Star Tech Journal

~ood old bum-in time seemed to be a thing of the
past... Caught up on lost time with my hero, Bill
Beckham, who's confident that the Red Baron win
will stand, untouched by Taito's appeal.
A thousand bucks always seemed like a lot of money
to me, and I'm scared to bet even five bucks at a time.
But sure enough, didn't Sharon pull a $1000 win out
of a $1 slot! We never did that before! Suite-hopping,
out and about throughout the hotel, and then for a
bedtime story, read through the pounds of literature
so I'd know what to watch for tomorrow.
FRIDAY (DAY 2)
Sharon went off to the South Tahoe Tour with Karen
Whitelaw from Action Video, Buffalo, for great scen-
ery and delicious food. My slot machine had an off day
and ate $20. Twice ... 11am, I met Louise and Fred
from Louise's Harness Shop and we discussed Pcb
interface harness adapters and their specifications.
This couple forms one of the nicest suppliers in coin-
op ... Wico's Rick Sonnickson was passing through
the snack bar, so we caught up on joysticks and stuff.
Back to the show floor in search of the perfect video
~ame cabinet. Hoisted a few Coronas with lime at the
,omplimentary cocktail party/ game awards presen-
tation ... Todd Erickson's got a cabinet for sale now,
too ... (enter the dragon!)
Suite-hopping: Video 88 Suite/Rob Harrison at the
helm, featured several of Japan's freshest Pcb's
which were nowhere to be found on the show floor
below: New Zealand Story, Dynamite Dux. Bonze
Adventure, Armed F. Suite-hopping and late-night
drinking with Rob & Leon Cauchois from Palisades/
Vegas, and then suIVivors Marc WhitelawfromAction
Video/Buffalo and I huddled with Gil Pollack/Pre-
mier with some interesting pinball sales/support
strategies from a manufacturers view.
SATURDAY (DAY 3)
My slot machine coughed up a $40 win. Still ahead.
Finally, the last day of the show was here and I had
to get to the floor to play the games. These shows are
never long enough for me to get enough of the games!
Although it can be said that ACME '89 was an
overwhelming display of mediocre games in mass
quantities, there are certainly some selections of
pieces to watch carefully and to buy if they show
strong charting.
,--,..,
At the end of the show, I hoped to meet up with our
elusive STAR*1ECH Journal Editor, James Calore at
the Press Reception, but he was detained elsewhere
so I attended in his stead. (Watch for a new test gadget
coming soon from S*TJ.) Surprise appearance Sat-
urday by Video 88 founder /vaporman Mark Hamp-
ton. It's tough to get Mark away from work, but he
promises an even better booth/suite for AMOA '89 in
September.
Sharon and Karen went off to the "Hello Hollywood"
stage show and reported it's great. Off doing seafood
with the Cauchois clan (whose coin-op expertise
spans transcontinentally from South Africa to Ne-
vada), and Fun & Games tech and partyman Jeff
Siegel, our on-board tech for all driver games.
SUNDAY (DAY4)
The show's over and we're sleeping late. Cariying
Sharon's luck, we're way ahead of the slots and do a
stroll around the casino for some casual play. Since
we've not used the rental car except for one snack
run, it must be time to check out downtown and that
great casino lineup ... but first, let's test our luck on
the (gulp!) $5 slots and come up $50 in the hole ... try
again $50 in but this time $300 out for a net +$200 ...
Then $20 in and $140 out. Wow! An overall +$400 of
mine and +$1000 of Sharon's. We're in shock at such
good luck, and head downtown.
After some Eddie's Fabulous Fifties Diner food,
Sharon opts for blaclg ack and I'm checking out the
slots again. There's a pair right opposite the cashier's
desk, so I buy a $20 roll of dollars and within a couple
of pulls on the right hand machine, I'm numb; there's
three 7's for a $100 win. The machine freezes up in
win music mode and has enabled the coin lockouts,
so I play the machine to its left. In just a minute along
come the three red 7'sfor a $100win! I'm more numb,
I can't believe this, it must be a movie. I cash out my
two buckets of dollar tokens for wallet money, and
buy another $20 roll. Planning to kiss these lucky
twins goodbye with a pull or two, doesn't history
repeat itself!
THESAMEWINO&fflFirudHtrM'.Kcitm~XNb••·
WH§ ~•lm"&N.TH§~MXc#INt:t•••••<···•
Frantic and waving, I can't get Sharon's attention
across the casino floor. I cash out and pocket $400 all
together in under 10 miimtes. Then Mr. Cool Winner
does a casual stroll past the Vendress, inquiring as to
her luck, and flashes the four C-notes onto her
blaclgack table's felt ... Unbelievable but true.
MONDAY (DAY 5)
A good night's sleep behind us, we tally up our luck:
Every expense, plane, room, car, meals, tips, and
gambling all paid for by our winnings except for $50.
Reno for $10 a night! You know we're planning for
AMOA '89 in Las Vegas now! Thanks to all our friends
& hosts who made this great (and inexpensive!) show.