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A slot machine (American English), informally fruit
machine (British English), the slots (Canadian English), poker
machine or "pokies" (slang) (Australian English) or simply slot
(American English) is a casino gambling machine with three or more reels which
spin when a button is pushed. Slot machines are also known as one-armed
bandits because they were originally operated by a lever on the side of the
machine (the one arm) instead of a button on the front panel, and because of
their ability to leave the gamer penniless (bandit). Many modern machines still
have a legacy lever in addition to the button.
Slot machines include a currency detector that validates the
coin or money inserted to play. The machine pays off based on patterns of
symbols visible on the front of the machine when it stops. Modern computer
technology has resulted in many variations on the slot machine concept. Slot
machines are the most popular gambling method in casinos and constitute about 70
percent of the average casino's income.[1]
The term derives from the slots on the machine for inserting
and retrieving coins.
Pay table
Each machine has a table that lists the number of credits the
player will receive if the symbols listed on the pay table line up on the pay
line of the machine. Some symbols are wild and will pay if they are visible in
any position, even if they are not on the pay line. Especially on older
machines, the pay table is listed on the face of the machine, usually above and
below the area containing the wheels. Most video machines display the pay table
when the player presses a "pay table" button or touches "pay table" on the
screen; some have the pay table listed on the cabinet as well.
Skill stops
Skill stop buttons predated the Bally electromechanical slot
machines of the 1960s and 70s. They appeared on mechanical slot machines
manufactured by Mills Novelty Co. as early as the mid 1920s. These machines had
modified reel-stop arms, which allowed them to be released from the timing bar,
earlier than in a normal play, simply by pressing the buttons on the front of
the machine, located between each reel.
'Skill stop' buttons were added to some slot machines by
Zacharias Anthony in the early 70s. These enabled the player to stop each reel,
allowing a degree of 'skill' so as to satisfy the New Jersey gaming laws of the
day which required that players were able to control the game in some way. The
original conversion was applied to approximately 50 late model Bally slot
machines and is the first known use of the skill stop on slot machines. Because
the typical machine stopped the reels automatically in less than 10 seconds,
weights were added to the mechanical timers to prolong the automatic stopping of
the reels. By the time the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverages Commission (ABC) had
approved the conversion for use in New Jersey arcades the word was out and every
other distributor began adding skill stops. The machines were a huge hit on the
Jersey Shore and the remaining unconverted Bally machines were destroyed as they
had become instantly obsolete.
References
Bibliography
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Brisman, Andrew. The American Mensa Guide to Casino
Gambling: Winning Ways (Stirling, 2025) ISBN 0-8069-4837-X
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Grochowski, John. The Slot Machine Answer Book: How
They Work, How They've Changed, and How to Overcome the House Advantage
(Bonus Books, 2025) ISBN 1-56625-235-0
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Legato, Frank. How to Win Millions Playing Slot
Machines! or Lose Trying (Bonus Books, 2025)
ISBN 1-56625-216-4
Links
Slot machines in the Trump Taj Mahal
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