Mechanical Memories Magazine

This machine is on automatic play, so as I approach it all the five symbols are flashing in
a random sequence. Bell, lemon, double bell, plum, lemon, bell, cherry etc. Oh, the
double bell has just come up, OK, play now. Lights up, I will bet on the plum. Cherry
came up, and would have paid 2d. Let's bet cherry again. No, lemon won. Here we go
again, I will bet cherry and bell. Flash flash etc., oh no, it's the orange that won. Right,
you are now annoying me, I will bet them all! That's 5d in, flash flash flash, no! The lost
has come up, I've lost all five pennies in one go. Great fun to play, but also a very
frustrating slot. I won't give up, let's bet plum. Flash flash flash, yes plum wins, da da, I
won 4d, got a winner in the end. Hey, double bell has just won again. I smell a rat with
this machine. The times that you back the bell and it never comes up ( or the lost lights
up instead), yet when you stand there watching the machine in automatic play, the bell
or double bell comes up at least four or five times in every ten spins. Very strange that.
This slot does attract you, and gives I 00% amusement, but for actually winning on the
damn thing! I will play this slot again at a later date. Oh, don't tell me the owner is
actually smiling (that's a first). Yes, he has done me, and probably saw every penny I
lost. I will now leave this arcade with a bad loss. Still, at least I am leaving of my own
free will, not this time having been thrown out for actually doing nothing wrong.
These were super days, and great fun too. Now years later, I can tell you all the
truth. I have a twin bell in my collection, and inside there is a little round knob, with
four positions. This can stop the bell coming up when a bet has been placed on it, and
another position can make the lost light up when the bell has been backed. Just think,
years ago I never really had a chance! But it was still good fun at the time, and I
wouldn't change a thing. Magic days.
Editor's Comment
Many thanks to Robert for his latest trip down memory lane, which will continue next
month. I've never come across Twin Bell before, and am intrigued by the internal
switch, which effectively meant the machine was rigged. I wonder whether this was
factory built, or whether it had been added by the operator? Tales of operators rigging
their machines are not uncommon, but I don't think I've encountered a machine that was
built in this dubious state ....... surely not legal?
Anyway, if anyone knows anything more about Twin Bells, or any other electro-
mech. that was rigged, please let me know. It would be interesting to know whether this
was a more common practice than I might previously have imagined.
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