| Bingo machines are a special class
of pinball with some unique characteristics. In general they
look like a pinball machine but function much differently.
Balls are shot onto the playfield and land in numbered holes,
lighting corresponding numbers on a bingo card or cards on the
backglass (hence the name "bingo"). Making 3, 4 or 5 adjacent
numbers in a line awards free games according to the score or odds
selection. There are no flippers and the only ball control is
the initial shot and maybe some nudging. Several variations of
the "in-line" scoring concept evolved over time. Some games
awarded replays based on getting the balls in colored sections on
the card, and others even let you move the numbers around on the
card to try to line them up. For an amazingly comprehensive
source of information on bingos check out Phil Hooper's website at bingo.cdyn.com.
Before the actual "shooting" game begins a player tries to enable a variety of features that increase the chances of winning replays during the game. This is done by depositing multiple coins or using up replays. Features are awarded pseudo-randomly, and the more features that are enabled the harder it becomes to enable more features. The scoring odds increase with more coins deposited as well, but not always. Some early machines also potentially decreased the odds at times. Playing for features was a gamble in and of itself, and winning features was no guarantee you would win any replays.
Just like in "real" bingo the object was to win money. This was usually accomplished by selling won games back to the house. Most machines had 3-digit replay counters, and some even had 4 digits. Making exceedingly difficult combinations (like the 4 corners of a card) could award hundreds of replays. The Palm Springs game has one main card, two "super cards" which provided increased scoring for 3-in-line and a "four corners" award that got you 200 replays if you got the four corners. Features include enabling the super and corners cards, "spotting" free numbers, holding all odd or even balls and re-playing the non-held balls, and the ability to play extra balls by inserting more coins.
A question that comes up occasionally, usually asked by pinball aficionados, is "Are bingos fun?" In my opinion, the simple answer is "no and yes." The lack of ball control and the rather simple goal of the game may leave many players a bit disinterested after a few games, especially in a home game room. I liken it to having a home slot machine. The thrill of winning just isn't the same if free games are meaningless. But the real fun, for me at least, is exploring the electromechanical design. Bingos are unquestionably the most complex electromechanical arcade games ever developed. The degree of ingenuity involved in bingo game design can be astounding. For example, the enabling of features and increased odds becomes more difficult as more features are enabled. Also, the more replays won the more difficult it becomes to enable features and win replays, and likewise, as more games are played without winning replays, the easier it becomes to enable features and win replays.
|
Features
and Odds
Disguised
Gambling
But,
are they fun?
