot game is performed, it is possible to make the player feel that different jackpot games are being performed depending on whether the "second normal winning game" performed prior to the jackpot game is "second normal winning game A" or "second normal winning game B".

In this configuration, when "2nd regular hit game A" starts and when "2nd regular hit game B" starts, a presentation may be made that suggests that different jackpot games will start. For example, when "2nd regular hit game A" starts, the text "Jackpot game A starts" may be displayed on the display screen of the presentation display device 41, and when "2nd regular hit game B" starts, the text "Jackpot game B starts" may be displayed on the display screen of the presentation display device 41.

Also, an example of applying the present invention to a pachinko machine 1 that pays out game balls supplied from an island facility in a game hall to give the player a profit (game value) as a result of playing. The present invention can also be applied to a type of game machine that gives a game profit in a form other than "paying out game balls". For example, the present invention can be applied to a type of pachinko machine that gives a game profit (game value) to a player by storing data indicating the amount of profit (magnitude of game value) corresponding to the entrance of game balls into various ball entrances, and in this case, the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained. Note that, as an example of a type of pachinko machine that converts game profit (game value) into data and gives it to a player, there can be mentioned a game machine that uses multiple game balls built into the pachinko machine by circulating them, specifically, a pachinko machine (so-called sealed game machine) that is configured to return game balls discharged to the back of the game board through various ball entrances or exits to the launch position and launch them again.

<Gaming machines A1 to A7 that can be extracted from the above-described embodiments>
The pachinko machines of the above-mentioned embodiments can also be regarded as gaming machines A1 to A7 as follows.

<Gaming machine A1>
＜Overview＞
The electric support state will end when the "initial change" ends.
The fluctuation time of the "initial fluctuation" is shorter than the time during which the second starting hole is in a state in which a ball can be inserted in a game in which the second regular number is hit.
<Claim format>
a special pattern variation means capable of executing a first variation which is a variation display of a first special pattern based on a game ball entering a first starting hole, and a second variation which is a variation display of a second special pattern based on a game ball entering a second starting hole, as special pattern variations which are variation display of a special pattern;
A small win game execution means for executing a small win game when a small win pattern is stopped and displayed in the second variation;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game in which a round game is performed multiple times so that a jackpot opening is in a ball-entering state when a game ball passes through a specific area triggered by the execution of at least the small jackpot game, and
A normal pattern variation means capable of executing a normal pattern variation which is a variation display of a normal pattern;
A normal winning game execution means for executing a normal winning game in which the second starting hole is in a ball entry possible state when a normal winning pattern is stopped and displayed by the normal pattern variation;
A game state setting means capable of setting a non-electric support state and an electric support state as a game state;
Equipped with
When the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the electric support state, the possibility that the normal winning pattern will be stopped and displayed is higher than when the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the non-electric support state,
The second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-entry-enabled state for a longer period of time in the second regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular winning symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set, than in the first regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set,
At the timing when the first fluctuation, which is the first second fluctuation, ends after the electric support state is set, the electric support state is ended,
A gaming machine characterized in that a fluctuation time of the first fluctuation is shorter than a time during which the second starting hole is in a state in which a ball can be inserted during the second normal winning game.

In such gaming machines, the second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-ready state for a longer period of time in the "second normal winning game, which is executed when a normal winning symbol is stopped and displayed while the electric support state is set," than in the "first normal winning game, which is executed when a normal winning symbol is stopped and displayed while the non-electric support state is set." For this reason, more game balls are likely to enter the second starting hole during the second normal winning game, and thus the number of game balls paid out to the player in the electric support state (also referred to as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" in this specification) is more likely to be paid out.

Here, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively high, there is a risk that the following inconveniences will occur. That is, gaming halls decide on business policies and detect abnormalities in gaming machines based on the tallied "number of payouts in electric support state." For this reason, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively high, there is a risk that business policies will be decided incorrectly or abnormalities in gaming machines will be detected incorrectly.

Therefore, in this gaming machine, the timing of the end of the electric support state is advanced to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. In detail, in this gaming machine, the electric support state is ended at the timing of the end of the "initial change, which is the first second change since the electric support state was set," and the change time of this "initial change" is shorter than the "time during which the second start port is in a ball-slot-ready state during the second normal hit game." In this way, when the second normal hit game is started, the electric support state ends when the second change (initial change) based on the first ball-slot-ready state during the second normal hit game ends. And since the change time of this "initial change" is shorter than the "time during which the second start port is in a ball-slot-ready state during the second normal hit game," the electric support state ends before the second normal hit game ends (before the second start port becomes ball-slot-ready). Therefore, even if a game ball enters the second starting hole after the end of the "initial fluctuation", the payout of the game ball based on the ball entering the second starting hole will not be counted as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" (it will be counted as the number of payouts after the electric support state ends), so it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. As a result, it is possible to prevent the risk of erroneous decisions on business policies or erroneous detection of abnormalities in the gaming machine.

<Gaming Machine A2>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machine A1.
During the second normal winning game, it is possible to insert multiple game balls into the second starting hole.
When one game ball enters the second starting hole during a game of the second normal winning pattern, N game balls are paid out.
The fluctuation time of the "first fluctuation" is shorter than the time required to pay out N game balls.
<Claim format>
In the gaming machine A1,
During the second normal winning game, it is possible to put a plurality of game balls into the second starting hole,
When one game ball enters the second starting hole during the second normal winning game, N game balls are paid out.
A fluctuation time of the first fluctuation is shorter than a time required to pay out the N game balls.

In such a gaming machine, during the second normal hit game, it is possible to insert multiple game balls into the second start port, and when one game ball enters the second start port during the second normal hit game, N game balls are paid out. The fluctuation time of the "initial fluctuation" is set to be shorter than the time required to pay out N game balls. Therefore, when the second normal hit game is started, the "initial fluctuation" ends and the electric support state ends at a timing before the payout of N game balls based on the first ball entering the second start port is completed. In this case, the payout of game balls based on the second and subsequent balls entering the second start port is not counted as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" (it is counted as the number of payouts after the electric support state ends). As a result, it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large, and it is possible to prevent the risk of erroneously deciding on a business policy or erroneously detecting an abnormality in the gaming machine.

<Gaming machine A3>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machine A1.
During the second normal winning game, it is possible to cause a plurality of game balls to enter the second starting hole.
The fluctuation time of the "first fluctuation" is shorter than the interval between launches of the game balls.
<Claim format>
In the gaming machine A1,
During the second normal winning game, it is possible to put a plurality of game balls into the second starting hole,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the fluctuation time of the initial fluctuation is shorter than the interval between launching of the gaming balls.

In such a gaming machine, during the second normal hit game, it is possible to have multiple game balls enter the second start port. The fluctuation time of the "initial fluctuation" is set to be shorter than the interval between launches of the game balls. Here, the launched game ball naturally enters the second start port, so the interval between game balls entering the second start port is likely to be about the same as the launch interval. For this reason, when the second normal hit game is started, it is highly likely that the second game ball will enter the second start port after the electric support state ends due to the end of the second fluctuation (initial fluctuation) based on the first ball entering the second start port. In other words, it is highly likely that the electric support state will end before the second game ball enters the second start port. Therefore, the payout of game balls based on the second or subsequent balls entering the second starting hole will not be counted as the "number of payouts in electric support state" (it will be counted as the number of payouts after the electric support state ends), so it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in electric support state" from becoming excessively large. As a result, it is possible to prevent the risk of erroneous decisions on business policies or erroneous detection of abnormalities in the gaming machine.

<Gaming machine A4>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machines A1 to A3.
The "time during which the second starting hole is in a state where a ball can be scored in the second normal winning game" is equal to or longer than the "time during which the big prize hole is in a state where a ball can be scored in one round of game."
<Claim format>
In any one of the gaming machines A1 to A3,
The number of game balls that can enter the second start opening during the second normal winning game is equal to or greater than the number of game balls that can enter the big winning opening during one round of play.

In such gaming machines, when the second normal winning game is played, a game ball may enter the second starting hole and a second variation may occur, and when a small winning symbol is displayed in this second variation, a big winning game may occur via the small winning game. In this case, first, the second starting hole becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the big winning hole becomes available for ball entry during the big winning game (multiple rounds of play).

In this regard, in this gaming machine, the "number of game balls that can enter the second start port in a game that hits the second normal figure" is set to be equal to or greater than the "number of game balls that can enter the large prize port in one round of play." In this way, it is possible to increase the number of balls that enter the second start port in a game that hits the second normal figure (the number of game balls paid out based on the balls that enter can be increased) while preventing the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large as described above.

For this reason, particularly when the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second regular winning game, and then the large prize entry port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can be made to feel that the second regular winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming machine A5>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machines A1 to A4.
The "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the second starting hole during the second regular winning game" is equal to or greater than the "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize hole during the round game."
<Claim format>
In any one of the gaming machines A1 to A4,
The number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the second start opening during the second normal winning game is equal to or greater than the number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize opening during the round game.

In such gaming machines, when the second normal winning game is played, a game ball may enter the second starting hole and a second variation may occur, and when a small winning symbol is displayed in this second variation, a big winning game may occur via the small winning game. In this case, first, the second starting hole becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the big winning hole becomes available for ball entry during the big winning game (multiple rounds of play).

In this regard, in this gaming machine, the "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the second start port during play when the second normal figure hits" is set to be equal to or greater than the "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize port during round play." In this way, while preventing the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large as described above, the number of game balls paid out at one time during play when the second normal figure hits can be made greater than during round play.

For this reason, particularly when the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second regular winning game, and then the large prize entry port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can be made to feel that the second regular winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming Machine A6>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machines A1 to A5.
During the second regular winning game, it is possible to execute a presentation that suggests that a round of play is in progress.
<Claim format>
In any one of the gaming machines A1 to A5,
The gaming machine is characterized in that during the second normal winning game, a performance can be executed that suggests that the round game is being played.

In such a gaming machine, when the second normal winning game is played, a game ball may enter the second starting port and a second variation may occur, and when a small winning symbol is displayed in this second variation, a big winning game may occur via the small winning game. In this case, first, the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the big winning port becomes available for ball entry during the big winning game (multiple rounds of play). In this regard, with this gaming machine, during the second normal winning game, it is possible to execute a presentation that suggests that a round game is being played. Therefore, if the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the large winning port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can feel that the second normal winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus feel that the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming machine A7>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machines A1 to A6.
It is possible to execute an effect suggesting the sum of "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the second start port during the second normal winning game" and "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the big prize port during the round game."
<Claim format>
In any one of the gaming machines A1 to A6,
The gaming machine is characterized in that it is capable of executing an effect suggesting the sum of the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the second start port during the second normal winning game and the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the big prize port during the round game.

In such a gaming machine, when the second normal hit game is played, a game ball may enter the second start port and a second variation may be performed, and when a small hit pattern is stopped and displayed in this second variation, a big hit game may be played through the small hit game. In this case, first, the second start port becomes available for ball entry in the second normal hit game, and then the big prize port becomes available for ball entry in the big hit game (multiple round games). In this regard, in this gaming machine, it is possible to execute a performance that suggests the sum of "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the second start port during the second normal hit game" and "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the big prize port during the round game". Therefore, if the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the large winning port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can feel that the second normal winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus feel that the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming machines B1 to B5 that can be extracted from the above-described embodiments>
The pachinko machine of the above-mentioned embodiment can also be regarded as gaming machines B1 to B5 as follows.

<Gaming Machine B1>
＜Overview＞
The electric support state ends when the "initial change" begins.
<Claim format>
a special pattern variation means capable of executing a first variation which is a variation display of a first special pattern based on a game ball entering a first starting hole, and a second variation which is a variation display of a second special pattern based on a game ball entering a second starting hole, as special pattern variations which are variation display of a special pattern;
A small win game execution means for executing a small win game when a small win pattern is stopped and displayed in the second variation;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game in which a round game is performed multiple times so that a jackpot opening is in a ball-entering state when a game ball passes through a specific area triggered by the execution of at least the small jackpot game, and
A normal pattern variation means capable of executing a normal pattern variation which is a variation display of a normal pattern;
A normal winning game execution means for executing a normal winning game in which the second starting hole is in a ball entry possible state when a normal winning pattern is stopped and displayed by the normal pattern variation;
A game state setting means capable of setting a non-electric support state and an electric support state as a game state;
Equipped with
When the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the electric support state, the possibility that the normal winning pattern will be stopped and displayed is higher than when the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the non-electric support state,
The second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-entry-enabled state for a longer period of time in the second regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular winning symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set, than in the first regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the electric support state is ended at the timing when an initial fluctuation, which is the first second fluctuation since the electric support state was set, starts.

In such gaming machines, the second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-ready state for a longer period of time in the "second normal winning game, which is executed when a normal winning symbol is stopped and displayed while the electric support state is set," than in the "first normal winning game, which is executed when a normal winning symbol is stopped and displayed while the non-electric support state is set." For this reason, more game balls are likely to enter the second starting hole during the second normal winning game, and thus the number of game balls paid out to the player in the electric support state (also referred to as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" in this specification) is more likely to be paid out.

Here, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively high, there is a risk that the following inconveniences will occur. That is, gaming halls decide on business policies and detect abnormalities in gaming machines based on the tallied "number of payouts in electric support state." For this reason, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively high, there is a risk that business policies will be decided incorrectly or abnormalities in gaming machines will be detected incorrectly.

Therefore, in this gaming machine, the timing of the end of the electric support state is advanced to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. In detail, in this gaming machine, the electric support state is ended at the timing when the "initial change, which is the first second change after the electric support state is set," starts. In this way, when a game with a second normal winning pattern is started, the electric support state ends when the second change (initial change) based on the first ball entering the second starting hole starts. In other words, the electric support state ends before the game with a second normal winning pattern ends (before the second starting hole becomes unable to receive balls). Therefore, even if a game ball enters the second starting hole after the start of the "initial change," the payout of the game ball based on the ball entering is not counted as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" (it is counted as the number of payouts after the electric support state ends), so it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. As a result, it is possible to prevent the risk of making erroneous decisions about business policies or mistakenly detecting abnormalities in gaming machines.

<Gaming Machine B2>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machine B1.
The "time during which the second starting hole is in a state where a ball can be scored in the second normal winning game" is equal to or longer than the "time during which the big prize hole is in a state where a ball can be scored in one round of game."
<Claim format>
In the gaming machine B1,
The number of game balls that can enter the second start opening during the second normal winning game is equal to or greater than the number of game balls that can enter the big winning opening during one round of play.

In such gaming machines, when the second normal winning game is played, a game ball may enter the second starting hole and a second variation may occur, and when a small winning symbol is displayed in this second variation, a big winning game may occur via the small winning game. In this case, first, the second starting hole becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the big winning hole becomes available for ball entry during the big winning game (multiple rounds of play).

In this regard, in this gaming machine, the "number of game balls that can enter the second start port in a game that hits the second normal figure" is set to be equal to or greater than the "number of game balls that can enter the large prize port in one round of play." In this way, it is possible to increase the number of balls that enter the second start port in a game that hits the second normal figure (the number of game balls paid out based on the balls that enter can be increased) while preventing the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large as described above.

For this reason, particularly when the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second regular winning game, and then the large prize entry port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can be made to feel that the second regular winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming Machine B3>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machine B1 and gaming machine B2.
The "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the second starting hole during the second regular winning game" is equal to or greater than the "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize hole during the round game."
<Claim format>
In gaming machine B1 or gaming machine B2,
The number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the second start opening during the second normal winning game is equal to or greater than the number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize opening during the round game.

In such gaming machines, when the second normal winning game is played, a game ball may enter the second starting hole and a second variation may occur, and when a small winning symbol is displayed in this second variation, a big winning game may occur via the small winning game. In this case, first, the second starting hole becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the big winning hole becomes available for ball entry during the big winning game (multiple rounds of play).

In this regard, in this gaming machine, the "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the second start port during play when the second normal figure hits" is set to be equal to or greater than the "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize port during round play." In this way, while preventing the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large as described above, the number of game balls paid out at one time during play when the second normal figure hits can be made greater than during round play.

For this reason, particularly when the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second regular winning game, and then the large prize entry port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can be made to feel that the second regular winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming Machine B4>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machines A1 to B3.
During the second regular winning game, it is possible to execute a presentation that suggests that a round of play is in progress.
<Claim format>
In any one of the gaming machines B1 to B3,
The gaming machine is characterized in that during the second normal winning game, a performance can be executed that suggests that the round game is being played.

In such a gaming machine, when the second normal winning game is played, a game ball may enter the second starting port and a second variation may occur, and when a small winning symbol is displayed in this second variation, a big winning game may occur via the small winning game. In this case, first, the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the big winning port becomes available for ball entry during the big winning game (multiple rounds of play). In this regard, with this gaming machine, during the second normal winning game, it is possible to execute a presentation that suggests that a round game is being played. Therefore, if the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the large winning port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can feel that the second normal winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus feel that the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming machine B5>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machines B1 to B4.
It is possible to execute an effect suggesting the sum of "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the second start port during the second normal winning game" and "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the big prize port during the round game."
<Claim format>
In any one of the gaming machines B1 to B4,
The gaming machine is characterized in that it is capable of executing an effect suggesting the sum of the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the second start port during the second normal winning game and the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the big prize port during the round game.

In such a gaming machine, when the second normal hit game is played, a game ball may enter the second start port and a second variation may be performed, and when a small hit pattern is stopped and displayed in this second variation, a big hit game may be played through the small hit game. In this case, first, the second start port becomes available for ball entry in the second normal hit game, and then the big prize port becomes available for ball entry in the big hit game (multiple round games). In this regard, in this gaming machine, it is possible to execute a performance that suggests the sum of "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the second start port during the second normal hit game" and "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the big prize port during the round game". Therefore, if the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the large winning port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can feel that the second normal winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus feel that the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming machines C1 to C5 that can be extracted from the above-described embodiments>
The pachinko machine of the above-mentioned embodiment can also be regarded as gaming machines C1 to C5 as follows.

<Gaming machine C1>
＜Overview＞
At the timing when the first second normal winning game starts after the electric support state is set, the electric support state is ended.
<Claim format>
a special pattern variation means capable of executing a first variation which is a variation display of a first special pattern based on a game ball entering a first starting hole, and a second variation which is a variation display of a second special pattern based on a game ball entering a second starting hole, as special pattern variations which are variation display of a special pattern;
A small win game execution means for executing a small win game when a small win pattern is stopped and displayed in the second variation;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game in which a round game is performed multiple times so that a jackpot opening is in a ball-entering state when a game ball passes through a specific area triggered by the execution of at least the small jackpot game, and
A normal pattern variation means capable of executing a normal pattern variation which is a variation display of a normal pattern;
A normal winning game execution means for executing a normal winning game in which the second starting hole is in a ball entry possible state when a normal winning pattern is stopped and displayed by the normal pattern variation;
A game state setting means capable of setting a non-electric support state and an electric support state as a game state;
Equipped with
When the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the electric support state, the possibility that the normal map winning pattern will be stopped and displayed is higher than when the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the non-electric support state,
The second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-entry-enabled state for a longer period of time in the second regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning pattern is stopped and displayed in the regular winning pattern change while the non-electric support state is set, than in the first regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning pattern is stopped and displayed in the regular pattern change while the non-electric support state is set,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the electric support state is ended at the timing when the first second normal winning game starts after the electric support state is set.

In such gaming machines, the second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-ready state for a longer period of time in the "second normal winning game, which is executed when a normal winning symbol is stopped and displayed while the electric support state is set," than in the "first normal winning game, which is executed when a normal winning symbol is stopped and displayed while the non-electric support state is set." For this reason, more game balls are likely to enter the second starting hole during the second normal winning game, and thus the number of game balls paid out to the player in the electric support state (also referred to as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" in this specification) is more likely to be paid out.

Here, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively high, there is a risk that the following inconveniences will occur. That is, gaming halls decide on business policies and detect abnormalities in gaming machines based on the tallied "number of payouts in electric support state." For this reason, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively high, there is a risk that business policies will be decided incorrectly or abnormalities in gaming machines will be detected incorrectly.

Therefore, in this gaming machine, the timing of the end of the electric support state is advanced to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. In detail, in this gaming machine, the electric support state is ended at the timing when the "first second regular winning game after the electric support state is set" starts. In this way, the electric support state is ended while the second regular winning game is being played. Therefore, even if a game ball enters the second starting hole during the second regular winning game, the payout of the game ball based on the ball entering is not counted as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" (it is counted as the number of payouts after the electric support state ends), so it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. As a result, it is possible to prevent the risk of erroneous decisions on business policies or erroneous detection of abnormalities in the gaming machine.

<Gaming Machine C2>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machine C1.
The "time during which the second starting hole is in a state where a ball can be scored in the second normal winning game" is equal to or longer than the "time during which the big prize hole is in a state where a ball can be scored in one round of game."
<Claim format>
In the gaming machine C1,
The number of game balls that can enter the second start opening during the second normal winning game is equal to or greater than the number of game balls that can enter the big winning opening during one round of play.

In such gaming machines, when the second normal winning game is played, a game ball may enter the second starting hole and a second variation may occur, and when a small winning symbol is displayed in this second variation, a big winning game may occur via the small winning game. In this case, first, the second starting hole becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the big winning hole becomes available for ball entry during the big winning game (multiple rounds of play).

In this regard, in this gaming machine, the "number of game balls that can enter the second start port in a game that hits the second normal figure" is set to be equal to or greater than the "number of game balls that can enter the large prize port in one round of play." In this way, it is possible to increase the number of balls that enter the second start port in a game that hits the second normal figure (the number of game balls paid out based on the balls that enter can be increased) while preventing the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large as described above.

For this reason, particularly when the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second regular winning game, and then the large prize entry port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can be made to feel that the second regular winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming machine C3>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machine C1 and gaming machine C2.
The "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the second starting hole during the second regular winning game" is equal to or greater than the "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize hole during the round game."
<Claim format>
In the gaming machine C1 or C2,
The number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the second start opening during the second normal winning game is equal to or greater than the number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize opening during the round game.

In such gaming machines, when the second normal winning game is played, a game ball may enter the second starting hole and a second variation may occur, and when a small winning symbol is displayed in this second variation, a big winning game may occur via the small winning game. In this case, first, the second starting hole becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the big winning hole becomes available for ball entry during the big winning game (multiple rounds of play).

In this regard, in this gaming machine, the "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the second start port during play when the second normal figure hits" is set to be equal to or greater than the "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize port during round play." In this way, while preventing the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large as described above, the number of game balls paid out at one time during play when the second normal figure hits can be made greater than during round play.

For this reason, particularly when the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second regular winning game, and then the large prize entry port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can be made to feel that the second regular winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming machine C4>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machines C1 to C3.
During the second regular winning game, it is possible to execute a presentation that suggests that a round of play is in progress.
<Claim format>
In any one of the gaming machines C1 to C3,
The gaming machine is characterized in that during the second normal winning game, a performance can be executed that suggests that the round game is being played.

In such a gaming machine, when the second normal winning game is played, a game ball may enter the second starting port and a second variation may occur, and when a small winning symbol is displayed in this second variation, a big winning game may occur via the small winning game. In this case, first, the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the big winning port becomes available for ball entry during the big winning game (multiple rounds of play). In this regard, with this gaming machine, during the second normal winning game, it is possible to execute a presentation that suggests that a round game is being played. Therefore, if the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the large winning port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can feel that the second normal winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus feel that the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming machine C5>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machines C1 to C4.
It is possible to execute an effect suggesting the sum of "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the second start port during the second normal winning game" and "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the big prize port during the round game."
<Claim format>
In any one of the gaming machines C1 to C4,
The gaming machine is characterized in that it is capable of executing an effect suggesting the sum of the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the second start port during the second normal winning game and the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the big prize port during the round game.

In such a gaming machine, when the second normal hit game is played, a game ball may enter the second start port and a second variation may be performed, and when a small hit pattern is stopped and displayed in this second variation, a big hit game may be played through the small hit game. In this case, first, the second start port becomes available for ball entry in the second normal hit game, and then the big prize port becomes available for ball entry in the big hit game (multiple round games). In this regard, in this gaming machine, it is possible to execute a performance that suggests the sum of "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the second start port during the second normal hit game" and "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the big prize port during the round game". Therefore, if the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the large winning port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can feel that the second normal winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus feel that the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming machines D1 to D8 that can be extracted from the above-described embodiments>
The pachinko machine of the above-mentioned embodiment can also be regarded as gaming machines D1 to D8 as follows.

<Gaming machine D1>
＜Overview＞
At the timing when the electric support state ends, a jackpot signal can be outputted to indicate that a jackpot game has started.
<Claim format>
a special pattern variation means capable of executing a first variation which is a variation display of a first special pattern based on a game ball entering a first starting hole, and a second variation which is a variation display of a second special pattern based on a game ball entering a second starting hole, as special pattern variations which are variation display of a special pattern;
A small win game execution means for executing a small win game when a small win pattern is stopped and displayed in the second variation;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game in which a round game is performed multiple times so that a jackpot opening is in a ball-entering state when a game ball passes through a specific area triggered by the execution of at least the small jackpot game, and
A normal pattern variation means capable of executing a normal pattern variation which is a variation display of a normal pattern;
A normal winning game execution means for executing a normal winning game in which the second starting hole is in a ball entry possible state when a normal winning pattern is stopped and displayed by the normal pattern variation;
A game state setting means capable of setting a non-electric support state and an electric support state as a game state;
Equipped with
When the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the electric support state, the possibility that the normal map winning pattern will be stopped and displayed is higher than when the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the non-electric support state,
The second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-entry-enabled state for a longer period of time in the second regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular winning symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set, than in the first regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set,
The gaming machine is characterized in that it is capable of outputting a jackpot signal indicating that the jackpot game has started at the timing when the electric support state ends.

In a normal gaming machine, a jackpot signal indicating that a jackpot game has started can be output to an external device, and the external device tallies the number of game balls paid out to the player during the jackpot game based on this jackpot signal. Conventionally, such a jackpot signal would naturally be output when the jackpot game starts, but in this gaming machine, it is output when the electric support state ends. This is for the following reasons.

That is, a certain number of game balls may be dispensed during the period from the end of the electric support state to the start of the jackpot game, and the player may recognize these game balls as game balls dispensed during the jackpot game. However, if the jackpot signal is output at the timing when the jackpot game starts as in the past, the game balls dispensed during the period from the end of the electric support state to the start of the jackpot game cannot be counted as game balls dispensed during the jackpot game, and a discrepancy occurs with the player's recognition. Therefore, in this gaming machine, the jackpot signal is output at the timing when the electric support state ends. In this way, the game balls dispensed during the period from the end of the electric support state to the start of the jackpot game can also be counted as game balls dispensed during the jackpot game, making it possible to prevent a discrepancy from occurring with the player's recognition.

<Gaming machine D2>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machine D1.
The electric support state will end when the "initial fluctuation" ends.
The fluctuation time of the "initial fluctuation" is shorter than the time during which the second starting hole is in a state in which a ball can be inserted in a game in which the second regular number is hit.
<Claim format>
In the gaming machine D1,
At the timing when the first fluctuation, which is the first second fluctuation, ends after the electric support state is set, the electric support state is ended,
A gaming machine characterized in that a fluctuation time of the first fluctuation is shorter than a time during which the second starting hole is in a state in which a ball can be inserted during the second normal winning game.

In such gaming machines, the second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-ready state for a longer period of time in the "second normal winning game, which is executed when a normal winning symbol is stopped and displayed while the electric support state is set," than in the "first normal winning game, which is executed when a normal winning symbol is stopped and displayed while the non-electric support state is set." For this reason, more game balls are likely to enter the second starting hole during the second normal winning game, and thus the number of game balls paid out to the player in the electric support state (also referred to as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" in this specification) is more likely to be paid out.

Here, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively high, there is a risk that the following inconveniences will occur. That is, gaming halls decide on business policies and detect abnormalities in gaming machines based on the tallied "number of payouts in electric support state." For this reason, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively high, there is a risk that business policies will be decided incorrectly or abnormalities in gaming machines will be detected incorrectly.

Therefore, in this gaming machine, the timing of the end of the electric support state is advanced to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. In detail, in this gaming machine, the electric support state is ended at the timing of the end of the "initial change, which is the first second change since the electric support state was set," and the change time of this "initial change" is shorter than the "time during which the second start port is in a ball-slot-ready state during the second normal win game." In this way, when the second normal win game is started, the electric support state ends when the second change (initial change) based on the first ball entering the second start port ends. And since the change time of this "initial change" is shorter than the "time during which the second start port is in a ball-slot-ready state during the second normal win game," the electric support state ends before the second normal win game ends (before the second start port becomes ball-slot-ready). Therefore, even if a game ball enters the second starting hole after the end of the "initial fluctuation", the payout of the game ball based on the ball entering the second starting hole will not be counted as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" (it will be counted as the number of payouts after the electric support state ends), so it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. As a result, it is possible to prevent the risk of erroneous decisions on business policies or erroneous detection of abnormalities in the gaming machine.

Furthermore, when the second fluctuation (initial fluctuation) based on the first ball entering the second starting hole ends, a jackpot signal is output, so that the game balls paid out during the subsequent second normal hit game can also be counted as game balls paid out during the jackpot game.

<Gaming machine D3>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machine D1.
The electric support state will end when the "initial fluctuation" ends.
<Claim format>
In the gaming machine D1,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the electric support state is ended at the timing when an initial fluctuation, which is the first second fluctuation since the electric support state was set, starts.

In such gaming machines, the second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-ready state for a longer period of time in the "second normal winning game, which is executed when a normal winning symbol is stopped and displayed while the electric support state is set," than in the "first normal winning game, which is executed when a normal winning symbol is stopped and displayed while the non-electric support state is set." For this reason, more game balls are likely to enter the second starting hole during the second normal winning game, and thus the number of game balls paid out to the player in the electric support state (also referred to as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" in this specification) is more likely to be paid out.

Here, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively high, there is a risk that the following inconveniences will occur. That is, gaming halls decide on business policies and detect abnormalities in gaming machines based on the tallied "number of payouts in electric support state." For this reason, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively high, there is a risk that business policies will be decided incorrectly or abnormalities in gaming machines will be detected incorrectly.

Therefore, in this gaming machine, the timing of the end of the electric support state is advanced to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. In detail, in this gaming machine, the electric support state is ended at the timing when the "initial change, which is the first second change after the electric support state is set," starts. In this way, when a game with a second normal figure is started, the electric support state ends when the second change (initial change) based on the first ball entering the second starting hole starts. In other words, the electric support state ends before the game with a second normal figure ends (before the second starting hole becomes unable to receive balls). Therefore, even if a game ball enters the second starting hole after the start of the "initial change," the payout of the game ball based on the ball entering is not counted as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" (it is counted as the number of payouts after the electric support state ends), so it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. As a result, it is possible to prevent the risk of making erroneous decisions about business policies or mistakenly detecting abnormalities in gaming machines.

Furthermore, when the second fluctuation (initial fluctuation) based on the first ball entering the second starting hole starts, a jackpot signal is output, so that the game balls paid out during the subsequent second normal hit game can also be counted as game balls paid out during the jackpot game.

<Gaming machine D4>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machine D1.
At the timing when the first second normal winning game starts after the electric support state is set, the electric support state is ended.
<Claim format>
In the gaming machine D1,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the electric support state is ended at the timing when the first second normal winning game starts after the electric support state is set.

In such gaming machines, the second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-ready state for a longer period of time in the "second normal winning game, which is executed when a normal winning symbol is stopped and displayed while the electric support state is set," than in the "first normal winning game, which is executed when a normal winning symbol is stopped and displayed while the non-electric support state is set." For this reason, more game balls are likely to enter the second starting hole during the second normal winning game, and thus the number of game balls paid out to the player in the electric support state (also referred to as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" in this specification) is more likely to be paid out.

Here, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively high, there is a risk that the following inconveniences will occur. That is, gaming halls decide on business policies and detect abnormalities in gaming machines based on the tallied "number of payouts in electric support state." For this reason, if the "number of payouts in electric support state" becomes excessively high, there is a risk that business policies will be decided incorrectly or abnormalities in gaming machines will be detected incorrectly.

Therefore, in this gaming machine, the timing of the end of the electric support state is advanced to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. In detail, in this gaming machine, the electric support state is ended at the timing when the "first second regular winning game after the electric support state is set" starts. In this way, the electric support state is ended while the second regular winning game is being played. Therefore, even if a game ball enters the second starting hole during the second regular winning game, the payout of the game ball based on the ball entering is not counted as the "number of payouts in the electric support state" (it is counted as the number of payouts after the electric support state ends), so it is possible to prevent the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large. As a result, it is possible to prevent the risk of erroneous decisions on business policies or erroneous detection of abnormalities in the gaming machine.

Furthermore, when the "first second normal hit game after the electric support state is set" starts, a jackpot signal is output, so the game balls paid out during the second normal hit game can also be counted as game balls paid out during the jackpot game.

<Gaming machine D5>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machines D1 to D4.
The "time during which the second starting hole is in a state where a ball can be scored in the second normal winning game" is equal to or longer than the "time during which the big prize hole is in a state where a ball can be scored in one round of game."
<Claim format>
In any one of the gaming machines D1 to D4,
The number of game balls that can enter the second start opening during the second normal winning game is equal to or greater than the number of game balls that can enter the big winning opening during one round of play.

In such gaming machines, when the second normal winning game is played, a game ball may enter the second starting hole and a second variation may occur, and when a small winning symbol is displayed in this second variation, a big winning game may occur via the small winning game. In this case, first, the second starting hole becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the big winning hole becomes available for ball entry during the big winning game (multiple rounds of play).

In this regard, in this gaming machine, the "number of game balls that can enter the second start port in a game that hits the second normal figure" is set to be equal to or greater than the "number of game balls that can enter the large prize port in one round of play." In this way, it is possible to increase the number of balls that enter the second start port in a game that hits the second normal figure (the number of game balls paid out based on the balls that enter can be increased) while preventing the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large as described above.

For this reason, particularly when the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second regular winning game, and then the large prize entry port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can be made to feel that the second regular winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming machine D6>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machines D1 to D5.
The "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the second starting hole during the second regular winning game" is equal to or greater than the "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize hole during the round game."
<Claim format>
In any one of the gaming machines D1 to D5,
The number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the second start opening during the second normal winning game is equal to or greater than the number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize opening during the round game.

In such gaming machines, when the second normal winning game is played, a game ball may enter the second starting hole and a second variation may occur, and when a small winning symbol is displayed in this second variation, a big winning game may occur via the small winning game. In this case, first, the second starting hole becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the big winning hole becomes available for ball entry during the big winning game (multiple rounds of play).

In this regard, in this gaming machine, the "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the second start port during play when the second normal figure hits" is set to be equal to or greater than the "number of game balls paid out based on one game ball entering the big prize port during round play." In this way, while preventing the "number of payouts in the electric support state" from becoming excessively large as described above, the number of game balls paid out at one time during play when the second normal figure hits can be made greater than during round play.

For this reason, particularly when the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second regular winning game, and then the large prize entry port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can be made to feel that the second regular winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming machine D7>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machines D1 to D6.
During the second regular winning game, it is possible to execute a presentation that suggests that a round of play is in progress.
<Claim format>
In any one of the gaming machines D1 to D6,
The gaming machine is characterized in that during the second normal winning game, a performance can be executed that suggests that the round game is being played.

In such a gaming machine, when the second normal winning game is played, a game ball may enter the second starting port and a second variation may occur, and when a small winning symbol is displayed in this second variation, a big winning game may occur via the small winning game. In this case, first, the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the big winning port becomes available for ball entry during the big winning game (multiple rounds of play). In this regard, with this gaming machine, during the second normal winning game, it is possible to execute a presentation that suggests that a round game is being played. Therefore, if the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the large winning port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can feel that the second normal winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus feel that the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

<Gaming machine D8>
＜Overview＞
Subordinate to gaming machines D1 to D7.
It is possible to execute an effect suggesting the sum of "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the second start port during the second normal winning game" and "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the big prize port during the round game."
<Claim format>
In any one of the gaming machines D1 to D7,
The gaming machine is characterized in that it is capable of executing an effect suggesting the sum of the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the second start port during the second normal winning game and the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the big prize port during the round game.

In such a gaming machine, when the second normal hit game is played, a game ball may enter the second start port and a second variation may be performed, and when a small hit pattern is stopped and displayed in this second variation, a big hit game may be played through the small hit game. In this case, first, the second start port becomes available for ball entry in the second normal hit game, and then the big prize port becomes available for ball entry in the big hit game (multiple round games). In this regard, in this gaming machine, it is possible to execute a performance that suggests the sum of "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the second start port during the second normal hit game" and "the number of game balls paid out based on the game ball entering the big prize port during the round game". Therefore, if the second starting port becomes available for ball entry during the second normal winning game, and then the large winning port becomes available for ball entry during the jackpot game (multiple rounds of play), the player can feel that the second normal winning game is part of the jackpot game (round play), and thus feel that the number of game balls paid out during the jackpot game has increased.

This invention can be used in gaming machines used in gaming halls.

1... Pachinko machine (game machine), 24... First start port, 25... Second start port, 28... Big prize port, 35... Small prize port, 38... Specific port (specific area), 41... Performance display device, 50... Segment display section, 200... Main control board, 201... CPU (special chart change means, big win game execution means, game state setting means, regular chart change means, regular win game execution means), 202... ROM, 220... Sub-control board, 221... CPU.

Claims (4)

a special pattern variation means capable of executing a first variation which is a variation display of a first special pattern based on a game ball entering a first starting hole, and a second variation which is a variation display of a second special pattern based on a game ball entering a second starting hole, as special pattern variations which are variation display of a special pattern;
A small win game execution means for executing a small win game when a small win pattern is stopped and displayed in the second variation;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game in which a round game is performed multiple times so that a jackpot opening is in a ball-entering state when a game ball passes through a specific area triggered by the execution of at least the small jackpot game, and
A normal pattern variation means capable of executing a normal pattern variation which is a variation display of a normal pattern;
A normal winning game execution means for executing a normal winning game in which the second starting hole is in a ball entry possible state when a normal winning pattern is stopped and displayed by the normal pattern variation;
A game state setting means capable of setting a non-electric support state and an electric support state as a game state;
Equipped with
When the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the electric support state, the possibility that the normal map winning pattern will be stopped and displayed is higher than when the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the non-electric support state,
The second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-entry-enabled state for a longer period of time in the second regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular winning symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set, than in the first regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set,
The electric support state is ended at the timing when the first fluctuation, which is the first second fluctuation, starts after the electric support state is set,
During the second normal winning game, it is possible to execute a performance that suggests that the round game is being executed.
A gaming machine characterized by: a special pattern variation means capable of executing a first variation which is a variation display of a first special pattern based on a game ball entering a first starting hole, and a second variation which is a variation display of a second special pattern based on a game ball entering a second starting hole, as special pattern variations which are variation display of a special pattern;
A small win game execution means for executing a small win game when a small win pattern is stopped and displayed in the second variation;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game in which a round game is performed multiple times so that a jackpot opening is in a ball-entering state when a game ball passes through a specific area triggered by the execution of at least the small jackpot game, and
A normal pattern variation means capable of executing a normal pattern variation which is a variation display of a normal pattern;
A normal winning game execution means for executing a normal winning game in which the second starting hole is in a ball entry possible state when a normal winning pattern is stopped and displayed by the normal pattern variation;
A game state setting means capable of setting a non-electric support state and an electric support state as a game state;
Equipped with
When the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the electric support state, the possibility that the normal winning pattern will be stopped and displayed is higher than when the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the non-electric support state,
The second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-entry-enabled state for a longer period of time in the second regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular winning symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set, than in the first regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set,
The electric support state is ended at the timing when the first fluctuation, which is the first second fluctuation, starts after the electric support state is set,
When the second normal winning game is started, a performance suggesting that the big winning game has started is executed . a special pattern variation means capable of executing a first variation which is a variation display of a first special pattern based on a game ball entering a first starting hole, and a second variation which is a variation display of a second special pattern based on a game ball entering a second starting hole, as special pattern variations which are variation display of a special pattern;
A small win game execution means for executing a small win game when a small win pattern is stopped and displayed in the second variation;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game in which a round game is performed multiple times so that a jackpot opening is in a ball-entering state when a game ball passes through a specific area triggered by the execution of at least the small jackpot game, and
A normal pattern variation means capable of executing a normal pattern variation which is a variation display of a normal pattern;
A normal winning game execution means for executing a normal winning game in which the second starting hole is in a ball entry possible state when a normal winning pattern is stopped and displayed by the normal pattern variation;
A game state setting means capable of setting a non-electric support state and an electric support state as a game state;
Equipped with
When the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the electric support state, the possibility that the normal winning pattern will be stopped and displayed is higher than when the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the non-electric support state,
The second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-entry-enabled state for a longer period of time in the second regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular winning symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set, than in the first regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set,
The electric support state is ended at the timing when the first fluctuation, which is the first second fluctuation, starts after the electric support state is set,
In the case where the jackpot game is played based on the game ball entering the second starting hole during the execution of the second normal jackpot game,
During the execution of the big win game, the game machine displays the number of game balls to be newly paid out added to the number of game balls paid out when the game balls enter the second starting hole during the execution of the second regular win game . a special pattern variation means capable of executing a first variation which is a variation display of a first special pattern based on a game ball entering a first starting hole, and a second variation which is a variation display of a second special pattern based on a game ball entering a second starting hole, as special pattern variations which are variation display of a special pattern;
A small win game execution means for executing a small win game when a small win pattern is stopped and displayed in the second variation;
A jackpot game execution means for executing a jackpot game in which a round game is performed multiple times so that a jackpot opening is in a ball-entering state when a game ball passes through a specific area triggered by the execution of at least the small jackpot game, and
A normal pattern variation means capable of executing a normal pattern variation which is a variation display of a normal pattern;
A normal winning game execution means for executing a normal winning game in which the second starting hole is in a ball entry possible state when a normal winning pattern is stopped and displayed by the normal pattern variation;
A game state setting means capable of setting a non-electric support state and an electric support state as a game state;
Equipped with
When the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the electric support state, the possibility that the normal winning pattern will be stopped and displayed is higher than when the normal map variation is performed during the setting of the non-electric support state,
The second starting hole is more likely to be in a ball-entry-enabled state for a longer period of time in the second regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular winning symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set, than in the first regular winning game, which is a regular winning game executed when the regular winning symbol is stopped and displayed in the regular symbol variation while the non-electric support state is set,
The electric support state is ended at the timing when the first fluctuation, which is the first second fluctuation, starts after the electric support state is set,
As the second regular winning game, a second regular winning game A and a second regular winning game B can be executed,
This gaming machine is characterized in that when the second regular winning game A is started and when the second regular winning game B is started, a performance suggesting that different types of big winning games have started is executed .

Images