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Slot Machine Evolution
So just how in the heck did slot machines go from where they started to the machines of pleasure we see today? Today, they are modern technical marvels, but in decades gone past, the slot machine was basically a simple mechanical instrument with revolving wheels-nothing fancy.
You pulled the arm and the machine took your money-thus the “one-armed bandit” label was coined. They were very primitive. Personally, I think slot machines have taken a step back. Let me explain.
For eons, the big lure of slot machines was their humongous house advantage-ouch-but their payout method. That’s right. We all love when we hit a slot machine in the paying stomach and it spits out coins nonstop. Listen to the beautiful melody as those coins shoot down the barrel and into the metallic tray below. The whole world could hear when you won-and everyone loved it.
Today, it’s so darn technical that our music and experience has been taken away. Now instead of signaling to the whole world that you’ve just scored, the slot machine calmly and silently prints out a redemption ticket. Clean, yes. Fun, no.
But let’s look more at the fun side of evolution. In the old days, you’d throw in a coin or two, the wheels would spin and some money would pop out if you were lucky. Many got tired of this mundane play and let the slot world. Ah, but that’s all gone now.
Slot machines are now mini video game systems. They have bonuses, side games, moving parts and more. My favorite has to be the Wheel of Fortune. I also loved Reel Em In, which was the first slot machine of its kind.
Walk into any casino (or go online) and gone are the simple 777 slot machine (mostly). Now you’ll find branded video games. They got slot machines for CSI, Adam’s Family, Wheel of Fortune, Deal or No Deal, James Bond, Playboy and anything else you can dream up. In fact, there’s a convention annually that pitches new brands and ideas to casino executives. I even saw some Elvis slot machines-hey, it’s Vegas.
Virtual slot machines are the way of the future. I won’t be surprised to see full-blown video games at some juncture. We’re almost there now.
Since 2003, which is when WMS introduced the CPU-NXT with film-quality animation and high-resolution graphics, slot machines have evolved into next-generation gaming platforms. The future is bright for slot machines and slot machine players.
Celebrity Online Gamblers
There is an increasing demand for celebrities who are playing poker. It seems as if the world can’t have enough of poker lately. Celebrities constitute a large following in the international poker scene. It is indeed a rising segment in poker.
Online casino is a growing trend in all nations of the world, every way you look there’s another poker tournament VIP spots reserved for top-players or famous movie stars or prime-figures of the poker industry.
Every day thousands of online casino players spend hours playing, the amounts of cash spent every day by poker players is worth million of dollars and where there’s money there is also the media.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck is a proven poker champion. In 2004, he won the Commerce Casinos California State Poker Championship in which 90 players had participated including professional players like Chuck Pacheco, president and co-founder of Castle Rock Entertainment, who finished 3rd and Stan Goldstein, who finished in the 2nd place.
Ben Affleck spent four nights a week playing poker online, unfortunately at some time, he looses $20,000 a night.
Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly became involved with poker in the same way that many other Hollywood celebrities have in the last few years: through playingon television celebrity poker programs. She appeared on an episode of Celebrity Poker Showdown on Bravo during its second season, and also played in the World Poker Tour’s third Hollywood Home Game episode.
Jennifer Tilly won the Ladies no- limit Texas HoldEmevent at the World Series of Poker the first time a celebrity has won an event at the famous tournament. Jennifer Tillys skillful play and admitted good luck earned her $158,625.
Matt Damon
Matt Damon had the opportunity of being coached by poker legend Johnny Chan, along with co-star Edward Norton, during the shooting of one of the best gambling movies, Rounders. He is said to be such a cool gambler that he has been rumored to have been offered $1 million by Nine.com, an online gambling giant, as endorsement.
Shannon Elizabeth
Perhaps best known for her starring turn in Hollywood’s American Pie series of teen comedies, Shannon Elizabeth is beginning to make a name for herself in the poker world as well.
Shannon Elizabeth has established her table presence in a number of celebrity tournaments, including the 4th edition of Celebrity Poker Showdown and the 1st Annual Nicky Hilton New Year’s Eve Poker Tournament at Caesars Palace, in which she outlasted 91 other celebrities and poker professionals to claim first place and the largest chunk of the $120,000 prize pool.
Lou Diamond Phillips
Lou Diamond Phillips is a great poker player that’s why he did not have any second thoughts when he was asked to partner with CelebPoker.com and create an instructional video about poker. The focus of the instructional video is the Texas Hold’em. The video include tips offered by Lou Diamond and perceptions on his favorite poker skills and betting strategies. He explains in an articulate manner how Texas Hold’em is played.
It seems that gambling can get the best of us! Famous personalities and celebrities also have their share of taking time out to gamble. Celebrity casino players are spread all over Las Vegas but are obviously given the special treatment and separate private rooms so that they are not caught up being peeped and disturbed by other people who often want to catch a glimpse of them.