28th February 1984
Las Vegas
Hmmm, *this* is interesting: an emasculated slice of vice for out-of-pocket gamblers. Or, to be more precise, a low key double bill featuring that indefatigable old pub dog, the fruit machine and a version of the popular card game, Blackjack.
The former boasts all the features you'd expect from a quality Fruit such as nudge, hold and gamble, but it's cursed with a cluttered screen layout and some poor animation. Those all-important reels refuse to scroll the way reels should. They merely change in flickering sequence. It's far too crude a display to really satiate the discerning punter.
The Blackjack program is marginally more interesting. As with Pontoon (or 21), the idea is to break the bank with a five card trick. The game is a doddle to play and the visuals are quite neat, with the computer speedily unveiling your hand as you bravely twist. Unfortunately though, there's no option to alter the stakes. A 10p wager is mandatory - not much help for us strategic players. Not that it would have made much difference anyway as I'm sure the deck was rigged.
Those smarmy 'You Bust!' proclamations were far too frequent to be kosher. Still, I guess it's cheaper than a Greyhound to Vegas...
