JP7498981B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines.

Conventionally, in a pachinko game machine, which is a type of game machine, a jackpot lottery is held in response to a game ball entering the first start ball entry port or the second start ball entry port, and a pattern change game is executed based on the result of the jackpot lottery. When a jackpot display result is displayed in the pattern change game, a jackpot game is awarded in which the special ball entry port is opened. When a normal pattern change game is executed in response to a game ball entering the normal start port, and a normal win display result is displayed in the normal pattern change game, a normal win game is awarded in which the second start port is opened.

Among such pachinko gaming machines, those that are generally controlled to various game states, as in Patent Document 1, for example, are a non-entry rate improvement state and an entry rate improvement state in which the game ball is more likely to enter the second starting entry hole than in the non-entry rate improvement state, and the entry rate improvement state is a more advantageous game state for the player than the non-entry rate improvement state.

In addition, such pachinko gaming machines are configured to be controlled to the ball winning rate improved state after the end of a jackpot game, and in addition to being awarded a jackpot game, it is possible to heighten the sense of anticipation for being controlled to the ball winning rate improved state after the end of a jackpot game. Also, when controlled to the ball winning rate improved state after the end of a jackpot game, there are cases where the machine is controlled to a non-ball winning rate improved state when the number of times the pattern variation game executed after the end of a jackpot game has been executed reaches a predetermined number of times.

JP 2018-033827 A

However, in such gaming machines, it is desirable to improve the control of the gaming state in order to increase the interest in the game.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems existing in the conventional technology, and has an object to provide a gaming machine which can increase the interest in the game.

The gaming machine that solves the above problem includes a first start entry port through which a gaming ball can enter, a second start entry port through which a gaming ball can enter, a winning lottery means for drawing a winning lottery in response to the entry of a gaming ball into the first start entry port or the entry of a gaming ball into the second start entry port, a pattern change game execution means for executing a pattern change game in response to the entry of a gaming ball into the first start entry port or the entry of a gaming ball into the second start entry port, a change pattern determination means for determining a change pattern based on a predetermined determination condition, and a gaming state control means for controlling a gaming state, and the gaming states controlled by the gaming state control means include a non-entry rate improvement state and a state in which more gaming balls enter the second start entry port than in the non-entry rate improvement state. and a state of improved ball entry rate in which it is easy to hit a ball, the improved ball entry rate state may be controlled based on the establishment of a predetermined condition or based on the establishment of a specific condition different from the predetermined condition, the predetermined condition being a condition that can be established by winning a jackpot in the winning lottery, and the specific condition being a condition that can be established by the occurrence of a specific event even if a jackpot is not won in the winning lottery, the predetermined determination conditions include a first determination condition in the improved ball entry rate state that is controlled based on the establishment of the predetermined condition, and a second determination condition in the improved ball entry rate state that is controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition, and the fluctuation pattern determination means is a means for determining whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied. In the winning rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of a certain condition, a fluctuation pattern can be determined based on any one of a plurality of types of determination conditions as the first determination condition, and in the winning rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition, a fluctuation pattern can be determined based on the second determination condition. In the case where a jackpot is not won in the winning lottery, the fluctuation patterns that can be determined by the fluctuation pattern determination means include a miss fluctuation pattern that does not execute a reach performance and a miss reach fluctuation pattern that executes a reach performance, and the fluctuation pattern determination means determines a fluctuation pattern based on the second determination condition in the case where a jackpot is not won in the winning lottery. The gist of the present invention is that when determining the miss reach fluctuation pattern, the miss fluctuation pattern is determined without determining the miss reach fluctuation pattern, and the first determination condition is such that the condition for determining the miss fluctuation pattern is different between the fluctuation pattern of the pattern fluctuation game executed in response to the entry of a gaming ball into the first starting ball entry port and the fluctuation pattern of the pattern fluctuation game executed in response to the entry of a gaming ball into the second starting ball entry port, and the second determination condition is such that the condition for determining the miss fluctuation pattern is the same between the fluctuation pattern of the pattern fluctuation game executed in response to the entry of a gaming ball into the first starting ball entry port and the fluctuation pattern of the pattern fluctuation game executed in response to the entry of a gaming ball into the second starting ball entry port.

The gaming machine that solves the above problem includes a first start ball entry port through which a gaming ball can enter, a second start ball entry port through which a gaming ball can enter, a winning lottery means for drawing a winning lottery in response to the entry of a gaming ball into the first start ball entry port or the entry of a gaming ball into the second start ball entry port, a pattern change game execution means for executing a pattern change game in response to the entry of a gaming ball into the first start ball entry port or the entry of a gaming ball into the second start ball entry port, a change pattern determination means for determining a change pattern based on a predetermined determination condition, and a gaming state control means for controlling a gaming state, and the gaming states controlled by the gaming state control means include a non-ball entry rate improvement state. and an improved ball entry rate state in which a game ball is more likely to enter the second starting ball entry hole than in the non-improved ball entry rate state. The improved ball entry rate state may be controlled based on the establishment of a predetermined condition or based on the establishment of a specific condition different from the predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is a condition that can be established by winning a jackpot in the winning lottery. The specific condition is a condition that can be established by the occurrence of a specific event even if a jackpot is not won in the winning lottery. The predetermined determination conditions include a first determination condition in the improved ball entry rate state that is controlled based on the establishment of the predetermined condition, and a previous determination condition. and a second determination condition in the winning rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition. The fluctuation pattern determination means is capable of determining a fluctuation pattern based on any one of a plurality of types of determination conditions as the first determination condition in the winning rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition, and is capable of determining a fluctuation pattern based on the second determination condition in the winning rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition. In the case where a jackpot is not won in the winning lottery, the fluctuation pattern that can be determined by the fluctuation pattern determination means is one in which a reach performance is not executed. The gist of the invention is that there are a miss reach variation pattern for executing a reach performance and a miss reach variation pattern for executing a reach performance, and when the variation pattern determination means determines the variation pattern based on the second determination condition in the case where a jackpot is not won in the winning lottery, the means does not determine the miss reach variation pattern but determines the miss variation pattern, and in the first determination condition, the condition for determining the miss variation pattern differs depending on the number of pattern variation games the execution of which is suspended, and in the second determination condition, the condition for determining the miss variation pattern is the same regardless of the number of pattern variation games the execution of which is suspended.

The present invention can increase interest in games.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a pachinko gaming machine. A diagram showing the types of jackpots. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the control content of the distribution member. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the control content in the base state. A diagram showing the types of normal wins. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko game machine. FIG. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing the conditions for determining a fluctuation pattern. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing the conditions for determining a fluctuation pattern. FIG. A diagram showing transitions between presentation modes. 11A to 11D are diagrams showing transitions between game states and presentation modes. 13A to 13H are diagrams showing the presentation forms of the presentations to be executed. 13A to 13H are diagrams showing the presentation forms of the presentations to be executed. 13A to 13H are diagrams showing the presentation forms of the presentations to be executed. 13A to 13H are diagrams showing the presentation forms of the presentations to be executed. 13A to 13H are diagrams showing the presentation forms of the presentations to be executed. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a read-ahead command setting process. A figure showing the first pre-reading performance determination process. A figure showing the first count performance determination process. A figure showing the second count effect determination process. A figure showing the second entry performance control processing. 13A to 13E are diagrams showing the control timing of the entry performance.

[First embodiment]
An embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine will be described below.
In this specification, up, down, left, right, front (front), and back (back) indicate the respective directions as seen by the player.

As shown in Fig. 1, a pachinko gaming machine 10 serving as a gaming machine includes a frame 11. The frame 11 is a member for mounting various components such as a game board 20.
The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a launch handle 16. For example, the launch handle 16 is provided on the front side of the frame body 11. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, a game ball (game medium) is launched toward a game area 21 of a game board 20 with a strength corresponding to an operation amount (rotation amount) of the launch handle 16. In other words, the pachinko gaming machine 10 is configured so that the launch strength of the game ball can be adjusted by operating the launch handle 16.

The pachinko game machine 10 is equipped with a decorative lamp 17. For example, the decorative lamp 17 is provided on the front side of the frame body 11. The decorative lamp 17 has a built-in light-emitting element (not shown) and is configured to be able to emit light, blink, and turn off using the light-emitting element. The decorative lamp 17 executes an effect of emitting light, blinking, and turning off (hereinafter referred to as a light-emitting effect) as one of the effects.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a speaker 18. For example, the speaker 18 is provided on the front side of the frame body 11. As one of the effects, the speaker 18 executes an effect (hereinafter referred to as an audio effect) in which sounds such as human or animal voices, sound effects, and music are output.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is provided with an operation button 19 as an operating means, located on the front side of the frame 11 in a position that can be operated by the player. The operation button 19 is used, for example, during performances. The operation button 19 may also be used, for example, when setting various settings such as volume settings and light intensity settings.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with an information display device 22. For example, the information display device 22 is provided in a position on the gaming board 20 that is visible to the player. The information display device 22 displays various information indicating the control status of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

The information display device 22 is equipped with a first special symbol display unit 22a as a symbol change game execution means. The first special symbol display unit 22a is configured to be capable of displaying one or more types of first special symbols. The first special symbol display unit 22a is capable of executing a first special symbol change game (first symbol change game) in which a predetermined symbol is displayed in a changing manner, and the first special symbol is finally displayed as a fixed, stopped symbol. In the following description, the "first special symbol change game" may be abbreviated to "first special game."

The information display device 22 is equipped with a second special symbol display unit 22b as a symbol change game execution means. The second special symbol display unit 22b is configured to be capable of displaying one or more types of second special symbols. The second special symbol display unit 22b is capable of executing a second special symbol change game (second symbol change game) in which a predetermined symbol is displayed in a changing manner and the second special symbol is finally displayed as a fixed, stopped symbol. In the following description, the "second special symbol change game" may be abbreviated to "second special game."

In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the first special symbol changing game and the second special symbol changing game, they may be collectively referred to as the "special symbol changing game (symbol changing game)" and the special symbol changing game may be referred to as the "special game." In other words, there are a first special game and a second special game. The first special pattern and the second special pattern are patterns for announcing the results of a lottery (a jackpot lottery described later) that is performed internally in the pachinko gaming machine 10.

In this specification, "variable display" means a state in which the type of the displayed pattern changes over time. In this specification, "fixed stop display" means a state in which the pattern is fixedly displayed and the type of the displayed pattern does not change. In this specification, "fixed stop display" and "derive" have the same meaning when it comes to patterns. The special patterns that can be derived in the first special pattern display section 22a and the second special pattern display section 22b each include a jackpot pattern as a jackpot display result and a loss pattern as a loss display result. When a jackpot pattern is derived in a special game, the player can recognize that a jackpot has occurred. When a loss pattern is derived in a special game, the player can recognize that a loss has occurred.

In this embodiment, the first special game and the second special game are not executed simultaneously. In this embodiment, the second special game is executed in priority to the first special game. In this embodiment, if the jackpot lottery is won, a jackpot symbol is derived in the special game, and the jackpot game is awarded after the special game ends. In other words, the jackpot game is awarded after the special game in which the jackpot lottery was won ends. As will be described in more detail later, the jackpot game is a game in which a large number of prize balls can be won, and is therefore an advantageous game (state) for the player.

In this embodiment, a variable interval time (0.5 seconds in this embodiment) is specified as the time until the start of the next special game is permitted after the special symbol is displayed as a fixed stop and the special game ends. In other words, the variable interval time is the time from the end of the current special game until the start of the next special game is permitted. In other words, the variable interval time is the time until the start of the next special game is permitted, and can also be said to be the time until the start of a jackpot game or the start of a standby state is permitted. A standby state is a state in which a variable game or a jackpot game is not being played.

The information display device 22 includes a first special hold display section 22c. The first special hold display section 22c displays information that allows the user to recognize the number of first special games whose execution has been put on hold because the hold conditions have been met but the execution conditions have not yet been met. In the following description, the number of first special games that have been put on hold is referred to as the "first special hold number." The information display device 22 includes a second special hold display section 22d. The second special hold display section 22d displays information that allows the user to recognize the number of second special games whose execution has been put on hold because the hold conditions have been met but the execution conditions have not yet been met. In the following description, the number of second special games whose execution has been put on hold is referred to as the "second special hold number." For example, the maximum values of the first special hold number and the second special hold number are each "4." In this way, special games can be put on hold up to a predetermined hold number.

The information display device 22 is provided with a normal pattern display unit 22e as a normal pattern variation game execution means. The normal pattern display unit 22e is configured to be able to display one or more types of normal patterns. The normal pattern display unit 22e is capable of executing a normal pattern variation game in which a predetermined pattern is variably displayed and a normal pattern is finally displayed as a fixed stop. In the following description, the normal pattern variation game is abbreviated to "normal game". The normal patterns that can be derived to the normal pattern display unit 22e include a normal winning pattern and a normal losing pattern. When a normal winning pattern is derived in the normal game, the player can recognize that a normal winning has occurred. When a normal losing pattern is derived in the normal game, the player can recognize that a normal losing has occurred. In this embodiment, when a winning lottery for a normal pattern is won, a normal winning pattern is derived in the normal game, and a normal winning game is awarded after the normal game ends. As will be explained in more detail later, normal winning games are advantageous for players because they make it easier to achieve the reserve conditions for the second special game.

The information display device 22 is equipped with a regular hold display section 22f. The regular hold display section 22f displays information that allows the user to recognize the number of regular games whose execution has been put on hold because the hold conditions have been met but the execution conditions have not yet been met. For example, the maximum number of regular holds is "4."

Next, the game board 20 will be described.
The game board 20 has a surface side (front side) of the game board 20 divided into a substantially circular shape by rails, forming a game area 21. The pachinko game machine 10 also has a center frame 26 decorated with various ornaments in the substantially center of the game area 21. The center frame 26 has an opening 26a. The center frame 26 may also be referred to as a center role.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a performance display device 27 as a performance execution means and a notification performance execution means. The performance display device 27 is equipped with a display area 27r in which an image is displayed. The performance display device 27 is attached to the game board 20 so that the player can view the display area 27r through the opening 26a of the center frame 26. As one of the performances, the performance display device 27 executes a performance (hereinafter referred to as a display performance) in which an image (picture) that resembles a specified character or letter is displayed. The performance display device 27 also executes a specified notification performance.

In this embodiment, the display effects that can be executed by the effect display device 27 include an effect pattern change game in which effect patterns are displayed in a variable manner in multiple rows, and ultimately a combination of effect patterns is derived. In the following explanation, the effect pattern change game is abbreviated to "effect game." The effect patterns are patterns (decorative patterns) decorated with characters, patterns, etc., and are intended to diversify the display effects. In this embodiment, the effect game is performed by displaying (scrolling) the first, second, and third rows of patterns in a variable manner in a predetermined direction.

The presentation game is started with the start of the special game and ends with the end of the special game. In the presentation game, a combination of presentation symbols corresponding to the special symbols derived in the special game is derived. When a jackpot symbol is derived in the special game, a combination of symbols for a jackpot based on the presentation symbols is derived in the presentation game. For example, a combination of symbols for a jackpot based on the presentation symbols is a combination of symbols in which the presentation symbols in all columns are the same, such as "333" or "777". When a losing symbol is derived in the special game, a losing combination of symbols based on the presentation symbols is derived in the presentation game. For example, a losing combination of symbols based on the presentation symbols is a combination of symbols in which the presentation symbols in at least some columns are different from the presentation symbols in the other columns, such as "787" or "556". In addition, in the presentation game, the presentation symbols may be displayed temporarily before being displayed as a fixed stop. In this specification, a "temporary stop display" refers to a temporary stop state before the performance pattern is displayed in a definite stop state, for example, a state in which the performance pattern is displayed in a fluctuating manner.

The performance game may include a reach performance that is performed by forming a reach. A reach is a state in which the same performance pattern is temporarily displayed in a specific column (the first and third columns in this embodiment) among multiple columns, and the performance pattern in a column other than the specific column (the second column in this embodiment) continues to be displayed in a variable manner. For example, there may be multiple types of reach performances in which the characters that appear and the actions of the performance patterns differ.

The pachinko game machine 10 is provided with a first start port 28 that opens into the game area 21 below the center frame 26. The first start port 28 is always open so that game balls can enter. In other words, the first start port 28, which serves as the first start ball entry port, is capable of receiving game balls. The pachinko game machine 10 is provided with a first start sensor SE1 that detects game balls that have entered the first start port 28. For example, the first start sensor SE1 is provided in a passage through which game balls that have entered the first start port 28 pass. In this embodiment, when a game ball is detected by the first start sensor SE1, the reservation condition for the first special game can be established, and the payout condition for prize balls is also established. In other words, the first special game can be executed in response to the entry of a game ball into the first start port 28.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is provided with a second start port 29 that opens into the gaming area 21 below the center frame 26. That is, the second start port 29, which serves as a second start ball entry port, is capable of receiving game balls. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is provided with a second start sensor SE2 that detects game balls that have entered the second start port 29. For example, the second start sensor SE2 is provided in a passage through which game balls that have entered the second start port 29 pass. In this embodiment, when a game ball is detected by the second start sensor SE2, the reservation conditions for the second special game may be established, and the payout conditions for prize balls are also established. That is, the second special game can be executed in response to the entry of a game ball into the second start port 29.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a normal variable member 30 that can be operated in a permissive state (open state) and a restricted state (closed state) in the game area 21. The permissive state is a state in which the game ball can be inserted into the second starting hole 29 or it is easy to insert the ball into the second starting hole 29. The restricted state is a state in which the game ball cannot be inserted into the second starting hole 29 or it is difficult to insert the ball into the second starting hole 29. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is equipped with a normal actuator A1 that operates the normal variable member 30 (shown in FIG. 6). The normal variable member 30 is operated to the permissive state during a normal winning game. In this way, the normal variable member 30 as an opening/closing member operates so that the second starting hole 29 can be inserted into the permissive state in a predetermined open state during a normal winning game.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 has a large prize opening 31 that opens into the gaming area 21 at the lower right of the center frame 26. In other words, the large prize opening 31, which serves as a special ball opening, is capable of receiving game balls. The pachinko gaming machine 10 has a special prize opening sensor SE3 that detects game balls that have entered the large prize opening 31. For example, the special prize opening sensor SE3 is provided in a passage through which game balls that have entered the large prize opening 31 pass. In this embodiment, when a game ball is detected by the special prize opening sensor SE3, the conditions for paying out prize balls are met.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 is provided with a special variable member 32 that can be operated in a permissive state (open state) and a restricted state (closed state) in the game area 21. The permissive state is a state in which a gaming ball can be entered into the large prize opening 31 or it is easy to enter the large prize opening 31. The restricted state is a state in which a gaming ball cannot be entered into the large prize opening 31 or it is difficult to enter the large prize opening 31. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is provided with a special actuator A2 that operates the special variable member 32 (shown in FIG. 6). The special variable member 32 is operated to the permissive state during a jackpot game. In this way, the special variable member 32 as a special opening/closing member is operable so that the large prize opening 31 can be in a permissive state and a restricted state during a jackpot game.

The pachinko game machine 10 is provided with a special passage area 36 downstream of the large prize opening 31 through which a game ball that has entered the large prize opening 31 can pass, and a normal passage area 37. The passage through which a game ball that has entered the large prize opening 31 passes is a passage that branches into a first passage and a second passage, and the special passage area 36 is provided in the first passage, and the normal passage area 37 is provided in the second passage. In other words, the special passage area 36 and the normal passage area 37 are passable by a game ball that has entered the large prize opening 31.

The pachinko game machine 10 is equipped with a special passing sensor SE6 that detects a game ball that has passed through the special passing area 36. In this embodiment, when a game ball is detected by the special passing sensor SE6, a high probability state is granted after the end of the jackpot game. In this way, the special passing sensor SE6 detects that a game ball that has entered the jackpot opening 31 has passed through the special passing area 36 (a game ball that has passed through the special passing area 36).

The pachinko game machine 10 is provided with a distribution member 38 that can be operated between a first distribution state and a second distribution state at a point where the passage through which the game ball that entered the large prize opening 31 passes branches. The first distribution state is a state in which the game ball that entered the large prize opening 31 can be distributed to the special passing area 36. The second distribution state is a state in which the game ball that entered the large prize opening 31 can be distributed to the normal passing area 37. The pachinko game machine 10 is provided with a distribution actuator A3 that operates the distribution member 38 (shown in FIG. 6). The distribution member 38 operates to be able to take the first distribution state and the second distribution state, and can be operated from the second distribution state to the first distribution state during a jackpot game.

The pachinko game machine 10 is provided with a gate 33 in the game area 21 to the right of the center frame 26 through which game balls can pass (enter). In other words, the gate 33, which serves as a normal start entry port, is capable of receiving game balls. The gate 33 is provided with a gate sensor SE4 that detects game balls passing through the gate 33 (as shown in FIG. 6). In this embodiment, when a game ball is detected by the gate sensor SE4, a reserve condition for the normal game may be established. Then, a normal winning lottery is held in response to the game ball entering the gate 33, and if the normal winning lottery is won, a normal winning game is awarded. In other words, a normal winning game may be awarded in response to the game ball entering the gate 33.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 has a general winning opening 34 that opens into the gaming area 21 to the right of the center frame 26. The pachinko gaming machine 10 has a general winning sensor SE5 that detects a gaming ball that has entered the general winning opening 34 (shown in FIG. 6). For example, the general winning sensor SE5 is provided in a passage (not shown) through which a gaming ball that has entered the general winning opening 34 passes. In this embodiment, when a gaming ball is detected by the general winning sensor SE5, a condition for the payout of a prize ball is met. Note that the pachinko gaming machine 10 may have multiple general winning openings.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a first start port 28, a second start port 29, a big prize port 31, and a general prize port 34 as prize ports. The pachinko gaming machine 10 may be equipped with prize ports other than the above prize ports. A "prize" is when a gaming ball enters a prize port. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is also equipped with components, such as nails and windmills, for changing the behavior of the gaming ball flowing down the play area 21.

Next, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described.
The pachinko game machine 10 has a low probability state and a high probability state as game states with different jackpot probabilities. The jackpot probability is the probability of winning a jackpot in a jackpot lottery. The high probability state is a game state in which the jackpot probability is higher than in the low probability state. In other words, the high probability state is a game state in which it is easier to win a jackpot lottery than in the low probability state. In the high probability state, the possibility of winning a jackpot lottery is higher than in the low probability state, making it an advantageous game state for the player. The high probability state is a so-called "probability variable state (probability variable state)". In this way, there are a low probability state and a high probability state in which it is easier to win a jackpot lottery than in the low probability state.

The pachinko game machine 10 has a low base state and a high base state as game states with different ratios of the number of winning balls to the number of game balls shot. The high base state is a game state in which the probability of a game ball entering the second starting hole 29 is higher than in the low base state. The high base state is a so-called "electric support state", and the low base state is a so-called "non-electric support state". In the high base state, the probability of a game ball entering the second starting hole 29 is higher, making it easier for the game ball to enter the second starting hole 29, resulting in a game state that is advantageous to the player (easy ball entry state, improved ball entry rate state). In this way, there are a low base state (non-ball entry rate improved state) and a high base state (ball entry rate improved state) in which the ball entry rate of the game ball entering the second starting hole 29 is higher (easier to enter) than in the low base state.

For example, the high base state can be realized by performing one of the three controls described below, which are arbitrarily selected, or by performing a combination of multiple controls. The first control is a normal symbol variation time shortening control that shortens the variation time of the normal game compared to the low base state. The second control is a normal symbol probability variation control that varies the probability of winning the normal symbol winning lottery (normal winning probability) to a higher probability than in the low base state. The third control is an opening time extension control that makes the total opening time of the normal variable member 30 in one normal winning game longer than in the low base state. Note that the opening time extension control may be at least one of the following controls: a control that increases the number of openings of the normal variable member 30 in one normal winning game compared to the low base state, and a control that makes the opening time of one normal variable member 30 in a normal winning game longer than in the low base state. In this embodiment, in the high base state, the first and second controls are not performed, and the third control is performed, making it easier for the game ball to enter the second starting hole 29 than in the low base state, but this is not limited to the above, and for example, at least one arbitrarily selected control may be performed.

In this embodiment, the probability of a normal hit in the low base state exceeds 0. Therefore, the normal variable member 30 can be operated to a permissive state in the low base state. The probability of a normal hit in the low base state may be 0. In this case, the normal variable member 30 is not operated to a permissive state in the low base state. In other words, the low base state can be said to be a state in which it is more difficult for a game ball to enter the second starting hole 29 or in which a game ball does not enter the second starting hole 29 compared to the high base state.

The high base state may also be achieved by combining the fourth control, which will be described next. The fourth control is a special symbol fluctuation time shortening control that shortens the fluctuation time of the special game (e.g., the average fluctuation time) compared to the low base state. When special symbol fluctuation time shortening control is performed, the high base state becomes a so-called "fluctuation time shortening state" for the special symbol. In contrast, the low base state becomes a so-called "non-fluctuation time shortening state" for the special symbol.

In this embodiment, the high base state includes a first high base state and a second high base state, which have different conditions for control. The first high base state as the first ball entry rate improvement state is a game state that is controlled based on the establishment of a first condition among the conditions for controlling the high base state. The first condition in this embodiment is a condition that is established after the end of a jackpot game. The second high base state as the second ball entry rate improvement state is a game state that is controlled based on the establishment of a second condition, different from the first condition, among the conditions for controlling the high base state. The second condition in this embodiment is a condition that is established when a special number of special games (900 in this embodiment) are played without a jackpot after being controlled to a low probability state. In other words, the high base state is a game state that may be controlled based on the establishment of the first condition or the establishment of the second condition.

In addition, in this embodiment, the opening manner of the normal variable member 30 during normal winning play differs between the first high base state and the second high base state, and the degree to which the game ball enters the second starting hole 29 differs, but this is not limited to the above, and for example, the opening manner of the normal variable member 30 may be the same. Hereinafter, the first high base state and the second high base state may be collectively referred to as the high base state. In this embodiment, the first condition corresponds to the predetermined condition, and the second condition corresponds to the specific condition. Also, in this embodiment, the establishment of the second condition corresponds to the occurrence of a specific event and a special event.

Next, a big win in the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described.
The pachinko game machine 10 of this embodiment has a plurality of types of jackpot symbols as special jackpot symbols. A type of jackpot is determined for each of the plurality of types of jackpot symbols. A type of jackpot game is determined for each of the plurality of types of jackpot symbols (types of jackpots).

In a jackpot game, a predetermined effect is first performed for a predetermined opening time. In this embodiment, an opening effect is performed as the predetermined effect to notify the start of the jackpot game. In a jackpot game, after the opening time has elapsed, multiple rounds of play are played to open the jackpot opening 31. The number of rounds of play is limited to a predetermined number.

A round of play ends when a first end condition is met in which a predetermined upper limit number ("10" in this embodiment) of game balls enter the large prize opening 31, or when a second end condition is met in which a predetermined upper limit time has elapsed. In other words, the end conditions for each of the multiple rounds of play include a first end condition in which the number of game balls entering the large prize opening 31 becomes the upper limit number, and a second end condition in which the number of game balls entering the large prize opening 31 does not become the upper limit number and a predetermined upper limit time has elapsed. In a round of play, the large prize opening 31 is opened in a predetermined opening manner, and more specifically, it takes an open state when the round of play starts and takes a closed state when the round of play ends. In a round of play, a round performance is performed. In this way, the special variable member 32 operates so that the large prize opening 31 can be in an open state during each of the multiple rounds of play, and when the start conditions for starting each round of play are met, the large prize opening 31 is in an open state, and when the end conditions for ending each round of play are met, the large prize opening 31 is in a closed state. Then, when the final round of play ends in a jackpot game, a predetermined presentation is performed for a predetermined ending time. In this embodiment, the predetermined presentation is an ending presentation that notifies the end of the jackpot game. The jackpot game ends as the ending time passes.

Next, a specific jackpot in the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, of the 100 types of jackpot symbols displayed in the first special symbol display section 22a as the game result of the first special game, 42 types of jackpot symbols are classified as symbols ZA, 8 types of jackpot symbols are classified as symbols ZB, and 50 types of jackpot symbols are classified as symbols ZC. Also, of the 100 types of jackpot symbols displayed in the second special symbol display section 22b as the game result of the second special game, 64 types of jackpot symbols are classified as symbols Za, 6 types of jackpot symbols are classified as symbols Zb, and 30 types of jackpot symbols are classified as symbols Zc. Thus, in this embodiment, there are three types of jackpots in the first special game and three types of jackpots in the second special game, but this is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, the types of jackpots will be expressed as jackpots based on symbols ZA to ZC and Za to Zc, using the types of jackpot symbols. In addition, the types of jackpot games awarded based on the type of jackpot are expressed as jackpot games based on the patterns ZA to ZC and Za to Zc using the types of jackpot patterns.

For jackpot games based on the Za and Zb symbols, the upper limit for the number of rounds is set to 10. For jackpot games based on the ZA to ZC symbols, the upper limit for the number of rounds is set to 3, which is less than 10. For jackpot games based on the Zc symbol, the upper limit for the number of rounds is set to 2, which is less than 3. In this embodiment, the upper limit for the time period for each jackpot game is set to 25 seconds.

In this embodiment, an inter-round interval time is set (specified) for each of the multiple rounds of play after the end of the round, and when the inter-round interval time has elapsed, the next round of play begins, or the ending time begins. The inter-round interval time is specified as 9 seconds only after the end of the second round of play when a jackpot based on the symbol Zb is reached, and is specified as 1.5 seconds otherwise.

In addition, in this embodiment, the same opening time (14 seconds in this embodiment) is set for all types of jackpot games, but this is not limited to this, and for example, different opening times may be set depending on the type of jackpot game. In addition, in this embodiment, the ending time is set to 11 seconds, but this is not limited to this, and for example, different ending times may be set depending on the type of jackpot game.

As shown in FIG. 3, for each jackpot game, distribution control information indicating the control contents of the distribution member 38 is set. In this embodiment, the multiple round games include an operating round game in which the distribution member 38 is operated from the second distribution state to the first distribution state and then from the first distribution state to the second distribution state, and the second round game is set as the operating round game. Therefore, when the operating round game starts, the distribution member 38 is operated from the second distribution state to the first distribution state and then from the first distribution state to the second distribution state based on the distribution control information set for the type of jackpot. In a non-operating round game that is not an operating round game, the distribution member 38 is not operated from the second distribution state to the first distribution state and maintains the second distribution state. In this way, the multiple round games include an operating round game in which the distribution member 38 can be operated to the first distribution state and a non-operating round game in which the distribution member 38 is not operated to the first distribution state.

The control contents (distribution control) of the distribution member 38 include short distribution control, in which the distribution member 38 is in the first distribution state for a short period of time, and long distribution control, in which the distribution member 38 is in the first distribution state for a long period of time. In other words, the control contents of the distribution member 38 include multiple types of distribution control that operate the distribution member 38 so that the time in which the distribution member 38 is in the first distribution state differs.

In addition, the distribution control information specifies the start conditions for each distribution control corresponding to each type of jackpot. Specifically, the start conditions for each distribution control are established when the number of game balls detected by the special winning sensor SE3 in the operating round game reaches a specified number. In more detail, the start conditions for the short distribution control are established when the number of game balls detected by the special winning sensor SE3 in the operating round game reaches "1", in the same way for all types of jackpot games. The start conditions for the long distribution control are established when the number of game balls detected by the special winning sensor SE3 in the operating round game reaches "2" in the jackpot game based on the symbols ZA, ZB, and Za to Zc. On the other hand, the start conditions for the long distribution control are not established in the operating round game in the jackpot game based on the symbol ZC.

In addition, the distribution control information defines the end conditions for each distribution control. The end condition for the short distribution control is established when 0.028 s has elapsed since the start condition was established, or when the operating round game ends before 0.028 s has elapsed since the start condition was established. In other words, the short distribution control is a distribution control that operates so that the distribution member 38 takes the second distribution state when the end condition for the round game is not established before a predetermined time has elapsed after the distribution member 38 takes the first distribution state. In addition, the short distribution control is a distribution control that operates so that the distribution member 38 takes the second distribution state when the end condition for the round game is established before a predetermined time has elapsed after the distribution member 38 takes the first distribution state.

The end condition of the long distribution control is established when a predetermined time (predetermined time, 1.4 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed since the end of the operating round game, regardless of the time that has elapsed since the start condition was established. In this embodiment, the predetermined time is set to be a sufficient time from when the game ball that entered the large prize opening 31 enters the large prize opening 31 (when it is detected by the special prize sensor SE3) until it reaches the distribution member 38. In this embodiment, the interval time between rounds is set to 1.5 seconds, and the end condition of the long distribution control is set to 1.4 seconds, so that a time shorter than the interval time between rounds is set as the end condition of the long distribution control. In other words, the long distribution control is a distribution control in which the distribution member 38 operates to take the second distribution state when a predetermined time has elapsed since the end condition of the round game was established when the distribution member 38 was in the first distribution state.

In this embodiment, the end condition of the short distribution control is set to a time shorter than the time from when the game ball is detected by the special winning sensor SE3 until the game ball reaches the distribution member 38. In addition, the combined time of the time set as the end condition of the short distribution control and the time until the distribution member 38 is operated to change from the first distribution state to the second distribution state is shorter than the time from when the game ball is detected by the special winning sensor SE3 until the game ball reaches the distribution member 38. In this way, when the game ball is detected by the special winning sensor SE3 and the start condition of the short distribution control is established, the distribution member 38 operates from the second distribution state to the first distribution state, but the end condition of the short distribution control is established before the game ball reaches the distribution member 38, and the distribution member 38 operates from the first distribution state to the second distribution state. In other words, the short distribution control is a distribution control in which the distribution member 38 operates to assume a first distribution state when the number of game balls that have entered the large prize opening 31 in each operating round of play becomes "1", and the distribution member 38 operates to assume a second distribution state by the time the game ball reaches the distribution member 38. For this reason, it can be said that the short distribution control is a distribution control that makes it difficult to distribute game balls to the special passing area 36.

In addition, in this embodiment, the time from when the special winning sensor SE3 detects a game ball to when the distribution member 38 is operated to change from the second distribution state to the first distribution state is shorter than the time from when the special winning sensor SE3 detects a game ball to when the game ball reaches the distribution member 38. In this way, when the special winning sensor SE3 detects a game ball and the start condition for the long distribution control is met, the distribution member 38 will operate from the second distribution state to the first distribution state by the time the game ball reaches the distribution member 38.

In addition, in a jackpot game based on the symbols ZA, ZB, and Za to Zc, short distribution control and long distribution control are performed in the second round of play. In a jackpot game based on the symbol ZC, short distribution control is performed in the second round of play, but long distribution control is not performed. Therefore, in a jackpot game based on the symbols ZA, ZB, and Za to Zc, at least an operating round game that allows the game ball to pass through the special passing area 36 is performed, while in a jackpot game based on the symbol ZC, an operating round game that allows the game ball to pass through the special passing area 36 is not performed.

Thus, the operating round game includes a first operating round game in which the distribution member 38 can be operated to take the first distribution state based on the short distribution control, but the distribution member 38 is not operated to take the first distribution state based on the long distribution control. Also, the operating round game includes a second operating round game in which the distribution member 38 can be operated to take the first distribution state based on the short distribution control, and the distribution member 38 can be operated to take the first distribution state based on the long distribution control. It can be said that the first operating round game is a round game in which it is more difficult for a game ball that enters the large prize opening 31 to pass through the special passing area 36 than the second operating round game.

As shown in FIG. 2, if the game ball passes through the special passing area 36 during a jackpot game, a high probability state is granted as the game state after the end of the jackpot game until a predetermined number of special games (120 times in this embodiment) are completed. Furthermore, this predetermined number is the same regardless of the type of jackpot determined. On the other hand, if the game ball does not pass through the special passing area 36 during a jackpot game, a low probability state is granted instead of a high probability state as the game state after the end of the jackpot game.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first high base state is a game state that is controlled after the end of a jackpot game. On the other hand, the second high base state is a game state that is controlled after a special game is played a special number of times without a jackpot being won after control of the low probability state. In this way, even in the high base state in which it is easier for a game ball to enter the second starting hole 29 than in the low base state, the trigger (condition) for control is different. In addition, the special number, which is the number of times that the special game is played from when the game is controlled to the low probability state until when the game is controlled to the second high base state, is a number that is greater than the predetermined number of times that the game can be controlled to the high probability state after the end of a jackpot game.

In addition, in this embodiment, the first high base state is a game state that is continuously controlled until a first upper limit number of times (in this embodiment, any one of 100, 120, and 500 times) of a special game is executed without a jackpot. This first upper limit number has multiple types of upper limit numbers, and the first upper limit number is a number corresponding to the type of jackpot, the game state when the jackpot lottery is won, and the game state controlled after the jackpot game ends. On the other hand, the second high base state is a game state that is continuously controlled until a predetermined second upper limit number of times (1200 times in this embodiment) of a special game is executed without a jackpot. In addition, in this embodiment, this second upper limit number has one type of upper limit number, and the second upper limit number is the same number of times when the game is controlled to a low probability state and a high probability state after the jackpot game ends. The second upper limit number is a number greater than the first upper limit number and a number greater than the special number. In addition, the second upper limit number of times is a number greater than the inverse of the probability of winning the jackpot lottery in a low probability state (approximately 320), and it can be said that the possibility of winning the jackpot lottery is relatively high even in a low probability state.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, except when the jackpot lottery is won in the high base state (first high base state or second high base state) and the jackpot is determined based on the ZC pattern, when the jackpot game is controlled to the high probability state after the jackpot game ends, the first upper limit number is 120 times. On the other hand, when the jackpot game is controlled to the low probability state after the jackpot game ends, the first upper limit number is 100 times, which is smaller than 120 times. In this way, when the jackpot game is controlled to the high probability state after the jackpot game ends, the first upper limit number is the same as the predetermined number of times controlled to the high probability state. Also, when the jackpot game is controlled to the low probability state after the jackpot game ends, the first upper limit number is a number smaller than the predetermined number of times controlled to the high probability state. These 100 times and 120 times are smaller than the reciprocal of the probability of winning the jackpot lottery in the low probability state (approximately 320).

On the other hand, if the jackpot lottery is won in a high base state (first high base state or second high base state) and a jackpot based on the ZC pattern is determined, the first upper limit number of times will be 500 times, which is greater than 120 times, both when the state is controlled to a high probability state after the jackpot game ends and when the state is controlled to a low probability state. Note that 500 times is greater than the reciprocal of the probability of winning the jackpot lottery in a low probability state (approximately 320), and it can be said that there is a relatively high possibility of winning the jackpot lottery even in a low probability state.

The high base state is controlled when a special game is executed a special number of times after the end of a jackpot game or after control of the low probability state, so it is highly likely to be controlled when consecutive jackpots occur (so-called "consecutive jackpots") or when the game is controlled to a low probability state for a certain period of time (so-called "stuck"). Also, in a jackpot game based on the ZC pattern, it is difficult for the game ball to pass through the special passing area 36, so it is highly likely to be controlled to the low probability state after the jackpot game ends. For this reason, if the jackpot lottery is won in the high base state and a jackpot based on the ZC pattern is determined, the first upper limit number of times will be greater than in other cases.

In this way, the first high base state is a game state in which the upper limit number of special games that can be controlled after the end of a jackpot game differs when a jackpot based on the ZC pattern is determined as the type of jackpot and when a jackpot based on a pattern other than ZC is determined. Also, the first high base state is a game state in which, when a jackpot based on the ZC pattern is determined as the type of jackpot, the upper limit number of special games that can be controlled after the end of a jackpot game differs when the game state at the time of winning the jackpot lottery is a high base state and when it is a low base state. Also, the first high base state is a game state in which, when a jackpot based on a pattern other than ZC is determined as the type of jackpot, the upper limit number of special games that can be controlled after the end of a jackpot game differs when the game state is controlled to a low probability state and when it is controlled to a high probability state. In this embodiment, a jackpot based on the ZC pattern corresponds to the first jackpot and the specific jackpot, and any jackpot based on a pattern other than the ZC pattern corresponds to the second jackpot. Also, in this embodiment, the low base state corresponds to the first game state, and the high base state corresponds to the second game state.

As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the winning probability of a normal winning lottery (normal winning probability) is set to the same probability (65535/65536) in all base states. Thus, in this embodiment, the normal winning lottery is a lottery that has the same winning probability in the low base state, the first high base state, and the second high base state, but is not limited to this, and may be a lottery that has a different winning probability in at least one of the low base state, the first high base state, and the second high base state.

The fluctuation time of the normal game is the same (200 ms) in the low base state, the first high base state, and the second high base state, but is not limited to this. For example, it may be different in at least one of the low base state, the first high base state, and the second high base state, or it may be the same time but with different determination probabilities. In addition, the fluctuation interval time of the normal game is also the same (500 ms) in the low base state, the first high base state, and the second high base state.

There are three types of normal winning patterns displayed on the normal pattern display section 22e as the game result of the normal game, FZA to FZC, and each of the three types of patterns FZA to FZC is determined with the same probability (1/3), but this is not limited to the above, and for example, at least one of the patterns may be determined with a different probability, and there may be one type, two types, or four or more types of patterns.

As the opening mode of the normal variable member 30 in one normal winning game, in the low base state, it is controlled to the open state with an upper limit of 32 ms in all normal winning games, while in the second high base state, it is controlled to the open state with an upper limit of 5400 ms in all normal winning games. Also, as the opening mode of the normal variable member 30 in one normal winning game, in the first high base state, in a normal winning game based on the pattern FZA, it is controlled to the open state for 3000 ms, controlled to the closed state for 1000 ms, and controlled to the open state for 2000 ms until the end condition is established. In a normal winning game based on the pattern FZB, it is controlled to the open state for 2000 ms, controlled to the closed state for 1000 ms, and controlled to the open state for 3000 ms until the end condition is established. In normal winning games based on the FZC pattern, the machine is controlled to the open state for 2500 ms, the closed state for 1000 ms, and the open state for 2500 ms until the end condition is met.

In this way, the opening mode of the normal variable member 30 is longer in the first high base state and the second high base state than in the low base state in the total upper limit opening time during which the second starting hole 29 can be in an open state in one normal winning game. In addition, while there are multiple types of opening modes for the opening mode of the normal variable member 30 in the first high base state, there is only one type of opening mode in the second high base state. The multiple types of opening modes in the first high base state are different from the one type of opening mode in the second high base state in that the upper limit number of times the normal variable member 30 can be in an open state in one normal winning game and the total upper limit opening time during which the second starting hole 29 can be in an open state in one normal winning game are different. In this embodiment, as the opening mode of the normal variable member 30, any of the multiple types of opening modes in the first high base state corresponds to the first opening mode and the second opening mode.

In addition, the total upper limit open time during which the second start port 29 can be in an open state during one normal hit game differs between the first high base state and the second high base state, and the total upper limit open time during which the second start port 29 can be in an open state during one normal hit game is longer in the second high base state than in the first high base state. Also, the upper limit open number of times that the normal variable member 30 can be in an open state during one normal hit game differs between the normal hit game granted in the first high base state and the normal hit game granted in the second high base state.

The multiple types of opening modes in the first high base state have a multiple upper limit number of times that the normal variable member 30 can be in the open state in one normal hit game. In addition, the multiple types of opening modes in the first high base state have the same total upper limit opening time that the second starting port 29 can be in the open state in one normal hit game, the same upper limit number of times that the normal variable member 30 can be in the open state in one normal hit game, and the same closed time that the normal variable member 30 can be in the closed state in one normal hit game. On the other hand, the multiple types of opening modes in the first high base state have different upper limit opening times that the second starting port 29 can be in the open state once.

In addition, the upper limit control time for normal hit games is the same for all types of normal hit games in the first high base state (6000 ms), while it is the same for all types of normal hit games in the second high base state (5400 ms). In other words, the upper limit control time for normal hit games is shorter in the second high base state than in the first high base state. As a result, in the second high base state, the total upper limit open time during which the second start port 29 can be in an open state in one normal hit game is shorter than in the first high base state, but the normal hit game is consumed faster. In addition, in the first high base state, there are multiple types of opening modes of the normal variable member 30 compared to the second high base state, and it is possible to make it more difficult to adjust the launch timing of the game ball so that it is easier to enter the second start port 29, thereby improving the technical intervention of the player.

In this embodiment, the probability of a jackpot is set to 205/65536 (approximately 1/320) in a low probability state and 995/65536 (approximately 1/66) in a high probability state. The number of prize balls is set to "2" when a game ball is detected by the first start sensor SE1, "1" when a game ball is detected by the second start sensor SE2, "15" when a game ball is detected by the special winning sensor SE3, and "4" when a game ball is detected by the general winning sensor SE5.

Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described.
6, the pachinko game machine 10 is provided with a main control board 40 on the back side (rear) of the game board 20. The main control board 40 performs various processes and outputs control signals (control commands) according to the results of the processes.

The pachinko game machine 10 also has a sub-control board 41 on the back (rear) of the game board 20. The sub-control board 41 executes a predetermined process based on a control signal input from the main control board 40. For example, the sub-control board 41 executes processes for executing light emission effects by the decorative lamps 17, audio effects by the speaker 18, and display effects by the effect display device 27.

The pachinko game machine 10 also has a power supply unit 60 on the back (rear) of the game board 20. The power supply unit 60 is a unit that supplies power to the main control board 40 and the sub-control board 41 when the power switch 60a is switched to the on state.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a backup function. The backup function is a function that internally stores (backs up) various information related to game control even if the power supply from an external power source is stopped, and restores game control based on the various information stored when the power supply is started. Here, the various information to be backed up includes game information related to the progress of the game. For example, the game information includes information related to special games, information related to jackpot games, information related to the game status, and information related to the payout of prize balls. In this embodiment, the main control board 40 and the sub-control board 41 are equipped with a backup function, but the sub-control board 41 does not have to be equipped with a backup function.

First, the main control board 40 will be described.
The main control board 40 includes a main control CPU 40a, a main control ROM 40b, a main control RAM 40c, and an RWM clear switch 40d. The main control CPU 40a executes a main control program to perform various processes.

The main control ROM 40b stores a main control program, tables used in a predetermined lottery, and judgment values. The main control ROM 40b also stores a plurality of types of fluctuation patterns. The fluctuation pattern is information that can specify the fluctuation time from when the special game is started to when the special game is ended. In addition, in this embodiment, the fluctuation pattern is information that can specify the presentation content of the presentation game that is played from when the special game is started to when the special game is ended. Note that the fluctuation pattern does not have to be information that can specify the presentation content of the presentation game that is played from when the special game is started to when the special game is ended.

The variation patterns include a jackpot variation pattern, a miss reach variation pattern, and a miss variation pattern. In the jackpot variation pattern, the performance content of the performance game is determined to be a performance content that ultimately leads to a jackpot pattern combination through a reach performance. In other words, the jackpot variation pattern can be determined when the jackpot lottery is won, and is a variation pattern that accompanies a reach performance. In the miss reach variation pattern, the performance content of the performance game is determined to be a performance content that ultimately leads to a miss pattern combination through a reach performance. In other words, the miss reach variation pattern can be determined when the jackpot lottery is not won, and is a variation pattern that accompanies a reach performance. In the miss variation pattern, the performance content of the performance game is determined to be a performance content that ultimately leads to a miss pattern combination without going through a reach performance. In other words, the miss variation pattern can be determined when the jackpot lottery is not won, and is a variation pattern that does not accompany a reach performance.

The main control RAM 40c is configured to be capable of storing various information that is rewritten during operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10. Information stored in the main control RAM 40c includes, for example, flags, counters, and timers. The main control board 40 is also configured to be capable of generating random numbers. For example, the random numbers may be generated as hardware random numbers or software random numbers.

The RWM clear switch 40d is configured to allow an operation to instruct initialization of various types of backed-up information. In this embodiment, the various types of backed-up information are initialized by turning on the power while the RWM clear switch 40d, which serves as the initialization operation means, is in the on state (operated).

The main control CPU 40a and sensors SE1 to SE6 are connected. The main control CPU 40a is configured to be able to input the detection signals that are output when sensors SE1 to SE6 detect a game ball.

The main control CPU 40a and the actuators A1 to A3 are connected. The main control CPU 40a is configured to be able to control the operation of the actuators A1 to A3. The main control CPU 40a and the information display device 22 are connected. The main control CPU 40a is configured to be able to control the display contents of the information display device 22.

Next, the sub-control board 41 will be described.
The sub-control board 41 and the main control board 40 are connected to each other. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is configured so that a control signal can be output in one direction from the main control board 40 to the sub-control board 41.

The sub-control board 41 is equipped with a sub-control CPU 41a, a sub-control ROM 41b, and a sub-control RAM 41c. The sub-control CPU 41a executes a sub-control program to perform various processes (e.g., processes related to performance). The sub-control ROM 41b stores the sub-control program, tables used in the lottery, and judgment values. The sub-control ROM 41b stores display performance data related to the display performance in the performance display device 27. The sub-control ROM 41b stores light-emitting performance data related to the light-emitting performance in the decorative lamp 17. The sub-control ROM 41b stores audio performance data related to the audio performance in the speaker 18.

The sub-control RAM 41c is configured to be capable of storing various information that is appropriately rewritten during operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10. Information stored in the sub-control RAM 41c includes, for example, flags, counters, and timers. The sub-control board 41 is also configured to be capable of generating random numbers. For example, the random numbers may be generated as hardware random numbers or software random numbers.

The sub-control CPU 41a and the performance display device 27 are connected. The sub-control CPU 41a is configured to be able to control the display mode of the performance display device 27. The sub-control CPU 41a and the decorative lamp 17 are connected. The sub-control CPU 41a is configured to be able to control the light emission mode of the decorative lamp 17. The sub-control CPU 41a and the speaker 18 are connected. The sub-control CPU 41a is configured to be able to control the output mode of the speaker 18. The sub-control CPU 41a and the operation button 19 are connected. The sub-control CPU 41a is configured to be able to input an operation signal indicating that the operation button 19 has been operated.

Next, various processes carried out in the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described.
First, the special symbol input process performed by the main control CPU 40a will be described. The special symbol input process is performed as an interrupt process.

In the special symbol input process, the main control CPU 40a determines whether or not a gaming ball has entered the first start hole 28 based on whether or not a detection signal has been input from the first start sensor SE1.
When a game ball enters the first starting hole 28, the main control CPU 40a judges whether the first special reserved number stored in the main control RAM 40c is less than the upper limit number ("4" in this embodiment). When the first special reserved number is less than the upper limit number, the main control CPU 40a updates the first special reserved number stored in the main control RAM 40c by adding "1". This establishes the reservation condition (first reservation condition) of the first special game. In other words, the entry of a game ball into the first starting hole 28 is a trigger to reserve the execution of the special game. In this process, the main control CPU 40a controls the information display device 22 to display the updated first special reserved number. In addition, the main control CPU 40a sets information (hereinafter referred to as the first reserved number command) that can identify the updated first special reserved number in the output buffer. The information (control command) set in the output buffer is output to the sub-control board 41 in the next or subsequent interrupt processing.

Next, the main control CPU 40a acquires random numbers generated in the main control board 40, and stores random number information based on the acquired random numbers in the main control RAM 40c. For example, the random numbers are random numbers used in the jackpot lottery, random numbers used to determine the jackpot symbol, and random numbers used to determine the variation pattern. In this process, the main control CPU 40a stores the random number information so that it is possible to identify that it is random number information for the first special game and the storage order of the random number information. In this embodiment, by storing the random number information for the first special game in the main control RAM 40c, it is possible to suspend the execution of the first special game until the execution conditions of the first special game are met. In this way, it is possible to suspend the execution of the first special game (special game) when a game ball enters the first starting hole 28. The random number information may be the acquired random number itself, or may be information obtained by processing the random number using a predetermined method.

When no game ball has entered the first start hole 28, when the first special reserved number is not less than the upper limit number, and when random number information for the first special game has been stored in the main control RAM 40c, the main control CPU 40a determines whether or not a game ball has entered the second start hole 29 based on whether or not a detection signal has been input from the second start sensor SE2. When no game ball has entered the second start hole 29, the main control CPU 40a ends the special symbol input process.

When a game ball enters the second start hole 29, the main control CPU 40a judges whether the second special reserved number stored in the main control RAM 40c is less than the upper limit number ("4" in this embodiment). If the second special reserved number is not less than the upper limit number, the main control CPU 40a ends the special symbol input process. If the second special reserved number is less than the upper limit number, the main control CPU 40a updates the second special reserved number stored in the main control RAM 40c by adding "1". This establishes the reservation condition for the second special game (second reservation condition). In other words, the entry of a game ball into the second start hole 29 is a trigger to reserve the execution of the special game. In this process, the main control CPU 40a controls the information display device 22 to display the updated second special reserved number. In addition, the main control CPU 40a sets information that can identify the updated second special reserved number (hereinafter referred to as the second reserved number command) in the output buffer.

Next, the main control CPU 40a acquires the random numbers generated within the main control board 40, and stores random number information based on the acquired random numbers in the main control RAM 40c. In this process, the main control CPU 40a stores the random number information so that it is possible to identify that it is random number information for the second special game, and the order in which the random number information is stored. In this embodiment, by storing the random number information for the second special game in the main control RAM 40c, it is possible to suspend the execution of the second special game until the execution conditions for the second special game are met. In this way, the execution of the second special game (special game) can be suspended when a game ball enters the second starting hole 29.

Next, a special symbol start process performed by the main control CPU 40a will be described. The special symbol start process is performed as an interrupt process.
In the special symbol start process, the main control CPU 40a judges whether the execution conditions of the special game are satisfied. The main control CPU 40a judges positively when neither a jackpot game nor a special game is being played, and judges negatively when a jackpot game or a special game is being played. If the execution conditions of the special game are not satisfied, the main control CPU 40a ends the special symbol start process.

On the other hand, if the conditions for executing the special game are met, the main control CPU 40a judges whether the second special reserved number stored in the main control RAM 40c is "1" or more. If the second special reserved number is "1" or more, the main control CPU 40a performs a predetermined process so that the conditions for executing the second special game are met and the second special game is started. On the other hand, if the second special reserved number is not "1" or more, the main control CPU 40a judges whether the first special reserved number stored in the main control RAM 40c is "1" or more. If the first special reserved number is "1" or more, the main control CPU 40a performs a predetermined process so that the conditions for executing the first special game are met and the first special game is started. In this way, the main control CPU 40a executes the second special game in priority to the first special game. On the other hand, if the first special reserved number is not "1" or more, the main control CPU 40a ends the special pattern start process. In addition, when the special game or jackpot game is not in progress and each special reserved number is "0", the main control CPU 40a will control the game to a standby state in which the special game and jackpot game are not being executed.

When starting the first special game, the main control CPU 40a updates the first special reserved number stored in the main control RAM 40c by subtracting "1". In this process, the main control CPU 40a controls the information display device 22 so that the updated first special reserved number is displayed. Next, the main control CPU 40a reads out the random number information for the first special game from the main control RAM 40c that was stored first. After reading out the random number information that was stored first, the main control CPU 40a erases the random number information from the main control RAM 40c.

Next, the main control CPU 40a judges whether or not a jackpot will be won based on the read random number information and the jackpot judgment value stored in the main control ROM 40b. The judgment of whether or not a jackpot will be won is, for example, judged by whether or not the value of the random number specified from the random number information matches the jackpot judgment value corresponding to the current probability state. The judgment of whether or not a jackpot will be won may also be judged by whether or not the value obtained by adding the value of the random number specified from the random number information and the jackpot judgment value exceeds a predetermined value. In this way, the main control CPU 40a performs a jackpot lottery in response to the entry of a game ball into the first start hole 28 or the entry of a game ball into the second start hole 29, and judges whether or not a jackpot will be won. In this embodiment, the main control CPU 40a that executes such processing corresponds to the jackpot lottery means (jackpot judgment means).

When a jackpot is won, the main control CPU 40a determines the jackpot symbol derived in the first special game and the variation pattern of the first special game. For example, the main control CPU 40a determines the jackpot symbol derived in the first special game and the variation pattern of the first special game by a lottery using the read random number information for the first special game. In this embodiment, the main control CPU 40a that executes such processing corresponds to the jackpot type determination means. When the jackpot symbol derived in the first special game is determined, the main control CPU 40a sets information (hereinafter referred to as a pattern command) that can identify the determined jackpot symbol in the output buffer. When the variation pattern of the first special game is determined, the main control CPU 40a sets information (hereinafter referred to as a game start command) that can identify the determined variation pattern and instructs the start of a presentation game based on the variation pattern in the output buffer. After setting the pattern command and the first game start command in the output buffer, the main control CPU 40a ends the special pattern start process.

On the other hand, in the case of a loss that does not result in a jackpot, the main control CPU 40a determines the loss symbol derived in the first special game and the variation pattern of the first special game. For example, the main control CPU 40a determines the loss symbol derived in the first special game and the variation pattern of the first special game by a lottery using the read random number information for the first special game. In this embodiment, the main control CPU 40a, which determines the variation pattern based on a predetermined determination condition, corresponds to the variation pattern determination means. When the loss symbol derived in the first special game is determined, the main control CPU 40a sets information (hereinafter referred to as a pattern command) capable of identifying the determined loss symbol in the output buffer. When the variation pattern of the first special game is determined, the main control CPU 40a sets a game start command that can identify the determined variation pattern and is based on the variation pattern in the output buffer. After setting the pattern command and the first game start command in the output buffer, the main control CPU 40a ends the special pattern start process.

When starting the second special game, the main control CPU 40a performs the same control as when starting the first special game described above. In other words, the main control CPU 40a subtracts the second special reserved number, performs a jackpot lottery (jackpot determination), determines the jackpot pattern or non-jackpot pattern based on the result of the jackpot lottery, determines the variation pattern based on the result of the jackpot lottery, and sets the pattern command and game start command. After that, the main control CPU 40a ends the special pattern start process.

When the special symbol start process is completed, the main control CPU 40a executes a special game by performing a process other than the special symbol start process. Specifically, the main control CPU 40a controls the information display device 22 so that a special game is started. The main control CPU 40a measures the change time set in the change pattern determined in the special symbol start process. The main control CPU 40a then controls the information display device 22 so that the special symbol determined in the special symbol start process is derived when the change time set in the change pattern has elapsed. Furthermore, when the change time set in the change pattern determined in the special symbol start process has elapsed, the main control CPU 40a instructs the stop of the change in the performance symbol, and sets information (hereinafter referred to as a game end command) for deriving a symbol combination by the performance symbol in the output buffer.

By executing this special symbol start process, when a random number value related to a special game is stored, the main control CPU 40a will determine whether or not the special game will result in a jackpot in the order of the earliest total acquisition order, regardless of whether the random number value is related to the first special game or the second special game, and will execute the special game. In other words, the special game will be executed in the order in which the game balls enter the first start hole 28 and the second start hole 29.

Next, the big win processing performed by the main control CPU 40a will be described.
In the jackpot process, the main control CPU 40a performs control to award a jackpot game based on the jackpot symbol (type of jackpot) determined in the special symbol start process. That is, the main control CPU 40a awards a jackpot game by executing the jackpot process.

When the special game of the big win ends, the main control CPU 40a first sets information capable of identifying the start of the opening time (hereinafter referred to as the opening command) in the output buffer. When the opening time has elapsed, the main control CPU 40a performs processing to execute a round of play. Specifically, the main control CPU 40a controls the special actuator A2 so that the big prize opening 31 is opened based on an opening pattern determined by the big win symbol (type of big win), and starts the round of play. After starting the round of play, when the first or second ending condition is established, the main control CPU 40a controls the special actuator A2 so that the big prize opening 31 is closed, and ends the round of play. The main control CPU 40a repeats such processing to execute the round of play until the specified number of rounds of play are completed.

In addition, the main control CPU 40a sets information capable of identifying the start of a round of play (hereinafter referred to as a round command) in the output buffer each time a round of play is started.In addition, the main control CPU 40a sets information capable of identifying the end of a round of play (hereinafter referred to as a round end command) in the output buffer each time a round of play is ended.

In particular, during an operation round play in which the distribution member 38 is operated from the second distribution state to the first distribution state among multiple rounds of play, the main control CPU 40a controls the distribution actuator A3 and controls the operation of the distribution member 38 based on the distribution control information defined for the jackpot pattern (type of jackpot).

Specifically, the main control CPU 40a counts the number of game balls that enter the large prize opening 31 during an operating round game based on the detection signal from the special prize sensor SE3. Note that in this embodiment, the main control CPU 40a counts the number of game balls that enter the large prize opening 31 not only during an operating round game but also during a non-operating round game based on the detection signal from the special prize sensor SE3.

When the main control CPU 40a determines, by referring to the distribution control information set for the jackpot pattern (type of jackpot), that the number of game balls entering the large prize opening 31 is the number of balls that satisfies the condition for starting the short distribution control, the condition for starting the short distribution control is met and the short distribution control is started. The main control CPU 40a then performs the short distribution control until the condition for terminating the short distribution control is met, and when the condition for terminating the short distribution control is met, it operates the distribution member 38 from the first distribution state to the second distribution state to end the short distribution control.

In detail, when any of the types of jackpots has been determined, the start condition of the short distribution control is met when the number of game balls entering the big prize opening 31 in each operating round of play reaches "1", and the main control CPU 40a operates the distribution member 38 to take the first distribution state based on the short distribution control. The main control CPU 40a then counts the elapsed time since the start condition of the short distribution control was met. When a predetermined time (0.028 s in this embodiment) has elapsed, or when the end condition of each operating round of play is met, the end condition of the short distribution control is met, and the main control CPU 40a operates the distribution member 38 to take the second distribution state.

When the main control CPU 40a determines, by referring to the distribution control information set for the jackpot pattern (type of jackpot), that the number of game balls entering the large prize opening 31 is the number of balls that satisfies the condition for starting the long distribution control, the condition for starting the long distribution control is met and the long distribution control is started. The main control CPU 40a then performs the long distribution control until the condition for ending the long distribution control is met, and when the condition for ending the long distribution control is met, it operates the distribution member 38 from the first distribution state to the second distribution state to end the long distribution control.

In more detail, when a jackpot based on the symbols ZA, ZB, Za to Zc is determined, the condition for starting the long distribution control is met when the number of game balls entering the large prize opening 31 in the second round play as the second operating round play reaches "2", and the main control CPU 40a operates the distribution member 38 to assume the first distribution state based on the long distribution control. Note that when a jackpot based on the symbol ZC is determined, the main control CPU 40a does not perform the long distribution control in the second round play.

When the game ball passes through the special passing area 36 during a jackpot game, the main control CPU 40a stores information indicating the game ball's passage into the special passing area 36 in the main control RAM 40c. In addition, when the game ball passes through the special passing area 36 during a jackpot game, the main control CPU 40a sets information capable of identifying the game ball's passage into the special passing area 36 (hereinafter referred to as a special passing command) in the output buffer.

When the final round of play ends, the main control CPU 40a sets information that can identify the start of the ending time (hereinafter referred to as the ending command) in the output buffer. When the ending time has elapsed, the main control CPU 40a ends the jackpot play.

Next, the game status processing performed by the main control CPU 40a will be described.
The main control CPU 40a sets the main base state flag to a value that can specify that the first high base state is to be controlled for all types of jackpots when the ending time begins. The main base state flag is a flag assigned to the main control RAM 40c, and is a flag that can specify whether the low base state, the first high base state, or the second high base state is to be controlled.

The main control CPU 40a also identifies the game state when the jackpot lottery is won, the type of jackpot, and whether the game ball passed through the special passing area 36 during the jackpot game. The main control CPU 40a then identifies the upper limit number corresponding to the identified result as the first upper limit number that can be controlled to the first high base state, and sets the main high base number counter to a value that can identify the first upper limit number. The main high base number counter is assigned to the main control RAM 40c, and is a counter for counting the number of times that a special game that can be controlled to the high base state (first high base state or second high base state) is executed.

Specifically, when the main control CPU 40a determines that the game state when the jackpot lottery is won is a high base state and that the type of jackpot is a jackpot based on the ZC pattern, it determines the first upper limit number of times to be "500". In other cases, when the main control CPU 40a determines that the game ball has passed through the special passing area 36 during jackpot play, it determines the first upper limit number of times to be "120", and when it determines that the game ball has not passed through the special passing area 36 during jackpot play, it determines the first upper limit number of times to be "100".

When the main control CPU 40a determines that the game ball has passed through the special passing area 36 during a jackpot game, triggered by the input of an ending command, it sets the main probability state flag to a value that can specify whether to control to a high probability state for all types of jackpots. The main probability state flag is assigned to the main control RAM 40c, and is a flag that can specify whether to control to a low probability state or a high probability state. The main control CPU 40a then sets the main high probability count counter to a predetermined number of times that can be controlled to a high probability state ("120" in this embodiment). The main high probability count counter is assigned to the main control RAM 40c, and is a counter for counting the number of times a special game that can be controlled to a high probability state is executed.

When the main control CPU 40a determines, as a result of input of an ending command, that the game ball has not passed through the special passing area 36 during jackpot play, it sets the main probability state flag to a value that can specify that the game will be controlled to a low probability state for all types of jackpots. The main control CPU 40a then sets the main low probability count counter to a value that can specify the number of special games. The main low probability count counter is assigned to the main control RAM 40c, and is a counter for counting the number of times that the special game is executed after being controlled to the low probability state.

Then, each time a special game is executed, the main control CPU 40a subtracts "1" from the main high base count counter, the main high probability count counter, and the main low probability count counter that are assigned to the main control RAM 40c and that are not set to "0". In this embodiment, the main control CPU 40a subtracts "1" from each counter when the special game ends, but this is not limited to the above, and for example, each counter may be subtracted "1" when the special game starts.

In this way, in this embodiment, the first upper limit number is a different number of times when a jackpot based on the ZC pattern is determined as the type of jackpot and when a jackpot based on a pattern other than ZC is determined. Also, in this embodiment, when a jackpot based on the ZC pattern is determined as the type of jackpot, the first upper limit number is a different number of times when the game state when the jackpot lottery is won is a low base state and when it is a high base state. Also, in this embodiment, when a jackpot based on a pattern other than ZC is determined as the type of jackpot and the game state when the jackpot lottery is won is controlled to the first high base state after the jackpot game ends, the first upper limit number is a different number of times when the game state is controlled to the low probability state and when it is controlled to the high probability state after the jackpot game ends.

When the main high base count counter is updated from "1" to "0", the main control CPU 40a sets the main base state flag to a value that can specify that the game will be controlled to a low base state. When the main high probability count counter is updated from "1" to "0", the main control CPU 40a sets the main probability state flag to a value that can specify that the game will be controlled to a low probability state, and sets the main low probability count counter to a value that can specify the special count. In this way, when the main control CPU 40a controls the game to a high probability state after the end of a jackpot game, it controls the game to a low probability state when a predetermined control condition is met triggered by the execution of a predetermined number of special games. When the main low probability count counter is updated from "1" to "0", the main control CPU 40a sets the main base state flag to a value that can specify that the game will be controlled to a second high base state, and sets the main high base count counter to the second upper limit count.

In this embodiment, the main control CPU 40a, upon input of an opening command, sets the main base state flag, main probability state flag, main high base count counter, main high probability count counter, and main low probability count counter to "0," initializing each flag and counter.

In this way, the main control CPU 40a may control to a low probability state after the end of a jackpot game, or may control to a high probability state after the end of a jackpot game. In particular, when the game ball passes through the special passing area 36 during a jackpot game, the main control CPU 40a controls to a high probability state after the end of a jackpot game, while when the game ball does not pass through the special passing area 36 during a jackpot game, the main control CPU 40a controls to a low probability state after the end of a jackpot game. Then, when the main control CPU 40a has been controlled to a high probability state after the end of a jackpot game, it controls to a low probability state when a predetermined control condition is met by playing a predetermined number of special games without a jackpot being won.

The main control CPU 40a continues to control the base state to the first high base state until the first maximum number of special games are played without a jackpot when controlled to the first high base state, and controls the base state to the low base state when the first maximum number of special games are played. On the other hand, the main control CPU 40a continues to control the base state to the second high base state until the second maximum number of special games are played without a jackpot when controlled to the second high base state, and controls the base state to the low base state when the second maximum number of special games are played. After controlling the base state to the low base state when the second maximum number of special games are played without a jackpot in the second high base state, the main control CPU 40a does not control the base state to the high base state when a predetermined number of special games are played without a jackpot in the low base state.

When the main control CPU 40a is controlled to the first high base state after the end of a jackpot game, it controls to either the high probability state or the low probability state, whereas when the main control CPU 40a is controlled to the second high base state, it controls to the low probability state instead of the high probability state. In addition, the main control CPU 40a may continue to control to the high probability state and high base state until 120 special games are played without a jackpot after the end of a jackpot game, or may continue to control to the low probability state and high base state until 500 special games are played without a jackpot after the end of a jackpot game.

In particular, when the main control CPU 40a wins the jackpot lottery in the high base state and a jackpot based on the ZC pattern is determined as the type of jackpot, when the main control CPU 40a is controlled to the low probability state and the first high base state after the jackpot game ends, the main control CPU 40a controls the state to the low probability state and the low base state when 500 special games are played without a jackpot. On the other hand, when the main control CPU 40a is controlled to the high probability state and the high base state after the jackpot game ends, the main control CPU 40a controls the state to the low probability state and the high base state when 120 special games are played without a jackpot. Then, the main control CPU 40a controls the state to the low probability state and the low base state after 500 special games are played without a jackpot after the jackpot game ends.

In addition, when the main control CPU 40a wins the jackpot lottery in the low base state and a specific jackpot is determined as the type of jackpot, when the system is controlled to the high probability state and high base state after the end of the jackpot game, 120 special games are executed without a jackpot, and the state is controlled to the low probability state and low base state. On the other hand, when the main control CPU 40a wins the jackpot lottery in the low base state and a specific jackpot is determined as the type of jackpot, when the system is controlled to the low probability state and high base state after the end of the jackpot game, 100 special games are executed without a jackpot, and the state is controlled to the low probability state and low base state. In this embodiment, the main control CPU 40a that controls the game state corresponds to the game state control means.

When the main control CPU 40a sets the main probability state flag to a value that can identify control to a low probability state, it sets information that can identify a low probability state (hereinafter referred to as a low probability state command) in the output buffer. On the other hand, when the main control CPU 40a sets the main probability state flag to a value that can identify control to a high probability state, it sets information that can identify a high probability state (hereinafter referred to as a high probability state command) in the output buffer.

When the main control CPU 40a sets the main base state flag to a value that can identify control to the low base state, it sets information that can identify that the state is low base (hereinafter referred to as the low base state command) in the output buffer. On the other hand, when the main control CPU 40a sets the main base state flag to a value that can identify control to the first high base state, it sets information that can identify that the state is first high base state (hereinafter referred to as the first high base state command) in the output buffer. Also, when the main control CPU 40a sets the main base state flag to a value that can identify control to the second high base state, it sets information that can identify that the state is second high base state (hereinafter referred to as the second high base state command) in the output buffer.

Next, the normal symbol input process performed by the main control CPU 40a will be described. The normal symbol input process is performed as an interrupt process.
In the normal symbol input process, the main control CPU 40a judges whether the game ball has passed (entered) the gate 33 based on whether a detection signal has been input from the gate sensor SE4. If the game ball has not passed the gate 33, the main control CPU 40a ends the normal symbol input process. On the other hand, if the game ball has passed the gate 33, the main control CPU 40a judges whether the normal reserved number stored in the main control RAM 40c is less than the upper limit number ("4" in this embodiment). If the normal reserved number is not less than the upper limit number, the main control CPU 40a ends the normal symbol input process. If the normal reserved number is less than the upper limit number, the main control CPU 40a updates the normal reserved number stored in the main control RAM 40c by adding "1". This establishes the reservation condition for the normal game. The main control CPU 40a also controls the information display device 22 to display the updated normal reserved number.

Next, the main control CPU 40a acquires random numbers generated within the main control board 40, and stores random number information based on the acquired random numbers in the main control RAM 40c. For example, the random numbers are random numbers used in the lottery for selecting winning normal symbols, random numbers used to determine winning normal symbols, and random numbers used to determine the variable time of the normal game. In this case, the main control CPU 40a stores the random number information so that it is possible to identify that it is random number information for the normal game, and the storage order of the random number information. In this embodiment, by storing the random number information for the normal game in the main control RAM 40c, it is possible to suspend the execution of the normal game until the execution conditions for the normal game are met. After that, the main control CPU 40a ends the normal symbol input process.

Next, the normal symbol start process performed by the main control CPU 40a will be described. The normal symbol start process is performed as an interrupt process.
In the normal symbol start process, the main control CPU 40a judges whether the execution conditions of the normal game are met. The main control CPU 40a judges positively when the normal win game is not being played and the normal game is not being played, and judges negatively when the normal win game is being played or the normal game is being played. If the execution conditions of the normal game are not met, the main control CPU 40a ends the normal symbol start process.

On the other hand, if the conditions for executing the normal game are met, the main control CPU 40a judges whether the normal reserved number stored in the main control RAM 40c is "1" or more. If the normal reserved number is not "1" or more (if it is zero (0)), the main control CPU 40a ends the normal pattern start process. If the normal reserved number is "1" or more, the main control CPU 40a updates the normal reserved number stored in the main control RAM 40c by subtracting "1". In addition, the main control CPU 40a controls the information display device 22 so that the updated normal reserved number is displayed. Next, the main control CPU 40a reads out the random number information for the normal game that was stored first from the main control RAM 40c. In addition, when the main control CPU 40a reads out the random number information that was stored first, it erases the random number information from the main control RAM 40c.

Next, the main control CPU 40a judges whether or not a normal win will be won based on the read random number information, the current game state, and the normal win judgment value stored in the main control ROM 40b. In this embodiment, this process corresponds to a normal win lottery (normal win judgment) for a normal symbol to determine whether or not a normal win will be won, and the main control CPU 40a that executes this process corresponds to a normal win lottery means that performs a normal win lottery for the normal game in response to the entry of a game ball into the gate 33.

In addition, in this embodiment, the main control CPU 40a wins a normal win with the same probability when the current game state is a low base state and when it is a high base state, and the normal win lottery can be said to be a lottery with the same probability of winning in the low base state, the first high base state, and the second high base state, but this is not limited to this. For example, the normal win lottery may be a lottery with a higher probability of winning in the high base state (first high base state and second high base state) than in the low base state. Also, for example, the normal win lottery may be a lottery with a higher probability of winning in the second high base state than in the first high base state, or a lottery with a higher probability of winning in the first high base state than in the second high base state. Any combination of these may be adopted.

When a normal win is won, the main control CPU 40a determines the normal winning symbol to be derived in the normal game and the fluctuation time of the normal game. When the main control CPU 40a determines the fluctuation time of the normal game, it sets information capable of identifying the determined fluctuation time (hereinafter referred to as the normal start command) in the output buffer. Note that the normal start command may be information capable of identifying the result of the lottery for the winning normal symbol. After that, the main control CPU 40a ends the normal symbol start process.

If the normal win is not achieved, the main control CPU 40a determines the normal losing symbol to be derived in the normal game and the fluctuation time of the normal game. When the main control CPU 40a determines the fluctuation time of the normal game, it sets a normal start command capable of identifying the determined fluctuation time in the output buffer. After that, the main control CPU 40a ends the normal symbol start process.

Then, the main control CPU 40a executes the normal game by performing a process separate from the normal symbol start process. Specifically, the main control CPU 40a starts the normal game and controls the information display device 22 so that the normal symbol determined in the normal symbol start process is derived when the variable time determined in the normal symbol start process has elapsed.

Next, the normal winning process performed by the main control CPU 40a will be described.
When a normal win is won, the main control CPU 40a determines the opening pattern of the second start hole 29 based on the current game state, and controls the normal actuator A1 so that the second start hole 29 is opened based on the determined opening pattern. In particular, when the above-mentioned opening time extension control is adopted, the main control CPU 40a determines the opening pattern for the low base in the low base state regardless of the normal winning symbol, and determines the opening pattern for the second high base in the second high base state. On the other hand, in the first high base state, the main control CPU 40a determines the opening pattern for the first high base corresponding to the determined normal winning symbol from among the multiple types of opening patterns for the first high base.

Next, various processes performed by the sub-control CPU 41a will be described.
First, the presentation game processing performed by the sub-control CPU 41a will be described.
The sub-control CPU 41a determines a symbol combination to be derived in the performance game based on the game start command and the symbol command. When the special symbol identifiable from the symbol command is a big win symbol, the sub-control CPU 41a determines a big win symbol combination by the performance symbol. When the special symbol identifiable from the symbol command is a losing symbol, the sub-control CPU 41a determines a losing symbol combination by the performance symbol.

The sub-control CPU 41a also determines a losing symbol combination including a reach (for example, "787") when the conditions for executing a reach effect are met and the reach effect is to be executed in the effected game. In this embodiment, the conditions for executing a reach effect are set to be that a losing variation pattern with a reach effect has been determined. Note that the conditions for executing a reach effect may also be set to be that the sub-control CPU 41a has performed a predetermined reach lottery and won the reach lottery.

The sub-control CPU 41a also controls the effect display device 27 to variably display the effect symbols in each column in response to the input of a game start command. That is, the sub-control CPU 41a starts the effect game. When a predetermined timing arrives after the start of the effect game, the sub-control CPU 41a temporarily stops and displays the symbol combination based on the determined effect symbols, and in response to the input of a game end command, causes the symbol combination based on the determined effect symbols to be derived. Note that the sub-control CPU 41a may measure a variation time that can be determined from the variation pattern, regardless of the game end command, and cause the symbol combination to be derived in response to the passage of the variation time. In this case, the game end command may be omitted.

Next, the big win presentation processing performed by the sub-control CPU 41a will be described.
The sub-control CPU 41a controls the performance display device 27 so that an opening performance is performed when an opening command is input. The sub-control CPU 41a controls the performance display device 27 so that a round performance is performed when a round command is input. Furthermore, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the round performance when a round end command is input. The sub-control CPU 41a controls the performance display device 27 so that an ending performance is performed when an ending command is input. In this way, the sub-control CPU 41a executes the opening performance, round performance, and ending performance as jackpot performances during jackpot play.

In this embodiment, the sub-control CPU 41a may control at least one of the decorative lamps 17 and the speakers 18 in addition to the performance display device 27 so that various performances are performed.

Next, the game status processing performed by the sub-control CPU 41a will be described.
When the sub-control CPU 41a inputs a low probability state command, it sets the sub-probability state flag to a value that can specify a low probability state, and sets the sub-low probability count counter to a value that can specify a special count. The sub-probability state flag is assigned to the sub-control RAM 41c, and is a flag that can specify whether to control to a low probability state or a high probability state. The sub-low probability count counter is assigned to the sub-control RAM 41c, and is a counter for counting the number of times a special game is executed after being controlled to a low probability state. On the other hand, when the sub-control CPU 41a inputs a high probability state command, it sets the sub-probability state flag to a value that can specify a high probability state, and sets the sub-high probability count counter to a value that can specify a predetermined number of times. The sub-high probability count counter is assigned to the sub-control RAM 41c, and is a counter for counting the number of times a special game that can be controlled to a high probability state is executed.

When the sub-control CPU 41a inputs a low base state command, it sets the sub-base state flag to a value that can identify the low base state. The sub-base state flag is assigned to the sub-control RAM 41c and is a flag that can identify whether to control to the low base state, the first high base state, or the second high base state. When the sub-control CPU 41a inputs a first high base state command, it sets the sub-base state flag to a value that can identify the first high base state, and sets the sub-high base count counter to a value that can identify the first upper limit count. The sub-high base count counter is a counter for counting the number of times a special game that can be controlled to a high base state (first high base state or second high base state) is executed. Specifically, the sub-control CPU 41a identifies the game state and the type of jackpot when the jackpot lottery is won, and identifies whether the game ball passed through the special passing area 36 during the jackpot game based on the input of the special passing command. When the sub-control CPU 41a determines that the game state when the jackpot lottery is won is a high base state and that the type of jackpot is a jackpot based on the ZC pattern, it determines "500" as the first upper limit number of times. In other cases, when the sub-control CPU 41a determines that the game ball has passed through the special passing area 36 during the jackpot game, it determines "120" as the first upper limit number of times, and when it determines that the game ball has not passed through the special passing area 36 during the jackpot game, it determines "100" as the first upper limit number of times. When the sub-control CPU 41a inputs the second high base state command, it sets the sub-base state flag to a value that can identify the second high base state, and sets the high base count counter to a value that can identify the second upper limit number of times.

Here, the fluctuation patterns and the determination conditions for determining the fluctuation patterns will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG.
As shown in Fig. 7, the fluctuation pattern of this embodiment is selected depending on whether or not a jackpot occurs. Specifically, the fluctuation patterns HP12, HP22, and HP32 are defined as jackpot fluctuation patterns. The fluctuation patterns HP11, HP21, and HP31 are defined as miss reach fluctuation patterns, and the fluctuation patterns HP01 to HP04 are defined as miss fluctuation patterns.

Fluctuation patterns HP11 and HP12 are selectable fluctuation patterns in the low base state. Fluctuation patterns HP21 and HP22 are selectable fluctuation patterns in the high base state (first high base state and second high base state), and fluctuation patterns HP31 and HP32 are selectable fluctuation patterns in the first high base state. Fluctuation patterns HP01 to HP04 are selectable fluctuation patterns in common to the low base state and the high base state, but in this embodiment, fluctuation pattern HP04 is a selectable fluctuation pattern in the second high base state.

Furthermore, the variation patterns HP11 and HP12 are variation patterns in which a reach is formed in the presentation game (during the execution of the special game) and a first super reach (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "SR1") presentation is executed. The variation patterns HP21 and HP22 are variation patterns in which a reach is formed in the presentation game (during the execution of the special game) and a second super reach (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "SR2") presentation is executed. The variation patterns HP31 and HP32 are variation patterns in which a reach is not formed in the presentation game (during the execution of the special game) and a final presentation is executed that can be identified as the last special game controlled to the first high base state. In this embodiment, the variation patterns HP31 and HP32 correspond to special variation patterns.

Each fluctuation pattern corresponds to a fluctuation time, and the fluctuation time can be specified from the fluctuation pattern. Specifically, in this embodiment, the fluctuation pattern HP02 is a fluctuation pattern that shortens the fluctuation time of the fluctuation pattern HP01, and is more likely to be selected in a high base state than in a low base state. In this embodiment, the fluctuation pattern HP03 is a fluctuation pattern that further shortens the fluctuation time of the fluctuation pattern HP02, and is more likely to be selected in a high base state than in a low base state. In this embodiment, the fluctuation pattern HP04 is a fluctuation pattern that further shortens the fluctuation time of the fluctuation pattern HP03, and is selected only in a second high base state. In addition, the fluctuation patterns HP02 and HP03 can be selected when the first special reserved number is large in a low base state, and the fluctuation pattern HP01 can be selected when the second special reserved number is small in a first high base state. In this way, there are multiple types of fluctuation patterns with different fluctuation times for the deviation fluctuation pattern.

In this embodiment, the main control CPU 40a, upon the start of the ending time, specifies the game state when the jackpot lottery is won, the type of jackpot, and whether the game ball passed through the special passing area 36 during the jackpot game, and stores the specified items in the main control RAM 40c. The main control CPU 40a then sets information capable of specifying the determined first upper limit number in the variation number counter. The variation number counter is assigned to the main control RAM 40c, and is a counter for counting the number of times the special game is executed after the base state changes. Specifically, when the main control CPU 40a specifies that the game state when the jackpot lottery is won is a high base state and that the type of jackpot is a jackpot based on the ZC pattern, it sets the variation number counter to "500" as the first upper limit number. In other cases, when the main control CPU 40a determines that the game ball has passed through the special passing area 36 during a jackpot game, it sets the first upper limit number of times to "120" in the variable number counter, and when it determines that the game ball has not passed through the special passing area 36 during a jackpot game, it sets the first upper limit number of times to "100" in the variable number counter.

When controlling from the first high base state to the low base state, the main control CPU 40a sets information capable of identifying a predetermined number of times ("20" in this embodiment) in the fluctuation count counter. When controlling from the low base state to the second high base state, the main control CPU 40a sets information capable of identifying a special number of times in the fluctuation count counter.

The main control CPU 40a subtracts "1" from the variation counter each time the special game is executed if the variation counter is not set to "0". In this embodiment, the main control CPU 40a subtracts "1" from each of the various counters when the special game ends, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the main control CPU 40a may subtract "1" from each of the various counters when the special game starts.

When the main control CPU 40a determines the variation pattern in the special symbol start process, it refers to the variation pattern determination table based on the game state when the jackpot lottery was won, the type of jackpot, whether the game ball passed through the special passing area 36 during the jackpot game, the value set in the main base state flag, and the value set in the variation count counter. In this embodiment, this variation pattern determination table is a table for determining the variation pattern, but it does not have a data structure as a table, and it need only be a data group for determining the variation pattern. In this embodiment, the conditions under which the variation pattern determination table is referenced to determine the variation pattern correspond to the predetermined determination conditions.

As shown in FIG. 8, there are several types of fluctuation pattern determination tables: TA01, TA02, TA11-TA15, and TA21. Note that FIG. 8(a) defines a fluctuation pattern determination table that is referenced when the game is controlled to a high probability state after the end of a jackpot game, and FIG. 8(b) defines a fluctuation pattern determination table that is referenced when the game is controlled to a low probability state after the end of a jackpot game.

The fluctuation pattern determination tables TA01 and TA02 are fluctuation pattern determination tables that are referenced in a low base state. In particular, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA02 is a table that is referenced in the 20th special game when the first high base state is controlled to the low base state, and is not referenced when the second high base state is controlled to the low base state. In detail, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA02 is referenced in the 101st to 120th special games when the first high base state is controlled with 100 times as the first upper limit number after the end of a jackpot game. The fluctuation pattern determination table TA02 is referenced in the 121st to 140th special games when the first high base state is controlled with 120 times as the first upper limit number after the end of a jackpot game. The fluctuation pattern determination table TA02 is referenced in the 501st to 520th special games when the first high base state is controlled with 500 times as the first upper limit number after the end of a jackpot game. In addition, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA01 is a table that is referenced when the fluctuation pattern determination table TA02 is not referenced in the low base state, and is also a table that is referenced when control is performed from the second high base state to the low base state.

The fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11 to TA15 are fluctuation pattern determination tables referenced in the first high base state. In other words, there are multiple types of fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11 to TA15 in the fluctuation pattern determination tables referenced in the first high base state. In particular, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA14 is a table referenced in the first to fourth special games after the end of a jackpot game when the game response when the jackpot lottery is won is in the high base state and the type of jackpot is other than a jackpot based on the ZC pattern. In other words, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA14 is a table referenced in the first special game controlled to the first high base after the end of a jackpot game when the first high base is controlled after the end of the jackpot game, and is different from the fluctuation pattern determination table in the fifth and subsequent special games other than the first special game.

The variation pattern determination table TA15 is a table that is referenced in the 1st to 499th special games after the end of a jackpot game when the game is controlled to the first high base state with 500 times as the first upper limit number of times after the end of the jackpot game.

The fluctuation pattern determination table TA13 is a table that is referenced in the last special game controlled to the first high base state when the game is controlled to the first high base state after the end of a jackpot game. In detail, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA13 is referenced in the 100th special game when the game is controlled to the first high base state with 100 times as the first upper limit number of times after the end of a jackpot game. The fluctuation pattern determination table TA13 is referenced in the 120th special game when the game is controlled to the first high base state with 120 times as the first upper limit number of times after the end of a jackpot game. The fluctuation pattern determination table TA13 is referenced in the 500th special game when the game is controlled to the first high base state with 500 times as the first upper limit number of times after the end of a jackpot game. In this way, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA13 is a table that is referenced in the last special game controlled to the first high base after the end of a jackpot game, and is different from the fluctuation pattern determination table in at least any other special game controlled to the first high base state.

Fluctuation pattern determination table TA11 is a table that is referenced in the 1st to 40th special games after the end of a jackpot game when the first high base state is controlled with 120 times as the first upper limit number of times after the end of the jackpot game, except when fluctuation pattern determination table TA14 is referenced. Fluctuation pattern determination table TA12 is a table that is referenced when fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA13 to TA15 are not referenced in the first high base state.

Furthermore, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 is a fluctuation pattern determination table referenced in the second high base state. In other words, there is one type of fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 in the fluctuation pattern determination table referenced in the second high base state. In detail, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 is a table referenced in the 901st to 2100th special games after the end of a jackpot game when the game is controlled to a low probability state after the end of the jackpot game. The fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 is a table referenced in the 1021st to 2220th special games after the end of a jackpot game when the game is controlled to a high probability state after the end of the jackpot game, because the game is controlled to a low probability state triggered by the execution of 120 special games without a jackpot being obtained after the end of the jackpot game.

In this way, in the first high base state, the main control CPU 40a determines a fluctuation pattern (such as a miss-reach fluctuation pattern) based on one of the multiple types of fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11 to TA15, while in the second high base state, it determines a fluctuation pattern based on one type of fluctuation pattern determination table TA21. Also, in the low base state, the main control CPU 40a determines a fluctuation pattern based on one of the multiple types of fluctuation pattern determination tables TA01, TA02. In this embodiment, the determination condition under which the fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11 to TA15 corresponds to the first determination condition, and the determination condition under which the fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 corresponds to the second determination condition.

Also, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the determination probabilities for determining a miss reach fluctuation pattern are set in multiple types of fluctuation pattern determination tables TA01, TA02, TA11 to TA15, and TA21.

In more detail, when the second special game is executed, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 has a lower determination probability of determining a miss reach fluctuation pattern compared to the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15. Also, since the probability of winning the jackpot lottery is the same between the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 and the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15, the determination probability of determining an Ootari fluctuation pattern is the same.

In this way, the determination probability of determining a fluctuation pattern accompanied by a reach effect is different between the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 and the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15. The fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 is a table with a lower determination probability of determining a fluctuation pattern accompanied by a reach effect than the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15. In particular, the fluctuation pattern HP21 is a fluctuation pattern that can be determined based on the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15 and can also be determined based on the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21, but has a different determination probability between the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15 and the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21.

Also, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the determination probabilities for determining a miss variation pattern are set in the multiple types of variation pattern determination tables TA01, TA02, TA11 to TA15, and TA21.

In more detail, in the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21, the conditions for determining the deviation fluctuation pattern are the same when the first special game is executed and when the second special game is executed, and the fluctuation pattern HP04 is determined. In this way, in the special game in the second high base state, the conditions for determining the deviation fluctuation pattern are the same when the first special game is executed and when the second special game is executed, and the conditions for determining the deviation fluctuation pattern are the same regardless of the number of special reserved games.

On the other hand, in the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15, the conditions for determining the deviation fluctuation pattern differ when the first special game is played and when the second special game is played, and the conditions for determining the deviation fluctuation pattern differ depending on the number of second special reserved games.

In addition, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 has a lower probability of determining a miss reach fluctuation pattern than the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15. In addition, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 determines the fluctuation pattern HP04 as the miss fluctuation pattern, but in the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15, the fluctuation pattern HP04 is not determined as the miss fluctuation pattern, and the fluctuation patterns HP01 to HP03 are determined. In this way, the fluctuation pattern HP04 is a fluctuation pattern that can be determined based on the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21, but is not determined based on other fluctuation pattern determination tables including the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15. In addition, in the special game in the second high base state, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 is referenced, and it becomes easier to determine a shorter fluctuation time than when the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15 are referenced. In this way, the second high base state is a game state in which the fluctuation time of the special game is more likely to be shorter than in the first high base state, in which the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15 are referenced.

In this embodiment, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA13 is a table that determines a dedicated fluctuation pattern HP31 when the jackpot lottery is not won, and a dedicated fluctuation pattern HP32 when the jackpot lottery is won, regardless of the type of special game being executed and the number of special reserved games, respectively. In this way, in the first high base state, the main control CPU 40a determines the fluctuation patterns HP31 and HP32 based on the fluctuation pattern determination table TA13 in the last special game controlled to the first high base state. In this embodiment, the determination conditions under which a fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA13 and TA14 correspond to the special determination conditions.

In this embodiment, the presentation mode is controlled so that it can be changed after the end of each winning game or the start of a special game. The presentation mode corresponds to the type of background image and text image of the presentation display device 27, can be specified by the player from at least one of the background image and text image, and is an image that is displayed regardless of the type of variation pattern. The presentation mode can be executed across multiple consecutive special games.

As shown in FIG. 10, this embodiment has multiple types of presentation modes. The multiple types of presentation modes are broadly divided into three types, presentation modes MA to MC. In this embodiment, presentation mode MA has different background images and text images compared to presentation modes MB and MC, while presentation mode MB has different text images compared to presentation mode MC, but the background image is the same presentation mode; however, this is not limited to this, and presentation mode MB may have different text images and background images compared to presentation mode MC.

Presentation mode MA is the presentation mode when in a low base state, presentation mode MB is the presentation mode when in a first high base state, and presentation mode MC is the presentation mode when in a second high base state. In addition, in this embodiment, presentation modes MA and MC are presentation modes that can be controlled only when in a low probability state, and are not controlled when in a high probability state. Presentation mode MB is a presentation mode that can be controlled in both a high probability state and a low probability state, and is a presentation mode that may be controlled when in a high probability state.

As shown in FIG. 11, when it is controlled to the low base state, it is controlled to the presentation mode MA. On the other hand, when it is controlled to the first high base state, it is controlled to the presentation mode MB, and when it is controlled to the second high base state, it is controlled to the presentation mode MC.

When controlled to either the low base state or the high base state, the mode transitions to presentation mode MB after the end of a jackpot game. When controlled to the first high base state, the mode transitions to presentation mode MA when the first high base state ends and the mode is controlled to the low base state after the end of a jackpot game in the special game with the first maximum number of times. When controlled to the second high base state, the mode transitions to presentation mode MA when the second high base state ends and the mode is controlled to the low base state after the end of a jackpot game in the special game with the second maximum number of times.

Next, the control regarding the presentation mode executed by the sub-control CPU 41a will be described.
When the sub-control CPU 41a determines that the power supply is turned on and that the device is in a low base state based on the control information from the main control CPU 40a, the sub-control CPU 41a sets the presentation mode flag to information indicating the presentation mode MA. The presentation mode flag is assigned to the sub-control RAM 41c and is a flag indicating the presentation mode to be held.

When the sub-control CPU 41a determines that the state is the first high base state based on the control information from the main control CPU 40a after the power is turned on, it sets the presentation mode flag to information indicating presentation mode MB. The sub-control CPU 41a sets the presentation mode flag to information indicating presentation mode MB in response to the input of an ending command. When the sub-control CPU 41a determines that the state is the second high base state based on the control information from the main control CPU 40a after the power is turned on, it sets the presentation mode flag to information indicating presentation mode MC. In addition, the sub-control CPU 41a sets the presentation mode flag to information indicating presentation mode MA in response to the input of a low base state command in the high base state.

Then, the sub-control CPU 41a causes the performance display device 27 to display a background image of a type corresponding to the value set in the performance mode flag. In this embodiment, the sub-control CPU 41a that controls the performance mode corresponds to the performance mode control means.

Here, the game state and the presentation mode will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
As shown in Fig. 12(a), when the game is controlled to the first high base state with 100 times as the first upper limit number of times after the end of the big win game and is controlled to the low probability state, if there is no big win after the end of the big win game, the game is controlled to the presentation mode MB during the execution of the special game 1 to 100 times. Then, when the execution of the 100th special game ends, the game is controlled to the low base state and is controlled to the presentation mode MA.

In addition, after the end of the jackpot game, the machine is controlled to a low probability state, and if there is no jackpot after the end of the jackpot game, the machine is controlled to presentation mode MA during the execution of the 101st to 900th special games. Then, when the execution of the 900th special game ends, the machine is controlled to the second high base state and then to presentation mode MC.

In addition, if no jackpot is obtained after the end of the jackpot game, the machine is controlled to the presentation mode MC during the execution of the special game 901 to 2100 times. Then, when the execution of the 2100th special game ends, the machine is controlled to the low base state and then to the presentation mode MA.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12(b), after the end of the jackpot game, the machine is controlled to the first high base state with 120 times as the first upper limit number of times, and is also controlled to the high probability state. If there is no jackpot after the end of the jackpot game, the machine is controlled to the presentation mode MB during the execution of the 1st to 120th special game. Then, when the execution of the 120th special game ends, the machine is controlled to the low probability state and low base state, and is controlled to the presentation mode MA.

Furthermore, after the end of the jackpot game, the game is controlled to a low probability state when the 120th special game is completed, and if there is no jackpot after the end of the jackpot game, the game is controlled to presentation mode MA during the 121st to 1020th special games. Then, when the 1020th special game is completed, the game is controlled to the second high base state and then to presentation mode MC.

In addition, if no jackpot is awarded after the end of the jackpot game, the machine is controlled to the presentation mode MC during the execution of the special game from 1021 to 2220 times. Then, when the execution of the 2220th special game ends, the machine is controlled to the low base state and then to the presentation mode MA.

As shown in Figures 12(c) and 12(d), when the machine is controlled to the first high base state with 200 times as the first upper limit number of times after the end of the jackpot game, if there is no jackpot after the end of the jackpot game, the machine is controlled to the presentation mode MB during the execution of the special game 1 to 500 times. Then, when the execution of the 500th special game is completed, the machine is controlled to the low base state and is controlled to the presentation mode MA. Note that the same matters as those in Figures 12(a) and 12(b) will not be explained for Figures 12(c) and 12(d).

In this way, when the first high base state is controlled after the end of a jackpot game, there are cases where the state is controlled to a low probability state after the end of the jackpot game, and cases where the state is controlled to a high probability state after the end of the jackpot game and then controlled to a low probability state due to the establishment of a predetermined control condition. Therefore, the special game controlled to the low probability state after the end of the jackpot game differs between the cases where the state is controlled to a low probability state after the end of the jackpot game and the cases where the state is controlled to a high probability state, and the number of special games played between the end of the jackpot game and the control to the second high base state differs (900 times, 1020 times).

In this embodiment, the special number of times corresponds to the first specified number of times. In this embodiment, the first upper limit number of times corresponds to the third specified number of times and the specific upper limit number of times. In addition, as the first upper limit number of times, "120" corresponds to the first specific number of times, "500" corresponds to the second specific number of times, and "100" corresponds to the third specific number of times. In this embodiment, the second upper limit number of times corresponds to the second specified number of times and the second number of times. In addition, in this embodiment, the number of times the special game is executed from the end of the jackpot game until it is controlled to the second high base state corresponds to the first number of times. In addition, in this embodiment, when it is controlled to the high probability state after the end of the jackpot game, the condition that is established by the first number of special games being executed without a jackpot after the end of the jackpot game corresponds to the special condition.

In this embodiment, various effects can be executed by the effect display device 27. The various effects include a break-in effect, a final effect, a count effect, a count precursor effect, and a look-ahead effect.

In this embodiment, the entry effect is an effect that is executed when the game is controlled to a high base state. The entry effect is an effect in which an introduction effect, a mode notification effect, and a first right hit notification effect are executed in that order. The introduction effect is, for example, an effect in which the castle gate closes, and it is possible to identify that the execution of the entry effect has begun. The mode notification effect is an effect in which the controlled effect mode is identified, and a text image and a background image corresponding to the controlled effect mode are displayed. The first right hit notification effect is an notification effect in which it is possible to identify that the game ball will flow down to the right side of the game area 21 during the execution of the entry effect.

In addition, in this embodiment, there are a first entry performance and a second entry performance. The first entry performance is a performance that is executed when controlled to the first high base state, and is a performance that can be identified as being controlled to the high base state. On the other hand, the second entry performance is a performance that is executed when controlled to the second high base state, and is a performance that can be identified as being controlled to the high base state. The first entry performance and the second entry performance are performances that are executed in a similar performance manner.

In this embodiment, the final effect is an effect that is executed during the execution of the last special game controlled to the first high base state, and is an effect that is executed when the variation patterns HP31 and HP32 are determined.

The count effect is an effect related to the number of times a special game is executed after the end of a jackpot game and after a change in the game state. In particular, the count effect includes a first count effect that counts the remaining number of times a special game that can be executed in a high base state (first high base state and second high base state) can be executed in a high base state, and a second count effect that counts the number of times a special game is executed in a low base state after being controlled to a low probability state. In addition, the count effect is executed in a performance mode in which a character image that resembles a character takes an action as information regarding the number of times a special game is executed is updated. The actions of the character image include multiple types of actions, a first performance mode that takes a normal action and a second performance mode that takes a special action, and the second performance mode has a higher expectation of a jackpot for a special game whose execution is pending than the first performance mode.

The count premonition effect is an indication that the second count effect will be executed. Also, when the number of times the special game has been executed since being controlled to the low probability state reaches the special number, the state is controlled to the second high base state. Given this, the count premonition effect is an indication that the second count effect will be executed, which is related to the number of times the special game has been executed until being controlled to the high base state (second high base state), before being controlled to the second high base state, and can also be said to be an indication that indicates an indication that the state will be controlled to the high base state.

The look-ahead effect is an effect that can identify the jackpot expectancy of a special game whose execution is on hold. There are two types of look-ahead effects: a first look-ahead effect and a second look-ahead effect. The first look-ahead effect is an effect that indicates the jackpot expectancy of a special game whose execution is on hold by the display mode of the reserved image displayed on the effect display device 27, and is a common effect that is executed in the same performance mode in both the first high base state and the second high base state. On the other hand, the second look-ahead effect is an effect in which the number of times the special game is executed is updated in the first count performance in the first high base state, and in response to this update, the character image is displayed in a second performance mode that is different from the first performance mode, and is a dedicated effect that is not executed in the low base state or the second high base state, but is executed in the first high base state.

In addition, in this embodiment, a right-hit notification effect can be executed that can specify that the game ball will flow down to the right side of the game area 21. The right-hit notification effect includes a first right-hit notification effect that can be executed while a break-in effect is being executed, and a second right-hit notification effect that can be executed during a jackpot game or in a high base state. The first right-hit notification effect is an effect in which a right-hit image is displayed in a larger size than the second right-hit notification effect.

Here, a specific example of the presentation mode of each type of presentation will be described with reference to Figs.
As shown in FIG. 13(a), in the display area 27r of the effect display device 27, a special game is being executed in a low base state, and the effect symbols are displayed in a variable manner. In this case, the first special reserved number is "3", and reserved images corresponding to the three first special games whose execution is reserved are displayed. In addition, the device is controlled to the effect mode MA, and character images and background images corresponding to the effect mode MA are displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the effect symbols in the left and right columns are displayed as a reach pattern combination, and then the big win pattern combination is displayed as a fixed stop, and the special game ends.

As shown in FIG. 13(c), when a jackpot game is awarded, a jackpot performance is executed. In this case, a second right-hit notification performance is executed, which can be specified as causing the game ball to flow down to the right side of the game area 21. Then, as shown in FIG. 13(d), when the ending time starts during a jackpot game, a first entry performance is executed. In the first entry performance, after an introduction performance is executed, a mode notification performance is executed, which can be specified as causing a transition to the performance mode MB. Next, as shown in FIG. 13(e), in the first entry performance, after a mode notification performance is executed, a first right-hit notification performance is executed, which can be specified as causing the game ball to flow down to the right side of the game area 21.

As shown in FIG. 13(f), when the jackpot game ends, the machine is controlled to the first high base state and the presentation mode MB, and a text image and background image corresponding to the presentation mode MB are displayed. Then, a second right-hit notification presentation is executed, which can specify that the game ball will flow down to the right side of the game area 21. In addition, a first count presentation is executed, which displays the remaining number of times that a special game that can be controlled to continue in the high base state (first high base state) will be played.

As shown in FIG. 13(g), the special game starts, and the effect symbols are displayed in a variable manner. In this case, the first special reserved number is "2", and reserved images corresponding to each of the two first special games whose execution is on hold are displayed. Also, a character image is displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 13(h), the effect symbols are displayed as a fixed stop with a losing pattern combination, and the special game ends. In this case, the character image performs a normal action, and the remaining number of times that the special game that can be controlled to continue in the high base state is updated. Also, in response to four or more game balls entering the second starting hole 29, the second special reserved number is "4", and reserved images corresponding to each of the four second special games whose execution is on hold are displayed.

As shown in FIG. 14(a), the execution of the next special game is started, and the effect symbols are displayed in a variable manner. In this case, the second special reserved number is "3", and reserved images corresponding to each of the three second special games whose execution is reserved are displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the effect symbols are displayed as a fixed stop with a losing pattern combination, and the special game ends. In this case, in response to one or more game balls entering the second starting hole 29, the second special reserved number is "4", and reserved images corresponding to each of the four second special games whose execution is reserved are displayed. In addition, the character image may take a special action, and the remaining number of executions of the special game that can be controlled to continue in the high base state may be updated. In this way, as the remaining number of executions of the special game that can be controlled to continue in the high base state is updated, the first count effect in which the character image takes a special action is executed as a second pre-reading effect that can identify the jackpot expectation of the special game whose execution is reserved.

As shown in FIG. 14(c), the execution of the next special game is started, and the effect symbols are displayed in a variable manner. In this case, the second special reserved number is "3", and reserved images corresponding to each of the three reserved second special games are displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 14(d), the effect symbols are displayed as a temporary stop with the left and right columns of the effect symbols being a reach pattern combination, and then, as shown in FIG. 14(e), the effect symbols are displayed as a confirmed stop pattern combination with a miss pattern combination, and the special game ends. In this way, the second look-ahead effect is executed, and although the reach effect is executed, it does not result in a jackpot. In addition, in this case, the character image performs a normal action, and the remaining number of executions of the special game that can be controlled to continue in the high base state is updated. In addition, in response to four or more game balls entering the second starting hole 29, the second special reserved number is "4", and reserved images corresponding to each of the four reserved second special games are displayed.

As shown in FIG. 14(f), the next special game is started, and the effect symbols are displayed in a variable manner. In this case, the second special reserved number is "3", and reserved images corresponding to the three second special games whose execution is on hold are displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 14(g), in response to the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 29, the second special reserved number becomes "4", and reserved images corresponding to the four second special games whose execution is on hold are displayed. In particular, in this case, the reserved image corresponding to the fourth second special game is displayed in red. In this way, the first pre-reading effect is executed, which can identify that the fourth second special game has a high chance of winning. Then, the effect symbols are displayed as a fixed stop with a losing symbol combination, and the special game ends.

As shown in FIG. 14(h), the reserved image displayed in red becomes the reserved image corresponding to the first special game as multiple special games are executed, and as shown in FIG. 15(a), the execution of the special game corresponding to the reserved image displayed in red is started, and the effect symbols are displayed in a variable manner. In this case, the second special reserved number is "3", and the reserved images corresponding to each of the three second special games whose execution is pending are displayed. As shown in FIG. 15(b), the effect symbols of the left and right columns are temporarily stopped and displayed as a reach pattern combination, and then as shown in FIG. 15(c), the effect symbols are displayed as a fixed jackpot pattern combination, and the special game ends. In this way, the first look-ahead effect is executed, and after the reach effect is executed, a jackpot occurs.

Also, as shown in FIG. 15(d), when the special game ends in a state controlled to the first high base state and controlled in the presentation mode MB, the character image may take a normal action, and the remaining number of times that the special game can be continued to be controlled in the high base state may be updated to one remaining time. As shown in FIG. 15(e), the execution of the next special game is started, and the presentation pattern is displayed in a variable manner. In this case, the second special reserved number is "3", and reserved images corresponding to each of the three second special games whose execution is reserved are displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 15(f), the last special game controlled to continue to be controlled in the first high base state is executed, and a final presentation such as displaying a text image saying "Final Battle" is executed. Next, as shown in FIG. 15(g), the presentation pattern is displayed as a fixed stop with a losing pattern combination, and the special game ends. In this case, the character image takes a normal action, and the remaining number of times that the special game can be continued to be controlled in the high base state is updated to 0 times. Then, as shown in FIG. 15(h), the execution of the next special game is started, and the presentation pattern is displayed in a variable manner. In this case, it is controlled to a low base state and is in presentation mode MA, and the text image and background image corresponding to presentation mode MA are displayed, but the first count presentation is started and the right-hit notification presentation ends.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16(a), the game is controlled to a low base state, controlled to the presentation mode MA, and a character image and a background image corresponding to the presentation mode MA are displayed. In this case, a count premonition presentation indicating "G (game) count start premonition" may be executed, and a premonition that a second count presentation regarding the number of times the special game has been executed since the game was controlled to a low probability state can be specified. Then, as shown in FIG. 16(b), after a number of special games have been executed, as shown in FIG. 16(c), the presentation symbols are displayed as a fixed stop with a losing symbol combination, and the special game ends. In this case, a character image is displayed, the character image takes a normal action, and a second count presentation is executed in which the number of times the special game has been executed since the game was controlled to a low probability state is displayed. As a result, when the number of times the special game has been executed since the game was controlled to a low probability state becomes the special number, it can be specified that the game is controlled to a second high base state. In this embodiment, in the low base state, the second count presentation in which the character image takes a special action is not executed as the number of times the special game has been executed is updated, and the second premonition notice presentation is not executed.

As shown in FIG. 16(d), the next special game starts, and the effect symbols are displayed in a variable manner. In this case, the first special reserved number is "1", and a reserved image corresponding to the first special game whose execution is reserved is displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 16(e), the effect symbols are displayed as a fixed stop with a losing pattern combination, and the special game ends. In this case, a character image is displayed, and the character image performs a normal action, while a second count effect is executed in which the number of times the special game has been executed since being controlled to a low probability state is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 16(f), after multiple special games have been played, a second count effect is executed in which the number of times the special game has been played since the low probability state has been controlled is displayed as 899, and as shown in FIG. 16(g), the effect symbols are displayed as a fixed stop with a losing symbol combination, and the special game ends. In this case, a character image is displayed, the character image performs a normal action, and a second count effect is executed in which the number of times the special game has been played since the low probability state has been controlled is displayed as 900.

As shown in FIG. 16(h), when the 900th special game has been played since the game was controlled to the low probability state, the second entry performance is executed. In the second entry performance, an introductory performance is executed in the same presentation manner as the first entry performance, and then a mode notification performance that can be identified as a transition to the presentation mode MC is executed. As for this mode notification performance, the second entry performance has a different text image indicating the presentation mode being controlled compared to the first entry performance, but other images such as the background image are displayed in the same way.

Even when the second entry effect is being executed, if there is a special game on hold, the next special game will start to be executed and the effect symbols will be displayed in a variable manner. In particular, when multiple special games are on hold, the second entry effect will be executed across the multiple special games on hold. In this case, the first special hold number is "1", and a hold image corresponding to the one first special game on hold is displayed. Even when the second entry effect is being executed, it is controlled by the effect mode MC, and a text image corresponding to the effect mode MC is displayed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 17(a), the effect symbols are displayed as a fixed stop with a losing symbol combination, and the special game ends. As shown in FIG. 17(b), the execution of the next special game starts, and the effect symbols are displayed variably. In this case, the first special reserved number is "0", and the reserved image is not displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 17(c), the effect symbols are displayed as a fixed stop with a losing symbol combination, and the special game ends. Next, as shown in FIG. 17(d), in the second entry performance, after the mode notification performance is executed, the first right-hit notification performance is executed in the same performance mode as the first entry performance, which can specify that the game ball will flow down to the right side of the game area 21. Then, as shown in FIG. 17(e), when the execution of the second entry performance ends, the character image and the remaining number of executions of the special game that can be controlled to continue in the high base state (second high base state) are displayed.

As shown in FIG. 17(f), when a game ball enters the second starting hole 29, the execution of the next special game is started, and the effect pattern is displayed in a variable manner. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17(g), in the second high base state, a first look-ahead effect can be executed in which the reserved image is displayed in any of blue, green, red, and rainbow colors in response to the entry of a game ball into the second starting hole 29. Then, as shown in FIG. 17(h), the effect pattern is displayed as a fixed stop with a losing pattern combination, and the special game ends. In this case, the character image performs a normal action, and the remaining number of times that the special game that can be controlled to continue in the high base state is updated. In this embodiment, the second look-ahead effect is not executed in the second high base state. In this way, the first look-ahead effect is a common effect that is executed in the same effect mode in both the first high base state and the second high base state, while the second look-ahead effect is a dedicated effect that is not executed in the second high base state, but is executed in the first high base state.

Now, referring to FIG. 18, the look-ahead command setting process executed by the main control CPU 40a will be described. This look-ahead command setting process is a process for setting a look-ahead command as information identified by the result of referencing various random numbers. In addition, the look-ahead command setting process is a process that is executed immediately after the end of the special pattern input process when the hold condition is met, and is not executed when a game ball enters the second start hole 29 when the second special hold number is at the upper limit.

First, as shown in FIG. 18, the main control CPU 40a determines whether or not a regulating condition is met (step S101), such as when the base state is low, or when the base state is high but the hold condition for the first special game is met. If the regulating condition is met, the main control CPU 40a ends the look-ahead command setting process without executing steps S102 and S103. If the regulating condition is not met, the main control CPU 40a proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the main control CPU 40a refers to the various random numbers obtained when the ball enters the second starting hole 29. Then, based on the reference results, the main control CPU 40a sets a look-ahead command in the main control RAM 40c (step S103) and ends the look-ahead command setting process.

More specifically, the main control CPU 40a determines the second special reserved number when the ball enters the second starting hole 29. The main control CPU 40a also reads the value of the random number used in the jackpot lottery obtained in association with the ball entering the second starting hole 29, and determines whether the value matches the jackpot determination value. In particular, the main control CPU 40a determines whether the value of the random number used in the jackpot lottery matches the common jackpot determination value among the jackpot determination values, matches the jackpot determination value dedicated to high probability, or does not match the jackpot determination value. In other words, the main control CPU 40a determines whether the value of the random number used in the jackpot lottery matches the jackpot determination value regardless of whether the state is high probability or not, matches the jackpot determination value only when the state is high probability, or does not match the jackpot determination value regardless of whether the state is high probability or not.

In addition, the main control CPU 40a reads the value of the random number for special symbol allocation obtained when the ball enters the second starting hole 29, and determines the jackpot symbol (type of jackpot) in the event of a jackpot based on the read value.

The main control CPU 40a also reads the value of the random number used to determine the variation pattern obtained when the ball enters the second starting hole 29, and, based on the read value, determines whether or not the variation pattern will result in a reach state being formed in the event of a miss. Note that in this embodiment, regardless of the first special reserved number and the second special reserved number, whether or not a reach state will be formed is determined until the execution of the special game begins.

Then, the main control CPU 40a determines a look-ahead command corresponding to the result thus determined. Specifically, the look-ahead command is a command that can determine whether or not a jackpot lottery will be won depending on the current number of special reserved balls, whether or not a high probability state is in place, the type of jackpot in the event of a jackpot, and whether or not a fluctuation pattern that will create a reach state in the event of a miss will be determined.

In this way, the main control CPU 40a, in response to a ball entering the second starting hole 29, generates a look-ahead command that can at least identify whether the special game corresponding to the ball entering will be a jackpot before the start of the special game based on that ball entering. Such a look-ahead command is information that can identify the current number of special reserved balls, whether or not a jackpot will be entered, the type of jackpot, and whether or not there will be a miss reach fluctuation, and can be said to be information that can identify whether or not the jackpot lottery will be won in a high probability state.

Then, the main control CPU 40a sets the generated read-ahead command in the output buffer. Note that in this embodiment, when a read-ahead command is output, a hold command is output before that.

On the other hand, when a look-ahead command and a hold designation command are input, the sub-control CPU 41a identifies the special hold number from the look-ahead command and stores the look-ahead command in the sub-control RAM 41c corresponding to the special hold number. In particular, the sub-control CPU 41a can identify the input order of the look-ahead commands by the look-ahead commands.

Next, the first look-ahead performance determination process executed by the sub-control CPU 41a will be described with reference to FIG. 19. The first look-ahead performance determination process is a process that is called at predetermined intervals.

As shown in FIG. 19, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether a look-ahead command and a hold designation command have been input (step S201). If it is determined that a look-ahead command and a hold designation command have not been input, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the first look-ahead performance determination process. On the other hand, if it is determined that a look-ahead command and a hold designation command have been input, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S202.

Next, in step S202, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether the regulating condition for the first look-ahead performance is met. The sub-control CPU 41a reads a value from the execution flag assigned to the sub-control RAM 41c, and determines whether the regulating condition for the first look-ahead performance is met based on that value. This execution flag is set as valid when the execution of the look-ahead performance (first look-ahead performance or second look-ahead performance) has been decided, and is set as invalid when the execution of the look-ahead performance has ended.

If it is determined that the regulating condition for the first look-ahead performance is met, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the first look-ahead performance determination process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the regulating condition for the first look-ahead performance is not met, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S203.

Next, in step S203, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether the state is high base (first high base state or second high base state) based on the information set in the sub-base state flag. If it is determined that the state is low base, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the first look-ahead performance determination process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the state is high base, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S204.

Next, in step S204, the sub-control CPU 41a executes a first look-ahead performance lottery process to perform a first look-ahead performance lottery to determine whether or not to execute the first look-ahead performance, and determines whether or not the first look-ahead performance lottery has been won (step S205). If the input look-ahead command is a look-ahead command that results in a jackpot, the first look-ahead performance lottery has a higher probability of being won than if the input look-ahead command is a look-ahead command that does not result in a jackpot. For this reason, the first look-ahead performance can be said to be a performance that can identify the jackpot expectation rate of the special game whose execution has been put on hold to be a jackpot. If it is determined that the first look-ahead performance lottery has not been won, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the first look-ahead performance determination process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first look-ahead performance lottery has been won, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S206. In this way, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether or not to execute the first look-ahead performance that indicates the jackpot expectation rate of the special game corresponding to the look-ahead command, based on the look-ahead command.

Next, in step S206, the sub-control CPU 41a determines the mode of the first look-ahead performance based on the input look-ahead command, sets information indicating the determination result in the sub-control RAM 41c (step S207), and ends the first look-ahead performance determination process. In this process, the sub-control CPU 41a determines the type of display mode of the reserved image based on the input look-ahead command so that the display color of the reserved image is blue, green, red, and rainbow, in that order, other than white, which increases the likelihood of a jackpot. In this way, the sub-control CPU 41a determines the performance content of the first look-ahead performance.

In a process separate from the first look-ahead performance determination process, the sub-control CPU 41a reads information indicating the determination result from the sub-control RAM 41c, and based on that information, controls the performance display device 27 to display the pending image in the determined display mode and execute the first look-ahead performance. In this way, the performance display device 27 executes the first look-ahead performance in the same way in both the first high base state and the second high base state. In this way, in this embodiment, the first look-ahead performance is a common performance that can be executed in both the first high base state and the second high base state.

In addition, in this embodiment, the first high base state is controlled to the presentation mode MB, while the second high base state is controlled to the presentation mode MC. Although the text images corresponding to the presentation modes are different, the same background images corresponding to the presentation modes are used. Therefore, the presentation that displays the background image corresponding to the presentation mode can also be said to be a common presentation in which the display mode of the background image is common in both the first high base state and the second high base state.

Next, the first count effect determination process executed by the sub-control CPU 41a will be described with reference to FIG. 20. The first count effect determination process is a process that is called at predetermined intervals.

As shown in FIG. 20, in step S211, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether the state is high base (first high base state or second high base state) based on the information set in the sub-base state flag. If it is determined that the state is low base, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the first count performance determination process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the state is high base, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S222.

In step S222, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether the first update condition is met. In this embodiment, the first update condition is a condition for executing the first count effect, and is met after the sub-high base number counter is updated in response to the input of a game end command. If it is determined that the first update condition is not met, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the first count effect determination process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first update condition is met, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S223.

In step S223, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether the regulating conditions for the second look-ahead performance are met. The sub-control CPU 41a reads a value from the execution flag assigned to the sub-control RAM 41c, and determines whether the regulating conditions for the second look-ahead performance are met based on that value. This execution flag is set as valid when the execution of the look-ahead performance (the first look-ahead performance or the second look-ahead performance) has been decided, and is set as invalid when the execution of the look-ahead performance has ended.

If it is determined that the regulating condition for the second look-ahead performance is met, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S228 without executing steps S224 to S227. On the other hand, if it is determined that the regulating condition for the second look-ahead performance is not met, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S224.

Next, in step S224, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether the first high base state is present based on the information set in the sub-base state flag. If it is determined to be in the low base state or the second high base state, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S228 without executing steps S225 to S227. On the other hand, if it is determined to be in the first high base state, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S225.

Next, in step S225, the sub-control CPU 41a executes a second look-ahead performance lottery process to perform a second look-ahead performance lottery to determine whether or not to execute the second look-ahead performance, and determines whether or not the second look-ahead performance lottery has been won (step S226). If the input look-ahead command is a look-ahead command that will result in a jackpot, the second look-ahead performance lottery has a higher probability of being won than if the input look-ahead command is a look-ahead command that will not result in a jackpot. For this reason, the second look-ahead performance can be said to be a performance that can identify the jackpot expectation rate of the special game whose execution has been put on hold becoming a jackpot. If it is determined that the second look-ahead performance lottery has not been won, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S228 without executing step S227. In this way, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether or not to execute the second look-ahead performance indicating the jackpot expectation rate of the special game corresponding to the look-ahead command, based on the look-ahead command.

In step S227, the sub-control CPU 41a changes the presentation content of the first counting effect to the pre-reading presentation content, and proceeds to step S228. In this embodiment, the pre-reading presentation content is a first counting effect in which the character image takes a special action. In this process, the sub-control CPU 41a changes the presentation content of the first counting effect from a first counting effect in which the character image takes a normal action to a first counting effect in which the character image takes a special action.

In step S228, the sub-control CPU 41a sets information indicating the effect content in the sub-control RAM 41c and ends the first count effect determination process. In detail, the sub-control CPU 41a determines the remaining number of times that the special game can be continued to be controlled in the high base state based on the information set in the updated sub-high base number counter, and sets this in the sub-control RAM 41c. Then, when the sub-control CPU 41a wins the second pre-reading effect lottery in the first high base state, it sets the effect content in which the character image takes a special action, while in other cases it sets the effect content in which the character image takes a normal action.

In a process separate from the first count performance determination process, the sub-control CPU 41a reads information indicating the determination result from the sub-control RAM 41c, and controls the performance display device 27 to execute the first count performance in the determined performance mode based on that information. In detail, the sub-control CPU 41a updates the remaining number of executions by displaying an image that can identify the remaining number of executions of the special game that can be controlled to continue in the high base state, and executes the first count performance with performance content in which the character image takes a normal action or a special action in accordance with the update of the remaining number of executions.

Next, the second count effect determination process executed by the sub-control CPU 41a will be described with reference to FIG. 21. The second count effect determination process is a process that is called at predetermined intervals.

As shown in FIG. 21, in step S231, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether the state is low probability based on the information set in the sub-probability state flag. If it is determined that the state is not low probability, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the second count performance determination process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the state is low probability, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S232.

In step S232, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether the state is a low base state. Based on the information set in the sub-base state flag, it determines whether the state is a low base state. If it is determined that the state is a high base state, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the second count performance determination process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the state is a low base state, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S233.

In step S233, the sub-control CPU 41a judges whether the count premonition effect execution condition is satisfied. In this embodiment, the count premonition effect execution condition is an execution condition of the count premonition effect, and is satisfied with a predetermined probability after the sub-low probability count counter is updated to "100", "150", or "200" upon input of the game end command. This predetermined probability is higher when the sub-low probability count counter is "150" than when it is "200", and is higher when the sub-low probability count counter is "100" than when it is "150". In other words, in this embodiment, the count premonition effect execution condition can be satisfied when the 700th, 750th, or 800th special game executed after control to the low probability state is completed. If it is determined that the count premonition effect execution condition is not satisfied, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S235 without executing step S234. On the other hand, if it is determined that the count premonition performance execution condition is met, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S234.

In step S234, the sub-control CPU 41a sets information indicating the content of the count premonition effect in the sub-control RAM 41c, and proceeds to step S235.
In step S235, the sub-control CPU 41a judges whether the second count performance execution condition is satisfied. In this embodiment, the second count performance execution condition is an execution condition of the second count performance, and is satisfied after the sub-low probability count counter is updated to "50" to "0" as a trigger of input of the game end command. In other words, in this embodiment, the second count performance execution condition is satisfied when the execution of the 850th to 900th special game is completed after the control to the low probability state. The sub-control CPU 41a judges that the second count performance execution condition is satisfied. If it is judged that the second count performance execution condition is not satisfied, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the second count performance determination process without executing step S236. On the other hand, if it is judged that the second count performance execution condition is satisfied, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S236.

In step S236, the sub-control CPU 41a sets information indicating the content of the second count effect in the sub-control RAM 41c and ends the second count effect determination process. In this case, the sub-control CPU 41a does not set the content of the effect in which the character image performs a special action, but sets the content of the effect in which the character image performs a normal action.

In a process separate from the second count performance determination process, the sub-control CPU 41a reads information indicating the determination result from the sub-control RAM 41c, and controls the performance display device 27 to execute the count premonition performance in the determined performance mode based on that information.

In addition, in a process separate from the second count effect determination process, the sub-control CPU 41a reads information indicating the determination result from the sub-control RAM 41c, and controls the effect display device 27 to execute the second count effect in the determined effect mode based on that information. In detail, the sub-control CPU 41a updates the number of times the special game has been executed by displaying an image that can identify the number of times the special game has been executed after control to the low probability state, and executes the second count effect with effect content in which the character image takes a normal action in accordance with the update of the number of times the game has been executed.

In this way, the effect display device 27 can execute a count effect that can identify information regarding the number of times a special game will be executed after the end of a jackpot game and after a change in game state. In detail, in a special game in the first high base state, the effect display device 27 executes a first count effect that can identify the remaining number of times a special game will be executed from after control to the first high base state (after the end of a jackpot game) until control of the first high base state ends. In a special game in the second high base state, the effect display device 27 executes a first count effect that can identify the remaining number of times a special game will be executed from after control to the second high base state until control of the second high base state ends. On the other hand, in at least some special games in the low base state, the effect display device 27 executes a second count effect that can identify the number of times a special game will be executed from after control to the low probability state. In particular, the second count effect is an effect that can identify the remaining number of times the special game will be played (the difference from the special number) from after control to the low probability state until control to the second high base state before being controlled to the second high base state, and can also be said to be an effect that can identify information regarding the period from after control to the low probability state until control to the second high base state.

The count effect can be triggered by the end of the execution of the special game, and can be said to be executed in different presentation modes depending on whether the period until the end of the control to the high base state and the period until the control to the second high base state are the first period or the second period. The count effect may be executed in the first presentation mode or the second presentation mode among the multiple presentation modes, depending on the update of the information regarding the number of times the special game is executed. In particular, when the number of times the special game has been executed since the end of the jackpot game and the change in the game state is the same, the count effect is executed in the second presentation mode among the multiple presentation modes, which has a higher chance of winning the special game whose execution is pending, than when it is executed in the first presentation mode among the multiple presentation modes.

The effect display device 27 also executes a count premonition effect related to being controlled to the high base state (second high base state) before being controlled to the second high base state. The count premonition effect can be executed in both the first special period when the 700th special game is executed and the second special period when the 800th special game is executed, during the period before being controlled to the second high base state, after being controlled to the low probability state, and is an effect that is executed with different probabilities in the first special period and the second special period.

In addition, the effect display device 27 is controlled to the effect mode MB both when it is controlled to the low probability state and when it is controlled to the high probability state after the end of the jackpot game, and therefore displays the background image in the same effect mode. In addition, the effect display device 27 is controlled to the effect mode MA when it is controlled from the first high base state to the low base state both when it is controlled to the low probability state and when it is controlled to the high probability state after the end of the jackpot game, and therefore displays the background image in the same effect mode. In this way, when the background image is displayed in the same effect mode, it is not possible to specify from the effect mode of the background image whether it has been controlled to the low probability state or the high probability state after the end of the jackpot game, and the count premonition effect and the second count effect are executed, which can further enhance the sense of expectation for being controlled to the second high base state. In this embodiment, the display period of such a background image is a specific period, and the display effect of the background image corresponds to the probability state common effect.

Next, the final performance control process executed by the sub-control CPU 41a will be described. The final performance control process is called at predetermined intervals.
The sub-control CPU 41a controls the performance display device 27 to execute the final performance when the variation pattern designated by the game start command is the variation pattern HP31 or HP32, and ends the final performance control process. In this way, the performance display device 27 executes the final performance when the variation pattern HP31 or HP32 is determined.

Next, the first entry performance control process executed by the sub-control CPU 41a will be described. The first entry performance control process is a process that is called at a predetermined cycle.
The sub-control CPU 41a executes control to execute the first entry performance in response to the input of the ending command, and ends the first entry performance control process. As a result, when the performance display device 27 is controlled to the first high base state after the end of the jackpot game, it executes the first entry performance that can be specified to be controlled to the high base state from the timing during the jackpot game. In this embodiment, the first entry performance is a performance that is executed over the ending time, and is a performance that is not restricted from being executed during the performance time.

Next, the second entry performance control process executed by the sub-control CPU 41a will be described with reference to Fig. 22. The second entry performance control process is a process that is called at predetermined intervals.
As shown in FIG. 22, the sub-control CPU 41a judges whether the second high base state command has been input (step S241). When it is judged that the second high base state command has not been input, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S243 without executing step S242. On the other hand, when it is judged that the second high base state command has been input, the sub-control CPU 41a executes a second entry performance start process to start the execution of the second entry performance (step S242) and proceeds to step S243. In this embodiment, the second high base state command is a command output from the main control CPU 40a when the second high base state is controlled upon the completion of the execution of a special number of special games after being controlled to the low probability state. In other words, the sub-control CPU 41a starts the execution of the second entry performance upon the completion of the execution of a special number of special games after being controlled to the low probability state.

In step S243, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether the second entry performance is being executed. If it is determined that the second entry performance is not being executed, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the second entry performance control process without executing steps S244 and S245. If it is determined that the second entry performance is being executed, the sub-control CPU 41a proceeds to step S244.

In step S244, the sub-control CPU 41a determines whether the restriction condition for the second entry performance is met. In this embodiment, the restriction condition for the second entry performance is met when the input of a game start command triggers the fluctuation pattern specified by the game start command to be a jackpot fluctuation pattern. If it is determined that the restriction condition for the second entry performance is not met, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the second entry performance control process without executing step S245. If it is determined that the restriction condition for the second entry performance is met, the sub-control CPU 41a ends the execution of the second entry performance midway, executes the second entry performance restriction process that restricts the execution of the second entry performance (step S245), and ends the second entry performance control process.

Here, the execution timing of the entry effect will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 23A, when the first entry effect is executed, the execution of the first entry effect starts when the ending time starts at the timing indicated by the symbol T11, and the execution of the introduction effect as the first entry effect starts. Then, the execution of the introduction effect ends at the timing indicated by the symbol T12, and the execution of the mode notification effect that can specify that the effect mode is controlled to MB starts. Next, the execution of the mode notification effect ends at the timing indicated by the symbol T13, and the execution of the first right hit notification effect starts. Then, when the ending time ends at the timing indicated by the symbol T14, the execution of the second entry effect ends, and if the execution of the special game is on hold, the execution of the special game starts, and the second right hit notification effect is executed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 23(b), when the second entry effect is executed, at the timing shown by the symbol T21, when the special game ends after being controlled to the low probability state, it is controlled to the second high base state, the variable interval time of the special game starts, the execution of the second entry effect starts, and the execution of the introduction effect as the second entry effect starts. The introduction effect as the second entry effect has the same presentation time and content as the introduction effect as the first entry effect.

Also, during the execution of the second entry effect, when the execution of the special game is suspended, the execution of the special game is started. Therefore, when the variable interval time ends at the timing shown by the symbol T22, when the execution of the special game is suspended, the execution of the special game is started. Also, when the special game ends at the timing shown by the symbol T23, the variable interval time starts, and when the variable interval time ends at the timing shown by the symbol T24, when the execution of the special game is suspended, the execution of the special game is started. Similarly, when the special game ends at the timing shown by the symbol T25, the variable interval time starts, and when the variable interval time ends at the timing shown by the symbol T26, when the execution of the special game is suspended, the execution of the special game is started, and when the special game ends at the timing shown by the symbol T27. In this way, when the effect display device 27 is controlled to the second high base state, it is possible to execute a second entry effect that can be specified to be controlled to the high base state across multiple special games from a predetermined timing after the execution of the special number of special games is terminated.

Then, at the timing shown by the symbol T24, the execution of the introduction effect ends, and the execution of the mode notification effect that can identify that the effect mode MC is being controlled begins. The mode notification effect as the second entry effect has the same effect time as the mode notification effect as the first entry effect, and the text image indicating the effect mode is different, but the other images have the same effect content. Next, at the timing shown by the symbol T31, the execution of the mode notification effect ends, and the execution of the first right hit notification effect begins. The first right hit notification effect as the second entry effect has the same effect time and the same effect content as the first right hit notification effect as the first entry effect. Then, at the timing shown by the symbol T33, the execution of the second entry effect ends. The second entry effect has the same effect time as the first entry effect, and the text image indicating the effect mode is different, but the other images have the same effect content. In other words, the entry effect has the same upper limit time of the effect time when controlled to the first high base state and when controlled to the second high base state, and at least a part of the effect mode, such as the display mode of the background image corresponding to the effect mode, is the same effect.

When the special game ends at the timing shown by symbol T31, a variable interval time starts, and when the variable interval time ends at the timing shown by symbol T32, if the execution of the special game is on hold, the execution of the special game starts. When the special game ends at the timing shown by symbol T33, a variable interval time starts, and when the variable interval time ends at the timing shown by symbol T34, if the execution of the special game is on hold, the execution of the special game starts. When the execution of the second entry performance ends, the second right hit notification performance is executed.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23(c), when the execution of the special game is not on hold at the timing shown by the symbol T22, the execution of the special game is not started and the game is controlled to a standby state. Even in this case, the second entry effect is executed continuously without interruption. In this way, the second entry effect is an effect that can be executed even in a standby state where the special game is not executed and no big win game has been awarded.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23(d), at the timing shown by the symbol T22, the execution of the first special game is started after control to the second high base state, but when that special game results in a jackpot, the regulating condition for the second entry performance is met, and the execution of the second entry performance ends midway.

As shown in FIG. 23(e), at the timing indicated by the symbol T22, the first special game is started after control to the second high base state, but if that special game is a miss, the regulating condition for the second entry effect is not met and the second entry effect continues to be executed. Then, at the timing indicated by the symbol T24, the execution of not the first special game after control to the second high base state but a subsequent special game is started, but if that special game is a jackpot, the regulating condition for the second entry effect is met and the execution of the second entry effect ends midway.

In this way, when the effect display device 27 is controlled to the second high base state, it can execute a second entry effect that can be specified as being controlled to the high base state across multiple special games from a predetermined timing after the execution of a special number of special games has ended. In particular, the effect display device 27 executes the second entry effect when the restrictive condition is not met, while restricting the execution of the second entry effect when the restrictive condition is met.

The display device 27 also executes a right-hit notification effect relating to the launch of the game ball during a jackpot game and in the first and second high base states. In particular, during a jackpot game, the second right-hit notification effect is executed, and during the ending time, the first entry effect is executed and the first right-hit notification effect is executed, and when the game is controlled to the first high base state after the jackpot game ends, the second right-hit notification effect is executed. The second right-hit notification effect is executed, and during the ending time, the first entry effect is executed and the first right-hit notification effect is executed, and when the game is controlled to the second high base state after the jackpot game ends, the second entry effect is executed and the second right-hit notification effect is executed in the second high base state, and when the execution of the second entry effect ends, the first right-hit notification effect is executed. In this way, the right hit notification effect (second right hit notification effect) executed in the first high base state and the right hit notification effect (first right hit notification effect and second right hit notification effect) executed in the second high base state have at least some of the same aspects. On the other hand, the second right hit notification effect executed in the first high base state and the second right hit notification effect executed in the second high base state have at least different execution start timings, and it can be said that at least some of the aspects are different.

In addition, the restriction condition of the second entry performance is established when the special game executed after the special game is executed a special number of times becomes a jackpot when controlled to the second high base state. In particular, the restriction condition of the second entry performance is established when the first special game of the multiple special games executed after the special game is executed a special number of times becomes a jackpot, or when the first special game is not a jackpot but a special game other than the first becomes a jackpot. In addition, in this embodiment, the first right hit notification performance can be executed in the second entry performance, but if the special game executed after the special game is executed a special number of times becomes a jackpot and the restriction condition of the second entry performance is established, the execution of the first right hit notification performance itself is restricted. In other words, when controlled to the second high base state, the first right hit notification performance will have a different appearance depending on whether the next or subsequent special game becomes a jackpot or not.

In this embodiment, the entry effect executed when controlled to the first high base state corresponds to the specified effect, and the entry effect executed when controlled to the second high base state corresponds to the special effect. In this embodiment, the final effect corresponds to the special effect. In this embodiment, the count effect corresponds to the specific effect and the confirmed effect, and the count premonition effect corresponds to the premonition effect. In this embodiment, the right-hit notification effect corresponds to the notification effect. Also, in this embodiment, an arbitrary number of times the special game is executed corresponds to the specified number of times, and an arbitrary period until the control to the second high base state corresponds to the specified period.

As described above in detail, this embodiment has the following advantages.
(1) When a special game is played a special number of times without resulting in a jackpot after being controlled to a low probability state, the game can be controlled to a second high base state. Even if a jackpot is not won after being controlled to the low probability state, anticipation for the special game being played can be heightened, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(2) When the special game is executed the second maximum number of times without a jackpot in the second high base state, control can be made to the low base state. This allows attention to be drawn to the number of times the special game is executed in the second high base state, and increases the value of controlling to the second high base state, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(3) The special number of times is smaller than the second upper limit number of times. Therefore, the number of times the special game is executed from when the game is controlled to the low probability state until when the game is controlled to the second high base state is smaller than the number of times the special game is executed from when the game is controlled to the second high base state until when the game is controlled to the low base state, which can heighten the anticipation of being controlled to the second high base state and increase interest in the game.

(4) Between the low base state and the second high base state, a sense of fairness can be created in the probability of winning the normal winning lottery. On the other hand, in the second high base state, the total upper limit open time during which the second starting hole 29 can be in an open state in one normal winning game can be longer than in the low base state, which can heighten the sense of anticipation for being controlled to the second high base state and increase interest in the game.

(5) When the game is controlled to the high probability state after the end of a jackpot game, the game is controlled to the low probability state when a predetermined number of special games are played without a jackpot. The predetermined number is the same regardless of the type of jackpot determined. Therefore, regardless of the type of jackpot, when the game is controlled to the high probability state after the end of a jackpot game, a sense of fairness can be given regarding the upper limit number of special games that can be played while continuing to be in the high probability state, and interest in the game can be increased.

(6) When the high probability state is reached after the end of a jackpot game, control to the low probability state is triggered by the execution of a predetermined number of special games, which is smaller than the special number, without a jackpot. Therefore, even if a predetermined number of special games are executed after the end of a jackpot game and the game is controlled from the high probability state to the low probability state, the second high base state can be controlled by the execution of a special number of special games after control to the low probability state. Therefore, it is possible to heighten expectations for the second high base state being controlled, and to increase interest in the game.

(7) After the end of a jackpot game, the machine can be controlled to the first high base state, which allows for more diversity in the conditions for controlling the machine to the high base state. Even if a jackpot is not reached after the machine is controlled to the low probability state, the machine can heighten expectations for the special game to be played, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(8) When a jackpot is not reached in the first high base state and a special game is played with a first upper limit number of times, which is less than the special number of times, the game is controlled to the low base state. Therefore, after the jackpot game ends, the game can be controlled to the first high base state, which can heighten the anticipation of being controlled to the first high base state and increase the value of being controlled to the second high base state, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(9) When controlled to the second high base state, the upper limit number of special games that can be continuously controlled to the high base state is greater than when controlled to the first high base state, which heightens the anticipation of being controlled to the second high base state and increases interest in the game.

(10) The first upper limit number of times that can be controlled to the first high base state after the end of a jackpot game differs depending on whether a jackpot based on the ZC pattern has been determined as the type of jackpot or a jackpot based on a pattern other than the ZC pattern has been determined, making it possible to draw attention to whether a jackpot based on the ZC pattern has been determined as the type of jackpot, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(11) The first upper limit number of times that can be controlled to the first high base state after the end of the jackpot game differs depending on whether the game state when the jackpot lottery is won is a low base state or a high base state, making it possible to draw attention to whether the game state when the jackpot lottery is won is a low base state or a high base state, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(12) The first upper limit number of times that can be controlled to the first high base state after the end of a jackpot game differs depending on whether the state is controlled to a low probability state or a high probability state after the end of a jackpot game, making it possible to draw attention to whether the state is controlled to a low probability state or a high probability state after the end of a jackpot game, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(13) There are cases where the high probability state and the first high base state are continuously controlled until 120 special games are played without a jackpot being reached after the end of a jackpot game, and cases where the low probability state and the first high base state are continuously controlled until 500 special games, which is greater than 120, are played without a jackpot being reached after the end of a jackpot game. Therefore, even if the low probability state and the first high base state, which are less favorable than the high probability state and the first high base state, are controlled to the low probability state and the first high base state with a higher upper limit than when the high probability state and the first high base state are controlled after the end of a jackpot game, it is possible to control the low probability state and the first high base state to a higher number of times than when the high probability state and the first high base state are controlled, thereby improving interest in the game.

(14) The first upper limit number of times that the special game can be continued and controlled to the first high base state after the end of the jackpot game differs depending on whether the state is controlled to the high base state when the jackpot lottery is won, whether the type of jackpot is determined to be a jackpot based on the ZC pattern, and the game state controlled after the end of the jackpot game. Therefore, it is possible to draw attention to whether the state is controlled to the high base state when the jackpot lottery is won, whether the type of jackpot is determined to be a jackpot based on the ZC pattern, and the game state controlled after the end of the jackpot game, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(15) In particular, even when a jackpot type based on the ZC pattern is determined and the game is controlled to a low probability state and a first high base state after the jackpot game ends, the first upper limit number of times that the special game can be controlled to the low probability state and the high base state differs depending on whether the jackpot lottery was won in the low base state or the high base state. Therefore, when the jackpot lottery is won, attention can be drawn to whether the game is controlled to the high base state, which can increase interest in the game.

(16) The number of times (500 times) that the special game can be executed while being continuously controlled in the low probability state and the first high base state is greater than the reciprocal of the probability of winning the jackpot lottery in the low probability state. Therefore, even if the game is continuously controlled in the low probability state and the high base state until 500 special games are executed without a jackpot being won after the end of a jackpot game, the possibility of winning the jackpot lottery can be increased, the anticipation of winning the jackpot lottery can be heightened, and interest in the game can be improved.

(17) There are two high base states: a first high base state that is controlled based on the establishment of a first condition, and a second high base state that is controlled based on the establishment of a second condition. The first condition is established after the end of a jackpot game, and the second condition is established when a special game is played a special number of times after being controlled to a low probability state. The normal variable member 30 has different opening modes in normal jackpot games in the first high base state and the second high base state. This allows for diversity in the conditions for control to the high base state and the types of high base states, and also draws attention to the conditions for control to the high base state and the types of high base states. Furthermore, it also draws attention to the opening modes in normal jackpot games, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(18) The multiple types of opening modes of the normal variable member 30 in the first high base state are different from the single type of opening mode of the normal variable member 30 in the second high base state. Therefore, it is possible to provide diversity to the opening mode of the normal variable member 30 in the first high base state, and by making the opening mode different from that in the second high base state, it is possible to draw attention to whether the normal variable member 30 is being controlled in the first high base state or the second high base state, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(19) The multiple types of opening modes of the normal variable member 30 in the first high base state have the same total upper limit opening time during which the second starting hole 29 can be in the open state in one normal winning game. Therefore, it is possible to provide diversity to the opening modes of the normal variable member 30 in the first high base state, and by setting the same total upper limit opening time for the multiple types of opening modes, it is possible to maintain fairness in the entry of game balls into the second starting hole 29, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(20) The normal winning lottery is a lottery that has the same probability of being won in the first high base state and the second high base state, and the fluctuation time of the normal game is the same in the first high base state and the second high base state. Therefore, the probability of winning the normal winning lottery can be made the same in the first high base state and the second high base state, and the fluctuation time of the normal game can be made the same, so that fairness can be maintained in the frequency of the normal winning lottery and the normal game, and interest in the game can be increased.

(21) The opening state of the normal variable member 30 in the first high base state and the opening state of the normal variable member 30 in the second high base state have different total upper limit opening times during which the second starting hole 29 can be in an open state in one normal winning game. This makes it possible to vary the degree of advantage of the opening state of the normal variable member 30, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(22) The normal win game granted in the second high base state has a shorter upper limit control time for the normal win game than the normal win game granted in the first high base state. Therefore, the second high base state can increase the possibility of consuming the normal win game faster than the first high base state, and can draw attention to the type of high base state and the upper limit control time for the normal win game, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(23) The opening state of the normal variable member 30 in the second high base state provides a longer total upper limit opening time during which the second starting hole 29 can be in an open state in one normal winning game than the opening state of the normal variable member 30 in the first high base state. This makes it possible to differentiate the degree of advantage regarding the total upper limit opening time between the first high base state and the second high base state, and to draw attention to the type of high base state and the total upper limit opening time, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(24) The second high base state is a gaming state in which the fluctuation time of the special game is more likely to be shorter than in the first high base state. Therefore, the second high base state can increase the possibility of the special game being played more quickly than the first high base state, and can draw attention to the type of high base state and the fluctuation time of the special game, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(25) The normal winning game granted in the first high base state and the normal winning game granted in the second high base state have different maximum opening times that the normal variable member 30 can be in the open state in one normal winning game, which draws attention to the type of high base state and the maximum opening times, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(26) The multiple types of opening modes as the opening mode of the normal variable member 30 in the first high base state are opening modes in which the upper limit number of times that the normal variable member 30 can be in the open state in one normal winning game is multiple. The multiple types of opening modes have the same upper limit number of times that the normal variable member 30 can be in the open state in one normal winning game and the same closing time that the normal variable member 30 can be in the closed state in one normal winning game, and the upper limit opening time that the second starting port 29 can be in the open state once is different. Therefore, for the opening mode of the normal variable member 30 in the first high base state, the multiple types of opening modes have the same upper limit number of times that the normal variable member 30 can be in the open state and the same closing time, while the upper limit opening time is different, thereby providing diversity to the opening mode of the normal variable member 30 and drawing attention to the upper limit opening time, thereby improving interest in the game.

(27) When the first special game is played without a jackpot being reached after the end of a jackpot game, the system can be controlled to the second high base state. Even if a jackpot is not reached after the end of a jackpot game, the player can feel a heightened sense of anticipation for the special game being played, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(28) In addition, the first number of times differs depending on whether the state is controlled to a low probability state or a high probability state after the end of a jackpot game. This provides an opportunity to allow the player to guess the first number of times, and also draws the player's attention to whether the state is controlled to a low probability state or a high probability state after the end of a jackpot game, thereby improving the player's interest in the game.

(29) While drawing attention to whether the game will be controlled to a low probability state or a high probability state after the end of a jackpot game, the game can be controlled to a second high base state with the same second upper limit number of times as the upper limit, thereby improving interest in the game.

(30) After controlling to the low base state in response to the execution of the second maximum number of special games without a jackpot in the second high base state, control is not performed to the high base state in response to the execution of the special game a special number of times without a jackpot in the low base state. This allows players to focus on controlling to the second high base state after the jackpot game ends, and increases the value of controlling to the second high base state, thereby improving interest in the game.

(31) Before being controlled to the second high base state, a count premonition effect related to being controlled to the second high base state is executed. Therefore, by executing the count premonition effect, it is possible to heighten the sense of anticipation regarding being controlled to the second high base state, and to increase interest in the game.

(32) Even if the state is controlled to the high probability state after the end of a jackpot game, the state will be controlled to the low probability state when a predetermined control condition is met, triggered by the execution of a predetermined number of special games, and the state can be controlled to the second high base state when a special number of special games is executed without a jackpot after being controlled to the low probability state. Therefore, in a situation where it is difficult to identify the special game that is controlled to the second high base state from the number of special games executed after the end of a jackpot game, the anticipation of being controlled to the second high base state can be heightened by executing a count premonition effect, thereby improving interest in the game.

(33) After the end of a jackpot game, by being controlled to the presentation mode MB, the background image is displayed in the same presentation manner both when controlled to the low probability state and when controlled to the high probability state. Therefore, in a situation where it is impossible to determine from the presentation manner of the background image whether it is controlled to the low probability state or the high probability state and it is difficult to determine the special game that is controlled to the second high base state, the execution of the count premonition presentation can heighten the anticipation of being controlled to the second high base state, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(34) After the end of a jackpot game, when the state is controlled from the first high base state to the low base state, the presentation mode MA is selected. This causes the background image to be displayed in the same presentation mode both when the state is controlled to the low probability state and when the state is controlled to the high probability state after the end of a jackpot game. Therefore, in a situation where it is impossible to determine from the presentation mode of the background image whether the state was controlled to the low probability state or the high probability state and it is difficult to determine the special game that is controlled to the second high base state, the execution of the count premonition presentation can heighten the anticipation of being controlled to the second high base state, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(35) The count premonition effect can be executed in both the first special period triggered by the completion of the 700th execution of the special game and the second special period triggered by the completion of the 800th execution of the special game during the period before control to the second high base state, and is executed with different probabilities during the first special period and the second special period. Therefore, the probability of the count premonition effect being executed differs depending on the period before control to the second high base state, making it possible to draw attention to the period before control to the second high base state and to increase interest in the game.

(36) Before being controlled to the second high base state, a second count effect can be executed, which can determine the number of times the special game remains to be executed before being controlled to the second high base state. Therefore, in order to determine the number of times the special game remains to be executed before being controlled to the second high base state, it is possible to heighten anticipation for the execution of the second count effect, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(37) A counting effect is executed that can specify information regarding the number of times a special game has been executed after at least one of the end of a jackpot game and the change of the game state. In particular, the first counting effect executed in the first high base state is an effect executed in any of a plurality of types of effect modes. Then, when the number of times a special game has been executed since the control to the first high base state after the end of a jackpot game is the same predetermined number of times, the expectation of a jackpot is higher when the character image takes a special action than when the character image takes a normal action among the plurality of types of effect modes of the first counting effect. Therefore, by executing the first counting effect in the first high base state, it is possible to draw attention to information regarding the number of times a special game has been executed since the control to the first high base state after the end of a jackpot game, and even if the information is the same, it is possible to specify that the expectation of a jackpot is high by executing the first counting effect in a form in which the character image takes a special action. Therefore, it is possible to heighten the expectation of the first counting effect being executed in a form in which the character image takes a special action in the first high base state, and to increase interest in the game.

(38) The count effect is an effect that can be performed in any one of a plurality of different presentation modes in response to the update of the information regarding the number of times the special game has been executed, triggered by the end of the execution of the special game. Therefore, it is possible to heighten the anticipation of the count effect being performed in a presentation mode in which the character image takes a special action in response to the update of the information regarding the number of times the special game has been executed, triggered by the end of the execution of the special game, and to increase interest in the game.

(39) In special games in the high base state, a first count effect is executed that can identify the number of times the special game remains to be executed until control of the high base state ends, while in at least some special games in the low base state, a second count effect is executed that can identify the number of times the special game remains to be executed since control of the low probability state is established. As a result, whether the number of times the special game remains to be executed since control of the low probability state is established or the number of times the special game remains to be executed until control of the high base state ends is established is different, making it possible to identify information corresponding to whether the game is controlled to the low base state or the high base state, thereby improving interest in the game.

(40) The count effect is executed in a presentation mode that makes it possible to identify information (number of executions or remaining number of executions) about the special game until the base state changes. The count effect is executed in a presentation mode that makes it possible to identify information about the special game by updating information about the special game until the base state changes. Therefore, by executing the count effect, it becomes possible to identify information about the special game until the base state changes, to draw attention to the information about the special game, and to identify that the probability of a jackpot is high based on the information about the special game, thereby heightening the sense of anticipation for the execution of the count effect and increasing interest in the game.

(41) The count effect is an effect that is executed in any one of a plurality of different types of effect modes, and when the information about the special game until the base state changes is the same, the expectation of a jackpot can be determined from the type of effect mode. Therefore, when the count effect is executed, even if the information about the special game until the base state changes is the same, it is possible to determine that the expectation of a jackpot is high from the effect mode of the count effect, which can heighten the anticipation for the execution of the count effect and increase interest in the game.

(42) The second high base state is controlled based on the establishment of the second condition. This makes it possible to identify information about the special game up until the second high base state is controlled, heightening the anticipation of being controlled to the second high base state and increasing interest in the game.

(43) The fluctuation pattern is determined based on predetermined determination conditions. The predetermined determination conditions include a first determination condition based on reference to fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11, TA12, and TA15 in the first high base state, and a second determination condition based on reference to fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 in the second high base state. Therefore, the fluctuation pattern can be determined based on determination conditions according to the conditions for controlling the high base state, which can increase interest in the game.

(44) There are fluctuation patterns that can be determined based on the second determination condition, but cannot be determined based on the first determination condition. Therefore, there are fluctuation patterns that can be determined based on the second determination condition in the second high base state, but cannot be determined based on the first determination condition in the first high base state, and fluctuation patterns can be determined with determination conditions according to the conditions for controlling to the high base state, which can increase interest in the game.

(45) There are variation patterns that can be determined based on a first determination condition and can be determined based on a second determination condition, but the determination probability differs between the first determination condition and the second determination condition. Therefore, there are variation patterns that have a different determination probability between the first determination condition in the first high base state and the second determination condition in the second high base state, and the variation pattern can be determined under a determination condition according to the condition for controlling to the high base state, which can increase interest in the game.

(46) The second determination condition is more likely to determine a fluctuation pattern with a shorter fluctuation time than the first determination condition. Therefore, in the second high base state, a fluctuation pattern with a shorter fluctuation time is more likely to be determined than in the first high base state, which increases the possibility of playing the special game quickly and draws attention to the conditions for control to the high base state and the fluctuation time of the special game, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(47) When controlled to the first high base state, the reel continues to be controlled to the first high base state until a first maximum number of special games are played without a jackpot being won, whereas when controlled to the second high base state, the reel continues to be controlled to the second high base state until a second maximum number of special games, which is greater than the first maximum number of special games, are played without a jackpot being won. As a result, in the second high base state, the reel continues to be controlled for a greater number of maximum games than in the first high base state, and by making it easier to determine a fluctuation pattern with a short fluctuation time, the possibility of efficiently playing special games can be increased, and interest in the game can be improved.

(48) The second upper limit number of times is a number greater than the reciprocal of the probability of winning the jackpot lottery in the low probability state. Therefore, even if the state is controlled to the second high base state and low probability state until the special game of the second upper limit number of times is played, the possibility of winning the jackpot lottery by the time the special game of the second upper limit number of times is played can be increased, the anticipation of winning the jackpot lottery can be heightened, and interest in the game can be improved.

(49) The first determination condition is that in at least some special games in the first high base state, the conditions under which the loss fluctuation pattern is determined differ depending on the special reserved number, and the second determination condition is that in special games in the second high base state, the conditions under which the loss fluctuation pattern is determined are the same regardless of the special reserved number. Therefore, it is possible to change the similarities and differences in the conditions under which the loss fluctuation pattern is determined depending on the special reserved number between the first high base state and the second high base state, thereby improving interest in the game.

(50) The second determination condition is that in the special game in the second high base state, the condition for determining the loss fluctuation pattern is the same in both the case where the first special game is executed and the case where the second special game is executed. Therefore, in the special game in the second high base state, the condition for determining the loss fluctuation pattern can be the same even in the case where the first special game is executed and the case where the second special game is executed, thereby improving interest in the game.

(51) In the first high base state, the fluctuation pattern is determined based on one of a plurality of types of determination conditions as the first determination condition, while in the second high base state, the fluctuation pattern is determined based on one type of determination condition as the second determination condition. This allows for diversity in the determination conditions that determine the fluctuation pattern depending on the conditions for controlling to the high base state, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(52) In the first high base state, in the first special game controlled to the first high base state, the fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to a fluctuation pattern determination table TA14 that is different from the determination conditions in the fifth and subsequent special games other than the first special game controlled to the first high base state, among the multiple types of determination conditions as the first determination condition. Therefore, in the first high base state, it is possible to provide diversity to the first determination conditions that determine the fluctuation pattern in the first special game controlled to the first high base state and the fifth and subsequent special games other than the first special game, thereby improving interest in the game.

(53) In the first high base state, in the last special game controlled to the first high base state, the fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to the fluctuation pattern determination table TA13, unlike the determination conditions in the other special games controlled to the first high base state among the multiple types of determination conditions as the first determination condition. Therefore, in the first high base state, the first determination condition that determines the fluctuation pattern can be made more diverse in the last special game controlled to the first high base state and at least one of the games other than the last special game, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(54) In the first high base state, in the last special game controlled to the first high base state, if the variation patterns HP31, HP32 are determined based on the special determination conditions, the final presentation is executed. Therefore, by executing the final presentation in the last special game, it becomes possible to identify that this is the last special game, and it is possible to increase interest in the game.

(55) The first and second determination conditions have different determination probabilities for determining a variation pattern accompanied by a reach effect. Therefore, a variation pattern accompanied by a reach effect is determined with a determination probability according to the conditions for controlling to a high base state, which can increase interest in the game.

(56) The second determination condition includes a determination condition with a lower probability of determining a fluctuation pattern accompanied by a reach effect than the first determination condition. Therefore, in the second high base state, it is more difficult to determine a fluctuation pattern accompanied by a reach effect than in the first high base state, and the performance progresses in such a way that it is difficult to execute a reach effect. Therefore, in the second high base state, it is possible to increase the possibility of playing the special game, and to draw attention to the conditions for control to the high base state and the fluctuation time of the special game, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(57) In the first high base state, a variation pattern accompanied by a reach effect is determined based on one of a plurality of types of determination conditions as the first determination condition, while in the second high base state, a variation pattern accompanied by a reach effect is determined based on one type of determination condition as the second determination condition. Therefore, in the first high base state, it is possible to provide diversity to the determination conditions that determine the variation pattern accompanied by the reach effect, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(58) There are common effects that can be executed in both the first high base state and the second high base state, and dedicated effects that can be executed in either the first high base state or the second high base state. Therefore, by executing a common effect in the first high base state and the second high base state, it is possible to provide a similar presentation effect whether the condition for controlling the high base state is the first condition or the second condition, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(59) On the other hand, by executing a special effect in either the first high base state or the second high base state, it becomes possible to identify whether the state is either the first high base state or the second high base state, and attention can be drawn to the conditions for control to the high base state and the execution of the special effect, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(60) The common effects include effects in which the display mode of the background image is the same in both the first high base state and the second high base state. Therefore, it is not possible to determine whether the state is the first high base state or the second high base state from the display mode of the background image, and similar effect can be provided whether the condition for controlling the high base state is the first condition or the second condition, thereby improving interest in the game.

(61) When controlled to the second high base state, a second entry performance that can specify that the reel will be controlled to the high base state (second high base state) is executed from a predetermined timing after the special game has been played a special number of times. Therefore, by executing the second entry performance when controlled to the second high base state, it becomes possible to specify that the reel will be controlled to the high base state, and the anticipation for being controlled to the high base state can be heightened, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(62) When controlled to the second high base state, the second entry performance can be executed across multiple special games from a predetermined timing after the special game has been executed a special number of times. Therefore, even if the fluctuation time of one special game is short, the second entry performance can be executed across multiple special games, which can enhance the presentation effect and increase interest in the game.

(63) When the machine is controlled to the first high base state after the end of a jackpot game, a first entry performance is executed, which can specify that the machine will be controlled to the high base state (first high base state) from the timing during the jackpot game. Therefore, even when the machine is controlled to the first high base state after the end of a jackpot game, the first entry performance is executed, which can specify that the machine will be controlled to the high base state (first high base state), thereby heightening the anticipation of being controlled to the high base state (first high base state) and increasing interest in the game.

(64) In addition, the second entry performance has the same performance time as the first entry performance. Therefore, the second entry performance executed when controlled to the second high base state is executed in the same performance time as the first entry performance executed when controlled to the first high base state, which can enhance the performance effect and increase interest in the game.

(65) The second entry performance has at least a part of the same presentation pattern as the first entry performance, which can enhance the presentation effect and increase interest in the game.
(66) The second entry performance includes a performance in which a character image corresponding to the controlled performance mode is displayed. Therefore, when the second high base state is controlled, the controlled performance mode can be specified from the character image corresponding to the controlled performance mode, and in addition to being controlled to the high base state, the controlled performance mode can also be focused on, thereby improving the interest in the game.

(67) Even when controlled to the second high base state, if the restriction condition for the second entry performance is satisfied, the execution of the second entry performance is restricted. Therefore, depending on whether the restriction condition for the second entry performance is satisfied or not, it is possible to change whether to execute the second entry performance or restrict the execution of the second entry performance, thereby improving the interest in the game.

(68) The restriction condition for the second entry performance is met when the special game executed after the special game has been executed a special number of times results in a jackpot when controlled to the second high base state. Therefore, when the special game executed after the special game has been executed a special number of times results in a jackpot, the second entry performance is not executed, and the anticipation of a jackpot can be heightened, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(69) The restrictive condition for the second entry effect is met when, in the case of control in the second high base state, the first of the multiple special games executed after the special games have been executed a special number of times does not result in a jackpot, but a special game other than the first results in a jackpot. Therefore, even if the first of the multiple special games executed after the special games have been executed a special number of times does not result in a jackpot, if a special game other than the first results in a jackpot, the second entry effect is not executed, and the player's expectations for a jackpot can be heightened, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(70) The second entry effect can be executed even in a standby state where the special game is not being executed and no big win has been awarded. Therefore, even if the execution of the special game is not put on hold and the standby state is entered after the execution of the special game a special number of times has ended, the second entry effect can be executed, which can heighten the anticipation of the execution of the special game and increase the interest in the game.

(71) In the second high base state, which is controlled based on the establishment of the second condition, a right-hit notification effect regarding the launch of the game ball is executed, so that information regarding the launch of the game ball can be notified, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(72) The right-hit notification effect executed in the first high base state and the right-hit notification effect executed in the second high base state are the same in at least some aspects, such as the images displayed. Therefore, by executing the right-hit notification effect in the same manner in the first high base state and the second high base state, information regarding the launch of the game ball can be notified in the same manner without making the player aware of the conditions controlled in the high base state, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

(73) When controlled to the second high base state, the manner in which the first right-hit notification effect is executed differs depending on whether the next special game will be a jackpot or not. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the next special game will be a jackpot from the manner in which the first right-hit notification effect is executed, and this can heighten anticipation that the next special game will be a jackpot, while also drawing attention to the manner in which the first right-hit notification effect is executed, thereby increasing interest in the game.

(74) A right-hit notification effect relating to the launch of a game ball is executed in both the first high base state and the second high base state, and at least some aspects of the right-hit notification effect executed in the first high base state and the right-hit notification effect executed in the second high base state differ from each other. Therefore, by making at least some aspects of the right-hit notification effect different depending on whether the game is controlled to the first high base state or the second high base state, it is possible to provide diversity to the aspects of the right-hit notification effect and to increase interest in the game.

(75) The right-hit notification effect executed in the first high base state and the right-hit notification effect executed in the second high base state at least have different execution start timings. Therefore, by making at least the execution start timings of the right-hit notification effect different depending on whether it is controlled to the first high base state or the second high base state, it is possible to provide diversity in the execution start timings of the right-hit notification effect, thereby increasing interest in the game.

The above embodiment can be embodied in the following other embodiments (alternative examples).
- In the above embodiment, for example, the first upper limit number of times does not have to differ depending on at least one of the type of jackpot, the game state when the jackpot lottery is won, and whether the high probability state is controlled after the jackpot game ends.

- In the above embodiment, for example, the first upper limit number of times may be a number larger, smaller, or the same as the predetermined number of times that is continuously controlled to the high probability state. In particular, the "100 times" in the above embodiment may be "120 times", in which case, from the first upper limit number of times that can be continuously controlled to the first high base state, it is impossible to determine whether the state has been controlled to the high probability state or the low probability state since the end of the jackpot game. Also, for example, the first upper limit number of times may be a number larger, smaller, or the same as the reciprocal of the probability of winning the jackpot lottery in the low probability state. Also, for example, the first upper limit number of times may be any of two types and four or more types, or may be one type.

- In the above embodiment, the second upper limit number may be a number greater than, smaller than, or the same as the predetermined number of times that is continuously controlled to be in the high probability state. Also, for example, the second upper limit number may be a number greater than, smaller than, or the same as the reciprocal of the probability of winning the jackpot lottery in the low probability state.

- In the above embodiment, the special number of times may be a number greater than, smaller than, or the same as the predetermined number of times that is continuously controlled in the high probability state. Also, for example, the special number of times may be a number greater than, smaller than, or the same as the inverse of the probability of winning the jackpot lottery in the low probability state.

- In the above embodiment, for example, the high probability state may be awarded until the next jackpot game is awarded. Also, for example, a drop lottery may be held, and when the main control CPU 40a has controlled to the high probability state after the end of the jackpot game, it may control to the low probability state when a predetermined control condition is met triggered by winning the drop lottery. In this case, it is impossible to specify whether the state has been controlled from the high probability state to the low probability state before a predetermined number of special games have been played, and the state may be controlled to the high probability state even after a predetermined number of special games have been played.

- In the above embodiment, for example, a premonition effect regarding the remaining number of times that the special game will be executed until the second high base state is controlled may be executed. In detail, when the low probability state is controlled after the end of the jackpot game, the second high base state is controlled by the execution of 900 special games after the end of the jackpot game. In this case, the premonition effect (determined effect) that can specify the remaining number of times that the special game will be executed until the second high base state is controlled is executed in the same manner as the second count effect, by the execution of the 850th special game after the end of the jackpot game. When the high probability state is controlled after the end of the jackpot game, the low probability state is controlled by the execution of 120 special games after the end of the jackpot game, and the second high base state is controlled by the execution of 1020 special games after the end of the jackpot game. In this case, after the end of the jackpot game, the execution of the 850th special game is triggered to execute a premonition effect (so-called "fake effect") that can specify the number of times obtained by subtracting "120 times" from the remaining number of times the special game is to be executed before the control is made to the second high base state. Then, after the end of the jackpot game, by the time the 900th special game is executed or when the 900th special game is executed, the number of times "120 times" is added, and an effect that can specify the remaining number of times the special game is to be executed before the control is made to the second high base state is executed. In addition, as another example, when the control is made to the low probability state after the end of the jackpot game, the execution of the 800th special game after the end of the jackpot game may be triggered to execute a premonition effect (fake effect) that can specify the number of times obtained by adding "120 times" to the remaining number of times the special game is to be executed before the control is made to the second high base state. Then, before or when the second high base state is controlled, "120 times" are subtracted, and an effect is executed that can specify the remaining number of times to be executed for the special game until the second high base state is controlled. When the high probability state is controlled after the end of the jackpot game, a premonition effect (so-called "determined effect") is executed that can specify the remaining number of times to be executed for the special game until the second high base state is controlled, triggered by the execution of the 850th special game after the end of the jackpot game. In such a case, if the configuration is such that the high probability state is controlled to the low probability state by winning the fall lottery, multiple types of numbers, including numbers other than "120 times", can be used as the number of times to be added to or subtracted from the remaining number of times to be executed for the special game until the second high base state is controlled.

In the above embodiment, for example, the premonition effect may be executed by displaying the number of times the special game is executed since the change in the game state, which is greater or smaller than the actual number of times the game is executed, and then displaying the actual number of times the game is executed. In this case, the sub-control CPU 41a judges whether or not the execution condition for the premonition effect regarding the remaining number of times the special game is executed until the game state is controlled to the second high base state is satisfied. In detail, the sub-control CPU 41a judges that the execution condition for the premonition effect is not satisfied during the execution of the second count effect. In addition, based on the information set in the sub-low probability count counter, the sub-control CPU 41a judges that the execution condition for the premonition effect is satisfied with a higher probability when the remaining number of times the special game is executed until the game state is controlled to the second high base state is the first execution number than when the second execution number is greater than the first execution number. In other words, the execution condition for the premonition effect is more likely to be satisfied when the remaining number of times the special game is executed until the game state is controlled to the second high base state is smaller. When the sub-control CPU 41a determines that the execution condition for the premonition effect is satisfied, the sub-control CPU 41a stores in the sub-control RAM 41c the number of times obtained by adding one of the multiple predetermined numbers to the remaining number of times to be executed until the control is controlled to the second high base state, as the number of premonition notifications, based on the information set in the sub-low probability count counter. Then, when the second count effect is executed or when the control is controlled to the second high base state, the sub-control CPU 41a stores in the sub-control RAM 41c the remaining number of times to be executed until the control is controlled to the second high base state, as the number of premonition notifications, based on the information set in the sub-low probability count counter. Then, the sub-control CPU 41a executes an effect that subtracts a predetermined number from the previous number of premonition notifications, and then executes a determination effect that changes the number of times to the actual remaining number of times.

- In the above embodiment, for example, a high base transition lottery may be held in response to the execution of a special game. This high base transition lottery may be held when the execution of the special game starts or ends. If the main control CPU 40a wins the high base transition lottery, it controls the high base state. Such a high base state may be the third high base state. In other words, the high base state may include a third high base state that is controlled when a condition is met when a specified lottery is won, a third high base state may exist in addition to the second high base state, or a third high base state (corresponding to the second ball entry rate improvement state) may exist in place of the second high base state.

- In the above embodiment, the same time was determined as the fluctuation time of the normal game in the first high base state and the second high base state, but this is not limited to this. For example, one of multiple times may be determined with the same probability in the first high base state and the second high base state. In other words, the fluctuation time of the normal game may be determined in the same manner in the first high base state and the second high base state. Also, for example, different times may be determined in the first high base state and the second high base state. Also, for example, a shorter time may be more easily determined in the second high base state than in the first high base state, or a shorter time may be more easily determined in the first high base state than in the second high base state.

- In the above embodiment, for example, with regard to the probability of winning the normal winning lottery, in the first high base state, the probability of winning the normal winning lottery may be higher than in the low base state. Also, for example, in the second high base state, the probability of winning the normal winning lottery may be higher than in the low base state. Also, for example, in the first high base state, the probability of winning the normal winning lottery may be higher than in the second high base state, and in the second high base state, the probability of winning the normal winning lottery may be higher than in the first high base state.

- In the above embodiment, the same control may be performed for the normal game and the normal win game, for example, the fluctuation time of the normal game, the probability of determining the fluctuation time of the normal game, the opening mode in the normal win game (upper limit opening time per time, closing time per time, total upper limit opening time, upper limit number of times per time opening, upper limit control time for one normal win game). In this case, the trigger for control will differ between the first high base state and the second high base state, whether it is the first condition or the second condition.

In the above embodiment, for example, the opening manner of the normal variable member 30 in the first high base state may be any one of two types or four or more types, or may be one type.
In the above embodiment, for example, the opening manner of the normal variable member 30 in the second high base state may be any one of two or more types.

In the above embodiment, for example, the opening manner of the normal variable member 30 in the low base state may be any one of two or more types.
In the above embodiment, for example, in the high base state, a count effect may be executed that can specify the number of times that a special game has been executed since control to the high base state, and for example, in the low base state, a count effect may be executed that can specify the remaining number of times that a special game will be executed before being controlled to the second high base state. Also, for example, by executing the second count effect in the first high base state, even in the first high base state, it may be possible to specify the number of times that a special game has been executed since control to the low probability state and the remaining number of times that a special game will be executed before being controlled to the second high base state.

- In the above embodiment, for example, in the first high base state, the first count effect may be executed in part of the special game, and for example, the first count effect may not be executed in the first high base state. For example, in the second high base state, the first count effect may be executed in part of the special game, and for example, the first count effect may not be executed in the second high base state. For example, in the low base state, the second count effect may be executed in the entire special game, and for example, the second count effect may not be executed in the low base state. In other words, it is preferable if the count effect is executed in at least part of the special game.

- In the above embodiment, for example, in the second high base state, the first count effect may be executable in the first and second presentation modes. Also, for example, in the low base state, the second count effect may be executable in the first and second presentation modes. Also, for example, the count effect may have a presentation mode that indicates the jackpot expectancy of the special game being executed. Also, for example, the presentation mode of the count effect may be any of three or more types with different jackpot expectancy, or may be, for example, one type.

- In the above embodiment, for example, the count effect may be an effect that decreases or increases the number of times the special game is executed. Also, for example, the count effect does not need to display the number of times the special game is executed as numerical information, but may display an image that allows the number of times the special game is executed to be specified, such as a meter image that indicates the number of times the special game is executed, and may be executed in a different presentation mode depending on whether the period until the base state changes is the first period or the second period. Also, for example, the occurrence of a special event is not limited to a change in the base state, but may also be a change in the probability state, or may occur after the end of a jackpot game, and may be an execution of a presentation that allows the expectation of a jackpot (including a confirmed jackpot) to be specified.

- In the above embodiment, the count effect can be triggered by the end of the special game, and can update information regarding the number of times the special game has been executed. However, this is not limited to the above. For example, the count effect can be triggered by the start of the special game, and can be a combination of these. In other words, it is sufficient that the count effect can be triggered by at least either the start of the special game or the end of the special game, and can update information regarding the number of times the special game has been executed.

- In the above embodiment, for example, when the RWM clear switch 40d is operated or not operated following power-on, the counting effect may not be executed regardless of the information stored in the sub-high base count counter and the sub-low probability count counter stored in the sub-control RAM 41c. In this case, the counting effect may be executed based on the information stored in the sub-high base count counter and the sub-low probability count counter from the time when a jackpot game is awarded or the game state changes after power-on.

In the above embodiment, for example, when the RWM clear switch 40d is operated or not operated upon power-on, a count effect that can identify the initial number of executions may be executed regardless of the information stored in the sub-high base count counter and the sub-low probability count counter stored in the sub-control RAM 41c. In this case, a specific example is described below. The first count effect and the second count effect are effects that can identify the number of executions of a special game executed from a change in the game state. The sub-control CPU 41a sets the sub-high base count counter and the sub-low probability count counter stored in the sub-control RAM 41c to "0" as initial information, when the RWM clear switch 40d is operated or not operated upon power-on. When the sub-control CPU 41a determines that the high base state is present based on the information set in the sub-base state flag, it adds "1" to the sub-high base count counter upon input of a game end command. When the sub-control CPU 41a determines that the state is a low probability state based on the information set in the sub-probability state flag, it adds "1" to the sub-low probability count counter in response to the input of the game end command. When the sub-control CPU 41a determines that the state is a high base state based on the information set in the sub-base state flag, it executes a first count effect based on the information set in the sub-high base count counter. When the sub-control CPU 41a determines that the state is a low base state based on the information set in the sub-base state flag, it executes a second count effect based on the information set in the sub-low probability count counter.

In this way, the sub-control RAM 41c as a storage means is assigned a sub-high base count counter and a sub-low probability count counter, and the sub-control RAM 41c stores the number of times the special game has been executed since the game state changed. The information stored in the sub-control RAM 41c is initialized when the RWM clear switch 40d is operated upon power-on, and is retained without being initialized when the RWM clear switch 40d is not operated. Regardless of the information stored in the sub-control RAM 41c, both when the RWM clear switch 40d is operated upon power-on and when it is not operated, the performance display device 27 executes a count performance that can identify initial information as information regarding the number of times the special game has been executed. This makes it possible to identify initial information as information regarding the number of times the special game has been executed both when the number of times the special game has been executed since the game state changed is initialized and when it is retained.

- In the above embodiment, for example, there may be or may not be a fluctuation pattern that is determinable in the second high base state but cannot be determined in the first high base state. Also, for example, there may be or may not be a fluctuation pattern that is determinable in the first high base state but cannot be determined in the second high base state.

In the above embodiment, for example, the fluctuation pattern HP04 may be determined even in the first high base state.
In the above embodiment, for example, the first high base state and the second high base state can be determined, but there does not have to be a fluctuation pattern with different determination probabilities.

- In the above embodiment, for example, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21 may be a table in which a deviation fluctuation pattern with a longer fluctuation time is more likely to be determined than at least one of the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11 to TA15.

- In the above embodiment, for example, in the first special game controlled to the first high base state, a variation pattern determination table that is not referenced in at least any special game other than the first special game in the first high base state may not need to be referenced.

- In the above embodiment, for example, in the last special game controlled to the first high base state, the fluctuation pattern may be determined by referring to a fluctuation pattern determination table that is not referenced in at least any special game other than the last special game in the first high base state.

In the above embodiment, for example, in the first high base state, one type of fluctuation pattern determination table may be referenced to determine the fluctuation pattern.
In the above embodiment, for example, in the second high base state, the fluctuation pattern may be determined by referring to any one of a plurality of types of fluctuation pattern determination tables.

- In the above embodiment, for example, in the second high base state, one of multiple types of miss fluctuation patterns may be determined, and the determination conditions may differ depending on, for example, the number of special reserved games and the type of special game (first special game or second special game).

- In the above embodiment, for example, in the first special game controlled to the second high base state, the fluctuation pattern may be determined by referring to a fluctuation pattern determination table that is not referenced in at least any special game other than the first special game in the second high base state.

- In the above embodiment, for example, in the last special game controlled to the second high base state, the fluctuation pattern may be determined by referring to a fluctuation pattern determination table that is not referenced in at least any special game other than the last special game in the second high base state.

- In the above embodiment, the probability of determining a miss reach fluctuation pattern is higher in some of the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11 to TA15 than in the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the probability of determining a miss reach fluctuation pattern may be higher in all of the fluctuation pattern determination tables TA11 to TA15 than in the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21, or may be lower than in the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21. Also, for example, in the fluctuation pattern determination table TA21, if the jackpot lottery is not won, a miss reach fluctuation pattern may not be determined, and a miss fluctuation pattern may be determined.

- In the above embodiment, for example, a lottery to determine a miss reach fluctuation pattern and a lottery to determine the fluctuation pattern itself may be executed separately. Also, for example, a first lottery to determine the classification of the fluctuation pattern and a second lottery to determine which fluctuation pattern is selected from the classification of the fluctuation pattern determined by the first lottery may be executed separately.

- In the above embodiment, for example, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA13 may be referenced in a game other than the last special game controlled to the first high base state, for example, in the last predetermined special game controlled to the first high base state.

In the above embodiment, for example, the fluctuation pattern determination table TA14 may be referred to in the first special game after the end of the big win game, and may not be referred to at any other times.
In the above embodiment, for example, as a common effect, in addition to the first look-ahead effect, there may be an effect that can identify the expected jackpot probability of the special game currently being executed, or there may not be a look-ahead effect that can identify the expected jackpot probability of the special game whose execution is on hold.

- In the above embodiment, for example, as a dedicated effect for the first high base state, in addition to the second look-ahead effect, there may be an effect that can identify the jackpot expectancy of the special game being executed, and for example, there may not be a look-ahead effect that can identify the jackpot expectancy of a special game whose execution is on hold. Also, for example, there may be a dedicated effect for the second high base state that is not executed in the first high base state but is executed in the second high base state.

- In the above embodiment, the execution timing of the right-hit notification effect (second right-hit notification effect) executed in the first high base state and the right-hit notification effect (first right-hit notification effect and second right-hit notification effect) executed in the second high base state is different, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the execution of the right-hit notification effect (first right-hit notification effect and second right-hit notification effect) may be started at the timing when the first special game is started when the first high base state is controlled after the end of a jackpot game, and at the timing when the first special game is started when the second high base state is controlled.

- In the above embodiment, for example, some or all of the presentation content (presentation style) of the right-hit notification presentation executed in the first high base state and the second high base state may be different.
- In the above embodiment, for example, after being controlled to a low probability state, when the special game of the special number of times ends and the state is controlled to a second high base state, execution of the second right-hit notification effect may be started.

- In the above embodiment, for example, any of the following notification effects may be employed: notification effect that can specify that the game ball will not flow down to the left side of the game area 21; notification effect that can specify that the game ball will flow down to the left side of the game area 21; and notification effect that can specify that the game ball will not flow down to the right side of the game area 21.

- In the above embodiment, the restriction condition for the second entry performance is not satisfied when the execution of the second entry performance is started, and the restriction condition for the second entry performance is satisfied when the execution of the special game is started after the execution of the second entry performance is started, and the execution of the second entry performance is restricted (stopped) at that timing (midway), but this is not limited to this. For example, the restriction condition for the second entry performance may be satisfied when the execution of the second entry performance is started, and the execution of the second entry performance may not be started. In this case, for example, the sub-control CPU 41a may refer to the look-ahead command and determine that the first special game among the special games whose execution is pending will be a jackpot, and the restriction condition for the second entry performance may be satisfied. Also, for example, the sub-control CPU 41a may refer to the look-ahead command and determine that a special game other than the first special game among the special games whose execution is pending will be a jackpot, and the restriction condition for the second entry performance may be satisfied.

- In the above embodiment, when controlled to the second high base state, after being controlled to the low probability state, the second entry effect may be executed from a predetermined timing after the end of the special game of the special number of times, such as the start of the next special game after the end of the special game of the special number of times, rather than being triggered by the end of the special game of the special number of times. In this case, for example, after being controlled to the low probability state, the second entry effect may not be executed when the next special game is not started after the special game of the special number of times is ended and a standby state is entered.

- In the above embodiment, for example, there may be no restrictive conditions for the second entry performance. In this case, not only is the execution of the second entry performance not restricted, but the execution of the first right hit notification performance may not be restricted.

- In the above embodiment, for example, when controlled to the first high base state, the first entry performance may be executed not during the jackpot game, but from the timing after the jackpot game ends, such as after the jackpot game ends and at the start of the first special game.

In the above embodiment, for example, the first entry performance and the second entry performance may have different performance times, and, for example, all of the performance patterns may be the same or different.
In the above embodiment, for example, the second entry performance is controlled to a low probability state, and then executed during the execution of the first special game after the special number of special games has ended, but does not have to be executed during the execution of the first special game or subsequent games.

- In the above embodiment, for example, when the number of game balls entering the big prize opening 31 varies depending on the type of jackpot, the distribution member 38 may be operated to assume the first distribution state based on the long distribution control.

- In the above embodiment, for example, at least one of the short distribution control and the long distribution control may be triggered by the arrival of a predetermined time, rather than the number of game balls that have entered the large prize opening 31 reaching a specified number.

- In the above embodiment, for example, it may be either the first round or the third or subsequent rounds of play, it may be one round of play or multiple rounds of play, it may be consecutive rounds of play or discontinuous rounds of play.

- In the above embodiment, when the game ball passes through the special passing area 36 during a jackpot game, the game is controlled to a high probability state after the jackpot game ends. However, this is not limited to the above, and the game may be controlled to a high probability state after the jackpot game ends, for example, based on the type of jackpot. In this case, the special passing area 36 and the distribution member 38 do not need to be provided.

In the above embodiment, for example, a small win lottery may be held separately from a big win lottery.
In the above embodiment, for example, there may be a type of jackpot that results in a low base state after the jackpot game ends.

- In the above embodiment, the second special game is executed with priority over the first special game, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the special games may be executed in the order in which the game balls enter the first starting hole 28 and the second starting hole 29, and for example, the first special game and the second special game may be executed simultaneously.

- In the above embodiment, the main control board 40 and the sub-control board 41 are provided and equipped with various functions, but this is not limited to the above, and for example, the functions of one board may be equipped as functions of the other board. Also, a means for controlling the performance display device 27 may be provided separately. Also, this is not limited to two types of boards, and for example, they may be configured as an integrated board, or three or more types of boards. As a specific example, the functions of the sub-control board 41 may be divided into an overall control board that performs overall control related to the performance, and a display control board that performs control related to the display of images.

- In the above embodiment, the type of jackpot (jackpot game) was specified by the symbol command, but the type of jackpot may be specified by the game start command or other dedicated control command.

- In the above embodiment, various random number information related to the special game may be stored in a memory area provided according to the special reserved number. In this case, each time a special game is executed, the random number information may be shifted and stored in a memory area from which the special reserved number has been subtracted by "1."

- In the above embodiment, for example, the machine may be a gaming machine in which the special variable member 32 operates to the open state by a predetermined lottery and a jackpot game is awarded when a gaming ball that has entered the large prize entrance 31 passes through a specific passing area (a so-called "two-type gaming machine"). Also, for example, the machine may be a gaming machine in which the special variable member 32 operates to the open state by winning a jackpot lottery in a special game (a so-called "one-type two-type mixed gaming machine"). Also, the machine may be a gaming machine in which a jackpot game starts when a gaming ball enters a predetermined ball entrance (a so-called three-type gaming machine). Also, for example, a high probability state does not have to be awarded.

Next, the technical ideas that can be understood from the above embodiment and other examples will be described below.
(1) A game machine comprising a special entry port through which a game ball can enter, a special opening/closing member that operates to assume an open state in which the game ball can enter the special entry port and a closed state in which the game ball cannot enter the special entry port, a special passage area through which a game ball that has entered the special entry port can pass, and a normal passage area through which a game ball that has entered the special entry port can pass, wherein the special opening/closing member is operable to assume the open state during a jackpot game, and the game state control means controls the state to the high probability state after the jackpot game ends when a game ball passes through the special passage area during a jackpot game, while controlling the state to the low probability state after the jackpot game ends when a game ball does not pass through the special passage area during a jackpot game.

(2) The second condition is characterized in that it is a condition that is established when a specific event different from the first condition occurs.
(3) The specific presentation is characterized in that it is a presentation that can identify information regarding the period from at least one of the end of a jackpot game and the change in game state until the occurrence of a special event.

(4) In a gaming machine in which a jackpot game is awarded after a predetermined jackpot display result is displayed in a pattern change game, the gaming machine comprises a first start ball entry port through which a gaming ball can enter, a second start ball entry port through which a gaming ball can enter, an opening/closing member that operates to take an open state in which a gaming ball can enter the second start ball entry port and a closed state in which a gaming ball cannot enter the second start ball entry port, and a jackpot game in response to a gaming ball entering the first start ball entry port or a gaming ball entering the second start ball entry port. The game state controlled by the game state control means includes a low probability state, a high probability state, a non-ball-entering rate improved state, and a ball-entering rate improved state, the high probability state being a game state in which it is easier to win the jackpot lottery than the low probability state, and the ball-entering rate improved state being a game state in which it is easier to win the jackpot lottery than the non-ball-entering rate improved state. A game state in which a game ball is likely to enter the ball, and which is controlled based on at least the establishment of a specific condition, the specific condition being a condition that is established when a special number of pattern variation games are executed without a jackpot after being controlled to the low probability state, the performance execution means executes a premonition performance related to being controlled to the ball entry rate improvement state based on the establishment of the specific condition before being controlled to the ball entry rate improvement state based on the establishment of the specific condition, the performance execution means is capable of executing a special performance that can identify that it has been controlled to the ball entry rate improvement state, and when it is controlled to the ball entry rate improvement state based on the establishment of the specific condition, if a restrictive condition is not established, the special performance is executed when the special number of pattern variation games is completed, while when the restrictive condition is established, the execution of the special performance is restricted.

(5) In a gaming machine in which a jackpot game is awarded after a predetermined jackpot display result is displayed in a pattern change game, the gaming machine is provided with a first start ball entry port through which a gaming ball can enter, a second start ball entry port through which a gaming ball can enter, an opening/closing member that operates to take an open state in which a gaming ball can enter the second start ball entry port and a closed state in which a gaming ball cannot enter the second start ball entry port, a jackpot lottery means that draws a jackpot lottery in response to a gaming ball entering the first start ball entry port or a gaming ball entering the second start ball entry port, a variation pattern determination means that determines a variation pattern based on a predetermined determination condition, a gaming state control means that controls a gaming state, and a performance execution means that executes a performance, and the gaming states controlled by the gaming state control means include a low probability state, a high probability state, a non-ball entry rate improvement state, and a ball entry rate improvement state. The high probability state is a game state in which it is easier to win the jackpot lottery than in the low probability state, and the ball entry rate improvement state is a game state in which a game ball is more likely to enter the second starting ball entry hole than in the non-ball entry rate improvement state, and is a game state that may be controlled at least based on the establishment of a predetermined condition or based on the establishment of a specific condition, the predetermined condition being a condition that is established after the end of a jackpot game, and the specific condition being a condition that is established when a special number of pattern variation games are executed without a jackpot after being controlled to the low probability state, and the performance execution means executes a premonition performance regarding being controlled to the ball entry rate improvement state based on the establishment of the specific condition before being controlled to the ball entry rate improvement state based on the establishment of the specific condition, and the predetermined determination condition is a condition that is established when a special number of pattern variation games are executed without a jackpot after being controlled to the low probability state, and the performance execution means executes a premonition performance regarding being controlled to the ball entry rate improvement state based on the establishment of the specific condition, and the predetermined determination condition is a condition that is established when a special number of pattern variation games are executed without a jackpot after being controlled to the low probability state. The conditions include a first determination condition in the winning rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of the predetermined condition, and a second determination condition in the winning rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition, and the fluctuation pattern determination means determines a fluctuation pattern based on any one of a plurality of types of determination conditions as the first determination condition in the winning rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of the predetermined condition, while determining a fluctuation pattern based on the second determination condition in the winning rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition, and the fluctuation patterns that can be determined by the fluctuation pattern determination means when the jackpot lottery is not won include a miss fluctuation pattern that does not execute a reach performance and a miss reach fluctuation pattern that executes a reach performance, and the fluctuation patterns When the player does not win the big win lottery and determines the variation pattern based on the second determination condition, the pattern determination means does not determine the miss reach variation pattern, but determines the miss variation pattern, and the first determination condition is different between the variation pattern of the pattern variation game executed in response to the entry of a game ball into the first start ball entry port and the variation pattern of the pattern variation game executed in response to the entry of a game ball into the second start ball entry port, and the second determination condition is the same as the variation pattern of the pattern variation game executed in response to the entry of a game ball into the first start ball entry port and the variation pattern of the pattern variation game executed in response to the entry of a game ball into the second start ball entry port.

(6) In a gaming machine in which a jackpot game is awarded after a predetermined jackpot display result is displayed in a pattern change game, the gaming machine is provided with a first start ball entry port through which a gaming ball can enter, a second start ball entry port through which a gaming ball can enter, an opening/closing member that operates to take an open state in which a gaming ball can enter the second start ball entry port and a closed state in which a gaming ball cannot enter the second start ball entry port, a jackpot lottery means that draws a jackpot lottery in response to a gaming ball entering the first start ball entry port or a gaming ball entering the second start ball entry port, a fluctuation pattern determination means that determines a fluctuation pattern based on a predetermined determination condition, a gaming state control means that controls a gaming state, and a performance execution means that executes a performance, and the gaming states controlled by the gaming state control means include a low probability state, a high probability state, a non-ball entry rate improvement state, and a ball entry rate improvement state, and the high probability state is The game state is a state in which it is easier to win the jackpot lottery than the low probability state, and the ball entry rate improvement state is a game state in which a game ball is more likely to enter the second starting ball entry hole than the non-ball entry rate improvement state, and is a game state that may be controlled at least based on the establishment of a predetermined condition or based on the establishment of a specific condition, the predetermined condition being a condition that is established after the end of a jackpot game, and the specific condition being a condition that is established when a special number of pattern variation games are executed without a jackpot after being controlled to the low probability state, and the performance execution means executes a premonition performance regarding being controlled to the ball entry rate improvement state based on the establishment of the specific condition before being controlled to the ball entry rate improvement state based on the establishment of the specific condition, and the predetermined determination condition is controlled based on the establishment of the predetermined condition. There are a first determination condition in the winning rate improvement state, and a second determination condition in the winning rate improvement state that is controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition, and the fluctuation pattern determination means determines a fluctuation pattern based on any one of a plurality of types of determination conditions as the first determination condition in the winning rate improvement state that is controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition, while determining a fluctuation pattern based on the second determination condition in the winning rate improvement state that is controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition, and the fluctuation patterns that can be determined by the fluctuation pattern determination means in the case where the jackpot lottery is not won include a miss fluctuation pattern that does not execute a reach performance and a miss reach fluctuation pattern that executes a reach performance, and the fluctuation pattern determination means determines a fluctuation pattern based on the second determination condition in the case where the jackpot lottery is not won. When the fluctuation pattern is determined based on the condition, the miss reach fluctuation pattern is not determined, but the miss fluctuation pattern is determined, and the fluctuation pattern determination means determines the fluctuation pattern based on a special determination condition that is different from the determination condition in at least one of the multiple determination conditions as the first determination condition in the last pattern fluctuation game controlled to the hit rate improvement state in the hit rate improvement state in the hit rate improvement state, and the first determination condition is characterized in that the condition for determining the miss fluctuation pattern differs depending on the number of pattern fluctuation games whose execution is suspended, and the second determination condition is characterized in that the condition for determining the miss fluctuation pattern is the same regardless of the number of pattern fluctuation games whose execution is suspended.

A1...normal actuator, A2...special actuator, A3...distribution actuator, SE1...first start sensor, SE2...second start sensor, SE3...special winning sensor (special ball entry detection means), SE4...gate sensor, SE5...general winning sensor, SE6...special passing sensor, 10...pachinko game machine, 18...speaker, 20...game board, 21...game area, 22a...first special symbol display section (symbol change game execution means), 22b...second special symbol display section (symbol change game execution means), 27...effect display device (effect execution means, notification effect execution means), 28...first start port (first start ball entry port), 29...second start port (second start ball entry port), 30... Normal variable member (opening/closing means), 31...Big prize entrance (special ball entrance), 32...Special variable member (special opening/closing means), 33...Gate (normal starting ball entrance), 36...Special passing area, 37...Normal passing area, 38...Distribution member, 40...Main control board, 40a...Main control CPU (Big win lottery means, Big win type determination means, Variable pattern determination means, Game state control means, Normal win lottery means), 40b...Main control ROM, 40c...Main control RAM, 40d...RWM clear switch (Initialization operation means), 41...Sub-control board, 41a...Sub-control CPU (Performance control means, Performance mode control means), 41b...Sub-control ROM, 41c...Sub-control RAM, 60...Power supply unit.

Claims (2)

A first starting ball entry port through which a game ball can be entered;
A second starting ball entry port through which the game ball can enter;
a winning lottery drawing means for drawing a winning lottery in response to a game ball entering the first starting ball entry hole or a game ball entering the second starting ball entry hole;
a symbol variation game execution means for executing a symbol variation game in response to a game ball entering the first start ball entry hole or a game ball entering the second start ball entry hole;
A fluctuation pattern determination means for determining a fluctuation pattern based on a predetermined determination condition;
A game state control means for controlling a game state,
The game states controlled by the game state control means include a non-entry rate improvement state and an entry rate improvement state in which a game ball is more likely to enter the second start entry hole than in the non-entry rate improvement state,
The state of improving the ball-entry rate may be controlled based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, or based on the establishment of a specific condition different from the predetermined condition.
The predetermined condition is a condition that can be established by winning a jackpot in the winning lottery,
The specific condition is a condition that can be established by the occurrence of a specific event even if the player does not win the jackpot in the winning lottery,
The predetermined determination conditions include a first determination condition in the improved ball-scoring state that is controlled based on the establishment of the predetermined condition, and a second determination condition in the improved ball-scoring state that is controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition,
The fluctuation pattern determination means is capable of determining a fluctuation pattern based on any one of a plurality of types of determination conditions as the first determination condition in the ball-scoring rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of the predetermined condition, and is capable of determining a fluctuation pattern based on the second determination condition in the ball-scoring rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition;
In the case where a jackpot is not won in the winning lottery, the variation pattern that can be determined by the variation pattern determination means includes a miss variation pattern in which a reach performance is not executed, and a miss reach variation pattern in which a reach performance is executed,
When the big win is not won in the winning lottery and the fluctuation pattern is determined based on the second determination condition, the fluctuation pattern determination means does not determine the miss reach fluctuation pattern and determines the miss fluctuation pattern,
In the first determination condition, a condition for determining the losing variation pattern is different between a variation pattern of a pattern variation game executed in response to a game ball entering the first start ball entry hole and a variation pattern of a pattern variation game executed in response to a game ball entering the second start ball entry hole,
In the second determination condition, the condition for determining the miss variation pattern is the same for the variation pattern of a pattern variation game executed in response to a game ball entering the first starting ball entry port and the variation pattern of a pattern variation game executed in response to a game ball entering the second starting ball entry port. A first starting ball entry port through which a game ball can be entered;
A second starting ball entry port through which the game ball can enter;
a winning lottery drawing means for drawing a winning lottery in response to a game ball entering the first starting ball entry hole or a game ball entering the second starting ball entry hole;
a symbol variation game execution means for executing a symbol variation game in response to a game ball entering the first start ball entry hole or a game ball entering the second start ball entry hole;
A fluctuation pattern determination means for determining a fluctuation pattern based on a predetermined determination condition;
A game state control means for controlling a game state,
The game states controlled by the game state control means include a non-entry rate improvement state and an entry rate improvement state in which a game ball is more likely to enter the second start entry hole than in the non-entry rate improvement state,
The state of improving the ball-entry rate may be controlled based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, or based on the establishment of a specific condition different from the predetermined condition.
The predetermined condition is a condition that can be established by winning a jackpot in the winning lottery,
The specific condition is a condition that can be established by the occurrence of a specific event even if the player does not win the jackpot in the winning lottery,
The predetermined determination conditions include a first determination condition in the improved ball-scoring state that is controlled based on the establishment of the predetermined condition, and a second determination condition in the improved ball-scoring state that is controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition,
The fluctuation pattern determination means is capable of determining a fluctuation pattern based on any one of a plurality of types of determination conditions as the first determination condition in the ball-scoring rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of the predetermined condition, and is capable of determining a fluctuation pattern based on the second determination condition in the ball-scoring rate improvement state controlled based on the establishment of the specific condition;
In the case where a jackpot is not won in the winning lottery, the variation pattern that can be determined by the variation pattern determination means includes a miss variation pattern in which a reach performance is not executed, and a miss reach variation pattern in which a reach performance is executed,
When the big win is not won in the winning lottery and the fluctuation pattern is determined based on the second determination condition, the fluctuation pattern determination means does not determine the miss reach fluctuation pattern and determines the miss fluctuation pattern,
In the first determination condition, the condition for determining the losing variation pattern differs depending on the number of the symbol variation games whose execution is suspended,
In the second determination condition, the condition for determining the losing variation pattern is the same regardless of the number of the symbol variation games the execution of which is suspended.