What are the names of your favourite slot games ... and why do you like them?

[The Shamus]

I am interested to hear the types of slots people like to play and understand why they like them.

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

[The Shamus]

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 /\/\/\/\

[The Shamus]

Jackpot Party (Classic) is one of the most famous brands from WMS. The concept has been so successful for the company, it has shown up as various incarnations of REEL SPINNING MACHINE, a series of PROGRESSIVE SLOTS, and a new version called, "SUPER JACKPOT PARTY".

The current video version is called, "Jackpot Party Classic". The party favours exist on the 1st - 3rd - 5th reels. When they come up in any position, you get into the bonus round. There are 6 rows of 6 presents (total 36) -- with 6 "poopers". When a "party pooper" is selected, the player receives all of the values behind the gifts. The top gift is usually 60X the total bet.

The bonus round comes up with greater frequency to other games -- but the top amount to be won is less than many other games.

On the down side, if you happen to hit the "pooper" (initially a 1-of-6 chance of happening, and then the odds decline) -- you are returned to the regular game with only 1X your total bet.

On the positive side ... there are plenty of small hits on the reels, a relatively greater number of bonus round entries. A bonus round which does not require a line trigger (it is a scatter). The fact it has been used so much suggests this is WMS's crown jewel.

The "Classic" version of the game is merely the original with a facelift (and better ergomics / sonics etc).

"Jackpot Party" is a classic which appeals to a broad range of people.

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

[ricky]

There's a new machine that just hit the Harrah's casinos (Chester, PA and Harrah's AC), that I like to play (haven't seen it anywhere else). I don't remember the name, but it's a 7's based counting machine. The twist is it pays out based on the total number of 7's that are on the payout line, as opposed to having 3 7's in a row. In addition to bars, the reels have a single 7, a double 7 and a triple 7 option. It also has a 7 that can double your payout.

How it works: if you get 3 single 7's in a row the payout is minimal (your coin back). However, if you get 3 triple 7's in a row (9 Sevens), that's a big payout. If you get 1 triple seven and 2 doublers in a row, you have 12 7's (4x3).

It's a pretty unique concept.

Ricky

[The Shamus]

Hi Ricky:

I would be interested in knowing the name of the game. This definitely sounds like a BALLY machine. Some "old school" Bally video games (like the 9-line version of BLAZING 7's) counted the number of symbols on a payline regardless of whether they were left-to-right ... sort of like a payline scatter. Also, the number of 7's accumulated to go into a 7 spin bonus round. The major drawback with this particular game was that regardless of how many lines you were playing, you always just got a single line in the bonus round. I think this is why this game never caught on.

However, Bally games like BOXCAR BONUS pay out on symbols which do not need to be left-to-right (for example, you could have CACTUS, CACTUS, WATER TOWER, CACTUS, CACTUS ... and it would pay 4 CACTUS ... where most machines would pay nothing).

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

PS - Bally has repackaged BOXCAR BONUS at least 3 times ... they are so far behind in their math algorithms ... they think if you add a big screen, the game will be more fun ...? Duh.

[The Shamus]

There is innovation around every corner when it comes to slot machines ... however, the mathematics behind many of the games remains the same (how many times have you seen IGT have a different "theme" for a slot, but the payouts were all identical?

Yes ... the graphics get better, and the sound effects are improved -- and "free spins" over a "bonus round" is all the rage at the moment ... there is one innovation which does not get enough attention.

WMS Gaming has a technology called, "Cascading Reels". It has been out for several years in some markets. Some of the games using this technology are "Kaboom" and "All That Glitters" or the newer, "Open The Vault" or "Pyramid of Kings". Essentially ... instead of the reels spinning, the symbols fall from the top of the screen. When a payout occurs, those symbols, disappear and all of the symbols fall down into the empty spaces. If there is another payout, those symbols disappear ... and it continues until there are no further payouts. It borrows elements of puzzle games like, "Tetris", "Bejewelled" ... and plenty of other games from that ilk.

The game is totally innovative ... the math is mind-boggling. If you play less than the maximum number of lines (20), the winning combinations of lines you do not play, still diappear, but you do not get credits for that.

According to an arcticle I read from John Brokopp, the "Cascading Reels" was one of their "research and development" type games (they call it an X-Game).

It's something very different, but close enough to what you are used to that it takes no time at all to learn.

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

[slotmachines]

I like Wheel of Fortune because of the big spinning wheel.

[TOPDOLLARPLAYER]

I like the Wheel of Fortune also, but only $5 or higher. I find that the .25 and the dollars don't pay as well, but it is fun when you're running low. Another slot that I like is the Top Dollar machine and it's brother Double Top Dollar. It's fun when you decline the offers and finding the next offer to go through the roof. But it is equally painful when the final offer is like 10 coins...hehe...

[The Shamus]

It's difficult to get accurate data on this, but the "Wheel of Fortune" franchise is supposedly the most successful franchise in modern slot machine history.

I wonder if one of the regular players could tell me if all of the values on the wheel are equally weighted ... or whether it is more difficult to hit a larger amount.

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

[The Shamus]

"Top Dollar" is a very straightforward machine because it has the "single pay line". Sometimes simplicity is the best. I really like the symbol which triggers the bonus round being on the 3rd reel. Traditionally, when there were no potential winning combinations on the first two reeels, the 3rd reel would be anti-climactic. By triggering the bonus off the 3rd wheel, it keeps your attention for the entire spin.

The "Top Dollar" machines were designed as part of the synergy between IGT and the UK's "Barcrest" hooking up. They specialize in the "Fruit Machines" which are so common in England. Essentially, they use backlit plastic displays for most of their games.

I used to play their PINBALL slot when it first came out about 5 years ago.

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