A NEW, TALL VIDEO POKER CABINET

I’m Enjoying The Games, But What About Gameplay?

Recently, I stopped in to play the new, tall IGT video poker cabinets at Lone Butte Casino in Chandler. There are several games there, including Powerhouse Plus, and versions of Hot Roll and Super Times Pay.

I really enjoy the original Powerhouse, so I thought I’d try Powerhouse Plus during my visit. For those of you who know about the original game, winning hands mean free hands! Most Powerhouse games allow for traditional 3/5/10 play with additional awards for dealt winners which are free hands and multipliers. At max bet, players receive up to nine additional hands when dealt a winning hand, with additional random multipliers awarded on some win categories. When the free hands are triggered, the new hands move to the top box for an entirely new bonus round, creating a fully integrated video poker play experience. Bonus hands are awarded in the top box for maximum entertainment and celebration value. Powerhouse Poker is the first video poker game to truly take advantage of game play in the top box. The game essentially provides players more opportunities to draw into bigger wins while not deviating from primary video poker strategy.

However, in Powerhouse Plus, with a side bet of five credits, dealt winning hands can earn up to 80 free hands! The number of extra hands awarded depends on the initiating bet, and extra hands appear on the top portion of the screen. Now, the tall cabinet allows for the game to play out all on one monitor. And, all the other game play from the original Powerhouse carries through as well.

The game image of Powerhouse Plus, on the right, depicts a standard video poker button panel. The games at Lone Butte make use of a touchscreen button panel, like most of IGT’s newer slots. That’s my challenge with the unit itself, not the video poker game, and I’m wondering how my fellow video poker players out there feel about the touchscreen buttons for video poker?

I’ve uploaded a video of a team member’s gameplay for you to get a sense of the game. Check out our website (AZGamingGuide.com) and click on “Videos.” The actual link is: AZGamingGuide.com/index_files/videos.html. Or, find the video on our Facebook (ArizonaGamingGuide). Reading this digitally? Just click the picture!

I want to know what you think about the games on these new, tall cabinets and what you think about playing on the tall cabinets? Write me! Email me!

You can also send me an email if you want to know how to hold a hand! Doesn't matter if it’s holds you are seeing other people make, or if you just want to be sure about your own holds. Ask me any video poker question, regardless of what it’s about! You can email Editor@AZGamingGuide.com, or send a letter to: Editor, AZ Gaming Guide, PO BOX 20636, Mesa, AZ, 85277. $