Page 8 - Jackpot Magazine South ~ February, 2025

PLAY TO WIN
Casino players share their slot love stories
“In February, there is everything to hope for and nothing to regret.”
~ British poet Patience Strong
February, while the shortest month, is long on holidays and excitement. There is Groundhogs Day, the Super Bowl, Presidents Day, Mardi Gras for those in the Southern part of the state, and, of course, Valentine’s Day. This issue of Jackpot! is filled with Valentine’s Day activities, dining specials and more — and that’s a whole lot to love.
It is not uncommon to hear casino players talking about what they love about slot machines or a particular table game. I’ve even said it myself. I loved playing the old reel Butterfly Sevens slots, and now I love playing Quick Hit games. I especially love it when I get the bonus spins in Quick Hit. Bonus spins are definitely something to love.
Marsha W.
I know I’m not alone in expressing my love of these slots. Other casino players love certain games,
as well, and we spent
some time talking
with a few random
players at various
casinos. Marsha W.
of Panama City, Fla.,
told us her favorite games are the Buffalo slots. She tries to find a machine away from people, then loads in her $20 bills. She mostly plays the game fully loaded, but will go down a bet or two depending on how she is doing. But, when or lose, she loves the games and the stampeding buffaloes.
Ellie L.
Another animal, the panda, is prominently featured in the Dragon Link brand of slots. Ellie L. said she loved playing the Panda Magic games. “There are a lot of bonuses,” she said,
adding she likes the
colorful graphics and
the Asian elements to
the game. She added
all the titles in the
Dragon Link chain were beautiful, and had such “lovely” names, like Happy & Prosperous (although she was quick to add, they didn’t always love her back).
Tracey R.
“I love the nickel video poker games,” said player Tracey R, explaining the jackpots are not quite as much as when playing quarters or more, but she can play for longer periods of time. Tracey told us she sends her husband to play his favorite table game, blackjack, and then she finds a video poker machine where she can play a nickel game, generally the ones that offer three to 10 hands. The Super Pay games, where every now and then a bonus multiplier will appear, are among her favorites.
“It may cost six nickels per hand (instead of the usual five), but I love it when the multiplier comes up and I am dealt at least a pair of jacks or better. I also love it anytime I win back slightly more than my
initial bet.”
(As a side note, Tracey didn’t want to
answer who often was the bigger winner, her or her husband, saying their love made them both winners.)
Bob Z.
Bob Z., slot player, talked about what he loved in the casino. “It’s the players club offers,” he said. “I love playing the kiosk games. I know most people never win anything big — I never have — but I always win something, even just double points. The idea of playing a kiosk game and winning is great. And I know it pays to be a club member. I’m
retired and have a lot of time on my hands, so I take advantage of just about most of the offers I get.”
Barbara C.
“Would you watch my machine while I run to the...,” was how we met Barbara C. from Ohio. Her video poker machine had a winning hand on it and we checked her coin total — wow. She had hit several four-of-a-kinds and was playing a Double Double machine, where you get extra if you hit a four-of-a-kind with a 2, 3 or 4 as the kicker. When she returned, she offered her day had been going well, although it was basically letting her catch up from the two days prior.
“I love video poker, especially when I am winning,” she said. “I play fast, which means I either win fast or lose fast, but I like it on the fastest speed and I like to hit the buttons quickly.”
Now, to be sure, at certain moments during these mini-interviews the love was not being felt. There were disappointments, words of frustration, and sighs of disbelief. But, as this is February, all of that will have to be for a column at a different time.
And, in recognition of Valentine’s Day, we recall some words from gaming author and enthusiast Frank Scoblete, who wrote of the “Super-7 love ingredients,” which can be reflected in slot machine play. The ingredients are: chemistry, excitement, friendship, enjoyment, intimacy, duration and reward.
Indeed, he wrote, “slot machine play might be considered the ultimate in casino romances, for unlike table game play, which you must share with other players, you and the slot machine have a private relationship that cannot be intruded upon.”
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8 JACKPOT! MAGAZINE • February 2025
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