Patent Abstract:
A gaming machine includes a game medium insertion section into which a plurality of kinds of game mediums is inserted, a game medium discrimination device discriminating a kind of game medium inserted into the game medium insertion section, an insertion sound output device outputting an insertion sound when the kind of game medium is discriminated by the game medium discrimination device, and an insertion sound control device controlling the insertion sound, to be outputted from the insertion sound output device, depending on the kind of game medium discriminated by the game medium discrimination device.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 2004-284771 and 2004-284773, filed on Sep. 29, 2004 and Nos. 2005-225375 and 2005-225414, filed on Aug. 3, 2005 in the Japanese Patent Office; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a gaming machine configured to accept a plurality of kinds of game mediums.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Gaming machines of the related art include a slot machine arranged to perform a notification effect on winning upon variation of a volume of a gaming sound. That is, as the winning occurs, an operation sound volume is varied to notify the winning every time a stop switch is actuated to stop reels, while when it is turned out that the winning is not determined, the operation sound volume is further varied in a subsequent stage giving notification that the wining is not yet determined (as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication No. 2002-355359 on pages 17 and 18 and in  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0006]     However, it has been not achieved to discriminate the kind of the inserted coins with the sound.  
         [0007]     Further, the gaming machines of the related art include a slot machine arranged to perform a notification effect on winning over a liquid crystal display device, or the like, provided on a front panel. Furthermore, with such a slot machine, after all the reels have been stopped, inserting a medal causes an insertion signal to be generated to make a start request for a subsequent game, enabling a player at his own discretion to close down a notification effect associated with the winning in mid-course thereof (as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication No. 2003-180921 on page 2).  
         [0008]     However, it has been not achieved to discriminate the kind of the inserted coins by closing the notification effect in mid-course thereof.  
         [0009]     Therefore, the present invention has been completed with the above view in mind and has an object to provide a gaming machine that is able to discriminate a kind of inserted coins with an insertion sound or an insertion image.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     According to the first feature of the present invention, a gaming machine (for instance, a slot machine  1 ) comprises a game medium insertion section (for instance, a coin insertion slot  9 ) through which a plurality of kinds of game mediums is inserted, a game medium discrimination device (for instance, a coin sensor  49 ) discriminating a kind of game medium inserted into the game medium insertion section, an insertion sound output device (for instance, speaker  80 ) outputting an insertion sound when the kind of game medium is discriminated by the game medium discrimination device, and an insertion sound control device (for instance, a sound control CPU  312 ) controlling the insertion sound, to be outputted from the insertion sound output device, depending on the kind of game medium discriminated by the game medium discrimination device.  
         [0011]     According to the second feature of the present invention, a gaming machine (for instance, a slot machine  1 ) comprises a game medium insertion section (for instance, a coin insertion section  9 ) through which a plurality of kinds of game mediums is inserted, a game medium discrimination device (for instance, a coin sensor  49 ) discriminating a kind of game medium inserted into the game medium insertion section, an insertion image output device (for instance, an upper liquid crystal display  3 ) outputting an insertion image when the kind of game medium is discriminated by the game medium discrimination device, and an insertion image control device (for instance, an image control CPU  83 ) controlling the insertion image, to be outputted from the insertion image output device, depending on the kind of game medium discriminated by the game medium discrimination device.  
         [0012]     Also, as used herein, the term “game medium” includes medal-shaped gaming media that include coins monetized from metal and alternative coins such as so-called gaming medals. Further, the term “game medium” includes “bills”.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart of a coin insertion effect process program.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a bet rate setting process program.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative view showing a coin insertion sound selection table.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an illustrative view showing a coin insertion image selection table.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative view showing a bet rate setting sound selection table.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is an illustrative view showing a bet rate setting image selection table.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are views showing display examples of an upper liquid crystal display, with  FIG. 7A  showing one example of an insertion image and  FIG. 7B  showing one example of a setting image.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a slot machine.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a front view of an operation table.  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram typically showing a control system of the slot machine.  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram typically showing a liquid crystal driving circuit of a liquid crystal display.  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is an illustrative view typically showing columns of symbols to be variably displayed over variable display devices in a base game.  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is an illustrative view showing winning combinations and associated awards.  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is an illustrative view showing a sortition table of stop and display symbols to be used when practicing the base game through the use of five variable display devices.  
         [0027]      FIG. 15  is a view showing stop and display areas of the five variable display devices, respectively.  
         [0028]      FIG. 16  is a view showing the first pay-line.  
         [0029]      FIG. 17  is a view showing the second pay-line.  
         [0030]      FIG. 18  is a view showing the third pay-line.  
         [0031]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart of a main process program.  
         [0032]      FIG. 20  is a flowchart of a start acceptance process program.  
         [0033]      FIG. 21  is a flowchart of a sortition process program.  
         [0034]      FIG. 22  is a flowchart of a base game process program.  
         [0035]      FIG. 23  is a flowchart of a bonus game process program.  
         [0036]      FIG. 24  is an illustrative view showing a sortition table for the stop and display symbols.  
         [0037]      FIG. 25  is an illustrative view typically sowing columns of symbols to be variably displayed over the variable display devices during a bonus game.  
         [0038]      FIG. 26  is a block diagram typically showing a sound output circuit for speaker.  
         [0039]      FIG. 27  is a block diagram typically showing a control system of the slot machine. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]     Hereunder, a gaming machine, according to the present invention, is described below in detail in connection with an embodiment, in which the present invention is concretized as a slot machine, with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a schematic structure of the slot machine of the presently filed embodiment is described with reference to FIGS.  8  to  10 .  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the slot machine.  FIG. 9  is a front view of an operation table.  FIG. 10  is a block diagram typically showing a control system of the slot machine.  
         [0041]     In  FIG. 8 , a slot machine  1  includes a cabinet  2  by which a whole of the slot machine  1  is formed. The cabinet  2  has a front and upper area, on which an upper liquid crystal display  3  is located, and a front and central area provided with a unit front panel  20  on which a lower liquid crystal display  4  is located. The upper liquid crystal display  3  is comprised of a general-purpose liquid crystal display and, also, the lower liquid crystal display  4  is comprised of the general-purpose liquid crystal display. The upper liquid crystal display  3  provides a display of information such as gaming processes, kinds and associated awards of winning combinations and various effects related to games and further provides a display of an insertion image, indicative of a kind of inserted coin and setting image indicative of a bet rate (a value of coin per 1 BET). As shown in  FIG. 8 , the lower liquid crystal display  4  provides a display of credits and fundamentally provides a display of five variable display devices  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  and  25 . Variable displays (hereinafter also referred to as “scrolling displays”) are provided in the various display devices  21  to  25 , respectively, while scrolling various symbols, described later, each in a direction from an upper area toward a lower area.  
         [0042]     Accordingly, with the slot machine  1  of the presently filed embodiment, slot-games (with a base game and a bonus game) are practiced with video reels realized upon displays of the variable display devices  21  to  25  in the lower liquid crystal display  4 . The games (with the base game and the bonus game) have three symbols to be stopped for display in the variable display devices  21  to  25 , respectively. That is, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the respective variable display devices  21  to  25  are divided into first stop display areas  211 ,  221 ,  231 ,  241 ,  251 , second stop display areas  212 ,  222 ,  232 ,  242 ,  252  and third stop display areas  213 ,  223 ,  233 ,  243 ,  253 , respectively, with the symbols being stopped and displayed in the stop display areas  211  to  213 ,  221  to  223 ,  231  to  233 ,  241  to  243 ,  251  to  253 , respectively.  
         [0043]     Further, the slot-games (with the base game and the bonus game) include twenty-five pay-lines formed of five areas in the stop display areas  211  to  213 ,  221  to  223 ,  231  to  233 ,  241  to  243 ,  251  to  253 , respectively. When activated, each pay-line allows a player to be awarded upon alignment of specified symbols on a specific mode when the symbols are stopped and displayed, respectively. Here, for the sake of simplicity in description, three among the twenty-five pay-lines concretely described with reference to FIGS.  16  to  18 . FIGS.  16  to  18  are views showing one pay-line in shaded portions.  
         [0044]     That is, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the first pay-line L 1  is formed of the second stop display areas  212 ,  222 ,  232 ,  242 , and  252 .  
         [0045]     Further, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the second pay-line L 2  is formed of the first stop display areas  211 ,  221 ,  231 ,  241 , and  251 .  
         [0046]     Likewise, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the third pay-line L 3  is formed of the third stop display areas  213 ,  223 ,  233 ,  243 , and  253 .  
         [0047]     Also, as used herein, those, among the twenty-five pay-lines, which are activated, refer to “activated pay-lines”.  
         [0048]     Turning back to  FIG. 8 , an operation table  5  is provided in a lower area of the lower liquid crystal display  4  so as to protrude in a front area thereof. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the operation table  5  has an upper stage on which a “COLLECT” button  31  and a “GAME RULES” button  32  are located in the leftmost area, an intermediate stage provided with a “BET1 PER LINE” button  33 , a “BET2 PER LINE” button  34 , a “BET3 PER LINE” button  35 , a “BET5 PER LINE” button  36 , a “BET8 PER LINE” button  37  and a “WIN START FEATURE” button  38  in this order from the leftmost side, and a lower stage provided with a “BET RATE” button  301 , a “RED PLAY1 LINE” button  39 , a “PLAY2 LINES” button  40 , a “PLAY5 LINES” button  41 , a “PLAY20 LINES” button  42 , a “BLACK PLAY25 LINES” button  43  and a “GAMBLE RESERVE” button  44 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a coin insertion slot  9  and a bill insertion slot  10  are provided on a right side of the operation table  5  and, in addition, a reader/writer  70  is located on the operation table  5  at a left and lower side thereof.  
         [0049]     The “COLLECT” button  31  plays a role as a button that is pressed at the end of the base game. As the “COLLECT” button  31  is pressed, the reader/writer  70  stores the number of credits, acquired in the games, in an IC card (not shown), thereby paying out the number of coins equivalent to the number of credits acquired in the games. Also, the “COLLECT” button  31  additionally includes a “COLLECT” switch  45  that is operative such that when the “COLLECT” button  31  is pressed, a switch signal, generated by the “COLLECT” switch  45 , is outputted to a CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0050]     The “GAME RULES” button  32  plays a role as a button that is pressed when an operational method or the like of the game is unclear. As the “GAME RULES” button  32  is pressed, a variety of help information are displayed in the upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4 . Also, the “GAME RULES” button  32  additionally includes a “GAME RULES” switch  46  that is operative such that when the “GAME RULES” button  32  is pressed, a switch signal, generated by the “GAME RULES” switch  46 , is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0051]     The coin insertion slot  9  is configured to allow the insertion of five kinds of coins such as a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, a 25-cent, a 50-cent coin and one-dollar coin. Based on diameters, thicknesses, and weights of coins being inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , a coin sensor  49  generates a coin detection signal, specifying the kind of an inserted coin, which in turn is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ), thereby permitting the credits to be added by the number of inserted coin. Also, the five kinds of coins, inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , are accumulated in a hopper (now shown) located inside the cabinet  2 . In contrast, if other coins than the coins of five kinds are inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , the coin sensor  49  distinguishes the relevant coins (see  FIG. 10 ), which in turn are returned from a coin payout opening  15  to a coin-receiving portion  16 .  
         [0052]     Further, the bill insertion slot  10  is provided with a bill sensor  67  that is able to discriminate a kind of bills based on widths, lengths and watermarks of bills, whereby as a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot  10 , the bill sensor  67  generates a bill detection signal that in turn is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ) to allow credits to be added by a value of inserted bills.  
         [0053]     The “BET1 PER LINE” button  33  plays a role as a button that every time the “BET1 PER LINE” button  33  is pressed, the pay-lines are activated by one, respectively. The “BET1 PER LINE” button  33  additionally includes a “1-BET” switch  57  that is operative such that when the “BET1 PER LINE” button  33  is pressed, the “1-BET” switch  57  generates a switch signal that in turn is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ). The “BET2 PER LINE” button  34  plays a role as a switch that when pressed, allows a game to start with two bets on the respective pay-lines. The “BET2 PER LINE” button  34  additionally includes a “2-BET” switch  58  that is operative such that when the “BET2 PER LINE” button  34  is pressed, a switch signal, generated by the “2-BET” switch  58 , is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0054]     The “BET3 PER LINE” button  35  plays a role as a button that when pressed, the pay-lines are activated by three bets. The “BET3 PER LINE” button  35  additionally includes a 3-BET switch  59  that is operative such that when the “BET3 PER LINE” button  35  is pressed, the 3-BET switch  59  generates a switch signal that in turn is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ). The “BET5 PER LINE” button  36  plays a role as a switch that when pressed, allows the game to start with five bets on the respective pay-lines. The “BET5 PER LINE” button  36  additionally includes a “5-BET” switch  60  that is operative such that when the “BET5 PER LINE” button  36  is pressed, a switch signal, generated by the “S-BET” switch  60 , is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0055]     The “BET8 PER LINE” button  37  plays a role as a button that when pressed, the pay-lines are activated by 8 bets. The “BET8 PER LINE” button  37  additionally includes a “8-BET” switch  61  that is operative such that when the “BET8 PER LINE” button  37  is pressed, the “8-BET” switch  61  generates a switch signal that in turn is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ). Accordingly, pressing “BET1 PER LINE” button  33 , the “BET2 PER LINE” button  34 , the “BET3 PER LINE” button  35 , the “BET5 PER LINE” button  36  and the “BET8 PER LINE” button  37  enables a player to make betting with a bet number in 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 bets.  
         [0056]     The “WIN START FEATURE” button  38  plays a role as a button to begin a bonus game while permitting an award, acquired in the bonus game, to be added to the credit. The “WIN START FEATURE” button  38  additionally includes a “WIN START” switch  47  that is operative such that when pressed, the “WIN START” switch  47  generates a switch signal that in turn is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0057]     The “BET RATE” button  301  plays a role as a button by which a “BET RATE” (a value of coin per one BET) is set. The “BET RATE” button  301  additionally includes a “BET RATE” switch  302  that is operative such that when pressed, the “BET RATE” switch  302  generates a switch signal that in turn is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ). Here, the “BET RATE” is described. As used herein, the term “BET RATE” is meant by the fact that the number of credits, needed for increasing the number of bets by one, is represented by the amount of coins and includes “5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” and “one dollar”. Each time the “BET RATE” button  301  is pressed, the “BET RATE” is cyclically altered in an order expressed as “5-cent”→“10-cent”→“25-cent”→“50-cent”→“one dollar”→“5-cent”→“10-cent”→ . . . .  
         [0058]     The “RED PLAY1 LINE” button  39  plays a role as a button by which a game is started with “1” activated pay-line. The “RED PLAY1 LINE” button  39  additionally includes a “1-LINE” switch  62  that is operative such that when pressed, the “1-LINE” switch  62  generates a switch signal that in turn is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ). Further, the “PLAY2 LINES” button  40  plays a role as a button by which the game is started with “2” activated pay-lines. The “PLAY2 LINES” button  40  additionally includes a “2-LINES” switch  63  operative such that when pressed, the “2-LINES” switch  63  generates a switch signal to be outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0059]     The “PLAY5 LINES” button  41  plays a role as a button by which the game is started with “5” activated pay-lines. The “PLAY5 LINES” button  41  additionally includes a “5-LINES” switch  64  operative such that when pressed, the “5-LINES” switch  64  generates a switch signal that in turn is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ). Further, a “PLAY20 LINES” button  42  plays a role as a button by which the game is started with “20” activated pay-lines. The “PLAY20 LINES” button  42  additionally includes a “20-LINES” switch  65  operative such that when pressed, the “20-LINES” switch  65  generates a switch signal that in turn is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0060]     The “BLACK PLAY25 LINES” button  43  plays a role as a button by which the game is started with “25” activated pay-lines. The “BLACK PLAY25 LINES” button  43  additionally includes a “25 LINES” switch  66  operative such that when pressed, the “25 LINES” switch  66  generates a switch signal that in turn is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0061]     With the “RED PLAY1 LINE” button  39  pressed, the pay-line L 1 , shown in  FIG. 16 , is activated. Further, if the “PLAY2 LINES” button  40  is pressed, the pay-lines L 1 , L 2 , shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , are activated. Furthermore, if the “PLAY5 LINES” button  41  is pressed, five wining lines, including the three pay-lines L 1  to L 3 , shown in FIGS.  16  to  18 , and two pay-lines (not shown), are activated. Moreover, if the “PLAY20 LINES” button  42  is pressed, twenty-five wining lines, including the three pay-lines L 1  to L 3  shown in FIGS.  16  to  18 , and twenty-two pay-lines (not shown) are activated.  
         [0062]     Accordingly, the number of activated pay-lines, available to be determined upon pressions of the “RED PLAY1 LINE” button  39 , the “PLAY2 LINES” button  40 , the “PLAY5 LINES” button  41 , the “PLAY20 LINES” button  42  and the “BLACK PLAY25 LINES” button  43 , is able to include “1”, “2”, “5”, “20” and “25”.  
         [0063]     Further, the “RED PLAY1 LINE” button  39 , the “PLAY2 LINES” button  40 , the “PLAY5 LINES” button  41 , the “PLAY20 LINES” button  42  and the “BLACK PLAY25 LINES” button  43  play roles as buttons that begin variable displays of respective symbols with the associated variable display devices  21  to  25  in the lower liquid crystal display  4 .  
         [0064]     Also, the “RED PLAY1 LINE” button  39  and the “BLACK PLAY25 LINES” button  43  are also used when selecting red and black colors during play in a double down game that is practiced using credits obtained in the bonus game.  
         [0065]     The “GAMBLE RESERVE” button  44  plays a role as a button that is pressed when leaving a seat or allows the game to shift to the double down game after the bonus game has been finished. The “GAMBLE RESERVE” button  44  additionally includes a “GAMBLE RESERVE” switch  48  operative such that when pressed, the “GAMBLE RESERVE” switch  48  generates a switch signal that in turn is outputted to the CPU  50  (see  FIG. 10 ).  
         [0066]     Further, the coin payout opening  15  is formed in the cabinet  2  at a lower area thereof in which the coin-receiving portion  16  is provided for receiving coins returned from the coin payout opening  15 .  
         [0067]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , description is made of exemplary symbols, to be variably displayed over the lower liquid crystal display device  4  during play in the base game, appearing upon scrolling of the respective variable display devices  21  to  25 . In  FIG. 12 , a column of symbols displayed on the first reel strip  101  represents a column of symbols that are variably displayed on the variable display device  21 ; a column of symbols displayed on the second reel strip  102  represents a column of symbols that are variably displayed on the variable display device  22 ; a column of symbols displayed on the third reel strip  103  represents a column of symbols that are variably displayed on the variable display device  23 ; a column of symbols displayed on the fourth reel strip  104  represents a column of symbols that are variably displayed on the variable display device  24 ; and a column of symbols displayed on the fifth reel strip  105  represents a column of symbols that are variably displayed on the variable display device  25 .  
         [0068]     Here, the columns of symbols shown on the reel strips  101  to  105  include layouts of the symbols different from each other, with each column of these symbols including twelve symbols in suitable combination of “LOBSTER”, “SHARK”, “FISH”, “PUNK”, “OCTOPUS”, “CRAB”, “WORM”, “A”, “K”, “Q”, “J” and “SARDINE”.  
         [0069]     As used herein, the term “LOBSTER” refers to a symbol of a lobster. Further, the terms “SHARK”, “FISH”, “PUNK”, “OCTOPUS”, “CRAB”, “WORM”, “A”, “K”, “Q”, “ ” and “SARDINE” represent symbols of a shark, a fish, a person with a guitar, an octopus, a crab, a worm and a sardine, respectively. Moreover, as used herein, the terms “A”, “K”, “Q” and “J” represent symbols of alphabetic characters, respectively.  
         [0070]     The symbol “SARDINE” plays a role as a scatter symbol to allow the game to shift to the bonus game, as described later. When three or more “SARDINE” symbols are stopped and displayed in combination on the variable display devices  21  to  25  regardless of the activated payline, the game is shifted to the bonus game.  
         [0071]     Also, under situations wherein the columns of the symbols shown on the reel strips  101  to  105  are stopped for display upon scrolling of the variable display devices  21  to  25  for display, the three symbols are caused to stop and displayed with the respective variable display devices.  
         [0072]     Further, a variety of winning combinations are preliminarily set for a plurality of kinds of combinations of the respective symbols as set forth above. An award is added to a credit depending on a winning combination, when a combination of the symbols associated with the winning combination is caused to stop on an activated pay-line, in the same manner as that of the related art slot machine, and description of the same is herein omitted.  
         [0073]     Now, a structure of a control system of the slot machine  1  is described with reference to  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  is a block diagram typically showing the control system of the slot machine  1 .  
         [0074]     In  FIG. 10 , the control system of the slot machine  1  is basically comprised of the CPU  50  as a core to which a ROM  51  and a RAM  52  are connected. The ROM  51  stores a main process program, a base game program, a bonus game program, a sortition table based on which symbols to be stopped for display of the base game are drawn, a sortition table on which symbols to be stopped and displayed on the bonus game are drawn, other various programs needed for the slot machine  1  to be controlled, and data tables, etc., which are described later. Also, the RAM  52  plays a role as a memory that temporarily stores various data calculated when the CPU  50  executes the various programs.  
         [0075]     Further, a clock pulse generating circuit  53 , which generates a train of reference clock pulses, and a frequency dividing circuit  54  are connected to the CPU  50 , to which a random number generating circuit  55 , by which a random number is generated, and a random number sampling circuit  56  are also connected. The random number, subjected to sampling through the random number sampling circuit  56 , is used for executing various sortitions on the winning combination, etc. In addition, connected to the CPU  50  are the “COLLECT” switch  45  additionally provided on the “COLLECT” button  31 , the “GAME/RULES” switch  46  additionally provided on the “GAME RULES” button  32 , the “1-BET” switch  57  additionally provided on the “BET1 PER LINE” button  33 , the “2-BET” switch  58  additionally provided on the “BET2 PER LINE” button  34 , the “3-BET” switch  59  additionally provided on the “BET3 PER LINE” button  35 , the “5-BET” switch  60  additionally provided on the “BET5 PER LINE” button  36 , the “8-BET” switch  61  additionally provided on the “BET8 PER LINE” button  37 , the “WIN/START” switch  47  additionally provided on the “WIN START FEATURE” button  38 , the “1-LINE” switch  62  additionally provided on the “RED PLAY1 LINE” button  39 , the “2-LINES” switch  63  additionally provided on the “PLAY2 LINES” button  40 , the “5-LINES” switch  64  additionally provided on the “PLAYS5 LNES” button  41 , the “20-LINES” switch  65  additionally provided on the “PLAY20 LINES” button  42 , the “25-LINES” switch  66  additionally provided on the “BLACK PLAY25 LINES” button  43 , the “GAMBLE RESERVE” switch  48  additionally provided on the “GAMBLE RESERVE” button  44 , and the “BET RATE” switch  302  additionally provided on the “BET RATE” button  301 . The CPU  50  performs control for executing various operations associated with the respective buttons in response to the switch signals outputted from the respective switches upon pressions thereof.  
         [0076]     Further, the coin sensor  49 , disposed in the coin insertion slot  9 , and the bill sensor  67 , disposed in the bill insertion slot  10 , are connected to the CPU  50 . The coin sensor  49  detects a kind of and amount of coins inserted from the coin insertion slot  9  to calculate the number of credits equivalent to the amount of coins inserted in response to the coin detection signal outputted from the coin sensor  49 . The bill sensor  67  detects a kind of and amount of bills inserted from the bill insertion slot  10  to allow the CPU  50  to calculate the number of credits equivalent to the amount of inserted bills in response to the bill detection signal outputted from the bill sensor  67 .  
         [0077]     The reader/writer  70  is connected to the CPU  50 . As a drive signal is outputted from the CPU  50  to the reader/writer  70 , the reader/writer  70  stores a given number of credits in an IC card (not shown), upon which a given number of coins are paid out. Also, the reader/writer  70  may be replaced with, for instance, a printing device that issues a receipt on which a given number of credits is printed.  
         [0078]     Moreover, the coin detector  73  is connected to the CPU  50  via an accumulation completion signal circuit  72 . The coin detector  73  is mounted inside the hopper (not shown) and upon detection of the hopper (not shown) being full of the accumulated coins, a full coin detection signal is outputted from the coin detector  73  to the accumulation completion signal circuit  72 , which in turn outputs an accumulation completion signal to the CPU  50 . In addition, the upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4  are connected to the CPU  50 , by which the upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4  are controlled.  
         [0079]     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the liquid crystal driving circuit  74  takes the form of a structure wherein a program ROM  81 , an image ROM  82 , an image control CPU  83 , a work RAM  84 , a video display processor (VDP)  85  and a video RAM  86 , etc., are mounted on a liquid crystal driving circuit board  87 . The program ROM  81  stores image control programs and various selection tables related to display contents of the upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4 . Further, the image ROM  82  stores dot data to form images such as, for instance, the columns of symbols on the reel strips  101  to  105 , shown in  FIG. 12 , which are displayed over the lower liquid crystal display  4  (or the variable display devices  21  to  25 ). Furthermore, the image control CPU  83  serves to determine images, to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4  from among dot data preliminarily stored in the image ROM  82  in response to parameters set by the CPU  50 , depending on the image control program preliminarily stored in the program ROM  81 . Moreover, the work RAM  84  is a temporary storage device used when executing the image control program with the image control CPU  83 . In addition, the VDP  85  serves to form images depending on displayed contents, determined by the image control CPU  83 , to be outputted to the upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4 , respectively. This allows the columns of the symbols, shown on the reel strips  101  to  105 , respectively, to be provided on the lower liquid crystal display  4  (or the variable display devices  21  to  25 ) in scrolling displays, thereby providing a display of insertion images and setting images over the upper liquid crystal display  3  in a manner as described below. Also, the video RAM  86  is a temporary storage device for use in forming an image with the VDP  85 .  
         [0080]     Further, LEDs  78  are connected to the CPU  50  via an LED driving circuit  77 . A large number of LEDs  78  are mounted on the front face of the slot machine  1  to be controllably turned on or turned off with the LED driving circuit  77  in response to drive signals from the CPU  50  when providing a variety of effects. Additionally, a speaker  80 , connected to the CPU  50  via a sound output circuit  79 , generates a variety of sound effects, when providing variable effects, in response to output signals from the sound output circuit  79 .  
         [0081]     As shown in  FIG. 26 , the sound output circuit  79  is comprised of a program ROM  313 , a sound ROM  314 , a sound control CPU  312 , a work RAM  315 , a sound source IC  316  and a power amplifier  317 , etc., which are mounted on a sound output circuit board  311 . The program ROM  313  stores a sound control program, related to an output of the speaker  80 , and various selection tables. Further, the sound ROM  314  stores musical scale data or the like for a sound to be outputted by the speaker  80 . Furthermore, the sound control CPU  312  serves to determine the sound, to be outputted from the speaker  80 , from among musical scale data, preliminarily stored in the sound ROM  314 , in accordance with the sound control program preliminarily stored in the program ROM  313 . Moreover, the work RAM  315  is a temporary storage device for use in executing the sound control program with the sound control program CPU  312 . Also, the sound source IC  316  creates a wide variety of tones. In addition, the power amplifier  317  serves to amplify the sound to be created by the sound source IC  316 . This allows the speaker  80  to reproduce the insertion sound and setting sounds in a manner as will be described later.  
         [0082]     Now, referring to  FIG. 14 , description is made of the sortition table for use in determining the symbols to be stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line L 1 , shown in  FIG. 16 , when playing a base game using the five variable display devices  21  to  25  in the slot machine  1 .  FIG. 14  is an illustrative view showing the sortition table of the stop and display symbols for use in playing on the base game using the five variable display devices.  
         [0083]     The symbols, stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line defined by the second stop display areas  212 ,  222 ,  232 ,  242 , and  252  of the variable display devices  21  to  25 , are determined for the variable display devices  21  to  25 , respectively. To this end, code Nos. from “00” to “29” are allotted to the symbols on the reel strips  101  to  105  as shown in  FIG. 12 , and on the other hand, a sortition table, shown in  FIG. 14 , is prepared. The five random numbers, associated with the respective variable display devices  21  to  25 , are subjected to the sampling via the random number sampling circuit  56 .  
         [0084]     Speaking of the column of the symbols designated on the first reel strip  101 , shown in  FIG. 12 , to be provided in scrolling display on the variable display device  21 , if the random number value, resulting upon sampling with the random number sampling circuit  56 , represents “0”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “J”, to which the code No. “00” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “1”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “Q”, to which the code No. “01” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “2”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “LOBSTER”, to which the code No. “02” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “3”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “3”, to which the code No. “03” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “4”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “Q”, to which the code No. “04” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “5”, a symbol “CRAB”, to which the code No. “05” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “6”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “A”, to which the code No. “06” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “7”, a symbol “WORM”, to which the code No. “07” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “8”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “K”, to which the code No. “08” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “9”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “FISH”, to which the code No. “09” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “10”, a symbol (PERSON WITH GUITAR) “PUNK”, to which the code No. “10” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line.  
         [0085]     Further, if the relevant random number value represents “11”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “Q”, to which the code No. “11” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “12”, a symbol “SHARK”, to which the code No. “12” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “13”, a symbol “CRAB”, to which the code No. “13” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “14”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “K”, to which the code No. “14” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “15”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “A”, to which the code No. “15” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “16”, a symbol “OCTOPUS”, to which the code No. “16” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “17”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “J”, to which the code No. “17” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “18”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “Q”, to which the code No. “18” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “19”, a symbol “FISH”, to which the code No. “19” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line.  
         [0086]     Further, if the relevant random number value represents “20”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “K”, to which the code No. “20” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “21”, a symbol (alphabetic character) “J”, to which the code No. “21” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “22”, a symbol “SARDINE”, to which the code No. “22” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “23”, a symbol “CRAB”, to which the code No. “23” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “24”, a symbol “J” (alphabetic character), to which the code No. “24” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “25”, a symbol “WORM”, to which the code No. “25” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “26”, a symbol “Q” (alphabetic character), to which the code No. “26” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “27”, a symbol “CRAB”, to which the code No. “27” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “28”, a symbol “A” (alphabetic character), to which the code No. “28” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line. If the relevant random number value represents “29”, a symbol “FISH”, to which the code No. “29” is allotted, is stopped and displayed on the relevant activated pay-line.  
         [0087]     Also, these controls are similarly performed for the column of symbols, designated on the second reel strip  102 , to be provided in scrolling display with the variable display device  22 , the column of symbols, designated on the third reel strip  103  shown in  FIG. 12 , to be provided in scrolling display with the variable display device  23 , the column of symbols, designated on the fourth reel strip  104  shown in  FIG. 12 , to be provided in scrolling display with the variable display device  24 , and the column of symbols, designated on the fifth reel strip  105  shown in  FIG. 12 , to be provided in scrolling display with the variable display device  25 .  
         [0088]     Next, the winning combination and the associated award are described with reference to  FIG. 13  in respect of a case wherein a base game is practiced using the five variable display devices  21  to  25  in the slot machine  1 .  FIG. 13  is an illustrative view showing the winning combination and the associated award for the case wherein the base game is practiced using the five variable display devices and shows a case wherein the number of bet is “1”. Accordingly, if the number of bet is “1”, a value of the credit, shown in  FIG. 13 , is added to the credit and if the number of bet is “2”, a value, resulting from multiplying the value of award, shown in  FIG. 13 , by the number of bet, is added to the credit.  
         [0089]     Now, concrete description is made of the winning combination and the associated award for the case wherein the base game is executed. Saying of the symbol “LOBSTER”, as shown in  FIG. 13 , an award “10” is obtained when the relevant symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed in alignment with the activated pay-line on the variable display devices  21  and  22  (in case of “2K” wherein the two symbols consecutively appear from a left end). Further, an award “320” is obtained when the relevant symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed in alignment with the activated pay-line on the variable display devices  21  to  23  (in case of “3K” wherein the three symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “2500” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed in alignment with the activated pay-line on the variable display devices  21  to  24  (in case of “4K” wherein the four symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Furthermore, an award “6000” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed in alignment with the activated pay-line on the variable display devices  21  to  25  (in case of “5K” wherein the five symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, saying of the symbol “SHARK”, an award “3” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  and  22  (in case of “2K” wherein the two symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “25” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  23  (in case of “3K” wherein the three symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “150” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  24  (in case of “4K” wherein the four symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Furthermore, an award “1000” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  25  (in case of “5K” wherein the five symbols consecutively appear from the left end).  
         [0090]     Further, saying of the symbol “FISH”, an award “2” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  and  22  (in case of “2K” wherein the two symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “15” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  23  (in case of “3K” wherein the three symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “120” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  24  (in case of “4K” wherein the four symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Furthermore, an award “500” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed in the activated pay-line on the variable display devices  21  to  25  (in case of “5K” wherein the five symbols consecutively appear from the left end).  
         [0091]     Further, saying of the symbol “PUNK” (person with guitar), an award “2” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  and  22  (in case of “2K” wherein the two symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “10” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  23  (in case of “3K” wherein the three symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “120” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  24  (in case of “4K” wherein the four symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Furthermore, an award “400” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  25  (in case of “5K” wherein the five symbols consecutively appear from the left end).  
         [0092]     Further, saying of the symbol “OCTOPUS”, an award “2” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  and  22  (in case of “2K” wherein the two symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “8” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  23  (in case of “3K” wherein the three symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “50” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  24  (in case of “4K” wherein the four symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Furthermore, an award “300” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  25  (in case of “5K” wherein the five symbols consecutively appear from the left end).  
         [0093]     Further, saying of the symbol “CRAB”, an award “7” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  23  (in case of “3K” wherein the three symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “50” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  24  (in case of “4K” wherein the four symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Furthermore, an award “200” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  25  (in case of “5K” wherein the fifth symbols consecutively appear from the left end).  
         [0094]     Further, saying of the symbol “WORM”, an award “6” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  23  (in case of “3K” wherein the three symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “40” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  24  (in case of “4K” wherein the four symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Furthermore, an award “150” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  25  (in case of “5K” wherein the five symbols consecutively appear from the left end).  
         [0095]     Further, saying of the symbol “A” (alphabetic character), an award “5” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  23  (in case of “3K” wherein the three symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “25” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  24  (in case of “4K” wherein the four symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Furthermore, an award “120” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  25  (in case of “5K” wherein the five symbols consecutively appear from the left end).  
         [0096]     Further, saying of the symbol “K” (alphabetic character), an award “5” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  23  (in case of “3K” wherein the three symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “25” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  24  (in case of “4K” wherein the four symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Furthermore, an award “120” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  25  (in case of “5K” wherein the five symbols consecutively appear from the left end).  
         [0097]     Further, saying of the symbol “Q” (alphabetic character), an award “5” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  23  (in case of “3K” wherein the three symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “20” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  24  (in case of “4K” wherein the four symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Furthermore, an award “100” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line on the variable display devices  21  to  25  (in case of “5K” wherein the five symbols consecutively appear from the left end).  
         [0098]     Further, saying of the symbol “J” (alphabetic character), an award “5” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  23  (in case of “3K” wherein the three symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Further, an award “20” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  24  (in case of “4K” wherein the four symbols consecutively appear from the left end). Furthermore, an award “100” is obtained when the symbols are consecutively stopped and displayed on the activated pay-line in the variable display devices  21  to  25  (in case of “5K” wherein the five symbols consecutively appear from the left end).  
         [0099]     With the awards resulting from these symbols in alignment with the activated pay-lines, a total value of all the awards are added to the credit.  
         [0100]     In the meanwhile, saying of the symbol “SARDINE”, an award “2” is obtained in case of “2K” wherein the two symbols appear (in stop and display) on the variable display devices  21  to  25  regardless of the activated pay-line; an award “5” is obtained in case of “3K” wherein three symbols appear (in stop and display); an award “10” is obtained in case of “4K” wherein the four symbols appear (in stop and display); and an award “125” is obtained in case of “5K” wherein the five symbols appear (in stop and display).  
         [0101]     Also, only the award, resulting from the symbol “SARDINE”, allows a payout, obtained by a value of the award, shown in  FIG. 13 , multiplied by a total number of bets (a product of the number of bets multiplied by the number of activated pay-lines), to be added to the credit. In this moment, if an award also arises from the symbol aside from the symbol “SARDINE”, such an award is also added to the credit.  
         [0102]     Further, in respect of the symbol “SARDINE”, if three or more symbols appear (in stop and display), the award, set forth above, is obtained regardless of the activated pay-line on the variable display devices  21  to  25 , enabling the operation to shift to the bonus game.  
         [0103]     Further, as used herein, the term “bonus game” refers to a game that is practiced after the base games have been conducted and there are many probabilities in general for a player to win on bonus games with advantages. Here, upon a shift to the bonus games, 15 to 25 games are automatically practiced, without betting credits or the like, depending on sortition outcomes during the transition to the bonus game.  
         [0104]     By the way, when practicing the bonus game in the slot machine  1  of the presently filed embodiment, the column of the symbols, to be variably displayed over the scrolling variable display device  21  of the lower liquid crystal display  4 , corresponds to the column of the symbols designated on the first reel strip  123  shown in  FIG. 25 ; the column of the symbols, to be variably displayed over the scrolling variable display device  22  of the lower liquid crystal display  4 , corresponds to the column of the symbols designated on the second reel strip  124  shown in  FIG. 25 ; the column of the symbols variably, to be variably displayed over the scrolling variable display device  23  of the lower liquid crystal display  4 , corresponds to the column of the symbols designated on the third reel strip  125  shown in  FIG. 25 ; the column of the symbols variably, to be variably displayed over the scrolling variable display device  24  of the lower liquid crystal display  4 , corresponds to the column of the symbols designated on the fourth reel strip  126  shown in  FIG. 25 ; and the column of the symbols, to be variably displayed over the scrolling variable display device  25  of the lower liquid crystal display  4 , corresponds to the column of the symbols designated on the fifth reel strip  127  shown in  FIG. 25 .  
         [0105]     The columns of the symbols, designated on the reel strips  123  to  126  shown in  FIG. 25 , are identical to the columns of the symbols designated on the reel strips  101  to  104  shown in  FIG. 12 , which is used in the base game. On the contrary, the column of the symbols designated on the reel strip  127  shown in  FIG. 25  is identical to the column of the symbols designated on the reel strip  105 , shown in  FIG. 12 , which is used in the base game with the exception of the symbol “LOBSTER” to which the code No. “10” is allotted  
         [0106]     Also, the number of bets and the number of activated pay-lines at the time of the transition to the bonus game remains in the bonus game. Further, although the winning combination and the award used in the bonus game, are identical to those used in the base game mentioned above, the symbol “SHARK” is treated as the symbol “LOBSTER” and a play can be shifted to the bonus game again under situations where the three symbols “SARDINE” appear (in stop and display). Consequently, the player is able to have a lot of chances to get a large amount of credits.  
         [0107]     Next, a main process program, to be executed with the slot machine  1 , is described below with reference to  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 19  is a flowchart of the main process program. In  FIG. 19 , a start acceptance process, shown in  FIG. 20  to be described below, is executed in step S (hereinafter abbreviated as “S”)  11 . The start acceptance process represents a process that allows the CPU  50  to accept switch signals delivered from the “1-BET” switch  57 , the “2-BET” switch  58 , the “3-BET” switch  59 , the “5-BET” switch  60 , the “8-BET” switch  61 , the “1-LINE” switch  62 , the “2-LINES” switch  63 , the “5-LINES” switch  64 , the “20-LINES” switch  65 , the “25-LINES” switch  66  and the “BET RATE” switch  302  depending on the results on operations through the “BET1 PER LINE” button  33 , the “BET2 PER LINE” button  34 , the “BET3 PER LINE” button  35 , the “BET5 PER LINE” button  36 , the “BET8 PER LINE” button  37 , the “RED PLAY1 LINE” button  39 , the “PLAY2 LINES” button  40 , the “PLAY5 LINES” button  41 , the “PLAY20 LINES” button  42 , the “BLACK PLAY25 LINES” button  43  or the “BET RATE” button  301 , respectively.  
         [0108]     In S 12 , a sortition process, shown in  FIG. 21  to be described later, is executed.  
         [0109]     Also, if the winning occurs for shifting to the bonus game, a repetition frequency of the bonus games is determined. For example, the repetition frequency is selected from any of 10 to 25 games upon execution of the sortition.  
         [0110]     In succeeding step S 13 , a base game process, shown in  FIG. 22  to be described below, is executed. Subsequently, the operation proceeds to step S 14  to make discrimination as to whether or not the winning occurs for shifting to the bonus game. More particularly, under circumstances where the sortition process in S 12  reveals that three or more symbols “SARDINE” totally appear (in stop and display) on the variable display devices  21  to  25  regardless of the activated pay-line, the winning occurs for shifting to the bonus game (with “YES” in S 14 ) and the operation goes to S 15  thereby completing this main process program after a bonus game process, shown in  FIG. 23  to be described later, has been completed. On the contrary, during the sortition process in S 12 , if three or more symbols “SARDINE” totally do not appear (in stop and display) on the variable display devices  21  to  25  regardless of the activated pay-line, no winning occurs for shifting to the bonus game (with “NO” in S 14 ), thereby completing this main process program.  
         [0111]     Now, the start acceptance process program, to be executed with the slot machine  1 , is described below with reference to  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 20  is a flowchart of the start acceptance process program. The start acceptance process program is executed in S 11  for the main process program, shown in  FIG. 19  mentioned above, and to this end, the operation goes to S 21 , shown in  FIG. 20 , to make discrimination as to whether or not a predetermined time interval (of, for instance, 15 seconds) has elapsed. This discrimination is executed based on an output of the clock pulse generating circuit  53 . In this moment, if discrimination is made that no predetermined time interval has elapsed (with “NO” in S 21 ), the operation goes to S 23  doing nothing. In contrast, if discrimination is made that the predetermined time interval has elapsed (with “YES” in S 21 ), the operation is executed in S 22  to perform demo effects on the upper liquid crystal display  3  and the lower liquid crystal display  4 , respectively, after which the operation goes to S 23 .  
         [0112]     In S 23 , discrimination is made whether or not a coin (any of five kinds of coins involving a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin and one dollar coin) is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 . This discrimination is executed based on a coin detection signal delivered from the coin sensor  49 . In this moment, if discrimination is made that the coin (any of five kinds of coins involving a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin and one dollar coin) is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9  (with “YES” in S 23 ), a coin insertion effect process, shown in  FIG. 1  described below, is executed in S 24 , after which the operation goes to S 25 . In contrast, if discrimination is made that no coin (any of five kinds of coins involving a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin and one dollar coin) is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9  (with “NO” in S 23 ), nothing is done and the operation goes to S 25 .  
         [0113]     In S 25 , discrimination is made whether or not the “BET RATE” button  301  is pressed. This discrimination is executed based on a switch signal delivered from the “BET RATE” switch  302 . In this moment, if discrimination is made that the “BET RATE” button  301  is pressed (with “YES” in S 25 ), the operation is executed in S 26  to perform a bet rate setting effect process, shown in  FIG. 2  mentioned below, after which the operation goes to S 27 . On the contrary, if discrimination is made that no “BET RATE” button  301  is pressed (with “NO” in S 25 ), nothing is done and the operation goes to S 27 .  
         [0114]     In S 27 , discrimination is made whether or not any of the “BET” buttons  33  to  37  such as the “BET1 PER LINE” button  33 , the “BET2 PER LINE” button  34 , the “BET3 PER LINE” button  35 , the “BET5 PER LINE” button  36  and the “BET8 PER LINE” button  37 . This discrimination is executed based on a switch signal delivered from any of the “1-BET” switch  57 , the “2-BET” switch  58 , the “3-BET” switch  59 , the “5-BET” switch  60  and the “8-BET” switch  61 . In this moment, if discrimination is made that none of the BET buttons  33  to  37  is pressed (with “NO” in S 27 ), the operation is routed back to S 21  to repeatedly execute the operations set forth above. On the contrary, if discrimination is made that any of the “BET” buttons  33  to  37  is pressed (with “YES” in S 27 ), the operation is executed in S 28  to set the number of bets for the respective activated pay-lines based on those of the BET buttons  33  to  37  being pressed.  
         [0115]     In S 29 , discrimination is made whether or not any of the “PLAY” buttons  39  to  43 , such as the “RED PLAY1 LINE” button  39 , the “PLAY2 LINES” button  40 , the “PLAY5 LINES” button  41 , the “PLAY20 LINES” button  42  and the “BLACK PLAY25 LINES” button  43 , is pressed. This discrimination is executed based on a switch signal delivered from any of the “1-LINE” switch  62 , the “2-LINES” switch  63 , the “5-LINES” switch  64 , the “20-LINES” switch  65  and the “25-LINES” switch  66 . In this moment, if discrimination is made that none of the “PLAY” buttons  39  to  43  is pressed (with “NO” in S 29 ), the operation is routed back to S 21  to repeatedly execute the operations set forth above. On the contrary, if discrimination is made that any of the “PLAY” buttons  39  to  43  is pressed (with “YES” in S 29 ), the operation is executed in S 30  to set the number of activated pay-lines based on pressed ones of the “PLAY” buttons  39  to  43 , upon which the operation goes to S 30 - 2 .  
         [0116]     In S 30 - 2 , discrimination is made whether or not a combination of various start conditions is active. This discrimination is made by judging whether or not the combination of the various start conditions, formed of the bet rate, the number of bets for the respective pay-lines and the number of activated pay-lines set in the process set forth above, is established with the number of current credits. When established with the number of current credits, the combination of the various start conditions is made active and if not, the combination of the various start conditions is made inactive. When this takes place, if discrimination is made that the combination of the various start conditions is made inactive (with “NO” in S 30 - 2 ), the operation is routed back to S 21  for repeatedly executing the operations set forth above. In contrast, if discrimination is made that the combination of the various start conditions is made active (with “YES” in S 30 - 2 ), the operation goes to S 30 - 3  for determining the various conditions for the bet rate, the bet rate for each activated pay-line and the number of activated pay-lines and even in the course of the demo effects mentioned above, the operation is returned to the main process program, shown in  FIG. 19  described above, upon which the operation proceeds to the sortition process in S 12 .  
         [0117]     Next, the coin insertion effect process program, to be executed in S 24  shown in  FIG. 20  described above, is described with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a flowchart of the coin insertion effect process program. That is, the coin insertion effect process program is executed in S 24  of the start acceptance process program, shown in  FIG. 20  mentioned above, and to this end, the operation initially goes to S 101  to obtain kinds of coins (any of five kinds of coins involving a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin and one dollar coin) inserted into the coin insertion slot  9  in response to the coin detection signal delivered from the coin sensor  49 .  
         [0118]     If the operation goes to S 102  after the operation has been executed in S 101 , the speaker  80  is activated to output insertion sounds depending on the kind of inserted coins (any of five kinds of coins involving a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin and one dollar coin). When this takes place, the CPU  50  commands the sound control CPU  312  to select the insertion sounds based on the coin insertion sound selection table  351  described in  FIG. 3 , causing the resulting insertion sound to be outputted from the speaker  80 . Concretely speaking, if a 5-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , then the sound control CPU  312  selects the first insertion sound and the first insertion sound is outputted from the speaker  80 . If a 10-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , then the sound control CPU  312  selects the second insertion sound and the second insertion sound is outputted from the speaker  80 . If a 25-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , then the sound control CPU  312  selects the third insertion sound and the third insertion sound is outputted from the speaker  80 . If a 50-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , then the sound control CPU  312  selects the fourth insertion sound and the fourth insertion sound is outputted from the speaker  80 . If one dollar coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , then the sound control CPU  312  selects the fifth insertion sound and the fifth insertion sound is outputted from the speaker  80 .  
         [0119]     One example of the insertion sound, to be outputted from the speaker  80 , includes a voice to notify a player with information of a kind of inserted coins, a sound effect depending on the kind of inserted coins.  
         [0120]     If the kind of coin inserted into the coin insertion slot  9  is a 5-cent coin, then the content of a voice to be outputted for informing the kind of coin includes an output of the speaker  80  notifying a player with “FIVE-CENT COIN HAS BEEN INSERTED”. If a 10-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , then a voice “TEN-CENT COIN HAS BEEN INSERTED” is outputted from the speaker  80 . If a 25-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , then a voice “TWENTY FIVE-CENT COIN HAS BEEN INSERTED” is outputted from the speaker  80 . If a 50-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , then a voice “FIFTY-CENT COIN HAS BEEN INSERTED” is outputted from the speaker  80 . If one dollar coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , then a voice “ONE DOLLAR COIN HAS BEEN INSERTED” is outputted from the speaker  80 .  
         [0121]     Further, if the kind of coin inserted into the coin insertion slot  9  is a 5-cent coin, the content of the sound effect depending on the kind of the coin includes an output of the speaker  80  giving a ring of a bell outputted one time. If a 10-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , the ring of a bell is outputted from the speaker  80  twice. If a 25-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , the ring of a bell is outputted from the speaker  80  three times. If a 50-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , the ring of a bell is outputted from the speaker  80  four times. If one dollar coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , the ring of a bell is outputted from the speaker  80  five times. Further, in an alternative, the kind of coins may be correlated to different melodies (insertion sounds) on one-to-one level to allow the speaker  80  to output the melodies in correspondence with the kinds of the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , respectively.  
         [0122]     Also, the coin insertion sound selection table  351  is stored in the sound ROM  314  mounted on the sound output circuit board  311 .  
         [0123]     With such a structure mentioned above, the sound control CPU  312  plays a role as an “insertion sound controller” when executing the operation in S 102 .  
         [0124]     If the operation goes to S 103  after the operation has been executed in S 102 , the upper liquid crystal display  3  provides a display of insertion images depending on the kinds of inserted coins (any of five kinds of coins involving a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin and one dollar coin). When this takes place, the CPU  50  commands the image control CPU  83  to select an insertion image based on the coin insertion image selection table  352  described in  FIG. 4 , thereby permitting the insertion image to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 . More particularly, if the kind of the coin inserted into the coin insertion slot  9  is a 5-cent coin, the image control CPU  83  selects the first insertion image, which in turn is displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 . If a 10-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , the image control CPU  83  selects the second insertion image, which in turn is displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 . If a 25-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , the image control CPU  83  selects the third insertion image, which in turn is displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 . If a 50-cent coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , the image control CPU  83  selects the fourth insertion image, which in turn is displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 . If one dollar coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , the image control CPU  83  selects the fifth insertion image, which in turn is displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 .  
         [0125]      FIG. 7A  shows one example of an insertion image to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 .  FIG. 7A  is a view showing one example of the first insertion image to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3  under a situation where the kind of coin inserted into the coin insertion slot  9  is a 5-cent coin. The first insertion image, shown in  FIG. 7A , is comprised of a display frame  3   a  displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 , a character “COIN” displayed within the display frame  3   a , a display frame  3   b  displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 , and a character “5¢” displayed within the display frame  3   b . Such a concept may be similarly applied to the other insertion images, though not shown. One example of the second insertion image has a character “10¢” displayed within the display frame  3   b ; one example of the third insertion image has a character “25¢” displayed within the display frame  3   b ; one example of the fourth insertion image has a character “50¢” displayed within the display frame  3   b ; and one example of the fifth insertion image has a character “1$” displayed within the display frame  3   b . Further, in an alternative, the kinds of all different coins may be correlated to different images (insertion images) on one-to-one level, respectively, to allow an image, present in correspondence to the kind of coin inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 .  
         [0126]     Moreover, the coin insertion image selection table  352  is stored in the image ROM  82  mounted on the liquid crystal driving circuit board  87 .  
         [0127]     Thus, the image control CPU  83  plays a role as an “insertion image control device” when executing the operation in S 103 .  
         [0128]     The bet rate setting effect process program to be executed in S 26  shown in  FIG. 20 , set forth above, is described with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a flowchart of the bet rate setting effect process program. That is, the bet rate setting effect process program is executed in S 26  on the start acceptance process program shown in  FIG. 20  and, to this end, the operation goes to S 111 , shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein the operation is executed to obtain the bet rate (any of “5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” and “one dollar”) set in the “BET RATE” button  301  based on the switch signal from the “BET RATE” switch  302 .  
         [0129]     As the operation goes to S 112  after the operation has been executed in S 111  set forth above, the speaker  80  outputs an insertion sound depending on the bet rate (any of “5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” and “one dollar”). When this takes place, the CPU  50  commands the sound control CPU  312  to select a setting sound based on the bet rate setting sound selection table  353 , described in  FIG. 5 , to allow the setting sound to be outputted from the speaker  80 . More particularly, under circumstances where the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “5-cent”, the sound control CPU  312  selects the first setting sound, which in turn is outputted from the speaker  80 . When the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “10-cent”, the sound control CPU  312  selects the second setting sound, which in turn is outputted from the speaker  80 . When the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “25-cent”, the sound control CPU  312  selects the third setting sound, which in turn is outputted from the speaker  80 . When the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “50-cent”, the sound control CPU  312  selects the fourth setting sound, which in turn is outputted from the speaker  80 . When the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “one dollar”, the sound control CPU  312  selects the fifth setting sound, which in turn is outputted from the speaker  80 .  
         [0130]     One example of the setting sounds, to be outputted from the speaker  80 , may include a voice notifying the bet rate, a sound effect associated with the bet rate, etc.  
         [0131]     If the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “5-cent”, the content of the voice, by which the bet rate is notified, the speaker  80  is allowed to output a voice “BET RATE WITH 5-CENT IS SET”. If the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “10-cent”, a voice “BET RATE WITH 10-CENT IS SET” is outputted from the speaker  80 . If the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “25-cent”, a voice “BET RATE WITH 25-CENT IS SET” is outputted from the speaker  80 . If the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “50-cent”, a voice “BET RATE WITH 50-CENT IS SET” is outputted from the speaker  80 . If the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “one dollar”, a voice “BET RATE WITH ONE DOLLAR IS SET” is outputted from the speaker  80 .  
         [0132]     Further, if the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “5-cent”, for instance, the content of a sound effect associated with the bet rate allows the speaker  80  to output a sound tone of a drum once. If the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “10-cent”, for instance, the speaker  80  outputs sound tones of the drum twice. If the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “25-cent”, for instance, the speaker  80  outputs sound tones of the drum three times. If the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “50-cent”, for instance, the speaker  80  outputs sound tones of the drum four times. If the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “one dollar”, for instance, the speaker  80  outputs sound tones of the drum five times. Moreover, all the different melodies (setting sounds) may be correlated to the bet rates on one-to-one level, respectively, to allow the speaker  80  to output a melody in correspondence to the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301 .  
         [0133]     Also, the bet rate setting sound selection table  353  is stored in the sound ROM  314  mounted on the sound output circuit board  311 .  
         [0134]     Thus, the sound control CPU  312  plays a role as a “setting sound control device” when executing the operation in S 112 .  
         [0135]     As the operation goes to S 113  after the operation has been executed in S 112  set forth above, the upper liquid crystal display  3  provides a display of the setting image associated with the bet rate (any of “5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” and “one dollar”). When this takes place, the CPU  50  commands the image control CPU  83  to select a setting image based on the bet rate setting image selection table  354 , described in  FIG. 6 , to allow the setting image to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 . More particularly, under circumstances where the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “5-cent”, the image control CPU  83  selects the first setting image, which in turn is displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 . When the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “10-cent”, the image control CPU  83  selects the second setting image, which in turn is displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 . When the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “25-cent”, the image control CPU  83  selects the third setting image, which in turn is displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 . When the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “50-cent”, the image control CPU  83  selects the fourth setting image, which in turn is displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 . When the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301  is “one dollar”, the image control CPU  83  selects the fifth setting image, which in turn is displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 .  
         [0136]      FIG. 7B  shows one example of the setting image to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 .  FIG. 7B  is a view showing one example of the fifth setting image to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3  under a situation where the bet rate, set with the “BET RATE” button  301 , is “1$”. The fifth setting image, shown in  FIG. 7B , is comprised of a display frame  3   c  provided in display over the upper liquid crystal display  3 , a character “BET RATE” displayed within the display frame  3   c , a display frame  3   d  provided in display over the upper liquid crystal display  3 , and a character “1$” displayed within the display frame  3   d . Such a concept may be similarly applied to the other setting images, though not shown, and the first setting image may have a character “5¢” to be displayed within the display frame  3   d ; the second setting image may have a character “10¢” to be displayed within the display frame  3   d ; and the third setting image may have a character “50¢” to be displayed within the display frame  3   d . Further, in an alternative, all the different images (setting images) may be correlated to the bet rates on one-to-one level, respectively, to allow an image, present in correspondence to the bet rate set with the “BET RATE” button  301 , to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 .  
         [0137]     Moreover, the bet rate setting image selection table  354  is stored in the image ROM  82  mounted on the liquid crystal driving circuit board  87 .  
         [0138]     Thus, the image control CPU  83  plays a role as a “setting image control device” when executing the operation in S 113 .  
         [0139]     The sortition process program, to be executed with the slot machine  1 , is described with reference to  FIG. 21 .  FIG. 21  is a flowchart of the sortition process program. The sortition process program is executed in S 12  of the main process program shown in  FIG. 19 , set forth above, and to this end, the operation goes to S 31 , shown in  FIG. 21 , wherein a symbol determination process is executed. Here, with the base game, symbols, to be stopped and displayed in alignment with the first pay-line L 1 , are determined for the variable display devices  21  to  25 , respectively. More particularly, five random numbers are subjected to the sampling with the random number sampling circuit  56  in correlation to the respective variable display devices  21  to  25  as set forth above, thereby determining stop and display symbols based on the sortition table shown in  FIG. 14  in terms of the code No. As a symbol to be stopped and displayed in alignment with the activated pay-line is determined, a combination determination process is executed in S 32  after which the operation is returned to the main process program shown in  FIG. 19 , mentioned above, and the operation goes to the regular process in S 13 . Moreover, with the combination determination process, in particular, a winning combination and associated award are determined based on the table shown in  FIG. 13  in terms of the code No. in S 31  as set forth above.  
         [0140]     Next, the base game process program, to be executed with the slot machine  1 , is described with reference to  FIG. 22 .  FIG. 22  is a flowchart of the base game process program. The base game process program is executed in S 13  of the main process program shown in  FIG. 19  and to this end, the scrolling of various symbols are performed in S 41 , shown in  FIG. 22 , with the variable display devices  21  to  25 . When this takes place, a player feels that immediately after any of the “PLAY” buttons  39  to  43 , among the “RED PLAY1 LINE” button  39 , the “PLAY2 LINES” button  40 , the “PLAY5 LINES” button  41 , the “PLAY20 LINES” button  42  and the “BLACK PLAY25 LINES” button  43 , has been pressed, the scrolling of the various symbols have been started with the variable display devices  21  to  25 .  
         [0141]     In S 42 , the operation is executed to stop the scrolling of the various symbols with the variable display devices  21  to  25  by which the symbols have been scrolling.  
         [0142]     In S 43 , the operation is executed to pay out the credit in value corresponding to an award determined based on the table, shown in  FIG. 13 , in accordance with a symbol combination of a winning combination, which is stopped and displayed in S 42  with the variable display devices  21  to  25 . Also, after the operation in S 43  has been executed, the operation is returned to the main process program, shown in  FIG. 19 , for executing a determination process in S 14 .  
         [0143]     Now, the bonus game process program to be executed by the slot machine  1  is disclosed with reference to  FIG. 23 .  FIG. 23  is a flowchart of the bonus game process program. If discrimination is made that the winning occurs for shifting to a bonus game in the main process program, shown in  FIG. 19 , executed in S 14  (with “YES” in S 14 ), the operation goes to S 15  in  FIG. 19  to execute the bonus game process program and to this end, the operation initially goes to S 51  in  FIG. 23  to execute the sortition process during the bonus game. During the bonus game, symbols, to be stopped and displayed in alignment with the first pay-line L 1 , are determined for the variable display devices  21  to  25 , respectively. More particularly, as set forth above, five random numbers are subjected to the sampling with the random number sampling circuit  56  in a way to be correlated with the variable display devices  21  to  25 , respectively, thereby determining stop and display symbols in terms of the code No. based on the sortition table shown in  FIG. 14 . Upon determination of the symbols to be stopped and displayed on the relevant pay-line, a winning combination and associated award are determined in terms of the code No. based on the table shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0144]     During a rotation process in S 52 , the symbols are automatically scrolled with the variable display devices  21  to  25 , respectively.  
         [0145]     During a stop and control process in S 53 , the scrolling of the symbols are automatically stopped on the respective variable display devices  21  to  25  with the symbols scrolling.  
         [0146]     During a payout process in S 54 , the operation is executed to pay out credits in value equivalent to the award determined based on the table (the symbol “SHARK” is dealt with as the symbol “LOBSTER” here) in accordance with a symbol combination stopped and displayed on the variable display devices  21  to  25  in S 53 .  
         [0147]     Subsequently, the operation goes to S 55  and discrimination is made whether or not the execution times of the bonus game reaches the number of times determined in S 12  of  FIG. 19  set forth above. When this takes place, if discrimination is made that the execution times of the bonus game does not reach the number of times determined in S 12  of  FIG. 19  (with “NO” in S 55 ), the operation goes to S 51  to repeatedly execute the operations mentioned above. In contrast, if discrimination is made that the execution times of the bonus game reaches the number of times determined in S 12  of  FIG. 19  (with “YES” in S 55 ), the bonus game process is completed.  
         [0148]     Also, if the winning occurs for shifting to the bonus game, the repetition times of the bonus game are newly determined to allow the determined repetition times to be added to the “times determined in S 12  of  FIG. 19  set forth above” during discrimination in S 55 . This enables the operation to shift to the bonus game again upon winning on the bonus game during the bonus game. More particularly, for instance, under circumstances where the operation shifts to the bonus game of twenty times, if the winning occurs for shifting to the bonus game for seventeen times at a twelfth bonus game, then, the bonus game is executed on twenty-five times (=20 times-12 times+17 times).  
         [0149]     Further, if the player finally had a capability to get the credits on the bonus game, a double down game is performed betting the relevant credits, after the relevant bonus games have been finished, and description of this point is herein omitted.  
         [0150]     As set forth above in detail, with the slot machine  1  of the presently filed embodiment, if one of the kinds of the 5-cent coin, the 5-cent coin, the 10-cent coin, the 25-cent coin, the 50-cent coin and one dollar coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , the coin sensor  49  discriminates the kind of the coin (a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin or one dollar coin) inserted into the coin insertion slot  9  (S 23 ), the sound control CPU  312  selects an insertion sound (any of the first insertion sound, the second insertion sound, the third insertion sound, the fourth insertion sound and the fifth insertion sound), outputted from the speaker  80 , depending on the kind of coin (a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin or one dollar coin) discriminated by the coin sensor  49  (S 102 ). This enables the player to discriminate the kind of the coin (a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin or one dollar coin) inserted into the coin insertion slot  9  with the insertion sound (the first insertion sound, the second insertion sound, the third insertion sound, the fourth insertion sound or the fifth insertion sound).  
         [0151]     Further, by replacing or adding a whole of the sound output circuit board  311 , on which the sound ROM  314  storing the coin insertion sound selection table  351  is mounted, the coin insertion sound selection table  351 , which is referred to in S 102  by the sound control CPU  312 , can be simultaneously replaced or added. Thus, the correlation between the kinds of coins (a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin or one dollar coin), to be inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , and the kinds of insertion sounds (the first insertion sound, the second insertion sound, the third insertion sound, the fourth insertion sound or the fifth insertion sound) can be altered upon replacing or adding the sound output circuit board  311  in simple work.  
         [0152]     Furthermore, with the slot machine  1  of the presently filed embodiment, if the bet rate (any of “5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” and “one dollar”) is set with the “BET RATE” button  301  (S 25 ), the setting sound (any of the first setting sound, the second setting sound, the third setting sound, the fourth setting sound and the fifth setting sound), to be outputted from the speaker  80 , is selected depending on the bet rate (any of “5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” and “one dollar”) set with the “BET RATE” button  301  (S 112 ). This enables the player to discriminate the bet rate (any of “5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” and “one dollar”), set with the “BET RATE” button  301 , with the occurrence of the setting sound (any of the first setting sound, the second setting sound, the third setting sound, the fourth setting sound and the fifth setting sound).  
         [0153]     Moreover, by replacing or adding a whole of the sound output circuit board  311 , on which the sound ROM  314  storing the setting sound selection table  353  is mounted, the bet rate setting sound selection table  353 , which is referred to in S 112  by the sound control CPU  312 , can be simultaneously replaced or added. Thus, the correlation between the bet rates (any of “5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” and “one dollar”), to be set with the “BET RATE” button  301 , and the kinds of setting sounds (any of the first setting sound, the second setting sound, the third setting sound, the fourth setting sound and the fifth setting sound), to be outputted from the speaker  80 , can be altered upon replacing or adding the sound output circuit board  311  in simple work.  
         [0154]     In addition, with the slot machine  1  of the presently filed embodiment, if one of the kinds of the 5-cent coin, the 10-cent coin, the 25-cent coin, the 50-cent coin and one dollar coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , the coin sensor  49  discriminates the kind of coin (a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin or one dollar coin) inserted into the coin insertion slot  9  (S 23 ), the image control CPU  83  selects an insertion image (the first insertion image, the second insertion image, the third insertion image, the fourth insertion image or the fifth insertion image), to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 , depending on the kind of coin (a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin or one dollar coin) discriminated by the coin sensor  49  (S 103 ). This enables the player to discriminate the kind of coin (a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin or one dollar coin) inserted into the coin insertion slot  9  with the insertion image (the first insertion image, the second insertion image, the third insertion image, the fourth insertion image or the fifth insertion image) on the kind of coin inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 .  
         [0155]     Moreover, by replacing or adding a whole of the liquid crystal driving circuit board  87 , on which the image ROM  82  storing the coin insertion image selection table  352  is mounted, the coin insertion image selection table  352 , which is referred to in S 103  by the image control CPU  83 , can be simultaneously replaced or added. Thus, the correlation between the kinds of coins (a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin or one dollar coin), to be inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , and kinds of insertion images (the first insertion image, the second insertion image, the third insertion image, the fourth insertion image or the fifth insertion image), to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 , can be altered upon replacing or adding the liquid crystal driving circuit board  87  in simple work.  
         [0156]     Furthermore, with the slot machine  1  of the presently filed embodiment, if the bet rate (any of “5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” and “one dollar”) is set with the “BET RATE” button  301  (S 25 ), the setting image (the first setting image, the second setting image, the third setting image, the fourth setting image or the fifth setting image), to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 , is selected depending on the bet rate (any of “5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” and “one dollar”) set with the “BET RATE” button  301  (S 113 ). This enables the player to discriminate the bet rate (any of “5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” and “one dollar”), set with the “BET RATE” button  301 , with the setting image (the first setting image, the second setting image, the third setting image, the fourth setting image or the fifth setting image).  
         [0157]     Moreover, by replacing or adding a whole of the liquid crystal driving circuit board  87 , on which the image ROM  82  storing the bet rate setting image selection table  354  is mounted, the bet rate setting image selection table  354 , which is referred to by the image control CPU  83 , can be simultaneously replaced or added. Thus, the correlation between the bet rates (any of “5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” and “one dollar”), to be set with the “BET RATE” button  301 , and kinds of setting images (the first setting image, the second setting image, the third setting image, the fourth setting image or the fifth setting image), to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 , can be altered upon replacing or adding the liquid crystal driving circuit board  87  in simple work.  
         [0158]     Also, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, set forth above, and various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from a scope of the present invention.  
         [0159]     For instance, while the slot machine  1  of the presently filed embodiment is configured in a structure wherein: the speaker  80  provides the insertion sound (the first insertion sound, the second insertion sound, the third insertion sound, the fourth insertion sound or the fifth insertion sound) in correlation to the kind of coin (a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin or one dollar coin) discriminated with the coin sensor  49  (S 102 ); the speaker  80  provides the setting sounds (the first setting sound, the second setting sound, the third setting sound, the fourth setting sound or the fifth setting sound) in correlation to the bet rate (“5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” or “one dollar”) set with the “BET RATE” button  301 ; the upper liquid crystal display  3  provides a display of the insertion image (the first insertion image, the second insertion image, the third insertion image, the fourth insertion image or the fifth insertion image) in correlation to the kind of coin (a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin or one dollar coin) discriminated with the coin sensor  49  (S 103 ); the upper liquid crystal display  3  provides a display of the setting image (the first setting image, the second setting image, the third setting image, the fourth setting image or the fifth setting image) in correlation to the bet rate (“5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” or “one dollar”) set with the “BET RATE” button  301  (S 113 ). No need arises for all of the controls, related to the insertion sound, the setting sound, the insertion image and the setting image, to be combined in operation and the controls, mentioned above, may be executed for at least the operations related to the insertion sound or the insertion image.  
         [0160]     Under a situation where the slot machine  1  is configured to perform the control, associated with the insertion sound or insertion image related to the insertion of the coin, with no control executed for the setting sound or setting image related to the setting of the bet rate, a single bet rate may be fixed.  
         [0161]     Besides, under a situation where the slot machine  1  is configured in another structure with no ability to perform the control, associated with the insertion sound or insertion image related to the insertion of the coin, but with an ability to perform the control associated with the setting sound or setting image related to the setting of the bet rate, a kind of coin, to be inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , may be a single coin.  
         [0162]     Also, while the slot machine  1  of the presently filed embodiment is configured in a structure wherein the insertion image (the first insertion image, the second insertion image, the third insertion image, the fourth insertion image or the fifth insertion image) and the setting image (the first setting image, the second setting image, the third setting image, the fourth setting image or the fifth setting image) are displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3 , these contents may be displayed over the lower liquid crystal display  4 .  
         [0163]     Further, with the slot machine  1  of the presently filed embodiment, for the base game and the bonus game, the symbols, to be stopped and displayed on the pay-line formed of the second stop and display areas  212 ,  222 ,  232 ,  242 ,  252  of the variable display devices  21  to  25 , are determined for the variable display devices  21  to  25 , respectively, using the sortition table, shown in  FIG. 14 , in which one of the random number values, resulting from the sampling with the random number sampling circuit  56 , and one of the code Nos., are correlated. However, the symbols, to be stopped and displayed on the pay-line formed of the second stop and display areas  212 ,  222 ,  232 ,  242 ,  252  of the variable display devices  21  to  25 , may be determined for the variable display devices  21  to  25 , respectively, using the sortition table, shown in  FIG. 24 , in which a specified range of the random number values, resulting from the sampling with the random number sampling circuit  56 , and one of the code Nos., are correlated.  
         [0164]     Furthermore, although the slot machine  1  of the presently filed embodiment has been described in conjunction with a structure wherein the games of the video-slot with five reels are practiced, it may be altered in such a way to practice the games of the video-slot with three reels or nine reels.  
         [0165]     Moreover, with the slot machine  1  of the presently filed embodiment, the sound ROM  314  mounted on the sound output circuit board  311 , is arranged to store the insertion sound (the first insertion sound, the second insertion sound, the third insertion sound, the fourth insertion sound and the fifth insertion sound), to be outputted from the speaker  80  in correlation to the kind of coin (a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin or one dollar coin) inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , and the setting sound (the first setting sound, the second setting sound, the third setting sound, the fourth setting sound and the fifth setting sound), to be outputted from the speaker  80  in correlation to the bet rate (“5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” or “one dollar”) set with the “BET RATE” button  301 , while the image ROM  82 , mounted on the liquid crystal driving circuit board  87 , is arranged to store the insertion image (the first insertion image, the second insertion image, the third insertion image, the fourth insertion image and the fifth insertion image), to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3  in correlation to the kind of coin (a 5-cent coin, a 10-cent coin, 25-cent coin, a 50-cent coin or one dollar coin) inserted into the coin insertion slot  9 , and the setting image (the first setting image, the second setting image, the third setting image, the fourth setting image and the fifth setting image) to be displayed over the upper liquid crystal display  3  in correlation to the bet rate (“5-cent”, “10-cent”, “25-cent”, “50-cent” or “one dollar”) set with the “BET RATE” button  301 .  
         [0166]     In contrast to such an arrangement, as shown in  FIG. 27 , the slot machine  1  of the presently filed embodiment may be configured to further include an external information storage circuit  401 , which is simply and detachably connectable via an expansion slot (not shown) and includes a storage device (such as, for instance, a flush memory like a Compact Flush (under a registered Trade Mark) or the like and a ROM, etc.) that stores the insertion sound, the setting sound, the insertion image and the setting image, which are mentioned above, thereby permitting these contents to be downloaded to the work RAM  315  mounted on the sound output circuit board  311 , and the work RAM  84  mounted on the liquid crystal driving circuit board  87 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 6