Welcome to the GOLD MINE information desk. We're here to tell you how to find your way around our casino, to help you open a Casino Dollars credit account, or to give you information about your account and generally tell you how well you're doing.
To use this system, click the boxes on the right. We're here to help.
%2
GENERAL INFORMATION
This file contains general information about the game. For detailed help, click on INSTRUCTIONS.
Whenever the screen displays a prompt in [square brackets], clicking the mouse or pressing any key except N or Esc moves to the next screen. To end this section, press N. To leave the Info screen, press Esc or click on LEAVE.
[more]%P
GOLD MINE is a slot machine game that attempts to be as accurate a simulation of a casino as possible, from the appearance and action of the machines to the appearance and action of the IRS (if they catch you with a big jackpot). The main difference is you can't use real money. These machines are played with simulated credit cards, and winnings are paid out to your card. Some real casinos are adopting this scheme, but that's because they're CHEAP! They can't afford to fill the machines with real money!
[more]%P
A casual user (a "walk-in") can go straight to the machines and play, since every time you start the program you have a one-time credit card (something like a prepaid phone card) with $100 of credits on it. If you lose these credits, you have to go back to work - ie, exit from the program - to get more (just like real life). If you win, we assume you squander most of it on food and clothes before you come back, so you start again with $100.
[more]%P
Alternatively, you can open a casino account and get a Gold Mine credit card. This is much more agreeable. For one thing, we give you a credit line of $1000, and record your winnings for your next visit. For another, you can use this card in our handy ATM, operated on our behalf by a major bank. Conveniently located in Zurich, Switzerland, our bank will respect your privacy (no doubt a refreshing contrast from your local financial services provider).
[more]%P
Although you can use credit cards in the unregistered version of the game, we do not extend credit nor save the records of unregistered users. Sorry!
[more]%P
Whether you open an account or just use the one-time cards, playing the machines is simple. Just click on the PLAY box to go into the casino area, then select your favorite machine from those displayed. Click PLAY again to play the machine. Clicking on CHANGE feeds the machine credits from your card, while CASH OUT transfers your winnings or unused credits back to your credit card and returns you to the machine selection screen.
[more]%P
STATISTICS AND STUFF
Our slots are the loosest you'll find anywhere. That doesn't mean you'll hit the jackpot on every visit, but it does mean that on average, you'll leave with more money than you started with.
Actually, things vary. Sometimes you'll find a machine set for high frequency - lots of small payouts, but not many big ones. Sometimes you'll find one set for frequent jackpots, in which case you won't hit small payoffs so often. To keep life interesting, these settings change every time you play.
[more]%P
WARRANTY
This program is guaranteed to do absolutely nothing. It may make your monitor explode, erase your hard disk, give you Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from excessive use of the mouse or cause other unspecified loss, damage, pain and/or suffering. WARNING! DO NOT USE THIS PROGRAM. Stop right now, before it's too late.
[more]%P
This program is not a gambling device. It is an educational resource produced for the sole purpose of demonstrating the evil and addictive effects of so-called "slot machines" on weak persons of a venal disposition. Our psychic tells us that Carrie Nation approves of it. We do not condone gambling. If you continue to use this program, you assume all responsibility for the consequences and agree that it's not our fault.
[more]%P
CREDITS
GOLD MINE was written by Peter Hand, entirely in Assembler. Of the million or so people who have a copy of his shareware VGA SLOTS, Peter would like to show appreciation to those who sent money to register the program.
"To all thirty of you: THANKS!"
%3
INSTRUCTIONS
This file contains instructions on playing the game. Whenever the screen displays a prompt in [square brackets], clicking the mouse or pressing any key except N or Esc moves to the next screen. To end this section, press N. To leave the Info screen, press Esc or click on LEAVE.
[more]%P
When you start the game, you are on a dark desert highway, cool wind in your hair, warm smell of melitas .. coming out of Pete's Goldmine Casino. Click ENTER to go to the lobby.
No mouse? Keyboard alternatives are given for every button. In general, ENTER takes you forward one screen and ESC takes you back. ALT-Q exits the program instantly from any screen.
[next: Lobby]%P
LOBBY
Here you may select a player, visit the ATM or the information desk, and go through to the slot machines. The four credit cards represent players. To select one, click on it. The current player's name is highlighted, and all winnings and losses are charged to this card. If you do not select a player you can still use the casino, but you are limited to the cash in your pocket and when it is gone, you must leave.
[next: ATM]%P
ATM
You've used an automatic teller machine before, haven't you? The main thing to remember is your PIN, which is printed on your card. You can enter numbers by clicking on the ATM buttons, or from the computer keyboard.
If you don't have a card selected, you can't use the ATM. Obvious, really.
[next: Information Desk]%P
INFORMATION
If you're reading this, you worked out how to get to the main help section (by clicking on INSTRUCTIONS) by yourself.
The "i" sign gives you general information about the software.
[next: opening an account]%P
OPEN ACCOUNT
This is how you obtain a credit card. If all four cards are already in use, the program will invite you to delete an existing user. You will then be asked for your name. Any name will do and we won't ask to see a driver's license or social security card, since our Casino is in the VGA, not the USA, and we've never even HEARD of a 1099 or Treasury Regulation 6A.
[more]%P
Account details are not saved in the unregistered game, so until you register you'll have to apply for a new card every time you start the game.
[next: statements]%P
Clicking on STATEMENT will suck in your player card, read it and tell you the history of the currently selected player. Occasionally there may be other messages waiting; check here from time to time. Remove the card (click on it) or press N to leave this function.
LEAVE takes you back to the lobby.
[next: playing the machines]%P
PLAYING THE MACHINES
Clicking PLAY (in the Lobby) takes you to a machine selection screen. On the right are small icons representing the machines available. Clicking a machine icon (or pressing numbers 1 to 6) displays a picture of it. In this picture you can study the payoff schedule - click on it or press M to view the meters. When you have selected a machine you can click its name again, press its number again, or press ENTER, to play it.
[more]%P
Goldmine version 2 and later can accept extra machine packs. If these are present in the game directory, the program will automatically find them and offer them for play. Clicking NEXT or pressing N takes you to the next selection. When you've seen them all they start over, so if you only have one pack, clicking NEXT will fade out and then come right back with the same screen.
[more]%P
Machine controls
CHANGE (keyboard: $)
When lit, put money in the machine from your credit card (if you have any).
CASH/CREDIT (keyboard: X)
When lit, the machine will pay out to the credit meter. When not lit, the machine will drop coins in the tray with a satisfying noise.
[more]%P
PLAY 1 CREDIT (keyboard: C)
When lit, plays 1 credit from the credit meter. Goes out when maximum coins have been played.
SPIN (keyboard: Space)
Lit when at least 1 coin or credit is played. Runs the machine.
PLAY MAXIMUM (keyboard: M)
When lit, play credits from the credit meter up to the maximum number. The machine will start automatically.
[more]%P
COINS IN TRAY (keyboard: D)
If there are any coins in the tray, click here to insert one.
EXIT (keyboard: Esc)
Go back to pick screen, saving any coins and credits remaining. If you exit with coins in the tray, they will be put back in the tray next time you play; but they are saved to your credit card if you leave.
[more]%P
ALT menu
Pressing the ALT key displays another menu on the bottom line. Here you have the following keyboard options:
ALT-Q Quit the game instantly
ALT-S Turn the sound on and off
ALT-T Display the payoff tables
ALT-A Auto-play until credits run out
This line also displays coins played, coins won, and total plays for this machine since you started the program this time.
[next: machine descriptions]%P
The following machines are included in Pack 1 -
JUMPIN'JEWELS
A one-line, 3-coin multiplier rather like Double Diamond. This is the Super version, with moving bars .. a personal favorite. The Jumpin' Jewels symbol is wild. Each Jumpin' Jewel symbol on a winning line doubles the payoff. For example, 2 blue bars and a JJ pays twice the amount that 3 blue bars would pay; 1 blue bar and 2 JJ's pays four times the amount. The payoff is multiplied by the number of credits you played.
[more]%P
RED, WHITE and BLUE
What slot game is complete without this one? Any combination of symbols pays something .. more if the colors or symbols match, and more if the colors are in the order red, white, blue. The payoff is multiplied by the number of credits played. (The name Red White and Blue is copyright IGT. "De minimis non curat lex", guys.)
[more]%P
LUCKY 777
A one-line, 3-coin multiplier. The payoffs on this machine are relatively large, but less frequent than the other machines. If you play 3 credits, the minimum win is 30.
[more]%P
GRAND SLAM
This is a little different - it's a 3-coin buy. Payoffs are NOT multiplied by the number of credits you play. Instead, the first credit buys the first few win combinations, the second buys some more, and the third buys the rest. The machine will not pay off on winning combinations you didn't buy ..
[more]%P
AVALANCHE
Another 3-coin multiplier with familiar Bar-5 and Bar-7 symbols, and wild symbols.
[more]%P
ANARCHY
Just to be different, this is a 2-coin multiplier. The ANARCHY symbol is wild, and each one on a winning line doubles the payoff. Look out for some unusual moves when you hit a winner! Anything can happen, and probably will.
Good luck!
%Z** end of file ** end of file ** end of file ** end of file ** end of file ** end of file ** end of file ** end of file
** end of file ** end of file ** end of file ** end of file ** end of file ** end of file ** end of file ** end of file
