To provide an automatic winding machine wherein even if a yarn splicing operation is carried out during the reduction of yarn winding tension at the time of winding yarn splicing, the subsequent winding tension can be maintained at an appropriate value depending upon the amount of remaining yarn. In an automatic winding machine including a tension apparatus 2 that can adjust yarn winding tension by reducing it at a predetermined rate at the time of yarn splicing, a rapid tension reduction pattern used after a yarn splicing operation during tension reduction at the time of yarn splicing is different from a rapid tension reduction pattern used after the yarn splicing operation during normal winding.