Fruit Machines
I love fruit machnine arcades - I go in at least 2 or 3 times a week. Usually end up about evens so it's not a bad way to pass a few hours. And with free coffee and biccies it can't be bad.
Today I was in town, but didn't have much time as I needed to do other stuff, so I just popped in for 5 minutes. £2 in and a jackpot repeater! £75! That makes me £73 up for the day already, can I count this as AIS ? 
Comment by Gary B. — November 21, 2005 @ 1:50 pm
Some fruit machine tips:
Nudge & Hold
If you get nudges aways bring in the reels to a win. Eg: if you have a cherry and need three nudges to get the win. it'll often give you two nudges. Bugger. Well, bring in one of the other cherries, and cancel the other nudge (or use it up). If you get a hold directly after using nudges, do not hold any This will always spin a win!
Three Holds
If you get a hold, say 2 melons, hold them trying to spin in another melon. If itfails, and lets you hold again, hold both and spin. If it fails, you'll sometimes get a third hold. Hold the two and spin -> guaranteed win.
Random lights
Sometimes you'll get random lights (eg when trying to win nudges, or stop a win). Hold down cancel and this will usually slow the random lights down to a more managable level.
c o n t i n u e
Some machines ahve a continue which lights up sequentially - you have to stop the light on the e of continue in order to continue. Hold down cancel and this will sometimes slow it down to make it easier.
Bar Feature
Mixed bars, either 321 or 123. This gives the hidden bar feature. It's best to get "Win Streak" (usually 321) as this usually gives out at least £15.
These tricks are usually OK for most machines. Machines also have their own tricks that you only get to know by playing them.
My particular favourite machine in "Pot of Gold" - it's quite hard to find these days as it is about 3 years old. It's called "pot of gold" as thats what you can win (figuratively speaking). There is a special feature which goes red and a synthesised voice says "you've got a pot of gold". If this happens, keep on pressing start as you will have a guaranteed jackpot repeater. The usual jackie is £25, but I have had as much as £150 out of this machine.
Playing fruities is not an AIS though
Comment by Chance — November 21, 2005 @ 3:02 pm
For us guys across the pond, what in the world is a fruit machine?
Is that like a "Slot Machine" where you yank the handle and the three imgaes spin and you win when they match up in specifc combinations?
Comment by Gary B. — November 21, 2005 @ 3:07 pm
Ah yeah - sorry…I'm forgetting my manners :-
Yep, it's basically a more advanced slot machine…
We have more liberal gaming laws than you guys, so you can see these all over the place, not just casino's…
Comment by Sarah — November 21, 2005 @ 3:59 pm
we went to Prestatyn, North Wales, yesterday for a few hours break away from working. I was hoping for the typical seaside arcades but alas nothing.
My personal favourites are the 2p and 10p moving shelf machines. With the 2p's you usually break even every time so it's best to target a machine with extra goodies inside (and be prepared for dirty fingers from the coins!).
Comment by JavaRoasters — November 21, 2005 @ 4:00 pm
Years ago I gathered up my life savings
all $2.50 of it and went out for a coffee and a lottery ticket. The coffee was okay but the ticket won me $1,600. 
Comment by Chance — November 21, 2005 @ 4:15 pm
Right after I just graduated out of boot camp, I was dead broke. Making $400 a month when you have a car payment back home is rough on your budget, you know?
Anyway, I had a dollar on me and dropped it on one of those little scratch off tickets- I ended up winning $2000.
Little did I know there was a rule about trainees gambling, and when the CO found out, he made me donate all of it to the "Soldiers Wife Fund" on post or face judicial action!
Comment by Paul — November 21, 2005 @ 6:01 pm
Gary,
I believe the 'nudge & hold' will only work if the 2 identical symbols are next to each other when you spin the reels.
Comment by baldy — November 21, 2005 @ 7:23 pm
Have a look on eBay - you can pick up old fruities for under 50 quid
By the way they are technically called AWPs - Amusements With Prizes
Ever play on the FOBTs (Fixed Odds Betting Terminals) in betting shops? You know - the ones with roulette etc?
Comment by Gary B. — November 21, 2005 @ 8:51 pm
Paul; you're right - I didn't make that clear. After the nudges, you need to have 2 identical symbols on the win-line (eg 2 bells or 2 cherries). Some machines have mixed bars also, so that could be an option. Also you could bring in a feature to the main window which would work. Or even 123, 321 bar feature…
Baldy; that's a good idea. If I had the cash (and the space) I would install a games room with a load of fruities.
I don't do betting shops often - only for the grand national
I'm more of an online better for the nags, footie etc. Peter Crouch lost me £65 the other day by missing that penalty 
Comment by baldy — November 22, 2005 @ 7:24 pm
The space factor is the only thing that prevented me and a couple of mates each getting our own fruities. That and the fact we realised we'd have to hire a van to go and pick them up lol!
Betting shops are strange places - you would've thought the internet might have killed them, but they're going from strength to strength. Some of the technology they are using nowdays is astounding too…keeps me in a job anyway!