I am 44 years old and have played machines since I was a small child. I first played once a year on family holidays at the seaside. In 1979 I passed my driving test and began my hobby on Line-Up (Barcrest). My 'Golden Age' was in the late 80's and early 90's, with the advent of 20p machines that had a high degree of skill to them, along side the Bell and Barcrest 'cash climers' such as 'cash counter', and 'chain reaction'. All fantastic earners for the sharp eyed and quick fingered. I made little from 'bugs' as I never found out in time. I did though have a wonderful week on PayRise(ACE) as I found out just as chipping started, and found one that took 2 months more to get done! I am now taking a more scientific approach, since skill is no longer relevant, looking at game profiles, percentage, set pieces (I.E some streaks are triggered by a forceable event, such as QPS machines). I have subscribed to a few related newsgroups, and met a few players (who probably don't know it's me).

I have been barred from:-

Half of Brighton

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

The Point (Bracknell)

I am wary of pubs, since tales on the boards show that locals take great exception to players who win even a single JP who are not known to them. Thus I began to play services after my second expulsion from the Point in the early 90's. Having a CAR is a great help, so I can go where and when I like. I am now preparing this classic camper for some of my outings (remember what you clicked on).

I am intending to sell or swap information, such as Service Station location guides, using this website as a portal. I do not intend to sell 'rubbish' such as the stuff on 'shitefruits' which is about 2 years old. The location guides are prepared by myself on my trips, and will carry a date stamp to indicate the time of my last visit. Updates, whether by personal inspection, or trade of information, will be stamped with the new date so that no-one should trade and find out they have what they have already traded for before! I intend to expand the information beyond Fruit Machines, to other aspects of the individual services, such as ease of refund, change troubles, getting wallet refills without paying £1-75 to CardPoint. For example: Stafford Northbound (Moto) has a cash machine in the 'gamezone' that charges £1-75 per withdrawal, but go outside, turn left towards the phones, and there is a high street bank machine for FREE (Until Moto remove it!!). There are no parking attendants at Corley, but park at Hilton and they will descend within 1/2 hour of going over limit. At Hilton and others, simply move your car every couple of hours, over the other side on the second move, and back again, this will save £6 of perfectly good forcing ammo.

Further tips will follow.

Current "Emptiers" will NOT be posted, as this spoils any remaining value in them. Past ones may eventually get posted for interest. Methods I am aware of MAY be posted once they become 'common knowledge' and effectively valueless for trade. I will post information from 'customer service' that may be helpful. Such as any test machines, machines known to be displaying wrong %age, 'bent' staff/operators spotted up to no good (That means YOU 'Miss Shop' who walked in, switched on Hellraiser, collected the bank from a hopper fault, and walked back to the shop again, well after the player left - did he get his refund I wonder!). Anyone here got shafted by a Hellraiser in July and Didn't get the refund?