Riverboat Gambler Quick-Take
by Scott Piehler
spiehler@yahoo.com

Since my rulesheet for Riverboat Gambler turned into the vision of an
obsessive completist, I decided to write this quick-take for those who
just want to play the silly thing!


Basic gameplay summary:
-Enable roulette wheel by either making the skill shot or earning 100
bonus chips.
-Enable roulette jackpot by advancing the backglass win-meter to the
top.  Do this by winning the various CASINO games.
-Win at roulette by making the lit shot, and betting correctly using
the buttons on the lockdown bar.
-Complete various tasks to spell CASINO for 2 Million points
-Earn 3 stars for a second chance Extra Ball

Multiball:
A two ball, no-jackpot affair that is started by making the Slot Shot.
Scoring: as in regular play, except each switch also scores a bonus
chip, the BUST CARD is inactive, each WINNING STREAK shot advances the
Win Meter.

CASINO Games
(Note-each game you win advances the win meter)

CASINO strategy-If possible, save C for last. Since the award can be
looped, the first shot will complete CASINO. The second shot will
light C to begin spelling CASINO again. *Much* easier.

C-5 Card. Knock down targets and/or shoot the right ramp to spot
playfield cards.  Shoot ramp when ROYAL FLUSH arrow is lit to score
500,000 points, 100 or 200 bonus chips, and light C. Royal Flush may
be collected multiple times via looping.

A-Blackjack-Shoot the top right standup target 3 times without hitting
the BUST card standup to score progressive bonus chips and points, and
light A.

S-Slot Machine. Lower the slot ramp by looping Winning Streak shot, or
rolling over lit right inlane. Shoot left ramp when down to receive a
random award (including stars), light S, and begin Multiball.

I-Skill Shot-Make plunger skill shot to score progressive points,
award 100 bonus chips, light I, and play Roulette.

N-Roulette-Correctly bet on Roulette wheel using buttons on lockdown
bar. Award is 100 bonus chips, (800 for a successful bet on GREEN), or
Jackpot, depending on Win Meter.  Lose on regular bet-lose 100 bonus
chips. Lose Jackpot bet-lose 1/2  your bonus chips. You must bet
successfully to light N. Win or lose, 4 of the 16 roulette spaces
award a star. A winning GREEN bet advances the Win Meter immediately
to the top.

O-CHIPS-Complete CHIPS standups to receive lit award (can be a star)
and light O.

Strategy:
The only way to really roll up monster scores is to be lucky at
Jackpot Roulette. Barring that, here are some things you can do
skill-wise.

ROYAL FLUSH is the most lucrative skill-based game on the playfield.
Since it can be looped, you can roll up millions very quickly. Each
loop also advances the win meter, so it's a great way to set up
Jackpot Roulette.

The only CHIPS standup award really worth going for is Star. Trap ball
on left flipper and time your shot when the award is strobing to
select Star at every opportunity.

Multiball is the best time to collect Blackjack, since the BUST card
is disabled.

Become proficient with the bi-directional lane change, since it's the
easiest way to lower the slot ramp.

Make the skill shot! It's worth 100,000 times the ball in play. It
also instantly starts roulette, and makes the bumpers worth more bonus
chips.

This game really rewards flipper passing, and it's fairly easy to do.