JP7481737B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

Conventionally, slot machines equipped with multiple reels with multiple symbols arranged on the outer periphery are known as gaming machines. In a slot machine, the reels start to spin when play begins, and an internal lottery is held using a lottery table. When the reels stop, a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination selected in the internal lottery is displayed on the multiple reels, and if this winning combination wins, a process corresponding to the winning combination is performed, such as a medal payout process that pays out medals (game value) or a replay process that allows the player to play again without consuming any more medals.

In slot machines, the total number of medals paid out (balls) varies depending on the result of an internal lottery, so the total number of medals paid out may exceed expectations depending on the result of the internal lottery. In light of this, Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming machine that reduces the number of medals paid out by controlling the time and number of times the game is frozen, during which the game cannot progress even if an operation to progress the game is performed. Restricting the number of medals paid out in this way may cause players to become dissatisfied.

JP 2015-119888 A

However, with gaming machines, there is a need to reduce the risk of players becoming dissatisfied.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a gaming machine that reduces the risk of players becoming dissatisfied.

In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to the present invention comprises:
An instruction function control means for controlling the execution of instruction performance to assist in the winning of a predetermined combination;
A performance state control means for controlling a transition of a performance state between a plurality of performance states including an instruction performance state in which the instruction performance is executed,
The instruction performance state includes a first instruction performance state and a second instruction performance state in which the game value is increased and in which the expected value of the increase in the game value per one game is different from each other;
The second instruction performance state is characterized in that the expected value is lower than that of the first instruction performance state, but the predetermined performance is more advantageous than that of the first instruction performance state.

According to this configuration, in the second instruction presentation state, the expected value of the increase in the number of play values per game is lower than in the first instruction presentation state, but the specified performance is more favorable than in the first instruction presentation state. In other words, there is a trade-off between the second instruction presentation state and the first instruction presentation state, where the expected value is lower and the specified performance is more favorable. Therefore, even when transitioning to the second instruction presentation state, where the expected value is lower, the specified performance is more favorable than in the first instruction presentation state, giving the player a sense of satisfaction and reducing the risk of the player becoming dissatisfied.

This invention reduces the risk of players becoming dissatisfied.

1 is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the internal lottery table. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the winning patterns of the small prizes. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the payout for small prizes. FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram of the game state. FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram of the performance state. FIG. 13 shows the arrangement of symbols on the reels. This is a diagram to explain the control in the AT performance state. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows the arrangement of symbols on the reels. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the internal lottery table. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the manner of stopping operation when each winning area is won and the winning combination. FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram of the game state. FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram of the game section and presentation state. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the special presentation state in the modified example. A state transition diagram of the game zone and presentation state of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a point selection table. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining division of sections according to the first embodiment. 13 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the manner of stopping operation when the batting order bell is won in the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention and the winning combination. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the increase and decrease in the stored value of the winning counter. FIG.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Although a slot machine, which is one of gaming machines, will be described below, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a slot machine, and may be other gaming machines such as a pachinko gaming machine. In the following description, "front and rear" basically means that when a player is in front of the slot machine, the player side is "front" and the slot machine side is "rear", "up and down" means that the top side of the slot machine is "up" and the bottom side is "down", and "left and right" means that the left hand side of the player playing the slot machine is "left" and the right hand side is "right".

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine 10. The slot machine 10 is a medal-less gaming machine (managed gaming machine) (medal-less slot machine) that does not require medals (game value). Note that the slot machine 10 does not have a medal insertion slot, a hopper unit, a cash box, etc., unlike the slot machine shown in the second embodiment.

The slot machine 10 has a cabinet (back box) 1. The cabinet 1 has a top plate 2, a back plate 3, a bottom plate, a left side plate 5, and a right side plate 6, and is formed in a box shape with a front opening that opens to the front side of the cabinet 1. The cabinet 1 is made of wood, synthetic resin, metal, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, a front door 12 that closes the front opening of the housing 1 in an openable and closable manner is provided on the front side of the housing 1. In this embodiment, the front door 12 is divided into an upper door 12a and a lower door 12b, and the upper door 12a and the lower door 12b can be opened and closed freely relative to the housing 1. The upper door 12a is rotatably connected via a hinge to open and close the upper opening of the housing 1. The lower door 12b is rotatably connected via a hinge to open and close the lower opening of the housing 1. The front door 12 may be an integrated structure that is not divided into the upper door 12a and the lower door 12b.

The upper door 12a is provided with a liquid crystal display 13 (display device 13), a speaker 14, and other performance devices, as well as a display window 16. The liquid crystal display displays images (moving images, still images) for various performances. The speaker 14 outputs sounds (music, sound effects, voice, etc.) for various performances. Note that in addition to the liquid crystal display and speaker 14, lighting devices such as lamps (LEDs), movable props that can be operated by actuators, etc. may also be provided as performance devices.

Three reels 20a to 20c are arranged in a horizontal line behind the display window 16. Parts of the reels 20a to 20c are visible through the display window 16. A number of different patterns are arranged in a line along the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the reels 20a to 20c, and when the reels 20a to 20c stop, three consecutive patterns (upper, middle, and lower patterns) are displayed per reel through the display window 16. The display window 16 also has an upper, middle, and lower row as display positions for viewing the patterns of the reels 20a to 20c, and a winning line is set by a combination of the display positions of the reels 20a to 20c. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the winning line is formed by the middle row of the first reel 20a, the middle row of the second reel 20b, and the middle row of the third reel 20c. In addition, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, the number of medals required for one game (prescribed number) is set to three, and when the prescribed number of medals is inserted, the active line is activated.

When the slot machine 10 starts playing, the reels 20a-20c begin to spin and a winning role lottery is run to determine whether any of the winning roles will be a win or a miss (non-win). When the reels 20a-20c come to a halt, if a symbol combination corresponding to a winning role selected in the winning role lottery is displayed on an active line, this winning role will be a win, and a process corresponding to the winning role that has been selected (award winning process) will be executed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front door 12 is provided with a MAX BET button (bet button) 23 that is operated when betting (investing) credited medals (operated to set the maximum bet amount), a start lever 24 that is operated when starting a game, three stop buttons 26a, 26b, 26c that are operated to stop the rotation of the three reels 20a to 20c, and a performance button that is operated when changing the type of performance, etc.

In the slot machine 10, when the bet button 23 is operated and a specified number of medals is bet, the operation of the start lever 24 is enabled. When the enabled start lever 24 is operated, a game begins. When a game begins, each of the reels 20a to 20c begins to rotate, and when the rotation speed of each of the reels 20a to 20c reaches a certain speed and reaches a steady rotation, the operation of the stop buttons 26a to 26c is enabled. When an enabled stop button 26a to 26c is operated, each of the reels 20a to 20c corresponding to the operated stop button 26a to 26c stops.

In the slot machine 10, the gaming value is added to credits (game medals) according to the lending operation, etc. The added number of credits (number of game medals) is displayed on a credit display 28 provided on the front door 12. In addition, the front door 12 is provided with a counting button 29 that is operated when holding credits (game medals) and converting them into medals.

The inside of the housing 1 contains a power supply unit, a reel unit, a main board unit, etc. The power supply unit includes a power supply board, a power supply board case, and a power switch. The power supply unit is provided on the top surface of the bottom plate and is capable of supplying power to each component. The reel unit includes three reels 20a-20c with multiple designs around them, a drive motor (stepping motor) for rotating the reels 20a-20c, and a reel frame (frame member) that integrally supports the reels 20a-20c and the drive motor, etc.

The main board unit includes a main board 31 (main control board) (main control device) (see Figure 2), which is an electronic circuit board equipped with electronic components such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I/O. The main board 31 receives input signals from input devices such as the bet button 23, start lever 24, and stop buttons 26a to 26c, performs various calculations to execute the game, and controls output devices such as the reel unit based on the results of the calculations.

In addition, a sub-board unit and the like are provided on the rear side of the upper door 12a. The sub-board unit includes a sub-board 32 (sub-control board) (sub-control device) (see Figure 2), which is an electronic circuit board equipped with electronic components. The sub-board 32 receives signals sent from the main board 31, performs various calculations to execute the performance, and controls the performance devices such as the LCD display 13 and speaker 14 based on the results of the calculations.

The main board 31 and the sub-board 32 are electrically connected, and various information (signals) such as information indicating the game status can be transmitted from the main board 31 to the sub-board 32, but information cannot be transmitted from the sub-board 32 to the main board 31. The functions of each board such as the main board 31 and the sub-board 32 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ICs, or information storage media such as ROM and RAM, or software consisting of a predetermined program pre-stored in ROM, etc.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main board 31 includes an input receiving means 40, a random number generating means 41, an internal lottery means 42 that performs an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved, a reel control means 43 that controls the rotation of the reels, a winning determination means 44 that determines whether a winning combination has been achieved when all the reels have stopped, a payout control means 45, a setting change means 47, an initialization means 48, a game state control means 49, an instruction function control means 51, a main performance control means 52, and a storage means 60. The storage means 60 includes a ROM and a RAM. The sub-board 32 includes a sub-performance control means 70 and a sub-side storage means 72. The sub-side storage means 72 includes a ROM and a RAM.

In the above, the main board 31 is provided with the input receiving means 40 and the payout control means 45, but the input receiving means 40 and the payout control means 45 may be provided separately from the main board 31. That is, the slot machine 10 may be provided with a payout board (payout control board) that controls the game value, and the payout board may be provided with the input receiving means 40 and the payout control means 45. The payout board is an electronic circuit board equipped with electronic components such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I/O. The payout board is connected to the counting button 29, the MAX bet button (bet button) 23, and a RAM clear switch (not shown) for erasing information stored in the RAM, and receives input signals from these. The payout board is also connected to the credit display 28, and the payout board controls the display of the credit display 28. The payout board also transmits various commands to the main board. The main board also transmits various commands to the payout board. The communication between the payout board and the main board is two-way communication. The payout board is equipped with a backup power supply, and is capable of supplying the backup power supply to the main board. The payout board also stores credits in a designated area of the RAM. Specifically, the number of credits (number of game medals) is stored in a credit counter.

The main performance control means 52 and the sub-performance control means 70 constitute the performance control means 100. The main performance control means 52 decides whether or not to perform a navigation performance based on the game state, the performance state, etc. The sub-performance control means 70 controls the performance device using the performance data stored in the sub-side storage means 72 based on the game state, information on the performance state, or the decision on whether or not to perform a navigation performance transmitted from the main performance control means 52. Note that the control performed by the main performance control means 52 described in this embodiment may be performed by the sub-performance control means 70, and the control performed by the sub-performance control means 70 may be performed by the main performance control means 52.

The insertion acceptance means 40 accepts the insertion of medals (electronic insertion of medals) for each game, and performs a process of validating a game start operation on the start lever 24 based on the insertion of a specified number of medals. Specifically, when medals are inserted, the insertion acceptance means 40 sets the inserted medals to an inserted state (bet state) up to a specified number. Furthermore, when the bet button 23 is pressed with medals credited, the insertion acceptance means 40 sets the credited medals to an inserted state up to a specified number. Note that in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first press operation of the start lever 24 that is enabled based on the insertion of a specified number of medals is accepted as a game start operation, and this operation triggers the start of rotation of the reels 20a to 20c, and a lottery such as an internal lottery is performed.

The insertion acceptance means 40 also controls so that medals owned by the player are not set to a newly inserted state in the next game following the game in which a replay was won. Specifically, if a replay was won in the previous game, even if medals are inserted while the insertion of medals is being accepted, the inserted medals are not set to an inserted state, and the inserted medals are credited up to the credit upper limit (e.g., 50 medals). Also, while the insertion of medals is being accepted, operation of the bet button 23 is not accepted, so that the credited medals are not set to an inserted state even if the bet button 23 is pressed.

The random number generating means 41 generates random numbers for the lottery. The random numbers can be generated, for example, based on the count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numbers so as to circulate through a specified count range). In this embodiment, the "random numbers" include not only values that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values that are generated regularly but whose acquisition timing is irregular, and therefore can essentially function as random numbers.

The internal lottery means 42 performs an internal lottery using an internal lottery table based on the operation of the activated start lever 24 (i.e., the start of a game). The internal lottery table is a table in which various winning roles including small roles, replays, and bonuses and losing roles (non-winning roles) are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535), and a plurality of internal lottery tables are stored in the internal lottery table storage area 61 provided in the ROM of the storage means 60. Specifically, the gaming machine of this embodiment has a plurality of internal lottery tables including three types of internal lottery tables, from internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 3, as shown in FIG. 3. The internal lottery means 42 selects an internal lottery table according to a game state and a set value to perform an internal lottery.
A minor win is a win that allows a player to receive a payout of a predetermined number of medals according to the minor win. A replay is a win that allows a player to play again without consuming any more medals. When a replay is won, the operation of the start lever 24 is enabled without the player using any medals, and the player can start playing by operating the start lever 24.

In the internal lottery, a random number value for the lottery is obtained from the random number generating means 41, and this random number value is compared with the internal lottery table to determine whether or not a winning role has been won, and the winning role associated with the random number value is the winning role. Also, for each random number value, there are cases where one winning role is associated with one random number, and cases where multiple winning roles are associated with one random number. Therefore, there are cases where one role is won by the internal lottery, and cases where multiple roles are won at the same time.

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the following minor roles are available: normal bell A, bell B, bell C, special minor role A1, special minor role A2, special minor role A3, special minor role A4, special minor role B, weak cherry, strong cherry, and watermelon. The winning modes for minor roles in which multiple types of minor roles overlap and are won are batting order bell (batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 8: first winning mode), JAC1 (second winning mode), and JAC2.

To explain the batting order bell in detail with reference to FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 4(a), batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 4 indicate that bell A, bell B, one of the special minor roles A1 to A4, and special minor role B overlap and win. In this way, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 4, bell A, bell B, and two types of special minor roles overlap and win, and the combinations of the two types of special minor roles that overlap and win with bell A and bell B are different. Also, as shown in FIG. 4(a), batting order bell 5 to batting order bell 8 indicate that bell A, bell C, one of the special minor roles A1 to A4, and special minor role B overlap and win. In this way, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, batting order bell 5 to batting order bell 8, bell A, bell C, and two types of special minor roles overlap and win, and the combinations of the two types of special minor roles that overlap and win with bell A and bell C are different.

To explain JAC in more detail with reference to FIG. 4(b), JAC1 indicates that Bell A, Bell B, Bell C, special small win B, watermelon, weak cherry, and strong cherry will all win. JAC2 indicates that special small win A1 to A4, special small win B, and Bell A will all win.

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the probability of winning a small prize is the same on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2. The probability of winning a replay is the same on internal lottery tables 1 to 3. On internal lottery table 3, the small prize is won in a manner different from that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2. On internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 8 cause bell B and bell C to win without overlapping, while on internal lottery table 3, bell B and bell C are won in an overlapping manner by JAC1.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a big bonus (BB) is provided as a bonus, and in the internal lottery table 1, the big bonus is set as a lottery object, but in the internal lottery table 2 and the internal lottery table 3, the big bonus is excluded from the lottery objects.
In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the bonus is assumed to be a continuous operation device for a so-called first type special feature, but it may be a continuous operation device for a first type special feature or a second type special feature, etc. Also, the bonus is not limited to one type, and multiple bonuses may be installed.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the replay and the bonus are each set to be won individually, but it may also be set so that they can be won together. For example, it may be set so that a replay and a bonus are won together, a small role and a bonus are won together, or multiple types of replays are won together.

The internal lottery means 42 sets the winning flag corresponding to the winning combination as a result of the internal lottery from a non-winning state (off state) to a winning state (on state). In addition, when multiple winning combinations are won at the same time, the winning flag corresponding to each of the overlapping winning combinations is set from a non-winning state to a winning state. In addition, the setting information of the winning flag is stored in the winning flag memory area 62 provided in the RAM of the memory means 60.

Furthermore, there are two types of winning flags: a winning flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over the winning state to the next game or later until a prize is won, and a winning flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to a non-winning state without carrying over the winning state to the next game or later regardless of whether a prize is won. A big bonus is a role that can be associated with a carry-over flag. A small role and a replay are roles that can be associated with a non-carry-over flag. For example, when a big bonus is won in an internal lottery, the internal lottery means 42 carries over the winning state of the big bonus winning flag until the big bonus is won. At this time, even in a game in which the winning state of the big bonus winning flag is carried over, the internal lottery means 42 carries out an internal lottery to determine whether or not the small role and the replay are won. In other words, in a game in which the winning state of the big bonus winning flag is carried over, if a small role or a replay is won, the winning flags corresponding to two or more roles, the winning flag of the big bonus already won and the winning flag of the small role or the replay won in the internal lottery, are set to a winning state.

In addition, the slot machine 10 has six settings, from setting 1 to setting 6, and the probability of winning a role varies depending on the setting value. Specifically, when the setting is changed, the internal lottery table group consisting of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 is changed to an internal lottery table group associated with each setting, and the internal lottery table group changes to one with different winning probabilities for small roles, replays, and bonuses depending on the setting.

The setting change means 47 controls changing of the setting values stored in the setting value storage area 63 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60. Specifically, when the setting change key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder provided inside the slot machine 10 and the power supply of the slot machine 10 is turned on with the setting change key (setting change key cylinder) rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the initial position, the setting change means 47 starts the slot machine 10 in the setting change mode. The setting value can be selected from six setting values from setting 1 to setting 6, and the winning probability of the internal lottery is changed so that the expected value of the ball payout rate increases in order from setting 1 to setting 6. The setting change means 47 changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... setting 6 → setting 1 → ... each time the setting change button provided inside the slot machine 10 is pressed in the setting change mode, and when the start lever 24 is pressed, the setting value is confirmed and the confirmed setting value is stored in the setting value storage area 63. In addition, it is possible to switch from the setting change mode to the game mode by returning the setting change key inserted into the setting change key cylinder to its initial position.
In this embodiment, the setting values are expressed in the order of setting 1<setting 2<setting 3<setting 4<setting 5<setting 6.

When the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder in the initial position, the slot machine 10 is started in the game mode. In the game mode, the gaming machine of this embodiment can play games but cannot change the settings, while in the setting change mode, the settings can be changed but cannot play games.

When the setting value is changed, the initialization means 48 performs an initialization process to initialize at least a part of the information stored in the RAM of the storage means 60. Specifically, when the setting value is changed, the initialization means 48 performs a process to return the game state, game section, and presentation state to their initial states, which will be described later. That is, when the setting value is changed, the game state becomes the normal state, the game section becomes the non-advantageous section, and the presentation state becomes the normal presentation state, and these states become the same as when the power is turned on for the first time after shipping from the factory. In addition, the initialization means 48 initializes other information related to presentation stored in the RAM of the storage means 60 in the initialization process. In addition, the sub-control board 32 also has an initialization means (not shown), and when a signal notifying that the setting value has been changed is transmitted from the main control board 31, the initialization means of the sub-control board 32 initializes information related to presentation stored in the RAM of the sub-side storage means 72.
In addition, even if the setting value is changed, the game state, game section, and presentation state may not return to their initial states.

The reel control means 43 starts the rotation of each of the reels 20a-20c when the enabled start lever 24 is operated (i.e., the start of a game) under the control of the main control board 31, and when the enabled stop buttons 26a-26c are operated, it controls the stopping of the reel corresponding to the operated stop button.

The reel control means 43 determines the stop position of the reel from the first reel 20a to the third reel 20c that corresponds to the operated button each time one of the stop buttons 26a to 26c is operated, and controls the reel to stop at the determined stop position. In the slot machine 10, when the stop button 26a is operated, the rotation of the first reel 20a is stopped, when the stop button 26b is operated, the rotation of the second reel 20b is stopped, and when the stop button 26c is operated, the rotation of the third reel 20c is stopped. Therefore, the stop order of the first reel 20a to the third reel 20c changes depending on the order in which the stop buttons 26a to 26c are operated.

In the following, regarding the order of stop operations (the order of operation of stop buttons 26a to 26c), the order of a group of stop operations in which all stop buttons 26a to 26c are operated is referred to as the "batting order." In addition, of the stop operations that make up the batting order, the first stop operation performed is referred to as the "first stop operation," the second stop operation performed as the "second stop operation," and the third stop operation performed as the "third stop operation."

In the following, the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c that stop the reels in the order of the first reel 20a, the second reel 20b, and the third reel 20c is referred to as "batting order 1," the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c that stop the reels in the order of the first reel 20a, the third reel 20c, and the second reel 20b is referred to as "batting order 2," and the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c that stop the reels in the order of the second reel 20b, the first reel 20a, and the third reel 20c is referred to as "batting order 3." The operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c that stops the reels in the order of the second reel 20b, the third reel 20c, and the first reel 20a is designated as "batting order 4," the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c that stops the reels in the order of the third reel 20c, the first reel 20a, and the second reel 20b is designated as "batting order 5," and the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c that stops the reels in the order of the third reel 20c, the second reel 20b, and the first reel 20a is designated as "batting order 6."

In the stop control when the stop buttons 26a to 26c are operated, the reel control means 43 stops each of the reels 20a to 20c so that the winning combination with the winning flag set to the winning state wins. Specifically, when the winning flag of one winning combination is set to the winning state, the reels 20a to 20c are stopped so that this winning combination wins. In addition, when the winning flags of multiple winning combinations are set to the winning state in a overlapping manner, the reels 20a to 20c are stopped so that a predetermined winning combination wins according to the priority order set for each combination. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the priority order is set in the order of "replay > minor combination > bonus". Then, the reel control means 43 stops the reels 20a to 20c so that the symbols constituting the winning combination with the higher priority are displayed on the pay line in priority to the symbols constituting the winning combination with the lower priority.

In addition, when multiple types of small roles are won in the internal lottery, the priority order for the candidate stop positions may be determined according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line, or according to the number of medals paid out based on the payouts that are determined in advance for the small roles. When determining the priority order for the candidate stop positions according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line, the priority order for each candidate stop position is determined so that the priority order is higher for the stop positions that have a larger number of symbol combinations that show winning forms that can be displayed on the active line. When determining the priority order for the candidate stop positions according to the number of medals paid out, the priority order for each candidate stop position is determined so that the priority order is higher for the stop positions that have a larger number of medals paid out based on the payouts for the small roles that correspond to the symbols displayed at the display positions on the active line (stop positions that can win small roles with a larger payout). However, when determining the priority order for the candidate stop positions according to the number of medals paid out, if small roles with the same payouts are won multiple times, the priority order for the candidate stop positions that can win each small role is treated as being the same.

In addition, the batting order bells 1 to 8 are set with a correct batting order and a specific batting order, respectively, and an order different from either the correct batting order or the specific batting order is treated as an incorrect batting order. In particular, in this embodiment, the correct batting order and the specific batting order have the same reel to be stopped first, and the second reel to be stopped is branched into a case where it is judged to be the correct batting order and a case where it is judged to be the specific batting order. If any of the batting order bells is won, and the type of the stop button pressed first corresponds to the correct batting order and the specific batting order, the priority is determined so that the first reel to be stopped has the highest priority of the candidate for the stop position that will have the largest number of medals paid out and the largest number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the effective line, and the second and subsequent reels to be stopped have the highest priority of the candidate for the stop position that will have the largest number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the effective line. Furthermore, if any of the batting order bells is won, and the stop buttons 26a-26c are pressed in an incorrect batting order, the priority is determined so that the candidate stop position that can display the symbol combination that constitutes the most winning forms is given the highest priority.

In the gaming machine of this embodiment, if any of the batting order bells is won, when the stop buttons 26a-26c are pressed in a specific batting order, the priority is determined so that the candidate stop positions that can win Bell A have the highest priority, when the stop buttons 26a-26c are pressed in the correct batting order, the game order is determined so that the candidate stop positions that can win Bell B or Bell C have the highest priority, and when the stop buttons 26a-26c are pressed in an incorrect batting order, the priority is determined so that the candidate stop positions that can win Special Small Winners A1-A4 or Special Small Winners B have the highest priority.

In addition, if you win JAC1, you can win Bell B or Bell C regardless of the batting order you play in, and if you win JAC2, you can win Bell A regardless of the batting order you play in.

The winning determination means 44 is activated when the reels 20a to 20c stop spinning, and determines whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the reels 20a to 20c. Specifically, the symbol combination displayed (stopped display) on the pay line by the stopping of the reels 20a to 20c is compared to the winning determination table stored in the ROM of the storage means 60. The winning determination table stores the winning form (the symbol combination that will win when stopped and displayed) of each winning combination, and the above-mentioned comparison determines whether or not a winning combination has been achieved and the type of winning combination that has been achieved. When a winning combination has been achieved, the main control board 31 executes a winning process corresponding to the winning combination that has been achieved. Specifically, the winning process performs a payout process when a small combination has been achieved, a replay process (replay process) when a replay has been achieved, and a process to transition the game state (game state transition control process) when a bonus has been achieved.

The payout process here is a process of paying out a number of medals determined based on the payout set for each role when a small winning combination is achieved, and is performed by the payout control means 45. When a small winning combination is achieved, the payout control means 45 determines the number of medals to be paid out based on the payout set for each role, and performs a credit addition process to add the payout number to the number of credits (the number of credited medals) stored in the credit storage area provided in the RAM of the storage means 60, thereby virtually paying out medals.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a bell A, special small symbols A1 to A4, or special small symbol B is won, one medal is paid out, when a bell B or bell C is won, seven medals are paid out, when a watermelon is won, three medals are paid out, and when a weak cherry or strong cherry is won, two medals are paid out.

In addition, the replay process is a process performed by the replay control means to set the next game to the same game start standby state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert any medals owned by the player, when the replay wins. When the replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert the same number of medals as the number set to the inserted state in the previous game (the game in which the replay won) without using the player's medals (credited medals), and the game waits for the next game start operation on the start lever 24 with a winning line set corresponding to the number of medals inserted by the automatic insertion process. In addition, when the automatic insertion process is performed, it is not possible to insert additional medals.

As shown in FIG. 6, the game state control means 49 performs a game state transition control process that transitions the game state between the normal state, the bonus established state, and the bonus state. A single game state transition condition may be defined, or multiple game state transition conditions may be defined. When multiple game state transition conditions are defined, the game state may be transitioned based on one of the multiple predetermined conditions being established, or the game state may be transitioned based on multiple or all of the multiple predetermined conditions being established.

The internal lottery means 42 selects an internal lottery table from the internal lottery tables shown in FIG. 3 according to the game state and performs an internal lottery. Specifically, in the normal state, the internal lottery is performed by referring to the internal lottery table 1 in which the big bonus is set as the lottery object. In the bonus establishment state, the internal lottery is performed by referring to the internal lottery table 2 in which the big bonus is excluded from the lottery object. In the bonus state, the internal lottery is performed by referring to the internal lottery table 3 in which the big bonus is excluded from the lottery object. The slot machine 10 may be provided with a plurality of internal lottery tables with different winning probabilities of replay, and the game state control means 49 may transition the game state between a plurality of game states (RT states) with different winning probabilities of replay at a predetermined opportunity (for example, based on the winning of a predetermined role).

The game state is initially in the normal state. In addition, it is possible to transition from the normal state to a bonus establishment state. When a big bonus is won in the normal state, the game state control means 49 transitions the game state to the bonus establishment state.

The bonus established state is a game state to which the player transitions when a big bonus is won in an internal lottery. In the bonus established state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus is maintained in a winning state until the big bonus is won, and when a symbol combination indicating the winning form of the big bonus is displayed on an active line, the game state control means 49 transitions the game state from the bonus established state to the bonus state.

The bonus state is a game state to which the game is switched when a symbol combination indicating a big bonus winning form is displayed on an active line. In the bonus state, the game state control means 49 judges whether or not a termination condition is met based on the total number of medals paid out in the bonus state, and when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number (e.g., 100 medals), the game state control means 49 terminates the bonus state and switches the game state to the normal state.
In this embodiment, the end condition of the bonus state is determined by the total number of medals paid out, but the end condition may be determined by the number of games played in the bonus state, the number of times a small winning combination is won, etc. Also, the end condition of the bonus state may be determined so that the bonus state ends after one game.

The instruction function control means 51 includes a presentation state control means 81 and a bonus granting means 82. The instruction function control means 51 performs processing related to the operation of an instruction function that assists in the winning of a specific role. Specifically, when a specific role is won, the instruction function control means 51 determines whether or not to perform an instruction presentation that assists in the winning of this role. More specifically, when the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 determines whether or not to perform an instruction presentation (batting order navigation presentation) that notifies the correct batting order and assists in the winning of Bell B and Bell C. Then, based on this decision, the presentation control means 100 causes a presentation device such as the display device 13 and the speaker 14 to execute the batting order navigation presentation.

As shown in FIG. 7, the presentation state control means 81 performs a presentation state transition control process that transitions the presentation state between multiple types of presentation states, including a normal presentation state, a non-AT presentation state, and an AT presentation state (instruction presentation state). A single condition may be defined as the transition condition of the presentation state, or multiple conditions may be defined. When multiple conditions are defined, the presentation state may be transitioned when one of the multiple predefined conditions is satisfied, or the presentation state may be transitioned based on multiple or all of the multiple predefined conditions being satisfied.

The normal presentation state is a presentation state that corresponds to the initial state among multiple types of game states. In the normal presentation state, the bonus granting means 82 performs a first lottery at a predetermined trigger (based on the winning of watermelon, weak cherry, or strong cherry (winning of a rare role)) to determine whether or not to transition to a non-AT presentation state. When a transition to a non-AT presentation state is determined in the first lottery, the presentation state control means 81 transitions the presentation state to the non-AT presentation state.

In the non-AT presentation state, the bonus granting means 82 performs a lottery (AT lottery: first AT lottery) at a predetermined opportunity (based on winning a rare role) to determine whether or not to transition to the AT presentation state. If the first AT lottery is won, the presentation state control means 81 transitions the presentation state to the AT presentation state. Note that the non-AT presentation state has a higher probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state than the normal presentation state, making it a presentation state that is more advantageous for the player than the normal presentation state. Also, in the non-AT presentation state, the batting order navigation presentation is performed less frequently than in the AT presentation state, and the batting order navigation presentation is rarely performed or is not performed at all.

It is also possible to make it so that there is a direct transition from the normal presentation state to the AT presentation state. For example, in the first lottery, rather than simply deciding whether or not to transition to a non-AT presentation state, a lottery may be held to determine whether the presentation state will transition to an AT presentation state, a non-AT presentation state, or whether it will remain in the normal presentation state. In addition, the probability of transitioning directly from the normal presentation state to the AT presentation state may differ for each setting, such as being higher for setting 6 than for setting 1, or the probability may be the same for all setting values.

The AT presentation state may also be set according to the game state to which a transition occurs based on winning a bonus or winning a prize. For example, the game state may transition to the AT presentation state when a bonus is established, and may not transition to the AT presentation state in the normal state or bonus state. In other words, in the normal state or bonus state, for example, the AT presentation state may not be transitioned to even if an AT lottery is won, and an AT lottery may not be held.

In addition, if a bonus is won when the presentation state is an AT presentation state and the game state is a bonus established state, the AT presentation state may be interrupted after the bonus state transition due to the winning of the bonus ends, until the game transitions back to the bonus established state via the normal state. In other words, the navigation presentation may be stopped when a bonus is won, and resumed when the game transitions back to the bonus established state.

When any of batting order bells 1 to 8 wins during the AT performance state and the instruction function control means 51 decides to perform a batting order navigation performance, the performance control means 100 executes a batting order navigation performance that notifies the player of the correct batting order and assists in the winning of Bell B or Bell C. Specifically, the performance control means 100 executes the batting order navigation performance on the display device 13 and the speaker 14, etc. When the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed according to the correct batting order notified in the batting order navigation performance, Bell B or Bell C will always win and the player will be able to win seven medals. When the batting order navigation performance is performed, information indicating the correct batting order is also displayed on the seven-segment display of the game information display unit 17.

As shown in FIG. 8, the red 7 symbol "RED 7", the BAR symbol "BAR", the special symbol "SP", the replay symbol A "RPA", the replay symbol B "RPB", the bell symbol A "BLA", the bell symbol B "BLB", the watermelon symbol A "WMA", the watermelon symbol B "WMB", and the cherry symbol "CH" are arranged on the outer periphery of the reels 20a to 20c.

In this embodiment, the continuation of the AT presentation state is managed by the difference in the number of medals acquired in the AT presentation state (the difference in the number of medals will be described later). When the AT lottery (first AT lottery) is won and it is decided to transition the presentation state to the AT presentation state, the presentation state control means 81 sets the stored value of the AT end determination counter 69 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60 to a value equivalent to a predetermined difference in the number of medals, and transitions the presentation state to the AT presentation state. The value set in the AT end determination counter 69 at the start of the AT presentation state may be determined by lottery or the like. Below, an example will be described in which the AT end determination counter 69 is set to "500", which corresponds to 500 medals, as the value equivalent to the predetermined difference in the number of medals at the start of the AT presentation state.

Each time a game is played in the AT performance state, the performance state control means 81 performs a process of subtracting a value corresponding to the difference in the number of medals for that game from the stored value of the AT end judgment counter 69. The difference in the number of medals for that game (one game) is calculated by subtracting a value corresponding to the number of medals inserted in the game (for example, "3" if three medals are inserted) from a value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (for example, "7" if seven medals are paid out, and "0" if no combination is won and no medals are paid out). Then, when the stored value of the AT end judgment counter 69 reaches the threshold value "0", the performance state control means 81 ends the AT performance state and transitions the performance state to the normal performance state.

The instruction function control means 51 also performs a judgment process (excess judgment process) to judge whether the ball output performance (number of medals acquired) in the AT performance state corresponds to an excess state at a predetermined trigger. In this embodiment, the excess state is defined as "a state in which the number of medals acquired exceeds 2400 in 1500 or less plays in the AT performance state." The excess state may also be defined as "a state in which the number of medals acquired exceeds 4800 in 3000 or less plays in the AT performance state" or "a state in which the number of medals acquired exceeds 15000 in 10000 or less plays in the AT performance state," etc.

In this embodiment, the expected increase in the number of medals per game (hereinafter, the net increase) is designed to be "6" at the start of the AT presentation state. The net increase is calculated by subtracting the expected number of medals inserted per game from the expected number of medals paid out per game. Note that this calculation takes into account the winning of a replay, but a winning replay may be calculated, for example, as the payout of the same number of medals as the number inserted in that game, or it may be calculated as the number of medals inserted in the next game being "0".

The instruction function control means 51 performs the excess judgment process when the value (initial value) to be set in the memory value of the AT end judgment counter 69 at the start of the AT performance state is determined. Here, the instruction function control means 51 performs the excess judgment process when the initial value "500" is set. Here, the instruction function control means 51 determines that the memory value of the AT end judgment counter 69 is "500" and the number of winning coins in the AT performance state does not exceed 2400 coins, that is, the ball output performance in the AT performance state does not fall into the excess state (the number of winning coins exceeds 2400 coins in 1500 or less plays). If the instruction function control means 51 determines in the excess judgment process that the ball output performance in the AT performance state does not fall into the excess state, it does not perform the excess avoidance process (described later).

Next, a case will be described where the instruction function control means 51 determines in the excess determination process that the ball output performance in the AT presentation state corresponds to an excess state.
In the AT performance state, the bonus granting means 82 performs a lottery (addition lottery) to determine whether or not to increase the duration of the AT performance state at a predetermined opportunity (for example, based on winning a rare role). When the bonus granting means 82 wins the addition lottery and it is decided to increase the duration of the AT performance state, it adds a value equivalent to a predetermined difference number to the AT end judgment counter 69. In other words, when the addition lottery is won (when it is decided to execute the addition by the addition lottery), a value equivalent to a predetermined difference number is added to the AT end judgment counter 69. The difference number granted by the addition may be selected from a plurality of difference numbers at the time of winning the addition lottery. In addition, when the difference number to be added is, for example, 2000 sheets, it can be said that the performance of the addition is higher (high-performance addition) than when the difference number to be added is 100 sheets. In addition, the higher the expected value of the number of sheets to be added in the addition lottery, the higher the performance of the addition.

As shown in FIG. 9, after the start of the AT performance state, medals are paid out so that the net increase in medals is "6" for all 30 plays, and when 30 plays have been played, the number of medals won in the AT performance state is 180. At this time, the stored value of the AT play count counter 67, which is added with a value "1" corresponding to one play each time a play is played in the AT performance state, is "30", and the stored value of the AT winning number counter 68, which is added with a value corresponding to the number of medals won in the AT performance state, is "180". Here, when the 30 plays have been played, the addition lottery is won, and the value "2000" corresponding to the difference in medals of 2000 is added to the AT end judgment counter 69. At this time, the stored value (remaining number) of the AT end judgment counter 69 is "2320".

The instruction function control means 51 performs the excess determination process when the addition lottery is won (when the addition is performed). Here, the instruction function control means 51 performs the excess determination process when the addition lottery is won and the value ("2000") to be set as the stored value of the AT end determination counter 69 is determined. In this embodiment, the excess determination process is performed when the addition lottery is won, but the excess determination process may be performed when a predetermined addition lottery is executed (regardless of whether the addition is actually performed). In this embodiment, the instruction function control means 51 determines that if the game is continued as it is, the excess state will be reached (there is a high possibility that the excess state will be reached) when the sum of the "number of medals acquired in the AT performance state (high pure increase section)" (storage value of the AT acquisition number counter 68)" and the "number of medals determined to be acquired in the AT performance state (storage value of the AT end determination counter 69)" exceeds the threshold value (2400) in the high pure increase section (section where the net increase number is "6"). In the example shown in FIG. 9, the instruction function control means 51 determines that the ball output performance in the AT presentation state falls into an excess state (the number of balls won exceeds 2400 in 1500 or fewer plays) based on the fact that in the high pure increase zone, the stored value of the AT acquisition number counter 68 is "180", the stored value of the AT end determination counter 69 is "2320", the sum of the two exceeds 2400, and the stored value of the AT play count counter 67 is "30", and if play continues in this state in the high pure increase zone, the stored value of the AT acquisition number counter 68 will exceed "2400" in 1500 or fewer plays.

When the instruction function control means 51 determines in the excess determination process that the ball output performance in the AT performance state falls into the excess state, it performs a process to avoid the excess state (excess avoidance process). The instruction function control means 51 controls (changes) the net increase in number of medals and slows down the medal increase speed. Specifically, the instruction function control means 51 changes the net increase in number of medals from "6" to "1" (decreases the net increase in number of medals). In other words, in this embodiment, the AT performance state has two sections with different net increase in number, i.e., a section where the net increase in number is "6" (high net increase section) and a section where the net increase in number is "1" (low net increase section), and the instruction function control means 51 transitions from the high net increase section to the low net increase section.

The instruction function control means 51 realizes the low net gain section by lowering the frequency (occurrence rate) of the batting order navigation effect. In other words, the instruction function control means 51 increases the probability of deciding not to execute the batting order navigation effect that notifies the correct batting order even if the batting order bell is won, thereby realizing the low net gain section. For example, in the case of a lottery to determine whether or not to generate the batting order navigation effect when the batting order bell is won, the probability of the lottery being lowered increases the probability that the batting order navigation effect will not be executed even if the batting order bell is won. Also, in the case of the AT performance state, when the batting order navigation effect is executed once per predetermined number of times of play, the probability of the batting order navigation effect not being executed even if the batting order bell is won increases by setting the value of the predetermined number of times of play to a larger value. If the batting order navigation effect is not executed even if the batting order bell is won, the probability that the stop buttons 26a to 26c are not pressed in accordance with the correct batting order increases (the probability of Bell B or Bell C winning decreases), and the number of net gains decreases.

Return to FIG. 9. When the net increase in number of coins is changed from "6" to "1", 30 games have been played in the AT performance state, so the number of games until 1500 games are reached is 1470. If 1470 games are played with the net increase in number of coins being "1", the number of coins won at the time of 1500 games will be 1650. In other words, when the value stored in the AT game count counter 67 reaches "1500", the value stored in the AT winning number counter 68 becomes "1650" (smaller than 2400). Therefore, by changing the net increase in number of coins from "6" to "1", it is possible to avoid the ball output performance in the AT performance state being in an excessive state (the number of coins won exceeds 2400 coins in 1500 or less games).

In this embodiment, the low pure gain section (second instruction performance state) has a smaller net gain than the high pure gain section (first instruction performance state), but the specified performance (described later) is more favorable than the high pure gain section. In other words, in the AT performance state, there is a trade-off between the relatively small net gain and the favorable specified performance. In further other words, both the low pure gain section and the high pure gain section are sections in which medals (play value) increase, and the expected value for the increase in medals per play is different, and the expected value of the low pure gain section is lower than that of the high pure gain section, but the specified performance is more favorable than that of the high pure gain section.
In the low pure gain section, a predetermined performance is more advantageous than in the high pure gain section, and in the low pure gain section, the performance of the add-on may be more advantageous than in the high pure gain section. The performance of the add-on being more advantageous may be that the probability of winning the add-on lottery is higher, or that the probability of winning the add-on lottery is the same but the expected value of the number of added coins is higher (more), or that the probability of the add-on lottery being executed is higher, etc.

When the net increase in the number of medals is relatively small in the AT performance state (when the medal increase speed is relatively slow), the player may become dissatisfied. However, in this embodiment, in the section in the AT performance state where the net increase in the number of medals is relatively small, the predetermined performance is advantageous as described above, so that the probability of playing for a relatively long period of time is high. As a result, the total amount of medals that can be ultimately won is relatively large. In the example shown in FIG. 9, when the number of plays reaches 1500, the stored value of the AT end judgment counter 69 is "850" and not "0", so that the game can be continued in the AT performance state, and the player can ultimately win 2500 medals, which is more than 2400 medals. This gives the player a sense of satisfaction, and reduces the possibility of the player becoming dissatisfied.

In this embodiment, in the AT performance state, in the low pure increase section, the probability that the batting order navigation performance will not be executed when the batting order bell is won is higher than in the high pure increase section, but the specified performance (addition performance) is more advantageous than when the probability of the batting order navigation performance being executed is high (i.e., in the high pure increase section). As an example, the probability of winning the addition lottery is higher. In addition, in the low pure increase section, if the batting order navigation performance is not executed when the batting order bell is won, a special lottery that is advantageous to the player may be held.
In addition, in a low pure increase section, when the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed in accordance with the correct batting order in a game in which the batting order navigation performance is not performed, the specified performance may be made even more advantageous (for example, the probability of winning the additional lottery may be made even higher) than when the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed outside the correct batting order.

In addition, in this embodiment, the continuation of the AT presentation state is managed by the difference in the number of medals, but the continuation of the AT presentation state may also be managed by the number of times the game is played in the AT presentation state or the number of times the batting order navigation presentation is executed in the AT presentation state. In other words, a value equivalent to the number of times the game is played in the AT presentation state or the number of times the batting order navigation presentation is executed in the AT presentation state may be added to the AT end determination counter 69 in an additional lottery, etc.

In addition, in the AT performance state, a lottery (AT lottery: second AT lottery) may be held at a predetermined opportunity to determine whether or not to grant the right to transition to the AT performance state. The right to transition to the AT performance state here is not limited to one set of AT performance states, where one AT performance state is one set, but may be two or more sets of AT performance states. In addition, the number of sets (number of stocks) of the AT performance state may be selected from multiple types of set numbers when the second AT lottery is won. When the second AT lottery is won, a value equivalent to the predetermined number of sets is added to the AT stock counter. In this case, if the stored value of the AT stock counter is "1" or more at the end of one set of the AT performance state, the performance state control means 81 starts the next set of the AT performance state.

In addition, in this embodiment, the probability of winning the additional lottery in the low pure increase zone is set to be higher than the probability of winning the additional lottery in the high pure increase zone, but when a second AT lottery (stock lottery) is performed as described above, the probability of winning the second AT lottery in the low pure increase zone may be set to be higher than the probability of winning the second AT lottery in the high pure increase zone. In this case, the probability of the AT performance state being stocked is higher in the low pure increase zone than in the high pure increase zone. In the low pure increase zone, the number of net increases is relatively small, but the probability of playing for a relatively long period of time is high, which gives the player a sense of satisfaction and reduces the risk of the player becoming dissatisfied.

In addition, in this embodiment, the instruction function control means 51 reduces the net increase in the number of coins when it determines that if play is continued in the AT presentation state, it will (certainly) result in an excess state (a state in which the number of coins exceeds 2400 in 1500 or less plays in the AT presentation state). However, this is not limited to this, and the net increase in the number of coins may be reduced when there is a high probability that the number of coins will exceed the excess state if play is continued in the AT presentation state (i.e., when the probability of the number of coins exceeding the excess state is a predetermined value or more). As an example, if play is continued in the AT presentation state, it may be determined that there is a high probability that the number of coins will exceed 2000 in 1500 or less plays, and there is a high probability that the number of coins will exceed the excess state. By reducing the net increase in the number of coins when it is determined that there is a high probability that the number of coins will exceed the excess state, it is possible to more reliably avoid the number of coins exceeding the excess state.

In addition, in this embodiment, the net increase in number of coins is reduced from "6" to "1" to avoid entering the excess state, but if it is possible to avoid entering the excess state, the net increase in number of coins may be reduced in stages. In addition, in this embodiment, the net increase in number of coins is reduced, but if it is determined that the number of remaining plays until reaching 1500 is relatively small and increasing the net increase in number would not result in an excess state (a state in which the number of coins exceeds 2400 coins with 1500 plays or less in an AT performance state), the net increase in number may be increased.

In addition, in this embodiment, control is performed to avoid an excess state, but if, for example, a standard is set in an amusement arcade such that the number of gaming machines in an excess state is 50% or less of the total, there may be gaming machines that fall into an excess state within a range that meets that standard.

Although this embodiment has been described using a so-called medal-less gaming machine, the present invention can also be applied to gaming machines in which games are played using medals, as shown in the following second embodiment. In this case, the instruction function control means performs a process of determining whether or not the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are met at a predetermined trigger in the advantageous zone (advantageous zone end determination process). Then, when the instruction function control means determines that the value of the difference number counter that manages the number of medals won in the advantageous zone exceeds the threshold value (2400), it performs a process of reducing the net increase in the number of medals. By configuring in this way, it is possible to delay the timing at which the advantageous zone ends.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention will be described as being applied to a slot machine, which is one type of gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to being applied to slot machines, and may be applied to gaming machines such as pachinko machines.
As shown in Fig. 10, the slot machine (game machine) 10 of the present invention includes a box-shaped housing 11 with an opening on the front side, which faces the player, and a front door 12 for opening and closing the front opening of the housing 11. The housing 11 houses a reel unit in which a rotatable first reel 20a, a second reel 20b, and a third reel 20c are unitized, a hopper device for paying out medals (game value), and the like. The front door 12 is divided into an upper door 12a and a lower door 12b, and the upper door 12a and the lower door 12b can be opened and closed freely relative to the housing 11.

The upper door 12a is provided with devices for effects such as a liquid crystal display (display means) 13 and a speaker (sound output means) 14, as well as a display window 16. The liquid crystal display 13 displays images (moving images, still images) for various effects. The speaker 14 outputs sounds (music, sound effects, voice, etc.) for various effects. In addition to the liquid crystal display 13 and speaker 14, other devices for effects may include lighting devices such as lamps (LEDs), movable props that can be operated by actuators, etc.

The reel unit is arranged behind the display window 16 so that a part of it can be seen from outside the display window 16. A number of different patterns are arranged in a row on the outer periphery of each of the reels 20a to 20c, and when each of the reels 20a to 20c stops, three patterns (upper pattern, middle pattern, lower pattern) are displayed per reel through the display window 16. The display window 16 also has an upper, middle, and lower section as display positions for viewing the patterns of each of the reels 20a to 20c, and a winning line is set by a combination of the display positions of each of the reels 20a to 20c. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the winning line is formed by the upper section of the first reel 20a, the middle section of the second reel 20b, and the lower section of the third reel 20c. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game (prescribed number) is set to three, and when the prescribed number of medals is inserted, the winning line is activated.

As shown in Figure 11, the outer periphery of each of the reels 20a to 20c is arranged with the following symbols: red 7 symbol "RED 7", blue 7 symbol "BLUE 7", BAR symbol "BAR", special symbol A "SPA", special symbol B "SPB", replay symbol "RP", bell symbol A "BLA", bell symbol B "BLB", watermelon symbol "WM" and cherry symbol "CH". Each symbol on each of the reels 20a to 20c is assigned a symbol number from 0 to 19.

When the slot machine 10 starts playing, each of the reels 20a-20c starts spinning and an internal lottery is run to determine whether any of the winning combinations will be a win or a miss (non-win). Next, when the reels 20a-20c come to a halt, if a symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination selected in the internal lottery is displayed on an active line, this winning combination will be a winning combination, and a process corresponding to the winning combination (winning process) will be executed.

Below the display window 16, there are a game information display section 17 and a favorable zone indicator 18. The game information display section 17 is made up of an LED, a lamp, a 7-segment display, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, and error information. In addition, the favorable zone indicator 18 has an LED, and by turning this LED on and off, it is possible to notify whether or not the player is in a favorable zone.

The lower door 12b is provided with a medal insertion port 22 for inserting medals, a bet button 23 for betting credited medals, a start lever (game start operation means) 24 that is operated to start playing, stop buttons (stop operation means) 26a, 26b, 26c for stopping the spinning reels, a payout port 27 from which medals are paid out by a hopper device, and a medal receiving tray 28 for receiving medals paid out from the payout port 27. In addition, at the back of the medal insertion port 22, there is provided a medal sensor 29 (see FIG. 12) that detects the passage of medals inserted from the medal insertion port 22.

In the slot machine 10, operation of the start lever 24 is enabled when a medal is inserted into the medal slot 22 or when the bet button 23 is operated to bet a specified number of medals. Furthermore, when the enabled start lever 24 is operated, a game begins. When a game begins, each of the reels 20a to 20c begins to rotate, and when the rotation speed of each of the reels 20a to 20c reaches a certain speed and reaches a steady rotation, operation of the stop buttons 26a to 26c is enabled. Furthermore, when an enabled stop button 26a to 26c is operated, each of the reels 20a to 20c corresponding to the operated stop button 26a to 26c is stopped.

As shown in FIG. 12, inside the slot machine 10, there are a main control board (main control device) 31 and a sub-control board (sub-control device) 32. The main control board 31 receives input signals from input means such as the bet button 23, start lever 24, stop buttons 26a-26c, and medal sensor 29, performs various calculations to execute the game, and controls output means such as the reel unit and hopper device based on the calculation results. In addition, the sub-control board 32 receives signals sent from the main control board 31, performs various calculations to execute the performance, and controls devices for the performance such as the LCD display 13 and speaker 14 based on the calculation results.

In addition, the main control board 31 and the sub-control board 32 are electrically connected, and various information (signals), such as information indicating the game status, can be transmitted from the main control board 31 to the sub-control board 32, but information cannot be transmitted from the sub-control board 32 to the main control board 31.
In addition, the functions of each board, such as the main control board 31 and the sub-control board 32, are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ICs, or information storage media such as ROM and RAM, or by software consisting of a predetermined program pre-stored in a ROM, etc.

The main control board 31 includes an input receiving means 40, a random number generating means 41, an internal lottery means 42 for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved, a reel control means 43 for controlling the rotation of the reels, a winning determination means 44 for determining whether a winning combination has been achieved when all the reels have stopped, a payout control means 45, a replay control means 46, a setting change means 47, an initialization means 48, a game state control means 49, an instruction function control means 51, a performance main control means 52, and a storage means 60. The storage means 60 includes a ROM and a RAM.
The sub-control board 32 also includes a sub-performance control means 70 and a sub-side storage means 72. The sub-side storage means 72 also includes a ROM and a RAM.

The main performance control means 52 and the sub-performance control means 70 constitute the performance control means 100. The main performance control means 52 issues instructions to the sub-performance control means 70 based on the game state, performance state, etc. The sub-performance control means 70 controls the performance device using the performance data stored in the sub-side storage means 72 based on the game state, information on the performance state, or information on whether or not to perform a performance instruction sent from the main performance control means 52. The control performed by the main performance control means 52 described in this embodiment may be performed by the sub-performance control means 70, and the control performed by the sub-performance control means 70 may be performed by the main performance control means 52. The control performed by the performance control means 100 described in this embodiment may be performed by the instruction function control means 51, and the control performed by the instruction function control means 51 may be performed by the performance control means 100.

The insertion acceptance means 40 accepts the insertion of medals for each game, and performs a process of validating a game start operation on the start lever 24 based on the insertion of a specified number of medals. Specifically, when medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 22, the medal sensor 29 detects the medals, and the insertion acceptance means 40 sets the inserted medals to an inserted state (bet state) up to a specified number. In addition, when the bet button 23 is pressed with medals credited, the insertion acceptance means 40 sets the credited medals to an inserted state up to a specified number. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first press operation of the start lever 24, which is enabled based on the insertion of a specified number of medals, is accepted as a game start operation, and this operation triggers the rotation of the reels 20a to 20c and a lottery such as an internal lottery is performed.

The insertion acceptance means 40 also controls so that medals owned by the player are not set to a newly inserted state in the next game after the game in which the replay was won. Specifically, if a replay was won in the previous game, even if medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 22 while the insertion of medals is being accepted, the inserted medals are not set to an inserted state, and the inserted medals are credited up to the credit upper limit (e.g., 50 medals). Also, while the insertion of medals is being accepted, operation of the bet button 23 is not accepted, so that the credited medals are not set to an inserted state even if the bet button 23 is pressed.

The random number generating means 41 generates random numbers for the lottery. The random numbers can be generated, for example, based on the count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numbers so as to circulate through a specified count range). In this embodiment, the "random numbers" include not only values that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values that are generated regularly but whose acquisition timing is irregular, and therefore can essentially function as random numbers.

The internal lottery means 42 performs an internal lottery using an internal lottery table based on the operation of the activated start lever 24 (i.e., the start of a game).
In the internal lottery table, various winning roles including small wins, replays and bonuses and losing roles (non-winning roles) are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535), and a plurality of internal lottery tables are stored in an internal lottery table storage area 61 provided in the ROM of the storage means 60. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, as described later, a normal state, an RBB internal state and an RBB operating state can be set as the game state, and six setting values from setting 1 to setting 6 can be set as the setting value, and the internal lottery means 42 selects an internal lottery table according to the game state and the setting value to perform an internal lottery.
A minor win is a win that allows a player to receive a payout of a predetermined number of medals according to the minor win. A replay is a win that allows a player to play again without consuming any more medals. When a replay is won, the operation of the start lever 24 is enabled without the player using any medals, and the player can start playing by operating the start lever 24.

In the internal lottery, a random number value for lottery is obtained from the random number generating means 41, and this random number value is compared with the internal lottery table to determine whether or not a winning role has been won, and the winning role associated with the random number value is the winning role. Specifically, the internal lottery table is provided with a plurality of winning areas as shown in FIG. 13, and each random number value obtained from the random number generating means 41 is associated with one of the winning areas. In addition, the winning areas include winning areas that include one or more winning roles (are associated with winning roles), and winning areas that do not include any winning roles (are associated with losses). In addition, the combinations of winning roles included in each winning area are different. All winning roles that belong to the winning areas that are associated with the random number value obtained from the random number generating means 41 are the winning roles as a result of the internal lottery. In the following, when a role that belongs to a winning area is won in the internal lottery, it is also referred to as "the winning area is won". In addition, when no role is won, it is also referred to as "the winning area 'non-winning' is won".

As shown in Fig. 13, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, small prizes 1 to 45 are prepared as small prizes. In addition, as winning areas including small prizes, "small prize ALL", "3 pieces ALL", "1 piece ALL", "batting order bell A blue 1" to "batting order bell A blue 4", "batting order bell A red 1" to "batting order bell A red 4", "batting order bell B blue 1" to "batting order bell B blue 4", "batting order bell B red 1" to "batting order bell B red 4", "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A4", "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B4", "batting order chance prize 1" to "batting order chance prize 10", "common 3 pieces 1", "common 3 pieces 2", "common 1", "watermelon", "chance eye A", "chance eye B", "weak cherry" and "strong cherry" are prepared. In addition, small prizes 1 to 17 are 15-coin prizes that will pay out 15 medals if won, small prize 18 is a 14-coin prize that will pay out 14 medals if won, small prizes 19 and 20 are 3-coin prizes that will pay out 3 medals if won, and small prizes 21 to 45 are 1-coin prizes that will pay out 1 medal if won.
In the following, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell A Blue 4", "Batting Order Bell A Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell A Red 4", "Batting Order Bell B Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell B Blue 4", "Batting Order Bell B Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell B Red 4", "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A4" and "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B4" will be collectively referred to as batting order bells.

The winning area "small prize ALL" is a winning area where all small prizes (small prize 1 to small prize 45) overlap and win. The winning area "3 coins ALL" is a winning area where all 3 coin prizes (small prize 19, small prize 20) overlap and win. The winning area "1 coin ALL" is a winning area where all 1 coin prizes (small prize 21 to small prize 45) overlap and win. The winning areas "batting order bell A blue 1" to "batting order bell A blue 4", "batting order bell A red 1" to "batting order bell A red 4", "batting order bell B blue 1" to "batting order bell B blue 4", and "batting order bell B red 1" to "batting order bell B red 4" are winning areas where any one of the 15 coin prizes and a 1 coin prize overlap and win. In addition, the winning areas "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A4" and "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B4" are winning areas where any two of the 15-piece roles and a 1-piece role overlap and win. In addition, the winning areas "batting order chance role 1" to "batting order chance role 10" are winning areas where the 15-piece role (small role 17), the 14-piece role (small role 18), and a 1-piece role overlap and win. In addition, the winning areas "common 3-piece 1" and "common 3-piece 2" are winning areas where the 3-piece role (small role 20) and a 1-piece role overlap and win. In addition, the winning area "common 1-piece" is a winning area where multiple types of 1-piece roles overlap and win. In addition, the winning areas "watermelon", "chance eyes A", "weak cherry" and "strong cherry" are winning areas where different 1-piece roles (small role 43, small role 44, small role 41 or small role 42) are each winning alone. In addition, the winning area "Chance Eye B" is a winning area where a 3-coin role (minor role 19) can be won on its own.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, replays are provided in the range of Replay 1 to Replay 7. In addition, "Replay 1" to "Replay 4" are provided as winning areas that contain replays.

The winning areas "Replay 1" to "Replay 4" are areas where multiple types of replays can be won at the same time.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a big bonus is prepared as a bonus. In addition, as a winning area associated with the bonus, a winning area "RBB" in which the big bonus is won alone is prepared, and the winning areas "common one coin", "watermelon", "chance eye A", "chance eye B", "weak cherry" and "strong cherry" are set so that the big bonus is won in a duplicated manner. In addition, when the game state is in the normal state, the winning areas "common one coin", "watermelon", "chance eye A", "chance eye B", "weak cherry" and "strong cherry" are set so that the big bonus is won in a duplicated manner, whereas when the game state is in the RBB internal state, the big bonus is not won in a duplicated manner.
In the gaming machine of this embodiment, a bonus is assumed to be a continuous operation device related to a so-called first-class special bonus, but other bonuses may be used. In addition, other bonuses may also be installed. In addition, the installed bonuses may be set to win independently, or may be set to win in combination with a replay or a small bonus.

There is also a "no win" area that corresponds to a losing win.

Each winning area is set to be winable or non-winable depending on the game state. In other words, the internal lottery means 42 selects an internal lottery table according to the game state and performs an internal lottery, which changes the winning combination. In other words, in each game state, an internal lottery is performed using an internal lottery table in which the winning areas that can be won in each game state are included in the lottery targets. In FIG. 4, a "◯" mark indicates whether each winning area can be won in each game state. In other words, the winning areas "No Win", "Small Role ALL", "3 Coins ALL" and "1 Coin ALL" are won when the game state is in the RBB operation state, and are not won in the normal state or the RBB internal state. In addition, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell A Blue 4", "Batting Order Bell A Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell A Red 4", "Batting Order Bell B Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell B Blue 4", "Batting Order Bell B Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell B Red 4", "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A4", "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B4", "Batting Order Chance Role 1" to "Batting Order Chance Role 10", "Common 3 1", "Common 3 2", "Common 1", "Watermelon", "Chance Eye A", "Chance Eye B", "Weak Cherry" and "Strong Cherry" are won when the game state is in the normal state or the RBB inside state, and are not won when the RBB is in operation. In addition, the winning area "RBB" is won when the game state is in the normal state, and is not won when the RBB is in the inside state or the RBB is in operation.

Each winning area is assigned a different winning area number. Each winning area can be identified by its winning area number.

In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the probability of winning a small prize is the same in the normal state and the RBB inside state. Also, the probability of winning a replay is the same in the normal state and the RBB inside state. Also, it is not possible to win a replay when the RBB is in operation. In other words, the probability of winning a replay is higher in the normal state and the BB inside state than in the RBB operating state.

The internal lottery means 42 sets the winning flag corresponding to the winning combination as a result of the internal lottery from a non-winning state (off state) to a winning state (on state). In addition, when multiple winning combinations are won at the same time, the winning flag corresponding to each of the overlapping winning combinations is set from a non-winning state to a winning state. In addition, the setting information of the winning flag is stored in the winning flag memory area 62 provided in the RAM of the memory means 60.

Furthermore, there are two types of winning flags: a winning flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over the winning state to the next game or later until a prize is won, and a winning flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to a non-winning state without carrying over the winning state to the next game or later regardless of whether a prize is won. A big bonus is a role that can be associated with a carry-over flag. A small role and a replay are roles that can be associated with a non-carry-over flag. For example, when a big bonus is won in an internal lottery, the internal lottery means 42 carries over the winning state of the big bonus winning flag until the big bonus is won. At this time, even in a game in which the winning state of the big bonus winning flag is carried over, the internal lottery means 42 carries out an internal lottery to determine whether or not the small role and the replay are won. In other words, in a game in which the winning state of the big bonus winning flag is carried over, if a small role or a replay is won, the winning flags corresponding to two or more roles, the winning flag of the big bonus already won and the winning flag of the small role or the replay won in the internal lottery, are set to a winning state.

In addition, the slot machine 10 has six setting values, from setting 1 to setting 6, and the probability of winning a role varies depending on the setting value. Specifically, when the setting is changed, the internal lottery table group, which is made up of multiple internal lottery tables selected according to the game state, is changed to an internal lottery table group associated with each setting, and the internal lottery table group changes to one with different winning probabilities for minor roles, replays, and bonuses depending on the setting.

The setting change means 47 controls changing of the setting values stored in the setting value storage area 63 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60. Specifically, when the setting change key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder provided inside the slot machine 10 and the power supply of the slot machine 10 is turned on with the setting change key (setting change key cylinder) rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the initial position, the setting change means 47 starts the slot machine 10 in the setting change mode. The setting value can be selected from six setting values from setting 1 to setting 6, and the winning probability of the internal lottery is changed so that the expected value of the ball payout rate increases in order from setting 1 to setting 6. The setting change means 47 changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... setting 6 → setting 1 → ... each time the setting change button provided inside the slot machine 10 is pressed in the setting change mode, and when the start lever 24 is pressed, the setting value is confirmed and the confirmed setting value is stored in the setting value storage area 63. In addition, it is possible to switch from the setting change mode to the game mode by returning the setting change key inserted into the setting change key cylinder to its initial position.
In this embodiment, the setting values are expressed in the order of setting 1<setting 2<setting 3<setting 4<setting 5<setting 6.

When the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder in the initial position, the slot machine 10 is started in the game mode. In the game mode, the gaming machine of this embodiment can play games but cannot change the settings, while in the setting change mode, the settings can be changed but cannot play games.

When the setting value is changed, the initialization means 48 performs an initialization process to initialize at least a part of the information stored in the RAM of the storage means 60. Specifically, when the setting value is changed, the initialization means 48 performs a process to return the game state, game zone, and presentation state to their initial states, which will be described later. That is, when the setting value is changed, the game state becomes a normal state, the game zone becomes a non-advantageous zone, and the presentation state becomes a normal presentation state (non-advantageous zone presentation state), and these states become the same as when the power is turned on for the first time after shipping from the factory. In addition, the initialization means 48 initializes other information related to presentation stored in the RAM of the storage means 60 in the initialization process. In addition, the sub-control board 32 also has an initialization means (not shown), and when a signal notifying that the setting value has been changed is transmitted from the main control board 31, the initialization means of the sub-control board 32 initializes information related to presentation stored in the RAM of the sub-side storage means 72.
In addition, even if the setting value is changed, the game state, game section, and presentation state may not return to their initial states.

The reel control means 43 starts the rotation of each of the reels 20a-20c when the enabled start lever 24 is operated (i.e., the start of a game) under the control of the main control board 31, and when the enabled stop buttons 26a-26c are operated, it controls the stopping of the reel corresponding to the operated stop button.

That is, each time one of the stop buttons 26a to 26c is operated, the reel control means 43 determines the stop position of the reel from the first reel 20a to the third reel 20c that corresponds to the operated button, and controls the reel to stop at the determined stop position. In the slot machine 10, when the stop button 26a is operated, the rotation of the first reel 20a is stopped, when the stop button 26b is operated, the rotation of the second reel 20b is stopped, and when the stop button 26c is operated, the rotation of the third reel 20c is stopped. Therefore, the stop order of the first reel 20a to the third reel 20c changes depending on the operation order (batting order) of the stop buttons 26a to 26c.

In the following, regarding the order of the stop operations (the order of operation of stop buttons 26a to 26c), the order of a group of stop operations in which all stop buttons 26a to 26c are operated will be referred to as the "batting order." Furthermore, of the stop operations that make up the batting order, the first stop operation performed will be referred to as the "first stop operation," the second stop operation performed as the "second stop operation," and the third stop operation performed as the "third stop operation."

In the following, the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c that stop the reels in the order of the first reel 20a, the second reel 20b, and the third reel 20c is referred to as "batting order 1," the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c that stop the reels in the order of the first reel 20a, the third reel 20c, and the second reel 20b is referred to as "batting order 2," and the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c that stop the reels in the order of the second reel 20b, the first reel 20a, and the third reel 20c is referred to as "batting order 3." The operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c that stops the reels in the order of the second reel 20b, the third reel 20c, and the first reel 20a is designated as "batting order 4," the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c that stops the reels in the order of the third reel 20c, the first reel 20a, and the second reel 20b is designated as "batting order 5," and the operation of the stop buttons 26a, 26b, and 26c that stops the reels in the order of the third reel 20c, the second reel 20b, and the first reel 20a is designated as "batting order 6."

In the stop control when the stop buttons 26a to 26c are operated, the reel control means 43 stops each of the reels 20a to 20c so that the winning combination with the winning flag set to the winning state wins. Specifically, when the winning flag of one winning combination is set to the winning state, the reels 20a to 20c are stopped so that this winning combination wins. In addition, when the winning flags of multiple winning combinations are set to the winning state in a overlapping manner, the reels 20a to 20c are stopped so that a predetermined winning combination wins according to the priority order set for each combination. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the priority order is set in the order of "replay > minor combination > bonus". Then, the reel control means 43 stops the reels 20a to 20c so that the symbols constituting the winning combination with the higher priority are displayed on the pay line in priority to the symbols constituting the winning combination with the lower priority.

In addition, when multiple types of small roles are won in the internal lottery, the priority order for the candidate stop positions may be determined according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line, or according to the number of medals paid out based on the payouts that are determined in advance for the small roles. When determining the priority order for the candidate stop positions according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line, the priority order for each candidate stop position is determined so that the priority order is higher for the stop positions that have a larger number of symbol combinations that show winning forms that can be displayed on the active line. When determining the priority order for the candidate stop positions according to the number of medals paid out, the priority order for each candidate stop position is determined so that the priority order is higher for the stop positions that have a larger number of medals paid out based on the payouts for the small roles that correspond to the symbols displayed at the display positions on the active line (stop positions that can win small roles with a larger payout). However, when determining the priority order for the candidate stop positions according to the number of medals paid out, if small roles with the same payouts are won multiple times, the priority order for the candidate stop positions that can win each small role is treated as being the same.

As shown in FIG. 14, each batting order bell has a correct batting order and an incorrect batting order. FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the manner of the stop operation and the winning role when each winning area is won in the RBB internal state. When each winning area of the batting order bell is won in the RBB internal state, if the operation is performed in the correct batting order, a 15-coin role can be won, and if the operation is performed in the incorrect batting order, a 1-coin role can be won. In other words, when any batting order bell is won in the RBB internal state, if the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed in the correct batting order, the priority is determined so that the candidate stop positions that can win small roles 1 to 16 have the highest priority, and if the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed in the incorrect batting order, the priority is determined so that the candidate stop positions that can win small roles 21 to 40 have the highest priority.

Specifically, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell A Blue 4" and "Batting Order Bell B Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell B Blue 4" are designed to win a 15-coin prize when the correct batting order is followed and the first stopping operation is performed when a symbol (e.g., any symbol from symbol numbers 0 to 9) within a predetermined range that includes the blue 7 symbol on the first reel 20a to 20c that stops is located in a predetermined display position (e.g., on an active line). In other words, by following the correct batting order and performing the first stopping operation while aiming for the blue 7 symbol, it is possible to win a 15-coin prize. In addition, "Batting Order Bell A Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell A Blue 4" and "Batting Order Bell B Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell B Blue 4" are designed to win either a 1-coin winning combination or no winning combination when the operation is performed with an incorrect batting order, or when the first stop operation is performed when the operation is performed with the correct batting order and a pattern within a predetermined range that does not include the blue 7 pattern on reels 20a to 20c that are stopped first is located in a predetermined display position (for example, on an active line).

In addition, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell A Red 4" and "Batting Order Bell B Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell B Red 4" are designed to win a 15-coin combination when the correct batting order is followed and the first stopping operation is performed when a symbol within a predetermined range that includes the red 7 symbol on the first reel 20a to 20c (e.g., any symbol among symbol numbers 10 to 19) is located in a predetermined display position (e.g., on an active line). In other words, by following the correct batting order and performing the first stopping operation while aiming for the red 7 symbol, it is possible to win a 15-coin combination. In addition, "Batting Order Bell A Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell A Red 4" and "Batting Order Bell B Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell B Red 4" are designed to win either a 1-coin combination or no combination if the operation is performed with an incorrect batting order, or if the first stop operation is performed when the operation is performed with the correct batting order and the first reel to be stopped is within a predetermined range of symbols (e.g., any symbol between symbol numbers 0 and 9) that does not include the red 7 symbol, and is located in a predetermined display position (e.g., on an active line).

In addition, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A4" and "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B4" are designed to win a 15-coin role if the player operates the correct batting order. In addition, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A4" and "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B4" are designed to win a 1-coin role or no role if the player operates the incorrect batting order.

In addition, there is only one correct batting order for each batting order bell, and the other five are considered incorrect batting orders. In addition, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell A Blue 4" have different correct batting orders set, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell A Red 4" have different correct batting orders set, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell B Blue 4" have different correct batting orders set, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell B Red 4" have different correct batting orders set, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A4" have different correct batting orders set, and the winning areas "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B4" have different correct batting orders set. In addition, for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell A Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell A Blue 4", the winning area "Batting Order Bell A Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell A Red 4", the winning area "Batting Order Bell B Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell B Blue 4", the winning area "Batting Order Bell B Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell B Red 4", "Batting Order Bell A1" to "Batting Order Bell A4" and "Batting Order Bell B1" to "Batting Order Bell B4", the correct batting order is set to batting order 3 to batting order 6, and batting order 1 and batting order 2 are set to the incorrect batting order.

In addition, when each winning area of the batting order bell is won in the normal state, even if the stopping operation is performed in a manner that would result in a 15-coin winning combination in the RBB internal state (correct batting order and specified timing), a 1-coin winning combination will be won (the 15-coin winning combination will not be won).In addition, when each winning area of the batting order bell is won in the normal state, if the first stopping operation is in accordance with the correct batting order in the RBB internal state (if the first stopping operation is correct), a 1-coin winning combination will always be won (no missed wins).

When the winning areas "Batting Order Chance Role 1" to "Batting Order Chance Role 10" are selected while in the RBB interior, if the stopping operation is performed at batting order 1 or batting order 2, a 14-coin role will be awarded. Also, when the winning areas "Batting Order Chance Role 1" to "Batting Order Chance Role 10" are selected while in the RBB interior, if the stopping operation is performed at batting order 3 to batting order 6, a 15-coin role will be awarded with a predetermined probability (1/10 probability) depending on the timing of the stopping operation, and a 1-coin role will be awarded with a predetermined probability (9/10 probability). Also, the timing of the stopping operation to award a 15-coin role is different for each of the winning areas "Batting Order Chance Role 1" to "Batting Order Chance Role 10".

In addition, when the winning areas "Batting Order Chance Role 1" to "Batting Order Chance Role 10" are won in the normal middle state, even if the stopping operation is performed in a batting order (batting order 1 and batting order 2) in which a 14-coin role will be won in the RBB internal middle state, a 1-coin role will (always) be won.

The contents in parentheses in FIG. 14 indicate the winning rate of 1 coin and 15 coin roles when the stopping operation is performed in that batting order (and in a specified state where the symbols within a specified range including the blue 7 symbol or red 7 symbol described above are located at the specified display position). For example, the notation "1 coin (1/4)" indicates that, assuming that the timing of the stopping operation is random (within the specified range), there is a 1/4 probability that a 1 coin role will win and a 3/4 probability that the 1 coin role will be missed (the 1 coin role will not win).

The winning determination means 44 is activated when the reels 20a to 20c stop spinning, and determines whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the reels 20a to 20c. Specifically, the symbol combination displayed (stopped display) on the pay line by the stopping of the reels 20a to 20c is compared to the winning determination table stored in the ROM of the storage means 60. The winning determination table stores the winning form (the symbol combination that will win when stopped and displayed) of each winning combination, and the above-mentioned comparison determines whether or not a winning combination has been achieved and the type of winning combination that has been achieved. When a winning combination has been achieved, the main control board 31 executes a winning process corresponding to the winning combination that has been achieved. Specifically, the winning process performs a payout process when a small combination has been achieved, a replay process (replay process) when a replay has been achieved, and a process to transition the game state (game state transition control process) when a bonus has been achieved.

The payout process is a process of paying out a number of medals determined based on the payout determined for each role when a minor winning combination is achieved, and is performed by the payout control means 45. When a minor winning combination is achieved, the payout control means 45 determines the number of medals to be paid out based on the payout determined for each role, and causes the hopper device to pay out the determined number of medals to be paid out. Note that when credit is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals using the hopper device, a credit addition process is performed to add the payout number to the number of credits (the number of credited medals) stored in the credit storage area provided in the RAM of the storage means 60, and medals are virtually paid out.

In this embodiment of the gaming machine, 15 medals are paid out when small prizes 1 to 17 are won, 14 medals are paid out when small prize 18 is won, 3 medals are paid out when small prizes 19 and 20 are won, and 1 medal is paid out when small prizes 21 to 45 are won.

In addition, the replay process is a process in which, when a replay wins, the next game is set to the same game start waiting state as the previous game without the player having to insert any medals owned by the player, and is performed by the replay control means 46. When a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed in which the same number of medals as the number set to the inserted state in the previous game (the game in which the replay won) are automatically inserted without using the player's medals (including credited medals), and the game waits for the next game start operation on the start lever 24 with a winning line set corresponding to the number of medals inserted by the automatic insertion process. In addition, when the automatic insertion process is performed, it is not possible to insert additional medals.

As shown in FIG. 15, the game state control means 49 performs a game state transition control process that transitions the game state between the general state, the RBB internal state (bonus established state), and the RBB operating state (bonus state). A single game state transition condition may be defined, or multiple game state transition conditions may be defined. When multiple game state transition conditions are defined, the game state may be transitioned based on one of the multiple predetermined conditions being established, or the game state may be transitioned based on multiple or all of the multiple predetermined conditions being established.

As described above, the internal lottery means 42 selects an internal lottery table according to the game state and performs an internal lottery. Specifically, in the normal state, the internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table in which the big bonus is set as a lottery target. In the RBB internal state, the internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table in which the big bonus is excluded from the lottery target. In the RBB operation state, the internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table in which the big bonus is excluded from the lottery target.

The game state is initially in the general middle state. In the general middle state, an internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table in which all winning areas except for the winning areas "No Win", "Small Win All", "3 Coins All" and "1 Coin All" are set as lottery targets. In addition, it is possible to transition from the general middle state to the RBB internal middle state. If a big bonus is won in the general middle state, the game state control means 49 transitions the game state to the RBB internal middle state.

The RBB internal state is a game state to which the game enters when a big bonus is won in an internal lottery. In the RBB internal state, the internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table in which all winning areas except for the winning areas "No Win", "Small Win All", "3 Coins All", "1 Coin All" and "RBB" are set as lottery targets. In the RBB internal state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus is won, and when a symbol combination indicating the winning form of the big bonus is displayed on the pay line, the game state control means 49 transitions the game state from the RBB internal state to the RBB operating state.

The RBB operating state is a game state to which the game is switched when a symbol combination indicating a winning form of a big bonus is displayed on an active line. In the RBB operating state, an internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table in which the winning areas "no win", "small win ALL", "3 coins ALL" and "1 coin ALL" are set as the lottery targets. In the RBB operating state, the game state control means 49 judges whether or not the termination condition is established based on the total number of medals paid out in the RBB operating state, and when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number (e.g., 83 medals), the game state control means 49 terminates the RBB operating state and switches the game state to the normal state.
In this embodiment, the end condition of the RBB operating state is determined by the total number of medals paid out, but the end condition may be determined by the number of games played in the RBB operating state, the number of times a small win has been won, etc. Also, the end condition of the RBB operating state may be determined so that the state ends after one game.

The instruction function control means 51 includes a game zone control means 80, a presentation state control means 81, and a bonus granting means 82. The instruction function control means 51 performs processing related to the operation of an instruction function that assists in the winning of a specific role in an advantageous zone. Specifically, when a specific role is won, the instruction function control means 51 determines whether or not to perform an instruction presentation that assists in the winning of this role. More specifically, when the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 determines whether or not to perform an instruction presentation (batting order navigation presentation) that notifies the player of the correct batting order and assists in the winning of a 15-coin role. Then, based on this decision, the presentation control means 100 causes presentation devices such as the liquid crystal display 13 and the speaker 14 to execute the batting order navigation presentation.

As shown in FIG. 16, the game zone control means 80 performs a game zone transition control process that transitions the game zone between a non-advantageous zone and an advantageous zone according to the progress of the game. The non-advantageous zone is a game zone that corresponds to the initial state among multiple types of game zones. In the non-advantageous zone, the bonus granting means 82 performs a lottery for transition to an advantageous zone, and when the lottery for transition to an advantageous zone is won, the game zone control means 80 transitions the game zone to an advantageous zone. The advantageous zone is a game zone in which an upper limit (1500 times in this example) is set for the number of times that the game can be played. In addition, when the game zone is set to a non-advantageous zone, the instruction presentation cannot be performed, and the instruction presentation can be performed only when the game zone is set to an advantageous zone. When the number of times that the game zone has been played in the advantageous zone reaches the upper limit of 1500 times, the game zone control means 80 ends the advantageous zone and transitions the game zone to a non-advantageous zone.

In the non-advantageous zone, the bonus granting means 82 conducts a lottery (advantageous zone transition lottery) to determine whether or not to transition to the advantageous zone at a predetermined trigger. Specifically, the bonus granting means 82 conducts a lottery (advantageous zone transition lottery) to determine whether or not to transition to the advantageous zone based on the winning of a predetermined role (for example, winning areas "watermelon", "chance eye A", "chance eye B", "weak cherry", "strong cherry", etc.: hereinafter, these winning areas are referred to as rare roles). Then, when the advantageous zone transition lottery is won, the game zone control means 80 transitions the game zone from the non-advantageous zone to the advantageous zone.

In addition, the game zone control means 80 performs an increment process, which adds "1" to the memory value of the advantageous zone play count counter 65 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60 as a value corresponding to one play, triggered by the game start operation on the start lever 24 each time one play is performed in the advantageous zone. Note that the game zone control means 80 does not add to the advantageous zone play count counter 65 in the non-advantageous zone. Also, at the time of transition from the non-advantageous zone to the advantageous zone, the memory value of the advantageous zone play count counter 65 is "0". Then, when the memory value of the advantageous zone play count counter 65 reaches a threshold value (upper limit value) "1500", the game zone control means 80 transitions the game zone from the advantageous zone to the non-advantageous zone, assuming that the end condition of the advantageous zone is established. In other words, the upper limit value of the number of plays in the advantageous zone is set to 1500 times, and it is so arranged that more than 1500 plays are not played consecutively in the advantageous zone.

In addition, in the advantageous zone, the game zone control means 80 performs an update process in which the stored value of the difference number counter 64 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60 is updated by the difference number of medals, subtracting a value corresponding to the number of medals inserted in the game (for example, "3" if three medals are inserted) from a value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (for example, "15" if 15 medals are paid out, and "0" if no combination is won and no payout is made) to obtain a calculation result of the difference number in the game, and adding this calculation result to the stored value of the difference number counter 64. Note that the game zone control means 80 does not add to the difference number counter 64 in the non-advantageous zone. Also, at the time of transition from the non-advantageous zone to the advantageous zone, the stored value of the difference number counter 64 is "0". Then, when the stored value of the difference number counter 64 exceeds a threshold value (for example, "2400"), the game zone control means 80 determines that the end condition of the advantageous zone is met and shifts the game zone from the advantageous zone to the non-advantageous zone. The stored value of the difference number counter 64 is controlled so as not to fall below the initial value "0". For example, if the stored value of the difference number counter 64 at the start of the game is "2" and, as a result of playing the game, no winning combination is won and no medals are paid out, the calculation result of the difference number in that game becomes "-3", and when the calculation result of the difference number is added to the stored value of the difference number counter 64, it falls below the initial value "0". However, the stored value of the difference number counter after the update is counted and stopped with the initial value "0" as the lower limit. In other words, an upper limit is set for the number of medals that can be acquired in the advantageous zone, and the advantageous zone ends when the number of medals increases from the reference "0" when the number of medals decreases the most in the advantageous zone exceeds 2400. Also, if a replay is won in a game, the game in which the replay was won may be treated as having had a payout of medals equivalent to the specified number of medals inserted for that game, and the difference in the number of medals may be calculated, and for the next game that is provided free of charge as a result of the replay being won, even if no actual medals are inserted, the difference in the number of medals may be calculated as if a medal equivalent to the specified number of medals has been inserted for that game.

In addition, the advantageous zone indicator 18 is turned off in a non-advantageous zone and turned on in an advantageous zone.
In addition, the advantageous zone indicator 18 does not need to be turned on at the same time as the transition to the advantageous zone, but only needs to be turned on before the first instruction performance is performed. Also, once turned on, it will not be turned off until the advantageous zone ends.

As shown in FIG. 16, the presentation state control means 81 performs a presentation state transition control process that transitions the presentation state between multiple types of presentation states, including a non-advantageous zone presentation state, a normal presentation state, a special presentation state, and an AT presentation state (instruction presentation state). A single presentation state transition condition may be defined, or multiple conditions may be defined. When multiple conditions are defined, the presentation state may be transitioned when one of the multiple predefined conditions is satisfied, or the presentation state may be transitioned based on multiple or all of the multiple predefined conditions being satisfied.

The non-advantageous zone presentation state is a presentation state that corresponds to the initial state among multiple types of presentation states. In a non-advantageous zone, the presentation state control means 81 sets the presentation state to the non-advantageous zone presentation state. In a non-advantageous zone presentation state (non-advantageous zone), the bonus granting means 82 performs a lottery for transition to an advantageous zone as described above, and when a transition to an advantageous zone is determined in the lottery for transition to an advantageous zone, the presentation state control means 81 transitions the presentation state to the normal presentation state.

When the batting order bell is won in the special or AT presentation state, the presentation control means 100 controls the presentation devices such as the liquid crystal display 13 and the speaker 14 to execute an instruction presentation (batting order navigation presentation) that notifies the player of the correct batting order and assists in winning the 15-coin role. When the batting order bell is won and the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed according to the correct batting order notified by the instruction presentation, the 15-coin role is always won and 15 medals can be won. When the batting order navigation presentation is performed, information indicating the correct batting order is also displayed on the 7-segment display of the game information display unit 17. In addition, the batting order navigation presentation may be performed in the normal presentation state, but the frequency of occurrence is lower than in the special and AT presentation states, and the batting order navigation presentation is rarely performed or is not performed at all.

The normal presentation state is a presentation state that is basically transitioned to when the advantageous zone starts, and at the start of the advantageous zone, the probability of transitioning to the normal presentation state is set higher than the probability of transitioning to other presentation states. In the normal presentation state, the bonus granting means 82 performs a lottery (special lottery) to determine whether or not to transition to the special presentation state at a specified opportunity (based on winning a rare role). In the normal presentation state, when the bonus granting means 82 decides to transition to the special presentation state, the presentation state control means 81 transitions the presentation state to the special presentation state. In this embodiment, the special presentation state is designed so that the net increase in the number of medals is "6". The special presentation states include special presentation state A, special presentation state B, and special presentation state C. The special presentation states A to C have different benefits (number of medals acquired), and the number of medals paid out in special presentation state A is 80 medals. The number of medals paid out in special presentation state B is 120 medals. The number of medals paid out in special presentation state C is 180 medals. In other words, special performance state A ends with the payout of more than 80 medals, special performance state B ends with the payout of more than 120 medals, and special performance state C ends with the payout of more than 180 medals.

In the special presentation state, the bonus granting means 82 performs a lottery (first AT lottery) at a predetermined opportunity (based on winning a rare role) to determine whether or not to grant the right to transition to the AT presentation state. When the bonus granting means 82 determines as a result of the first AT lottery that the right to transition to the AT presentation state is to be granted, it sets the AT stock counter 90 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60 to a value of "1" corresponding to one set of the AT presentation state (increases the number of stocks in the AT presentation state by "1"). Note that the number of sets (stock number) granted by winning the first AT lottery is not limited to one set, but may be two or more sets, and may be selected from multiple types of set numbers when the first AT lottery is won.

When more than a predetermined number of medals are paid out in the special presentation state, the presentation state control means 81 ends the special presentation state. At this time, if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is "1" or more, the presentation state control means 81 transitions the presentation state to the AT presentation state and subtracts "1" from the stored value of the AT stock counter 90. On the other hand, when the presentation state control means 81 transitions the presentation state to the normal presentation state if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is "0" when the special presentation state is terminated. Note that at this time, the presentation state may be transitioned to a non-advantageous zone presentation state, in which case the play zone control means 80 transitions the play zone from the advantageous zone to the non-advantageous zone.

In this embodiment, the AT presentation state includes a special AT presentation state and a main AT presentation state. When the special presentation state is shifted to the AT presentation state, a game is first played in the special AT presentation state. The special AT presentation state ends when a predetermined number of games are played. When the presentation state is shifted to the special AT presentation state, the presentation state control means 81 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (for example, 10 times) in the special AT presentation state to the special AT play count counter 67 provided in the RAM of the storage means 60. The number of games in the special AT presentation state may be determined by lottery or the like. The presentation state control means 81 subtracts a value "1" corresponding to one game count from the storage value of the special AT play count counter 67 each time a game is played in the special AT presentation state. Then, when a predetermined number of games are played in the special AT presentation state (when the storage value of the special AT play count counter 67 becomes "0"), the presentation state control means 81 ends the special AT presentation state and shifts the presentation state to the main AT presentation state.

In addition, in the special AT presentation state, the bonus granting means 82 performs a lottery (first additional lottery) to determine the number of times to play in the main AT presentation state. The number of times to play in the main AT presentation state is determined, for example, based on the result of the first additional lottery. In this embodiment, the bonus granting means 82 performs the first additional lottery in each game in the special AT presentation state, but the first additional lottery may be performed based on the winning of a predetermined role, or may be performed once for a predetermined number of games (for example, two). The bonus granting means 82 sets a value corresponding to the number of games in the main AT presentation state determined by the first additional lottery in the main AT play count counter 68. Then, when the main AT presentation state is started, the presentation state control means 81 subtracts a value "1" corresponding to one game from the stored value of the main AT play count counter 68 each time a game is played in the main AT presentation state.

Here, the special AT presentation state in which a predetermined number of plays are performed and the main AT presentation state in which a determined number of plays are performed in the special AT presentation state are considered to be one set of AT presentation states. In the main AT presentation state, the bonus granting means 82 performs a lottery (second AT lottery) to determine whether or not to grant the right to transition to the AT presentation state at a predetermined opportunity (based on winning a rare role). The right to transition to the AT presentation state is not limited to one set of AT presentation states, but may be two or more sets of AT presentation states, assuming that one AT presentation state is one set. In addition, the number of sets (stock number) of the AT presentation state may be selected from multiple types of set numbers when the second AT lottery is won. When the second AT lottery is won, the bonus granting means 82 adds a value equivalent to the predetermined number of sets to the AT stock counter 90.

When a game is played in this AT presentation state and the stored value of the AT play count counter 68 becomes "0", the presentation state control means 81 ends this AT presentation state. At this time, if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is "1" or more, the presentation state control means 81 starts the next set of AT presentation states and subtracts "1" from the stored value of the AT stock counter 90. On the other hand, when ending this AT presentation state, if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is "0", the presentation state control means 81 transitions the presentation state to a non-advantageous zone presentation state. At this time, the play zone control means 80 transitions the play zone from the advantageous zone to the non-advantageous zone. At this time, the presentation state control means 81 may transition the presentation state to a special presentation state or a normal presentation state, in which case the play zone control means 80 does not transition the play zone to a non-advantageous zone.

In this embodiment, the non-advantageous zone presentation state transitions to the normal presentation state, the normal presentation state transitions to the special presentation state, and the special presentation state transitions to the AT presentation state. However, the non-advantageous zone presentation state may transition directly to the special presentation state or the AT presentation state. For example, in the advantageous zone transition lottery, instead of simply deciding whether or not to transition to the advantageous zone, a lottery may be held to determine whether the presentation state will transition to the AT presentation state, the special presentation state, the normal presentation state, or whether or not to transition to the non-advantageous zone presentation state. In addition, the normal presentation state may transition directly to the AT presentation state. The probability of directly transitioning from the non-advantageous zone presentation state (or the normal presentation state) to the AT presentation state may be different for each setting, such as being higher for setting 6 than for setting 1, or may be the same for all setting values.

The AT presentation state may also be set according to the game state to which the transition occurs based on winning or winning a bonus. For example, the game state may transition to the AT presentation state when the bonus is established, and may not transition to the AT presentation state when the game state is normal or bonus. In other words, in the normal or bonus state, for example, the AT presentation state may not be transitioned to even if the first AT lottery is won, and the first AT lottery may not be held.

In addition, if a bonus is won when the presentation state is an AT presentation state and the game state is a bonus established state, the AT presentation state may be interrupted after the bonus state transition due to the winning of the bonus ends, until the state transitions back to the bonus established state via the normal state. In other words, the batting order navigation presentation may be stopped when a bonus is won, and resumed when the state transitions back to the bonus established state.

When the advantageous zone ends and the play zone transitions to a non-advantageous zone, the instruction function control means 51 performs an instruction function information initialization process to initialize information stored in the RAM of the storage means 60 as information related to the instruction function. Specifically, the instruction function control means 51 initializes the stored value of the advantageous zone play count counter 65, the stored value of the difference number counter 64, the flag (lottery result) related to the lottery related to the instruction function, the stored value of the special AT play count counter 67, the stored value of the main AT play count counter 68, and the stored value of the AT stock counter 90. In other words, the information related to the instruction function is not carried over across multiple advantageous zones. In addition, when the initialization means 48 performs the above-mentioned initialization process when the setting value is changed, the information related to the instruction performance shown here is also initialized.

(AT level)
In the special AT performance state, the bonus granting means 82 performs a lottery (AT level lottery) to determine the AT level (net increase number) of this AT performance state. In this embodiment, there are four AT levels, AT level 1, AT level 2, AT level 3, and AT level 4, and the AT level to be set is determined by the AT level lottery. It is said that the AT level is higher from AT level 1 to AT level 4, and the AT level is lower from AT level 4 to AT level 1. The higher the AT level, the more advantageous it is for the player. In this embodiment, the net increase number is different for AT level 1 to AT level 4, and the higher the AT level, the larger the net increase number and the higher the advantage. AT level 1 is designed to have a net increase number of "1". AT level 2 is designed to have a net increase number of "2". AT level 3 is designed to have a net increase number of "4". AT level 4 is designed to have a net increase number of "6". In this way, the net increase number is larger from AT level 1 to AT level 4. In addition, the bonus granting means 82 may conduct an AT level lottery when ending the special AT presentation state, and determine the AT level of the main AT presentation state.

In the first special AT performance state after the advantageous zone has started (the special AT performance state at the start of a series of AT performance states), the AT level lottery has a high probability of setting an AT level with a relatively small net increase in number of coins (a low AT level) for this AT performance state. In other words, in this AT level lottery, the probability of setting AT level 1, AT level 2, AT level 3, and AT level 4 in that order decreases.

In the special AT presentation state, the net increase in number of coins is designed to be "6". If the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is "1" or more at the end of the main AT presentation state (the stored value of the main AT play count counter 68 is "0"), the state transitions to the special AT presentation state, and the AT level of the main AT presentation state is re-determined (re-set) in the special AT presentation state. Note that while a game is being played in the main AT presentation state (during the main AT presentation state), a transition to the special AT presentation state may be made at a specified opportunity (based on the winning of a rare role), and the main AT presentation state may be resumed after the end of the special AT presentation state. In that case, the AT level is not reset when transitioning from the special AT presentation state to the main AT presentation state, and the AT level is set to the same AT level as the AT level set in the main AT presentation state before transitioning to the special AT presentation state.

When the main AT presentation state ends (the stored value of the main AT play count counter 68 is "0"), if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is "1" or more and a transition to a special AT presentation state occurs, the net increase in the number of coins (AT level) in the special AT presentation state may be set to be the same as (inherit) the net increase in the number of coins (AT level) in the previous main AT presentation state. For example, when a transition to a special AT presentation state occurs after the end of a main AT presentation state at AT level 1, the special AT presentation state may be set to AT level 1.

In addition, while play is being performed in the main AT presentation state, a transition to a special AT presentation state may occur at a specified opportunity (based on winning a rare role), and the main AT presentation state may be resumed after the special AT presentation state ends. In this case, the special AT presentation state may be configured to inherit the AT level (net increase in number of coins) of the main AT presentation state. In other words, play may be performed in the special AT presentation state at the same AT level (net increase in number of coins) as the AT level (net increase in number of coins) of the main AT presentation state.

In the first (first) special AT performance state after the advantageous zone is started, the AT level of the main AT performance state is determined by an AT level lottery to be one of AT levels 1 to 4. At the end of the main AT performance state (the stored value of the main AT game number counter 68 is "0"), if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is "1" or more, the state transitions to the special AT performance state, but in the second and subsequent special AT performance states, an AT level promotion lottery is performed. If the AT level promotion lottery is won, the AT level increases by one level. That is, in the AT level promotion lottery, it is determined whether the AT level of the main AT performance state is to be set to the AT level one level higher. In this AT level promotion lottery, the probability of winning (the probability of determining to promote by one level) is higher the lower the set AT level (the AT level of the main AT performance state immediately before). Note that, if the AT level promotion lottery is not won (if not won), the AT level of the main AT performance state may remain the set AT level, and the AT level may not be downgraded.
In addition, the AT level lottery (lottery to determine whether the AT level is 1 to 4) may be performed in the second or subsequent special AT performance states. In this case, the lower the set AT level (the AT level of the immediately preceding main AT performance state), the higher the probability that a higher (higher) AT level is determined (selected) in the AT level lottery, and the higher the set AT level (the AT level of the immediately preceding main AT performance state), the lower the probability that a higher (higher) AT level is determined (selected) in the AT level lottery. For example, the probability that AT level 2 is determined in the AT level lottery after the main AT performance state of AT level 1 is performed is higher than the probability that AT level 4 is determined in the AT level lottery after the main AT performance state of AT level 3 is performed. In other words, the lower the AT level, the higher the probability that the AT level in the next main AT performance state will be a higher AT level compared to when the AT level is high.

In this embodiment, in a series of AT performance states, there is a trade-off between a relatively small net increase in the number of coins and a high probability that a higher AT level will be determined in the lottery (AT level lottery or AT level promotion lottery) that determines the AT level. Here, the section in which the net increase in the number of coins in the AT performance state is relatively large is the first instruction performance state (high net increase section), and the section in which the net increase in the number of coins in the AT performance state is relatively small is the second instruction performance state (low net increase section). In other words, the high net increase section is an AT performance state in which the AT level is high, and the low net increase section is an AT performance state in which the AT level is low. The first instruction performance state and the second instruction performance state are both sections in which medals increase, and the expected value for the increase in medals per play is different, and the expected value of the second instruction performance state is lower than that of the first instruction performance state, but the specified performance (the probability that a higher AT level will be determined in the lottery that determines the AT level) is more advantageous than the first instruction performance state.

If the net increase in the number of coins during the AT performance state is relatively small (if the medal increase rate is relatively slow), the player may become dissatisfied. However, in this embodiment, when the net increase in the number of coins is relatively small, there is a high probability that the net increase in the number of coins in the next AT performance state will be a relatively large number. This gives the player a sense of satisfaction, and reduces the risk of the player becoming dissatisfied.

In the AT level lottery when transitioning from special performance state C to AT performance state, when transitioning directly from normal performance state (or non-advantageous zone performance state) to AT performance state, and when transition to an AT performance state where the number of medals acquired (difference in number) is 2400 is confirmed, AT level 4 may be set. Also, a freeze performance may be performed in a specified game in special performance state C. In the freeze performance, for example, detection of the stop operation of stop buttons 26a to 26c is disabled for a specified time, and the rotation of reels 20a to 20c is controlled in a specified manner.

In addition, in the AT performance state, when it is determined that the number of medals won (the difference in number) in the advantageous zone will reach 2400 due to an addition or the like, the AT level may be set to 4 regardless of the AT level. In this case, a predetermined performance (e.g., an ending performance) may be executed to notify the player of this determination. In addition, the ending performance may not start when this determination is made, but rather when the number of medals won reaches a predetermined value (e.g., 2000).

In addition, if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is "0" at the end of this AT performance state, and the AT level of the this AT performance state is AT level 2 or higher, a transition to a special AT performance state may be made even if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is "0". In that case, the special AT performance state may be started with an AT level one step lower than the AT level set in the previous this AT performance state.

In addition, in this embodiment, if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is "1" or more at the end of this AT performance state, the special AT performance state is transitioned to, but the main AT performance state may be started without transitioning to the special AT performance state. In that case, a lottery is held to determine the AT level before starting the main AT performance state, and the AT level of the (next) main AT performance state is determined.
In addition, when the first AT lottery is won and the special presentation state is shifted to the AT presentation state, the special presentation state may be shifted directly to the main AT presentation state without shifting to the special AT presentation state. In that case, a lottery for determining the AT level is held before starting the main AT presentation state, and the AT level of the main AT presentation state is determined.

In addition, if the main AT presentation state (1 set) occurs a predetermined number of times (e.g., 3 times) in succession and all main AT presentation states are at AT level 1, the next main AT presentation state may be at AT level 2 or higher. This can rescue players who repeatedly enter main AT presentation states with a small net increase in the number of coins. In addition, once the main AT presentation state (1 set) begins, the AT level may not fall (be demoted) until the main AT presentation state (1 set) ends.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the first special AT presentation state after the advantageous zone has started, the AT level with a smaller net increase in number of coins is more likely to be selected. However, this is not limited to this, and the AT level may be determined based on the number of games required until the transition to the AT presentation state is confirmed (for example, the number of games played in the normal presentation state). The higher the setting value, the higher the probability that the transition to the AT presentation state will be determined, and as a result, the higher the setting, the higher the probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state in a relatively short period of time. For this reason, the higher the setting, the higher the probability that a lower AT level will be selected, and the lower the setting, the higher the probability that a higher AT level will be selected.

(Modification of the second embodiment)
In this embodiment, the net increase in the number of coins in the special presentation state is constant (uniform), but as shown in Figure 17, the special presentation state may have multiple states in which the net increase in the number of coins is different (i.e., a first special presentation state and a second special presentation state).

(Second special performance state)
The net increase in the second special effect state (second instruction effect state: low net increase section) is designed to be "2". Also, the number of plays in the second special effect state is indefinite. In the second special effect state, the effect state control means 81 transitions the effect state to the first special effect state at a predetermined opportunity (based on winning the replay).

(First special performance state)
The number of net increases in the first special effect state (first instruction effect state: high net increase section) is designed to be "6". In addition, the number of times of play in the first special effect state is 15. When 15 games are played in the first special effect state, the effect state control means 81 transitions the effect state to the second special effect state.

The number of times the first special effect state can be played is indefinite, and the probability of winning a replay (1/7.3) is lower than the probability of winning a batting order bell (which is higher than the probability of winning a replay). For this reason, the number of times the first special effect state can be played can be greater than the number of times the second special effect state can be played (15 times).

In the special presentation state of this modified example, there is a trade-off between a relatively small net increase in the number of coins and the possibility of a relatively large number of plays (a relatively long period of time). Both the first special presentation state and the second special presentation state are intervals in which medals increase, and the expected value for the increase in medals per play is different. The expected value for the second special presentation state is lower than that of the first special presentation state, but the specified performance (number of plays) can be relatively greater than that of the first special presentation state, making it advantageous. In other words, the second special presentation state has a smaller net increase in the number of coins than the first special presentation state, but is designed to allow play to be played for a longer period of time than the first special presentation state.

In the AT performance state, if the net increase in the number of medals is relatively small (if the medal increase rate is relatively slow), the player may become dissatisfied. However, in this modified example, it is possible to play for a relatively long period of time when the net increase in the number of medals is relatively small. This gives the player a sense of satisfaction, and reduces the risk of the player becoming dissatisfied. Also, while an AT lottery (first AT lottery) is held in the special performance state, the relatively long period of the second special performance state means that the player can play for a longer period in the section where medals increase (section where medals do not decrease), and is given more opportunities to draw the first AT. This reduces the risk of the player becoming dissatisfied.

(penalty)
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the winning areas "batting order bell A blue 1" to "batting order bell A blue 4", the winning areas "batting order bell A red 1" to "batting order bell A red 4", the winning areas "batting order bell B blue 1" to "batting order bell B blue 4", the winning areas "batting order bell B red 1" to "batting order bell B red 4", "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A4" and "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B4" are set to batting order 3 to batting order 6 as the correct batting order, and batting order 1 and batting order 2 are set to the incorrect batting order (i.e., not set to the correct batting order). And, when the stopping operation is performed on batting order 1 or batting order 2, a 1-coin role is (always) won. In consideration of the difference between batting order 1 to batting order 2 and batting order 3 to batting order 6 (not being equal), a penalty may be given when the winning area "batting order bell A blue 1" to "batting order bell A blue 4", the winning area "batting order bell A red 1" to "batting order bell A red 4", the winning area "batting order bell B blue 1" to "batting order bell B blue 4", the winning area "batting order bell B red 1" to "batting order bell B red 4", "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A4", and "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B4" are won, and when the stopping operation is performed not in batting order 1 or batting order 2 but in batting order 3 to batting order 6. For example, the penalty may be that a predetermined lottery is not performed in the game (one game). The predetermined lottery includes a lottery that determines whether or not a predetermined benefit is given, such as an AT lottery that determines whether or not the right to transition to an AT performance state is given. Note that a predetermined lottery may be performed in the game. In that case, even if a lottery (for example, an AT lottery) is won and a certain privilege (for example, the right to move to an AT performance state) is determined to be granted, the lottery will be considered as having been won (determined) not to have been won. Note that, since the penalty is only given to the game (one game), even if a player stops playing and another player starts playing, the subsequent player will not suffer any disadvantage based on the penalty.

In addition, when the winning areas "Batting Order Chance Role 1" to "Batting Order Chance Role 10" are selected while in the RBB internal state, if the stop operation is performed on batting order 1 or batting order 2, a 14-coin role will be awarded, and if the stop operation is performed on batting order 3 to batting order 6, a 15-coin role will be awarded with a certain probability (1/10 probability) depending on the timing of the stop operation, and a 1-coin role will be awarded with a certain probability (9/10 probability). The 15-coin role that can be awarded by stopping the ball on batting order 3 to batting order 6 has a higher payout than the 14-coin role that can be awarded by stopping the ball on batting order 1 to batting order 2.

In a game in which the winning areas "batting order chance role 1" to "batting order chance role 10" are won in the RBB internal state and a batting order navigation effect is executed in which one of the batting orders 3 to 6 is announced as the correct batting order, if a stop operation is performed according to the batting order navigation effect, the probability of winning a 1-piece role is higher than the probability of winning a 15-piece role. On the other hand, if a stop operation is performed at batting order 1 or batting order 2 without following the batting order navigation effect, a 14-piece role is won. Therefore, a penalty may be given in the latter case where a 14-piece role is won by stopping at batting order 1 or batting order 2 without following the batting order navigation effect. The penalty may be that a predetermined lottery (for example, an AT lottery) is not held in the game (one game). Although the predetermined lottery is conducted, the probability of winning the lottery in the case where a 14-coin role is won without following the batting order navigation presentation may be made lower than the probability of winning the lottery in the case where a 1-coin role is won in accordance with the batting order navigation presentation.
Also, in a game in which the winning areas "batting order chance role 1" to "batting order chance role 10" are won and one of batting orders 3 to 6 is announced as the correct batting order, a similar penalty may be given if a stop operation is performed at a predetermined timing according to the batting order navigation performance and a 15-coin role is won. For example, if a 1-coin role is won when a stop operation is performed according to the batting order navigation performance and at a timing when a predetermined pattern is displayed at a predetermined display position, and if a 15-coin role is won when a stop operation is not performed according to the batting order navigation performance and at a timing when a predetermined pattern is displayed at a predetermined display position, a penalty may be given if the latter role is won.

Also, as a penalty, a value equivalent to the number of plays (one play) of the game may not be added to a specified counter. The specified counter is, for example, a counter used to determine whether or not to grant a bonus (a counter whose value is added to give an advantage to the player). For example, when a specified number of plays are played in a specified presentation state (for example, a normal presentation state) and the stored value of the counter that measures the number of plays reaches a threshold value, the right to transition to an AT presentation state as a bonus may be granted (a so-called ceiling may be set). In that case, if a penalty is granted, the number of plays (one play) of the game will not be added to the stored value of the counter. This will result in a longer period of time until it is decided whether or not to grant a bonus.

In this embodiment, a slot machine that uses gaming media (medals) has been shown, but the slot machine may also be a gaming machine that allows play without using gaming media (a so-called medal-less gaming machine). In this medal-less gaming machine, gaming media such as medals are managed by computerized information (electronic information), and bets and payouts are made based on this electronic information. In other words, it is possible to play without using gaming media such as medals. In this embodiment, the gaming value is a concept that includes gaming media such as medals and electronic information in which the gaming media has been computerized.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The gaming machine according to this embodiment basically has the same configuration as the gaming machine according to the second embodiment, so the description of the same configuration as the gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the presentation state control means 81 performs a presentation state transition control process that transitions the presentation state between multiple types of presentation states, including a non-advantageous zone presentation state, a zone determination presentation state, a low probability presentation state (low probability state), a normal probability presentation state (normal probability state), and an AT presentation state (instruction presentation state).

In the non-advantageous zone presentation state (non-advantageous zone), the bonus granting means 82 draws a lottery for transition to an advantageous zone at a specified opportunity (based on the winning of a rare role), and when a transition to an advantageous zone is determined in the advantageous zone transition lottery, the presentation state control means 81 transitions the presentation state to a zone determination presentation state. This zone determination presentation state is a presentation state that is always transitioned to when the advantageous zone begins.

In the section determination presentation state, a predetermined number of games are played. In this embodiment, the predetermined number is five. In the section determination presentation state, the bonus awarding means 82 draws a lottery for points to be awarded for each game, and the presentation control means 100 executes a point awarding presentation that notifies the results of the point awarding lottery. Note that if it is determined as a result of the point awarding lottery that no points will be awarded (0 points will be awarded), the point awarding presentation may not be executed.

The bonus awarding means 82 performs a lottery for awarding points by referring to the setting values stored in the setting value memory area 63 and a table (point lottery table) (FIG. 19) stored in the ROM of the storage means 60. As shown in FIG. 19, in this embodiment, a different table is prepared for each setting value, and the bonus awarding means 82 performs a lottery for awarding points using the table corresponding to the setting value. Based on the result of the lottery for awarding points, the bonus awarding means 82 adds a value equivalent to a predetermined number of points to a point counter 91 (see FIG. 12) provided in the RAM of the storage means 60.

As shown in FIG. 19, in the case of setting 1, the probability that 0 points will be awarded in the point award lottery (i.e., that no points will be added) is 95.0%. The probability that 1 point will be awarded is 1.0%. The probability that 2 points will be awarded is 1.0%. The probability that 3 points will be awarded is 1.0%. The probability that 5 points will be awarded is 1.0%. The probability that 10 points will be awarded is 1.0%. The average number of points awarded per game is 0.21 points, and the average number of points awarded per five games is 1.05 points.

In the case of setting 6, the probability that 0 points will be awarded (i.e., no points will be added) in the point awarding lottery is 37.5%. The probability that 1 point will be awarded is 12.5%. The probability that 2 points will be awarded is 12.5%. The probability that 3 points will be awarded is 12.5%. The probability that 5 points will be awarded is 12.5%. The probability that 10 points will be awarded is 12.5%. The average points awarded in one game is 2.63 points, and the average points awarded in five games is 13.13 points.

Although not shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the point lottery table is set up so that the higher the setting value (from setting 1 to setting 6), the higher the average points awarded per game and the average points awarded in total (five games) become.

When a predetermined number of plays in the section determination presentation state are completed, the presentation state control means 81 refers to the stored value of the point counter 91 (by referring to the total value of points awarded in the point awarding presentation) and determines whether to transition to the first section (consisting of a low probability presentation state and a normal probability presentation state) or to the second section (consisting of a normal probability presentation state).

As shown in FIG. 20, the presentation state control means 81 decides to transition to the first section if the stored value of the point counter 91 exceeds a predetermined threshold value of "5" when a predetermined number of plays have been played in the section determination presentation state. The higher the setting, the higher the probability that more points will be awarded in the section determination presentation state (point awarding presentation), and the higher the probability that the stored value of the point counter 91 will exceed the threshold value at the end of the section determination presentation state. Thus, the higher the setting, the higher the probability of transitioning to the first section.

On the other hand, the presentation state control means 81 decides to transition to the second section if the stored value of the point counter 91 is below a predetermined threshold value of "5" when a predetermined number of plays have been played in the section determination presentation state. The lower the setting, the higher the probability that fewer points will be awarded in the section determination presentation state (point awarding presentation), and the higher the probability that the stored value of the point counter 91 will be below the threshold value at the end of the section determination presentation state. Thus, the lower the setting, the higher the probability of transitioning to the second section.

In the first and second sections, the bonus granting means 82 performs a lottery (AT lottery) at a predetermined opportunity (based on winning a rare role) to determine whether or not to transition to the AT performance state. When the transition to the AT performance state is determined as a result of the AT lottery, the performance state control means 81 transitions the performance state to the AT performance state.

The probability of winning the AT lottery differs between the normal probability presentation state and the low probability presentation state. The first section is a section consisting of the low probability presentation state and the normal probability presentation state. On the other hand, the second section is a section consisting of the normal probability presentation state.

In the normal probability presentation state, the probability of winning the AT lottery is a predetermined probability. In this embodiment, the probability of winning the AT in the normal probability presentation state is about 1/300. The higher the set value, the higher the probability of winning the AT in the normal probability presentation state. Note that the probability of winning the AT in the normal probability presentation state may be the same regardless of the set value.
In the low probability presentation state, the probability of winning the AT lottery (probability of being granted the right to transition to the AT presentation state) is lower (extremely lower) than in the normal probability presentation state. For example, the AT winning probability in the low probability presentation state is 1/10 or 1/100 of the AT winning probability in the normal probability presentation state. In this embodiment, the AT winning probability in the low probability presentation state is 1/32000.
In the first section, a predetermined number of games are played in the low probability presentation state, and then a game in the normal probability presentation state is started. In this embodiment, the predetermined number of games is 100. In other words, the low probability presentation state is a presentation state that is entered at the start of the first section, and ends when a predetermined number of games (100 games) are played, and the game transitions to the normal probability presentation state.
The second section is composed only of the normal probability presentation state, and can be said to be a section in which the probability of winning the AT lottery is constant (uniform). The second section does not stay in the low probability presentation state.
In this embodiment, a predetermined number of games (100 times) are played in the low probability presentation state at the start of the first section, but this is not limited to this, and a transition to the low probability presentation state may occur in the middle of the first section. Furthermore, the predetermined number of games (100 times) in the low probability presentation state are not limited to being played consecutively, and a transition to the low probability presentation state may occur every time a predetermined number of games are played in the first section, and the total number of games in the low probability presentation state may be the predetermined number (100 times).

The higher the setting value, the higher the AT winning probability in the normal probability presentation state. Therefore, the higher the setting value, the higher the probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state. Therefore, in the case of a high setting, the probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state is higher in a relatively short period of time after the start of the advantageous zone. Therefore, in the case of a high setting, the probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state is high, with the expectation value for medal increase per play staying in a zone lower than the AT presentation state for only a relatively short period of time. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the short-term ball output performance (medal acquisition performance) will be excessive. In contrast, in the case of a low setting, the probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state is high, with a relatively long period of time after the start of the advantageous zone. In other words, the expectation value for medal increase per play staying in a zone lower than the AT presentation state for a relatively long period of time, with the probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state is high. Therefore, there is a low possibility that the short-term ball output performance will be excessive, as in the case of a high setting. In consideration of such differences, in this embodiment, the transition is made to either the first zone or the second zone.

The higher the setting, the higher the probability of transitioning to the first section, but the first section transitions to a low probability presentation state. In this embodiment, after the start of the first section, a predetermined number of games (100 times) are played with an extremely low probability of winning the AT lottery. Therefore, the probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state in the first section within a relatively short period of time (100 times or less in this embodiment) is extremely low. This makes it possible to suppress the problem of excessive ball output performance in a short period of time in the case of a high setting, and allows for appropriate management of ball output performance.

In addition, the lower the setting, the higher the probability of transitioning to the second section, but the second section is designed not to transition to a low-probability presentation state. In this embodiment, in the second section, after starting, a predetermined number of games are not played in a state in which the probability of winning the AT lottery is extremely low. If a transition to a low-probability presentation state were to occur even in the case of a low setting, there would be a high probability that the period required to transition to the AT presentation state in the case of a low setting would be longer. In this case, a problem could arise in which the player's motivation to play is reduced. In this embodiment, the occurrence of such a problem can be suppressed because the probability of transitioning to the second section is higher in the case of a low setting.

In this embodiment, the expected value of medals won in the AT presentation state is greater if the player wins the AT lottery in the first section and transitions to the AT presentation state than if the player wins the AT lottery in the second section and transitions to the AT presentation state.

As mentioned above, the higher the set value, the higher the AT winning probability in the normal probability presentation state. Therefore, the higher the set value, the higher the probability of transitioning to the AT presentation state. Furthermore, the AT winning probability in the normal probability presentation state may be different between the first section and the second section. For example, the AT winning probability in the normal probability presentation state in the first section may be higher than the AT winning probability in the normal probability presentation state in the second section. In this case, it is possible to increase the probability that the period required for transitioning to the AT presentation state to be determined will be shorter in the first section (with low probability presentation state) than in the second section (without low probability presentation state).

Here, one AT performance state is one set. In the AT performance state, the bonus granting means 82 performs a lottery (additional lottery) to determine whether or not to grant a right to transition to the AT performance state at a predetermined opportunity. The right to transition to the AT performance state is not limited to one set of AT performance state, but may be two or more sets of AT performance states. In addition, the number of sets (number of stocks) of the AT performance state may be selected from a plurality of types of set numbers when the additional lottery is won. When the bonus granting means 82 wins the additional lottery, it adds a value equivalent to a predetermined number of sets to the AT stock counter 90. When the storage value of the AT stock counter 90 is "1" or more at the end of one set of AT performance state, the performance state control means 81 starts the next set of AT performance state and subtracts "1" from the storage value of the AT stock counter 90. Note that the additional lottery is not limited to one that determines whether or not to grant a set stock, and may be one that determines whether or not to extend the period (continuation) of the AT performance state.
In this embodiment, in the additional lottery, the bonus granting means 82 refers to the stored value of the point counter 91 (the total value of points granted in the point granting performance). At this time, the larger the stored value of the point counter 91, the more advantageous the result of the additional lottery is for the player. The more advantageous it is for the player, the higher the probability of winning the additional lottery, or the larger the profit (bonus) granted in the case of winning the additional lottery. For example, the larger the value of the granted points, the higher the probability of a larger number of sets (set stocks) being granted, the larger the value of the granted points, the higher the probability of the AT performance state being for a longer period of time, the larger the value of the granted points, the higher the expected value of the number of medals acquired in the AT performance state, the larger the value of the granted points, the more advantageous the AT performance state is for the player, etc.

In this embodiment, the second section consists only of the normal probability presentation state and does not include the low probability presentation state, but the second section may consist of the normal probability presentation state and the low probability presentation state. However, the period of the low probability presentation state in the second section is shorter than the period of the low probability presentation state in the first section. In other words, the number of plays in the low probability presentation state in the second section is less than the number of plays in the low probability presentation state in the first section. It is sufficient that the expected number of plays in the low probability presentation state in the second section is less than the expected number of plays in the low probability presentation state in the first section.

In addition, if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is "1" or more at the end of one set of AT presentation states, a transition to a low expectation presentation state may be made, and one set of AT presentation states may be started after a predetermined number of plays have been played in the low expectation presentation state. The low expectation presentation state is a section (interval section) between AT presentation states. In the low expectation presentation state (interval section), the frequency with which the batting order navigation presentation is executed is lower than in the AT presentation state (including cases where batting order navigation is not executed at all), and the expectation value for medal acquisition is lower than in the AT presentation state. In this embodiment, the low expectation presentation state is a section in which medals are reduced. The interval section can also be said to be a number adjustment section in a series of AT presentation states.

The higher the setting, the higher the probability that the points awarded in the section determination presentation state (point awarding presentation) will be large. Furthermore, the higher the setting (the larger the value of the points awarded), the higher the probability that a predetermined number of sets of AT presentation states will be awarded in the additional lottery. Therefore, if a predetermined number (threshold) or more of AT presentation states are stocked at the end of one set of AT presentation states (if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value), a transition to a low expected value presentation state may be made to prevent the ball output performance from becoming excessive. In other words, if the number of AT presentation states stocked is less than the predetermined number, a transition to a low expected value presentation state may not be made.

In addition, if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 is "1" or more at the end of one set of AT presentation state, the higher the setting (the greater the value of the points awarded), the higher the probability of transitioning to a low expectation value presentation state before starting the next set of AT presentation state. In other words, the higher the setting (the greater the value of the points awarded), the higher the probability of transitioning to a low expectation value presentation state after the end of one set of AT presentation state compared to a low setting. In yet another way, the lower the setting (the smaller the value of the points awarded), the higher the probability of starting the next set of AT presentation state without transitioning to a low expectation value presentation state.

In addition, if the stored value of the AT stock counter 90 at the end of one set of AT presentation state is "1" or more, the higher the setting (the larger the value of the points awarded), the higher the probability that the period of the low expectation presentation state to be transitioned to before the start of the next set of AT presentation state will be longer (the number of times of play in the low expectation presentation state will be relatively large) than in the case of a low setting. The fact that the number of times of play in the low expectation presentation state will be relatively large in the case of a high setting includes the case where the number of times of play in the low expectation presentation state in the case of a low setting is 0 (i.e., there is no transition to the low expectation presentation state). It can also be said that the lower the setting (the smaller the value of the points awarded), the higher the probability that the period of the low expectation presentation state will be shorter (the number of times of play in the low expectation presentation state will be relatively small) than in the case of a high setting.

As described above, when referring to points when deciding whether to transition to a low expectation value presentation state or whether to extend the period of the low expectation value presentation state at the end of one set of AT presentation state, the points determined in the section determination presentation state may be used, or a point awarding lottery may be held in an AT presentation state or the like separate from the section determination presentation state, and the points accumulated as a result of the point awarding lottery may be used. For example, multiple games may be played to determine points before the start of the next set of AT presentation state, or a point awarding lottery may be held at a specified opportunity during play in the AT presentation state. Even when a point awarding lottery is held outside the section determination presentation state, the higher the setting, the higher the probability that the total value of the points awarded will be a large value.

The higher the setting value, the higher the probability that the number of plays in the low expectation value presentation state will be greater than when the setting value is low. The higher the setting, the higher the probability that the number of plays in the low expectation value presentation state will be relatively greater, and the higher the possibility that play in the section where medals are decreasing will be for a relatively long period of time. This makes it possible to prevent the ball output performance from becoming excessive in the case of a high setting, and to appropriately manage the ball output performance. On the other hand, in the case of a low setting, the probability that the number of plays in the low expectation value presentation state will be relatively small (including 0 plays), and the higher the possibility that play in the section where medals are decreasing will be for a relatively short period of time (including 0 plays), so it is possible to reduce the risk of players becoming dissatisfied due to the relatively long period required to transition to the next set of AT presentation states in the case of a low setting.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The gaming machine according to this embodiment basically has the same configuration as the gaming machine according to the second embodiment, so the description of the same configuration as the gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

Figure 21 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the manner of stopping operation when the "batting order bell" is won in this embodiment and the winning combination. In this embodiment, instead of the batting order bells shown in Figures 13 and 14 ("batting order bell A blue 1" to "batting order bell A blue 4", "batting order bell A red 1" to "batting order bell A red 4", "batting order bell B blue 1" to "batting order bell B blue 4", "batting order bell B red 1" to "batting order bell B red 4", "batting order bell A1" to "batting order bell A4", "batting order bell B1" to "batting order bell B4"), the batting order bells shown in Figure 22 ("batting order bell blue 1" to "batting order bell blue 6", "batting order bell red 1" to "batting order bell red 6") are provided.

As shown in FIG. 21, each batting order bell is set with a correct batting order and an incorrect batting order. FIG. 21 shows the relationship between the manner of the stop operation and the winning role when each winning area is won in the RBB inside state. When each winning area of the batting order bell is won in the RBB inside state, if the operation is performed in the correct batting order, a 15-coin role can be won, and if the operation is performed in the incorrect batting order, a 1-coin role can be won. In other words, if any of the batting order bells is won in the RBB inside state, when the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed in the correct batting order, the priority is determined so that the candidate stop position that can win a 15-coin role has the highest priority, and when the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed in the incorrect batting order, the priority is determined so that the candidate stop position that can win a 1-coin role has the highest priority.

Specifically, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell Blue 6" are set to win a 15-coin prize when the correct batting order is followed and the first stopping operation is performed when a symbol (e.g., any symbol from symbol numbers 0 to 9) within a predetermined range that includes the blue 7 symbol on the first reel 20a to 20c that stops is located in a predetermined display position (e.g., on an active line). In other words, by following the correct batting order and performing the first stopping operation while aiming for the blue 7 symbol, it is possible to win a 15-coin prize. In addition, when the "batting order bell blue 1" to "batting order bell blue 6" are operated in an incorrect batting order, or when the first stop operation is performed when the reels 20a to 20c are operated in the correct batting order and a pattern within a predetermined range that does not include the blue 7 pattern (for example, any pattern among pattern numbers 10 to 19) is located in a predetermined display position (for example, on an active line), a 1-coin role or no role will be won. Note that when no role is won, it can be said that a 0-coin role is won.

In the winning areas "Batting Order Bell Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell Red 6", if the player operates in the correct batting order and the first stop operation is performed when a pattern (e.g., any pattern between pattern numbers 10 to 19) within a predetermined range including the red 7 pattern on the first reel 20a to 20c that stops is located at a predetermined display position (e.g., on an effective line), a 15-coin role will be awarded. In other words, if the player operates in the correct batting order and performs the first stop operation aiming at the red 7 pattern, it is possible to win a 15-coin role. In addition, in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell Red 6", if the player operates in the incorrect batting order and if the player operates in the correct batting order and the first stop operation is performed when a pattern (e.g., any pattern between pattern numbers 0 to 9) within a predetermined range not including the red 7 pattern on the first reel that stops is located at a predetermined display position (e.g., on an effective line), a 1-coin role will be awarded or no role will be awarded.

There is only one correct batting order for each batting order bell, and the other five batting orders are considered incorrect. In addition, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell Blue 1" to "Batting Order Bell Blue 6" have different correct batting orders set, and the winning areas "Batting Order Bell Red 1" to "Batting Order Bell Red 6" have different correct batting orders set.

In addition, when each winning area of the batting order bell is won in the normal state, even if the stopping operation is performed in a manner that would result in a 15-coin winning combination in the RBB internal state (correct batting order and specified timing), a 1-coin winning combination will be won (the 15-coin winning combination will not be won).In addition, when each winning area of the batting order bell is won in the normal state, if the first stopping operation is in accordance with the correct batting order in the RBB internal state (if the first stopping operation is correct), a 1-coin winning combination will always be won (no missed wins).

The contents in parentheses in Figure 21 indicate the winning rate of a 1-coin role when the stopping operation is performed in that batting order (and in a specified state where the symbols within a specified range including the blue 7 symbol or red 7 symbol described above are located at the specified display position). The notation "1 symbol (1/4)" indicates that, assuming that the timing of the stopping operation is random (within the specified range), there is a 1/4 probability of a 1-coin role winning and a 3/4 probability of missing out on the 1-coin role (no winning 1-coin role).

When the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 decides whether or not to perform an instruction performance (batting order navigation performance) that notifies the player of the correct batting order and assists in winning the 15-coin role. Then, when the instruction function control means 51 decides to execute the batting order navigation performance, the performance control means 100 causes the performance device to execute the batting order navigation performance.

In this embodiment, the AT presentation state has two sections with different net increases (expected increase in the number of play value per play). That is, the AT presentation state has a section with a relatively large net increase (high net increase section) (first instruction presentation state) and a section with a relatively small net increase (low net increase section) (second instruction presentation state). In the low net increase section, the expected increase in the number of play value per play is lower than in the high net increase section.

The high pure gain section and the low pure gain section have different frequencies (occurrence rates) of the batting order navigation effects. In other words, the instruction function control means 51 controls the frequency of occurrence of the batting order navigation effects when the batting order bell is won, realizing the high pure gain section and the low pure gain section. In the low pure gain section, the probability that the batting order navigation effect that notifies the correct batting order is executed when the batting order bell is won is lower than in the high pure gain section. If the batting order navigation effect is not executed when the batting order bell is won, the probability that the stop buttons 26a to 26c are not pressed in accordance with the correct batting order increases (the probability of winning a 15-coin role decreases), and the number of net gains decreases.
As a method of controlling the frequency of occurrence of the batting order navigation effect when the batting order bell is won and realizing a high pure gain section and a low pure gain section, the instruction function control means 51 holds a lottery (batting order navigation effect lottery) to determine whether or not to execute the batting order navigation effect when the batting order bell is won, and executes the batting order navigation effect when the batting order navigation effect lottery is won, and a method is provided in which a section (high pure gain section) and a section (low pure gain section) with a relatively high probability of winning the lottery are set (complete probability method). In other words, in the high pure gain section, a batting order navigation effect lottery with a high probability of winning is held, and in the low pure gain section, a batting order navigation effect lottery with a low probability of winning is held.

In this method, although the probability of winning the batting order navigation lottery is low in the low net gain section, depending on the result of the batting order navigation lottery, the decision to execute the batting order navigation may be made continuously (the batting order navigation may be executed continuously in multiple consecutive plays), in which case there is a possibility that 15-coin roles may be won consecutively. Also, even if the batting order navigation lottery is not won and it is decided that the batting order navigation will not be executed, the stop buttons 26a to 26c may be pressed according to the correct batting order, and a 15-coin role may be won. Due to these reasons, there is a risk that the number of medals may increase suddenly in the low net gain section (the number of net gains in the low net gain section may be higher than the design value). In particular, if the 15-coin role (maximum payout) is won a relatively large number of times in a period of relatively few plays (short period: for example, 400 plays), there is a risk that the short-term ball output performance may be excessive.

In addition, in order to prevent a sudden increase in medals in the low pure increase section, it is possible to provide a separate winning area in which a role with a payout of less than 15 medals can be won, and to realize the low pure increase section using this winning area. However, in this case, the number of winning areas will increase, which will cause problems such as more complex processing and pressure on the capacity of the storage means 60 (ROM).

In view of the above, the gaming machine of this embodiment realizes a stable low pure increase section in which medals do not increase suddenly without increasing the number of winning areas. Specifically, a winning counter 92 (see FIG. 12) that counts the number of times a specified bonus is awarded is provided in the RAM of the storage means 60, and in the low pure increase section in the AT performance state, when the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 refers to the stored value of the winning counter 92 to decide whether or not to execute the batting order navigation performance.

(Winning Counter 92)
The winning counter 92 (counter) is a counter whose value (stored value) increases or decreases based on whether a predetermined bonus is awarded in a predetermined game in a low net increase section. Whether a predetermined bonus is awarded or not depends on whether a condition for paying out a predetermined number of medals or more (15 medals in this embodiment) is met, and in this embodiment, it is whether a maximum payout role (15 medal role) is awarded or not. It may also be whether the reels 20a to 20c are stopped in a stop mode in which a 15 medal role is awarded or not. Hereinafter, the winning of a maximum payout role (15 medal role) is referred to as a maximum payout winning. When the batting order bell is won and the maximum payout is won in the game in which the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 adds "1" to the winning counter 92. It is to be noted that in the game in which the batting order bell is won, the maximum payout may be won even though the batting order navigation performance is not executed. Even in that case, "1" is added to the winning counter 92.

On the other hand, when the batting order bell is won and the maximum payout is not won in the game in which the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 subtracts "1" from the winning counter 92. Here, "not winning the maximum payout" refers to either a 1-coin role winning or no role winning. The lower limit of the stored value of the winning counter 92 is "0" and it will never be a negative value. Also, at the start of the low net increase period, the stored value of the winning counter 92 is "0".

The instruction function control means 51 decides to execute the batting order navigation performance when the batting order bell is won and the stored value of the winning counter 92 is "0". On the other hand, the instruction function control means 51 decides not to execute the batting order navigation performance when the batting order bell is won and the stored value of the winning counter 92 is not "0" (when it is other than 0) (when it is 1 or more).

This will be specifically explained using FIG.
(1) When the value stored in the winning counter 92 is "0" (a) When the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 determines to execute the batting order navigation effect because the value stored in the winning counter 92 is "0". (b) When the maximum payout is won in a game involving the execution of the batting order navigation effect, the instruction function control means 51 adds "1" to the winning counter 92.

(2) When the value stored in the winning counter 92 is "1" (c) When the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 determines not to execute the batting order navigation performance because the value stored in the winning counter 92 is "1". (d) When the maximum payout is not won in a game that does not involve the execution of the batting order navigation performance, the instruction function control means 51 subtracts "1" from the winning counter 92. (e) When the maximum payout is won in a game that does not involve the execution of the batting order navigation performance (when the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed according to the correct batting order even if the batting order navigation performance is not executed), the instruction function control means 51 adds "1" to the winning counter 92.

(3) When the value stored in the winning counter 92 is "2" (f) When the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 determines not to execute the batting order navigation performance because the value stored in the winning counter 92 is "2". (g) When the maximum payout is not won in a game that does not involve the execution of the batting order navigation performance, the instruction function control means 51 subtracts "1" from the winning counter 92. (h) When the maximum payout is won in a game that does not involve the execution of the batting order navigation performance, the instruction function control means 51 adds "1" to the winning counter 92.

In this way, if the batting order navigation is a winner and the stored value of the winning counter 92 is "n" (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1), the batting order navigation performance is not executed. Also, since the batting order navigation performance is executed when the stored value of the winning counter 92 is "0", the larger the value of "n", the longer the period until the next batting order navigation performance is executed.

The probability of winning the maximum payout in a game in which the batting order navigation effect is not executed is lower than the probability of winning the maximum payout when the batting order navigation effect is executed. In this embodiment, when the batting order bell is won and the stored value of the winning counter 92 is "0", the batting order navigation effect is executed, so the probability of winning the maximum payout is high. On the other hand, when the batting order bell is won and the stored value of the winning counter 92 is "n" (n is 1 or more), the batting order navigation effect is not executed, so the probability of winning the maximum payout is low.
If the batting order navigation is won in two consecutive games from a state where the stored value of the winning counter 92 is "0", in the first game in which the batting order navigation performance is executed, the correct batting order is operated, and the first stop operation is performed aiming at a predetermined pattern (blue 7 pattern or red 7 pattern), and the maximum dividend is won, the batting order navigation performance is not executed in the second game. Therefore, the probability of winning the maximum dividend in the second game (without the batting order navigation performance) is lower than the probability of winning the maximum dividend in the first game (with the batting order navigation performance). In other words, the probability of winning the maximum dividend role (15-piece role) consecutively is lower.

In this embodiment, in the low pure increase section, when the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 refers to the stored value of the winning counter 92 and decides whether or not to execute the batting order navigation performance. This reduces the probability of consecutive maximum payout roles winning. By lowering the probability of consecutive maximum payout roles (15-coin roles) winning in this way in the low pure increase section, it is possible to suppress a sudden increase in medals in the low pure increase section. This prevents the gaming machine's ball output performance from becoming excessive in a short period of time, and allows the ball output performance to be properly managed.

In this embodiment, a high-payout role (15-coin role) is used to achieve a high pure gain zone with a relatively large net gain. The net gain in the high pure gain zone is 6.87 coins. As such, the more high-payout roles (15-coin roles) are used, the more likely it is that a sudden increase in medals will occur in the low pure gain zone, making it difficult to stabilize. However, the method of this embodiment makes it possible to suppress a sudden increase in medals as described above, and achieve a stable low pure gain zone. The method of this embodiment, which can stabilize the low pure gain zone while using a 15-coin role, is particularly effective when the net gain in the low pure gain zone is relatively large, and the net gain can be set to 2.74 coins, for example.

In addition, in this embodiment, a 15-coin role is used, and the number of net increases in the high pure increase section is set to 6.87 coins, but this is not limited to the above. For example, an 8-coin role may be used instead of a 15-coin role, and the number of net increases in the high pure increase section may be set to 4 coins or more.

In this embodiment, the stored value of the winning counter 92 is increased or decreased based on whether or not the maximum payout role (15-coin role) is won when the winning area "batting order bell" is won. However, when a winning area other than the batting order bell (predetermined winning area) is won and a role (15-coin role) in which 15 medals are paid out is provided with the winning, the stored value of the winning counter 92 may be increased or decreased based on whether or not the 15-coin role is won when the predetermined winning area is won. In this way, when a winning area other than the batting order bell is won and a 15-coin role is won, "1" is added to the stored value of the winning counter 92, and based on this, the batting order navigation performance is not generated when the batting order bell is won. As a result, even if a 15-coin role that can be won when a winning area other than the batting order bell is won is provided, the probability of consecutive 15-coin roles can be reduced, and a stable low net increase section can be realized.

In addition, in this embodiment, the stored value of the winning counter 92 is increased or decreased based on whether the batting order bell is won and a role with the maximum payout (15 coins) is won. However, the stored value of the winning counter 92 may be increased or decreased based on whether a role with a payout of a predetermined number of coins or more (for example, the specified number of coins, which is 3 coins) is won, not limited to the 15 coin role. In that case, if the batting order bell is won and a role with a payout of a predetermined number of coins or more is won, "1" is added to the stored value of the winning counter 92, and the batting order navigation effect will not occur when the next batting order bell is won. Also, if the batting order bell is won and a role with a payout of a predetermined number of coins or more is not won, "1" is subtracted from the stored value of the winning counter 92. This reduces the probability that roles with a payout of a predetermined number of coins or more will win consecutively, and a stable low net increase section can be realized. This method is particularly effective when realizing a low net increase section with a lower net increase.

In addition, in the high pure increase section, when the batting order bell is won, the stored value of the winning counter 92 may not be referred to in determining whether or not to execute the batting order navigation effect. However, in the high pure increase section, when the batting order bell is won, the stored value of the winning counter 92 may be referred to in determining whether or not to execute the batting order navigation effect. In that case, even if the maximum payout is won when the batting order bell is won, the winning counter 92 may not be incremented by "1". That is, in the high pure increase section, the winning counter 92 may always be "0", and the batting order navigation effect may always be executed when the batting order bell is won. Also, in the high pure increase section, when the maximum payout is won when the batting order bell is won, a predetermined value (for example, "1") may be incremented to the winning counter 92. In that case, in the low pure increase section, when the maximum payout is won when the batting order bell is won, a value greater than the predetermined value (for example, "2" or "3") may be incremented.

(Modification)
In this embodiment, in the low net increase section, the instruction function control means 51 refers to the stored value of the winning counter 92 when the batting order bell is won, and decides whether or not to execute the batting order navigation performance, but instead of this, it may be configured as follows. That is, in the low net increase section, the instruction function control means 51 refers to the stored value of the batting order navigation counter 93 (see FIG. 12) when the batting order bell is won, and decides whether or not to execute the batting order navigation performance.

(Batting Order Navigation Counter 93)
The batting order navigation counter 93 (counter) is a counter whose value (stored value) increases or decreases based on whether a predetermined benefit is given in a predetermined game in a low net gain section. In this example, the value increases or decreases based on whether a batting order navigation performance is executed as a predetermined benefit. When the batting order bell is won and the batting order navigation performance is executed in the game in which the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 adds "1" to the batting order navigation counter 93. Also, when the batting order bell is won and the batting order navigation performance is not executed in the game in which the batting order bell is won, the instruction function control means 51 subtracts "1" from the batting order navigation counter 93. The lower limit of the stored value of the batting order navigation counter 93 is "0", and it never becomes a negative value. Also, at the start of the low net gain section, the stored value of the batting order navigation counter 93 is "0".

When the stored value of the batting order navigation counter 93 is "0", the instruction function control means 51 determines that when the batting order bell is won, the batting order navigation effect will be executed in the game in which the batting order bell is won, since the stored value of the batting order navigation counter 93 is "0". At this time, the instruction function control means 51 adds "1" to the winning counter 92 based on the execution of the batting order navigation effect. On the other hand, when the stored value of the batting order navigation counter 93 is "1", the instruction function control means 51 determines that when the batting order bell is won, the batting order navigation effect will not be executed in the game in which the batting order bell is won, since the stored value of the batting order navigation counter 93 is "1". At this time, the instruction function control means 51 subtracts "1" from the winning counter 92 based on the fact that the batting order navigation effect will not be executed.

In this modified example, regardless of whether or not the maximum payout is won when the batting order bell is won, the stored value of the batting order navigation counter 93 is increased or decreased based on whether or not the batting order bell effect is executed when the batting order bell is won, and if the stored value of the batting order navigation counter 93 is "0" when the batting order navigation is won, the batting order navigation effect is executed. Therefore, the batting order navigation effect is not executed consecutively.

When the batting order bell is won and the stored value of the batting order navigation counter 93 is "0", the batting order navigation effect is executed, so the probability of winning the maximum payout is high. On the other hand, when the batting order bell is won and the stored value of the batting order navigation counter 93 is "1", the batting order navigation effect is not executed, so the probability of winning the maximum payout is low.
If the batting order navigation counter 93 is stored at "0" and the batting order navigation is won in two consecutive games, the batting order navigation effect is executed in the first game, but not in the second game. Therefore, the probability of winning the maximum payout in the second game (without the batting order navigation effect) is lower than the probability of winning the maximum payout in the first game (with the batting order navigation effect). In other words, the probability of winning consecutive maximum payout combinations is low. By lowering the probability of winning consecutive maximum payout combinations (15-piece combinations) in the low net increase section, it is possible to suppress a sudden increase in medals in the low net increase section. This prevents the short-term ball output performance of the gaming machine from becoming excessive, and allows the ball output performance to be appropriately managed.

In addition, in a low pure increase section, when a batting order navigation effect is executed in a game in which the batting order bell is won, an "n" other than "1" (n is a value of 2 or more) may be added to the batting order navigation counter 93. In other words, in a low pure increase section, the batting order navigation effect may be executed, for example, once for every three batting order bell wins. Furthermore, the "n" added to the batting order navigation counter 93 may be determined by lottery or the like each time the batting order navigation effect is executed, or may be determined by lottery or the like when the low pure increase section begins.

In addition, in the high pure increase section, the batting order navigation counter 93 may not be referred to when the batting order bell is won, and the batting order navigation effect may be determined whether or not to execute the batting order navigation effect. In this case, even if the batting order navigation effect is executed in a game in which the batting order bell is won, the batting order navigation counter 93 may not be incremented by "1". In other words, in the high pure increase section, the batting order navigation counter 93 may always be "0", and the batting order navigation effect may always be executed when the batting order bell is won. In addition, even in the high pure increase section, when the batting order navigation effect is executed in a game in which the batting order bell is won, a predetermined value (for example, "1") may be incremented to the batting order navigation counter 93. In this case, in the low pure increase section, when the batting order navigation effect is executed in a game in which the batting order bell is won, a value greater than the predetermined value (for example, "2" or "3") may be incremented.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the game control form and configuration of the slot machine are not limited to those of the above-described embodiment. The above-described control operation can be applied not only to slot machines, but also to other gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines and medal-less gaming machines. The present invention can be applied to gaming machines, and gaming machines include slot machines, pachinko gaming machines, medal-less gaming machines, etc.

In addition, within the scope of the present invention, it is possible to freely combine the various embodiments, modify any of the components of each embodiment, or omit any of the components of each embodiment.

51 instruction function control means 81 performance state control means

Claims (1)

An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery for determining whether a winning combination is achieved;
An instruction function control means for controlling the execution of instruction performance to assist in the winning of a predetermined combination;
A performance state control means for controlling a transition of a performance state between a plurality of performance states including an instruction performance state in which the instruction performance is executed,
The instruction performance state includes a first instruction performance state and a second instruction performance state in which the game value is increased and in which the expected value of the increase in the game value per one game is different from each other;
In the second instruction performance state, the expected value is lower than that in the first instruction performance state, but the performance related to the additional performance is more advantageous than that in the first instruction performance state,
In the second instruction performance state, if a specific result is obtained in the internal lottery and the instruction performance is not executed in a game in which the specified role is operated in a manner that allows for a win, the gaming machine is controlled so that the instruction performance is not executed in the next game of the game even if the specific result is obtained in the internal lottery .

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