When it comes to making video slots ... you can make a slot out of almost everything. Bars and Bells are classics. Multipliers and Wilds are very common. Playing cards are mainstays (9 10 J Q K A).

There are themes about cows, space, TV shows, celebrities, movies, etc etc.

So why is it so important to have characters in games who have a cigarette or a cigar hanging from their lips. In a game like IGT's, "Ducks in a Row", one of the ducks is munching on a cigar. IGT also has a game called, "Max Action". The cool, "Max" character is animated taking a drag on a cigarette and blowing smoke which morphs into a prize amount win.

It's not just IGT ... Aristocrat has a cigar chomper who uses teh stogie to light a TNT fuse in, "The Good and the Bad". Let's not leave out, "WMS Gaming" who renewed the rich lady in the bonus round of "Winning Bid" with the extended filter tip for the end of the cigarette.

What is the advantage of depicting smoking in slot machines? I would just call it a "bad trend".

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