Bonus Slots Update: Cleopatra, Play the Market, Catch a Wave, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Cuckoo

1 October 2001

By Gayle Mitchell

It's a steady, but enjoyable, task to keep up with the slot manufacturers and their continuing parade of bonus slots maneuvering for space on the casino floors. We now return to our series of Updates to keep up with this trend. Here comes Post #7.

1) Cleopatra: As the queen watches from above, you will notice that her icon is wild and subs for all but the scatter pay--'Flaming Sphinx' plus doubles the jackpot for any winning combo. Top of the tree jackpot is paid for five Cleopatras at different max. coin denominations up to $90,000 payout for nickels. Fifteen free spins and multipliers are triggered by the 'Flaming Sphinx' scattered anywhere on your screen. Free spin time includes the same bonus features as the original game so more double jackpots and free spins result in 'royal returns'.

2) Play the Market: Sands, AC got this version first, but it is quickly moving to southern casinos. Two separate bonus rounds are 'stock play'. $$ signs in three center reels brings on the old style ticker-tape machines, pick one and your 'Stock Ticker Tape Bonus' is printed out for you. Secondly, 'Bears and Bulls Bonus' waits for stock exchange icons on the first, third and fifth reels when 15 bear and bull symbols line up for the 'Dividend' symbol choice to reveal multiplier and bonus win. 'Playing the market' is less of a risk here than the real world.

3) Catch a Wave: As the Beach Boys song goes, it's slot surfing time. Surfing dudes supply the sound while three or more wave symbols slides you into free spin bonus mode. The higher number of wave symbols determines count of free spins, e.g., five=15. Payoffs here are based on combos appearing anywhere on the screen--bonus, man! Secondly, three or more crossed-surfboard symbols 'waves' in the multiplier amounts for another bonus, dude. Surf's up, go for it.

4) Creature from the Black Lagoon: Nostalgia is big with bonus slots, thus B movies and the 50's time-span will get your attention here. Thrills, Shock, Suspense is included. Film footage of these 'scary' creatures, the right audience sounds and three + Creatures Claws sends you to the Claw Bonus. It's 'drive-in time memories' with dancing-singing hot dogs, sodas and eats on display for the player's choice. 'Bonus Treat' doubles credits accumulated as they are rung up by the comic snack-bar cashier.

5) Cuckoo: Of course, the bird is wild but not in scatter pays. That's reserved for three scattered eggs and a re-spin feature to locate the fourth, then again for the fifth where you end up at the bonus round. The large cuckoo clock ticks, ticks, away waiting for you to hit the STOP button at which time, your free spins are revealed. Multipliers are waiting as the clock makes a second appearance to give you the total bonus reward. Crazyyyyy Bird.

Lastly, an invitation to sign up for Casino Travel Showcase, the online newsletter dedicated to travelin' gamblin' players. Every second Thursday, your free copy of Casino Travel Showcase will arrive with the latest scoop on hotel-casino promotions, special offers, club card benefits, show-events, dining and gaming selections. We also report on special amenities like golf, massage and spa treatments that you surely deserve. During the month of May, three issues will be distributed. In addition to the newsletter, monthly updates are posted at travel.casino.com web-site for the following destinations: Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin--(Nevada), Atlantic City, Mississippi, Midwest, Other US and Canada. Toll free numbers are provided for your convenience and assistance in planning your next casino experience. Come aboard and travel with us when it's time for a casino run, lots of fun and bets to be won.