Fruit machines are coin-operated devices with three or more
spinning reels. These reels have various pictures on them,
usually fruit (including the iconic cherries). The aim of the
game is to spin the reels and create combinations of these
symbols, with prize money won according to the combination
created. Fruit machines are popular because of their relatively
high payout rate when compared with other forms of game
machines. When fruit machines payout, they typically return
between 70-98% of money gambled. ()
Many fruit machines have a ‘hold’ button. This lets you pause
certain reels during play, increasing the chances of winning.
For example, if you had two lemons in a row, you could hit
‘hold’ and continue spinning the remaining reel in the hope of
getting another lemon. Some fruit machines also have a ‘cancel’
button. Hitting this button during play slows the reels down,
helping you spot patterns and making it easier to find the
pictures you need to win. This process is known as ‘wedging’. (
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