Cleopatra is a multi-line slot machine which comes in many variations. There are 9-line, 15-line and 20-line variations I have played, along with versions online. I am going to speak about the 9-line video / reel version of the game.

Cleopatra has been an extremely serviceable Egyptian for IGT (which is evidenced by the fact she is still available in most casinos after all these years). If I had to put my finger on the popularity, I would say, "simplicity".

There is only one bonus round available in cleopatra ... and the bonus is always 15 free spins ... with all wins worth 3 times their regular value. The wild symbol (depicted by Cleopatra) shows up quite regularly and doubles any line she appears in.

The bonus is triggered by 3 "scattered" sphinxes. Games with "scatter" triggers are amongst the most popular, because you do not have have the common "3 symbols on a payline" in order to trigger the bonus. Of course, if you are only playing 5-lines when you trigger the bonus, you will only be playing the same 5 lines if you make it to the bonus round.

To add to the fun, if you get 3 scattered Sphinxes (try to say that 3 times fast) in the bonus round, it adds 15 additional free spins ... which can lead to 30 or more free spiins with a 3-times multiplier on each spin.

Like any machine, you are going to hit some "cold" patches, and it can happen on this machine as well. The hit frequency is pretty much perfect for my liking ...

Therefore ... Cleopatra is one of my benchmark games that I compare everything else to (the fact that most of IGT's ideas were "borrowed" from other manufacturers is not relevent).

/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\