Q 01/05

What nickname for slot machines refers to the side lever and a knack for emptying wallets?

A) One-armed bandit

B) Iron gambler

C) Coin thief

D) Wheel of ruin

Answer · why

A) One-armed bandit

Modern machines mostly use buttons and touchscreens; the lever survives as a skeuomorphic flourish.

Q 02/05

What are slot machines called in Australia and New Zealand?

A) Fruities

B) Slotties

C) Spinnies

D) Pokies

Answer · why

D) Pokies

The name is short for poker machines; officially they are 'gaming machines'.

Q 03/05

What are slot machines called in Scots?

A) Bandies

B) Puggies

C) Wee spinners

D) Bawbees

Answer · why

B) Puggies

The British call them fruit machines.

Q 04/05

Roughly what share of an average US casino's income comes from slot machines?

A) About 45%

B) About 70%

C) About 55%

D) About 30%

Answer · why

B) About 70%

They are by far the most popular way to gamble in a casino.

Q 05/05

On which card game was the 1893 Sittman and Pitt machine of five drums and 50 cards based?

A) Blackjack

B) Whist

C) Faro

D) Poker

Answer · why

D) Poker

There was no payout mechanism, so a good hand might earn a free beer or cigars.