Posted by: alugoool : Category: Digital Fruit Machines
You may have seen the latest wave of fruit machines to hit the arcades. The mechanically spinning reels have been replaced with computer generated graphics, and the gaming features have more recently been enhanced to include such things as; Roulette, Cards, Horse Racing, and ‘Play Your Cards Right’ type higher or lower guessing games.
There is no doubt that the technology behind this sort of machine is the way forward, but this leap in progress does not cause problems for the fruit machine player. As the machine is now almost entirely operated by computer, it is impossible to manipulate the machine to your favour. This means the chances of winning large amounts are reduced dramatically by the pure circumstantial percentage of winning formulas due – or in layman’s terms, the video fruit machines tend to pay out a lot less, then their spinning reel counterparts.
To date, I am yet to be informed of any proper built in cheats available for this sort of fruit machine, and the best piece of advice I can give you is NOT to play this type of fruit machine at all.
However, if you do play them, then there are a few rules that do need to be followed, which will stop you aimlessly wasting pound after pound.
RULE 1
Do not aim at the jackpot! Video fruit machines payout most of their winnings via the gaming features, and not on straight three or four symbol wins.
RULE 2
Watch out for hidden features. The machine usually doesn’t highlight these, but once you have discovered the benefits of these hidden features, you can at least begin to investigate as many wins as possible.
Hidden features to look out for are ’Hyper-Nudges’, same as normal nudge, but with the added bonus of being able to nudge two reels simultaneously using just one nudge.
Another feature to look out for is the ‘Double Flashing Holds’ – you need to be quick, but by keeping an eye out for a double flash (in quick succession) on the HOLD buttons, you can prepare yourself for a win that will come in on the next spin. If you do notice a double flash, and you have two jackpot symbols on the pay line, then you can hold them both, and it will then pay out o the symbols you have held.
RULE 3
The third and final rule is CUT YOUR LOSSES. Again, unlike the normal fruit machine that pays out on a percentage of its takings, video fruit machines pay out on a set rota. So once you have amassed a profit stop playing!
It must be stressed that these are the worst sort of fruit machines, and should be avoided if possible. If you do enjoy playing them then please be careful.
Video Poker
Here are a few tips on the video poker machines, which will help you to obtain the best possible wins.
Many of these believe it or not, have marked cards, this will obviously help you on whether to draw another card or not, or even to be able to read the computer’s hand or not.
Here they are:
KING – Coloured in square – top left hand side
QUEEN – Small black dash – bottom right hand side
JACK – Cut out down the right hand side in the middle
No. 2 – Blank square in middle of card
No. 3 – Cut out card – bottom right
No. 4 – Top right hand side of card marked
Not all poker machines have their cards marked, but believe me, when you find Poker machines that have, then you are well on your way to making some serious money. These machines are usually situated in Arcades, Cities, and Seaside Resorts.
Additional Information
HI/LO OPTION
Many of the new machines with a HI/LO option will offer the player an exchange option (i.e. change a 7 to a 3, or an 8 to a 12). If you are offered an option such as this or similar then ONLY EVER USE IT ONCE.
More often than not, on the second offering the machine will offer you the chance to spin in either a 2 or an 11. The machine is expecting you to bet higher than a 2 or lower than an 11 (which nine times out of ten you should do). Except in this instance, if you do bet higher than a 2 then it WILL spin in a 1, and if you do bet lower than an 11 then it WILL spin in a 12!
You can’t trick the machine in this scenario either, as if you decide to bet lower than a 2, then it will bring in a high number, and vice versa.
If we examine the percentages involved in high-low gambles, then we can clearly see that the element of risk compared with the projected rewards DO NOT correspond. You may find it suprising but the chances in your favour are less than 50%. Couple this with the fact that each gamble is only usually ever a 60p – £1.00 gamble, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that a gamble of this nature just is not viable, or value for money!
Here is an example of how the gamble-up options might occur on a fruit machine:
£4.00 (+£1), £3.00 (+60p), £2.40 (+40p), £2.00 (+40p), £1.60 (+40p), £1.20 (+20p), £1.00 (+40p), 60p
By learning to accept that sometimes, two or three small wins are better than one large win, you will not only find that your profits will amass a lot quicker, but you will also find that the wins are a lot more satisfying.
Make sure that once the small-intermediate wins stop, you move onto another machine.
And, always remember that after every win, the FMC will be looking to recoup its losses back, plus a minimum of 28%, so DON’T GET CAUGHT!
The ‘Three & Hold System’ (as explained earlier), is still sort of in place with the new machines that came out in early 1998, except the symbols have to hold four times on the trot. Also it is important to remember, that the ‘Three & Hold System’ is only profitable when you aim at low value wins (£2.40 – £3.00).
A common mistake to make with the advertised ‘all cash wins’ machines is to expect all wins to be cash. On many 25p machines, the top prize will be the £10 jackpot, plus a repeat chance, that leads many players to believe that with just one more gamble, they would have the option to increase the £10 win to multiples thereafter.
Unfortunately, this is not the case, and the repeat option means that in actual fact, you can play the gaming feature again, and try to win the £10 jackpot for a second time. This inevitably ends in tears with, if not the final gamble being a losing one, than the repeated gaming feature will not pay out anything either!
Remember that winning the jackpot is not always the best option, and that any win over £3.00 should be gambled on, if it’s a guaranteed win (i.e. Hi/Lo on a 1 or a 12). Perhaps the most important piece of advise you should know when playing fruit machines is to WATCH THE SPEED OF THE REELS!
Machines that reel in the symbols quick, usually have been emptied, the longer it takes for the reels to drop in, then the better chance you have of winning from it.
Many machines may decide to look as if it is about to pay out, by spinning in a variety of two identical symbols on the win line, and one in the position above.
Don’t get caught out here. A good way to discover whether the machine is ready to pay, is to watch the speed of the reels as they spin. The most obvious sign of a bad run, is if the first two reels spin in quickly and the third (or fourth) reel takes longer to land. All you need to remember, is that if the machine is due to pay then the reels should land in a relatively timed sequence. Any fluctuation in this, then you keep your money in your pocket, and wait for someone else to load the machine before playing.
AND FINALLY…
I hope you have found this article to be informative, and you will now at the very least, win more than you lose on the fruit machines.
However, I would hate to be responsible for anyone forming a gambling addiction on the fruit machines. So remember, that the fruit machines are a form of gambling like any other, and it is possible to get addicted to playing the machines, just as much as it is to getting addicted to betting in the horses.
I am in no way trying to encourage playing the machines by writing this book. If you already play the machines, then this guide should help you transform your winning ability. But if you are not prepared to lose a liitle on the way to mastering these techniques, and finding the right machines that work for you, then leave them well alone.
I hope this book has been of some benefit to you, and that you will use it wisely.
GOOD LUCK!
