
Little Stockbroker
Little Stockbroker
Granville Bradshaw designed this game to exploit every loophole in the existing gaming regulations. Chance is eliminated because payouts are mechanically predetermined. Sometimes a plate was displayed on the machine indicating the precise sequence of payouts, but even without this, it was technically possible to figure out the sequence by watching or playing until the 69 step sequence repeated. Payouts are indicated before a coin has been staked in what became known as the future pay system. This meant that when a win was indicated, the player had to insert another coin to claim it. Players failing to read or understand the instructions often left with a payout pending, for others to claim.
The staid stock market trading theme is a deliberate move away from the racy fruit machine symbols. The disc indicating winning and losing stock judders into position giving some illusion of randomness, but play is hardly exhilarating. Nevertheless, the game was quite successful and appeared in great numbers at arcades that wished to satisfy demand gambling machines without risking the proscribed one arm bandits. |
Bradshaw