One Arm Bandit Poker Machine

  • What are one arm bandits?
  • A slot machine history
  • The move from mechanical slots to electric, video & 3D slots

One Arm Bandit Slot Machine is highly respected in the online gambling community. Guarantees that all the games on the site use the random number generator, and One Arm Bandit Slot Machinetherefore, they are entirely safe. Hit the Jackpot with a One Arm Bandit. Slot machines, fruit machines, and the one arm bandit are all names for coin-operated gambling and gaming machines that you can find in pubs, arcades, and casinos. One arm bandits are operated by pulling down on a lever thats located on the side of the machine. 1972 Vegas One Arm Bandit 10 Cent Slot Machine Coin Bank. $14.50 shipping. 10 cent mechanical slot machine. $15.00 shipping. 0 bids Ending Thursday at 9:13AM PST 1d 20h. BUCKAROO Savings Bank SLOT MACHINE, Nevada, Jackpot Bell, Pull Handle, Metal.

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What are one arm bandits? One arm bandits (for those not in-the-know) are the name for the original, mechanical slot machines. Before the glitz and glamor of VLT’s, one arm bandits were how slot enthusiasts got their kicks.

So, where does the name ‘online bandit’ come from? The name comes from the lever on the side of slot machines that were used to start the game (it was an ‘arm, plus, players used one arm to operate it), and the games ability to ‘steal’ the players’ money.

A slot machine informally known as fruit machine or puggy or slots or poker machine 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 one lever on the side of the machine as distinct from a button on the front pane.

One Arm Bandits: Invention & History

One Arm Bandit Poker Machine

The first slot machine was created in 1891, and was a mechanical device that used cards attached to a steel, cylindrical drum, and a lever which would spin the cards to play. The game was based on poker, and rather than a line-up of matching cards, winners were based on popular, winning poker hands. The game was so popular most bars in New York started to populate their spaces with the machine.

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One mechanism the original machines lacked were the ability to payout (and we know what you’re thinking – isn’t that the point of gambling?) but winners could usually receive some other sort of ‘payout’, like a drink, a cigar, or other prize from the bar.

After the popularity of the game surged, one problem was found fairly quickly – It was difficult to set up the machines to offer an immediate payout for winners, due to the potential combination of winning poker hands. This actually led to Charles Fey adapting the slot machine from the five-reel to a three-reel slot, since it was easier to build the machine to offer immediate payouts with this simpler design.

Three-reel slots used some of the iconic casino imagery you probably still see in casino games today – horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts and a liberty bell. The first iteration of this machine, by Fey, was called Liberty Bell and become super popular. The biggest payoff was three liberty bells in a row, which offered a reward of ten whole nickels.

Eventually, due to great demand (that Fey couldn’t quite keep up with) manufacturer Herbert Mills produced another version of the Liberty Bell, and went on to design a version using – you guessed it, fruit, known as the Operator’s Bell instead of the Liberty Bell. This machine actually had an optional vending machine attachment available, which had fruit flavored gum, hence the reel-design, which featured lemons, cherries, oranges, and plums.

Why the move from poker to food, you ask?

Well, in addition to the gum, there were laws in a few states that prohibited gambling, so awarding food prizes instead of money was one way manufacturers and bar owners could skirt around gambling laws.

Slots Get Electric

Did you know slot machines are known as ‘fruit machines’ in England, pokies in Australia & New Zealand and a puggy in Scotland?

We’ve got one more – did you know that the name ‘slots’ is actually a shortened version of ‘nickel-in-the-slot-machine’? If only they still cost a nickel!

So, when did slots move from mechanical to electric?

One Arm Bandit Poker Machine

The first electronic gambling machine was developed in 1963, and had an electronic ‘hopper’ to dispense a payout without the help of an attendant.

Eventually, the first fully electric slot machine was developed in California, in 1976 and was initially installed at the Hilton Hotel. The slot machine eventually gained approval from the Nevada State Gaming Commission, and the rest is history — Electric slots grew popular in Nevada on the Las Vegas Strip, which led International Gaming Technology to buy Fortune Coin Co., the company who owned video slot machine technology.

The rise of the electronic slot machine and its prevalence eventually led levers to be abysmal, and therefore, the name one-arm bandit.

Slot Machine Glossary

Want to know even more about online slots? Take a look at our Online Slots Glossary and learn all the terms you need to know before playing slots.

Slot machines have changed a lot since their original invention — perhaps one of the biggest is the switch to video slots, online & mobile slots and the plethora of themes & designs that are available. Many casinos, both online and land-based now offer a 3D Slots experience, so players get a more immersive, colorful & entertaining experience. Plus, not only can people choose from classic fruit-themed slots, but slots centered around their favorite TV shows, from Game of Thrones to the Great British Bake-Off.

So, what do you say? Check out our guide to online casinos, read reviews of some of our favorite online slots, or, learn more about what’s new in the poker & casino world in our news section.

Frequent Problems with Mechanical One Arm Bandits
Here are some of the common problems encountered with the old mechanical slot machines. All these issues can be resolved with ease by watching the DVD we have available (see below).

Non-Paying Slots
When you find that a slot machine refuses to pay any coins or not correct amount for a winning line, it can be for a number of reasons. Here is a possible reason and solution. The main reason would be incorrect coins have been used. Many users think that a modern 5p coin would suffice in place of an old 6d coin.

Apart from ensuring the coin diameter is a close match, the key importance is the thickness. This can be difficult to spot when putting single coins side by side, so make a stack of 5p coins, approx 10 coins, then next to these stack the same amount of 6d coins. You will then see there is a big difference in the overall height of both stacks.

Its this reason why the coin payout slides get jammed or pay incorrect amounts. If its jammed, you'll have to remove the slides and clean.

Handle Returns upright with a thud!
This is due to the oil pressure in the pump. When you pull the arm of a bandit and let go it should travel upright in a slow calm manner. If it 'flies' back up with a bang, then adjustment of the pump is required.

One Arm Bandit Meaning

One Arm Bandit Poker Machine

Removing the back panel, in the bottom left compartment you'll see the rear of the handle pump. A small screw is clearly visible. Adjust this anti-clockwise initially (do not remove it totally!). Try the handle, begin to tighten the screw clockwise, re-test. Continue until you achieve the motion required.

If this does not cure the problem, the rubber piston seals inside the pump need replacing.

Reels slow and stop before brakes activate
If when you play the slot the reels spin, then slow down to a stop BEFORE the 3 brakes 'kick in' to stop them, then the rear wire brakes need adjusting (or removing).

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On the rear of the frame you'll see 3 stiff wires rubbing against the sides of each reel. Adjust the tension until the reels spin freely until the brakes at the front click in place. Some users remove these wires totally.

What do these wires do... If your reels are spinning too fast when the brakes engage, the reels stop with a harsh judder. The wires slow the reels enough to stop this from occurring.

One Arm Bandit Slot Machine Sound

All the above advise and much more is covered indepth with clear visuals on the DVD we have available. Further details below.

**BRAND NEW DOWNLOAD for 2015**
Buy this download now and watch now 'The Care and Understanding of Slot machines'. Filmed over a 9 month period, it shows how a mechanical One Arm Bandit works, Explains step by step how to strip, clean and rebuild the mechanics, Filmed using 2 cameras with close ups and simple to understand instructions.

One Arm Bandit Slot Machine For Sale Ireland

No technical knowledge required. Learn to fix those annoying Slot problems by watching an expert at work!