AboutPhillip Boucher Expertise Author of the book, "Slot Machines: Fun Machines or Tax Machines? A Technician Reveals the Truth About One-Armed Bandits", ISBN 1-55270-049-6 published by Productive Publications under the pen name Ian B. Williams. I can answer any question related to the concept, design, marketing, programming, operation, installation, repair, and maintenance of slot machines, video poker machines, and video lottery terminals, and their related equipment and machinery, within the regulated gaming industry, but not with privately owned machines. I can help dispel all the myths and misconceptions that have permeated the print and news media about slots over the years. I can also answer questions related to gambling addiction in general and slot machine addiction in particular. Each question will be answered truthfully, without bias, whether the answer is what the questioner wants to hear. I will not propagate the myth that there are secrets to winning or beating slots, because there are none. There are no methods or tricks or other such nonsense that a lot of people think there are. I`m sorry, but reality in regard to slot machines can be a big letdown! I won`t lead anyone on. Want to know the real truth? Just ask. I can also answer general questions related to casinos except for table games.
Experience I have over eleven years experience as a slot machine technician for two major North American casinos, one racetrack slot facility, and am a Certified Gaming Machine Repairperson. I am the author of, (writing as Ian B. Williams), "Slot Machines: Fun Machines or Tax Machines? A Technician Reveals the Truth About One-Armed Bandits", ISBN 1-55270-049-6 published by Productive Publications.
Expert: Phillip Boucher Date: 10/13/2004 Subject: Old personal double up arcade poker machine.
Question I have an old Omega Arcade Double up Poker Machine that was not working I fixed most of the problems but I have a screen that comes up telling me my video ram is ok, how many credits, Credits in, Payouts and below that a bunch of (0's) which turn to (1's) when you mash a button. Does any one know how I can get the game to come back on the machine? I feel it is probably a series of button or switches you have to mash? If it would help there is information at the bottom of the machine that states the following. (Omega products Arcade Poker V7.9 Omega August-1981). The Board on the machine has the following information (Pars Electronic CPU 6502 Board = rev.1.2. Any info on how to solve this problem would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
James
Answer James, I'm afraid 1981 is before I got into the industry and the only machines I'm knowledgeable on are fully electronic, not the electro-mechanical. It sounds like the 0's turning into 1's are just a button test to see if it's working. When you power the machine down and up, exactly what process does it proceed through? (Such as sounds, screen images and text, etc.) The more info and the more detail you can provide, the better I can try to answer your questions. Thanks. Ian
Ian B. Williams, author of "Slot Machines: Fun Machines or Tax Machines? A Technician Reveals the Truth About One-Armed Bandits", ISBN 1552700496, available at bookstores and other retailers of gambling books, online and in the real world. Find it at
- Barnes and Noble bookstores throughout the U.S.
- Indigo bookstores throughout Canada
- on the web at amazon.com, booksforgamblers.com, chapters.indigo.ca, bn.com, sportsandsoccer.com, half.ebay.com, greenbaycasino.com, gambleresource.com, pokeritits.com, casinobookreview.com, books.ontheweb.co.uk, bookfinder.com,
Can't find it? Then order directly from the publisher, Productive Publications, 416-483-0634, or visit their website at:
www.productivepublications.com or www.productivepublications.ca (in Canada)
Please visit my website at ibwilliams.tripod.com
Please visit my experts page at allexperts.com
I have been interviewed on the following radio stations: WVMI, WKRC, KEEL, WOAI, KFRU, WDEL, CHQR, CJAD.
