Technology at the Casino

Casino games no longer just consist of card and dice games. There are many gambling games which use technology. Video poker, slot machines, and pachinko are a few of these casino games that have become popular because of technology.

Video Poker

Video Poker at Bodines Casino, Carson City, Nevada

Video poker is played by inserting money into a machine. You then place a bet of at least one credit and press deal. A barcoded paper ticket can be used instead of coins, which is yet another advancement in technology. After the cards have been electronically dealt, the player has the ability to discard one or more cards in exchange for others. If a winning combination is made, then the machine pays out to the player.

Slot Machines

Slot machines are a computerized casino game which also uses technology. Slot machines use an electronic system to spin mechanical reels that spin and stop, revealing one or several simple symbols. If a winning combination is shown, then the player wins. The reels used on slot machines have been improved over time thru technology and are now virtual reels instead of metal reels. Computers in slot machines allow each symbol to have a different probability, making it a game of chance.

Pachinko

Pachinko is a Japanese gambling machine which is similar to a vertical pinball machine, without any flippers, and multiple small balls. The player wins if the balls land in winning slots. Pachinko machines have improved over time and were originally mechanical, but modern machines use extensive electronics.

Technology will probably continue to improve casino games. Maybe there will be something different at the casino the next time you go.



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Latest Gadgets: the Makerbot Thing-O-Matic

MakerBot Glamour Shot

Image by bre pettis via Flickr

Introducing the MakerBot Thing-O-Matic

The Makerbot Thing-O-Matic is a 3-D printer. Yes, you read that right. This open-source 3D printer can actually craft real-life plastic objects based on your designs. Dubbed as a “factory in a box,” this latest gadget has been wowing tech magazines and business owners alike. The next time you break a part or a household object, simply set the Thing-o-Matic to make a new one. Small objects can be crafted and printed in just 30 minutes. Here are some of the sample items that can be created with the Thing-O-Matic:

  • Bottle openers
  • Chess sets
  • Rulers
  • Plastic toys (soldiers, aliens, dolls, etc.)
  • Lunchboxes
  • Bath plugs
  • Model cars
  • Ash trays
  • Coat hooks
  • Curtain rings
  • Jewelery: bracelets, earrings, etc.
  • Elbow or knee pads
  • Bottles
  • Wine stopper
  • Knobs or handles
  • Building blocks
  • Glasses frames
  • Measuring spoons

How the Thing-O-Matic Works

First, download a template from the Internet or create your own with design software. Send your design of choice to the Thing-o-Matic via a USB cable. The Thing-O-Matic then sprays layers of hot plastic via a spray nozzle until the product is complete. Finally, a chemical bath removes any excess plastic created during manufacturing. It can create objects measuring up to six by six by seven inches. The machine uses three different kinds of plastic and takes about 12 hours to assemble. Expect the Thing-O-Matic to cost around $1300. Custom fully-assembled models cost around $2500.

Future Models: Electronics?

The people at Makerbot say that future models could have the capability to combine metal with plastic, meaning that homemade electronics could be the next wave of the future.

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