If you like interactive bonuses, bonuses within bonuses and "extra surprises," have I got a game for you!Based on the 1961 film with Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly and George Peppard as Paul Varjak, the Breakfast at Tiffany's slot machines at Golden Nugget Atlantic City, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and Revel even feature the Academy Award-winning "Moon River" as background music, as well as clips from the movie.
The Set-Up: In another break from the traditional rectangular grid, typically five reels and three or four rows, the main screen has two separate games side by side - Holly's and Paul's. Holly's Game has three reels and three rows, plus an additional two reels with four rows; Paul's is similar, except in mirror image - two reels with four rows and three reels with three rows. In addition, atop the main screen, there is a second larger screen where most of the featured bonuses take place, usually in combination with animation that begins below on the main screen.
Symbols in both games range from close-up stills of Holly and Paul - one of which in each game is marked "Wild." Other symbols include sunglasses, a guitar, earrings and a pair of shoes.
Each game has 60 lines (for a minimum of 45 credits at a penny or nickel a piece). You can choose to play Holly's Game by itself, or, for an additional 45 credits, both games at once. If you want to increase your bet by a multiplier of two, three or four, you must play both games simultaneously.
How It Plays: Wins are determined by matching three or more like symbols-- left to right - in predetermined patterns. Playing both games can trigger a "Stack Attack" that copies reels of Wilds from one game to the other - doubling the number of Wilds. It sounds confusing, so just sit back, watch it happen and see your winning combinations increase.
Now, about those "surprises" ...
Periodically, Holly's cat appears on-screen to "scratch" symbols and make them wild, add multipliers ranging from two to 10 times a winning combination, or, in a unique interactive feature, "pet" the cat to release additional credits from his furry coat.
On Paul's side, look for a typewriter. "Tapping" on the keyboard generates additional credits. Paul's Game also has a "Cash a Check" feature which generates credits from 50 to 2,000 times your total bet.
Bonus Features: In either game, three scattered Bonus symbols-- an invitation tied up with a bright red bow - starts you on your way to possibly winning one of four multi-level progressives: Gold, Silver, Holly's Party or Five and Dime. Alternatively, you could select the Alley Cat Bonus or the Mailbox Bonus.
To begin, choose one of three large bows that appear on the screen. If you select Fire Escape, touch "Start" and the cat "jumps" up to the top screen and into a window containing one of three bonuses:
In the Five and Dime Bonus, collect tokens by choosing one of six items in a series of display cases containing novelties such as yoyos, kazoos, paddleballs, etc. You'll get a head start on collecting tokens based on your multiplier. In other words, if you're betting at a three-times multiplier, you'll start with three tokens. Collect six and you win the progressive. Even after winning the progressive, you can continue to choose items and rack up additional credits. Picking the cat masks symbol, rather than a credit amount, ends the game.
Holly's Party can give you up to 30 free spins in a game similarly configured to the main Holly's Game, but with different symbols. You'll also get the chance to collect additional credits - or the Holly's Party progressive - by choosing the correct cocktail from a tray of nine drinks. Six of the drinks will award credits; the others will award the progressive. Watch out for that call from an angry neighbor, though. It will end the bonus. The number of drinks you get to select, as well as the number of calls from the neighbor, is based on your multiplier. A bet with a three-time multiplier will give you three drinks, as well as three calls. After the third call, the "police" show up and the party's over.
For a chance to win either the Gold or Silver progressive, shop the offerings in the Breakfast at Tiffany's Bonus. Selecting the most valuable items will build your own unique "wheel of fortune." Sliding your fingers across the edge of the wheel will cause the wheel to spin, determining your final win.
Had you selected the Alley Cat Bonus, the game would have taken you into a warehouse full of crates. The earlier you select the crate containing the cat, the greater your win. Choosing the wrong crate gains you an additional selection, sometimes along with bonus credits. One crate contains the chance to play the Breakfast at Tiffany's Bonus game.
In the Mailbox Bonus, choose one of six mailboxes and receive anywhere from 180 to 900 times your bet. If there's an invitation in the mailbox you select, you'll get a chance to play either the Holly's Party or Breakfast at Tiffany's bonus.
All in all, Breakfast at Tiffany's is a very "inviting" game to play and enjoy. RSVP today at Golden Nugget, Borgata or Revel.
To watch a video about Breakfast at Tiffany's, search YouTube at www.YouTube.com.
Where You Can Play Breakfast at Tiffany's: At Borgata, a penny version of Breakfast at Tiffany's is located against the side wall next to Wolfgang Puck's. Look for the large bank of Sex and the City machines. At Golden Nugget, a penny version of Breakfast at Tiffany's is located toward the rear of the casino in the section to the right of the Poker Room. At Revel there are three locations. Entering the casino from the top of the escalator leading from the Boardwalk, walk toward the large American Idol group play and underneath the orange fabric-covered hanging lights. A penny version is part of that "neighborhood" of machines also containing Sex in the City. Two more penny machines are located near the other orange fabric-covered lights on the opposite side of the casino. A nickel version of the machine is located in the high-limit slot area underneath the white dome with the cloud projections. (Note: Locations subject to change.)
"Recreational gambler" Darryl D. McEwen, a former professional journalist, is president of his own consulting firm that manages several small national and international trade associations, and provides public relations and fundraising services for a number of charitable organizations. He is based in Wilmington, Del. His column appears every other week.
