It’s always annoying amusing when elderly people win huge jackpots in casinos or state lotterys. They’re always fun little stories that follow a quick pattern. As shown by today’s edition of this tale, it’s location in the “Oddly Enough” section demonstrates its overall importance. Yet, I clicked through.
Unfortunately, now I must mock the unnamed writer:
Great-grandmother Josephine Crawford of nearby Galloway Township was playing the nickel slots in Harrah’s casino in the game where each play costs 5 cents, or a nickel.
A nickel slot costs 5 cents, or a nickel? Who would’ve guessed? Does that mean a quarter slot is 25 cents, or a quarter? Perhaps that’s simplifying the story beyond the “average reader’s” need. Find me someone who is old enough to play a slot machine and I’ll guess she understands how much money she needs to play one spin.
Update: In the comments Kip explains what really happened, i.e. what Reuters ignored. Of course, I missed it, too, but it’s Saturday, so I blame Reuters.
Actually, slot machines accept multiple coin plays and typically offer the opportunity to play multiple lines.
A typical nickel slot machine will offer nine lines at up to five coins per line. And you generally have to max out the pull in order to qualify for the main jackpot. Hence a “nickel” actually costs $0.05 x 45 = $2.25.
In her case, the pull was for even more — $3.00.
Also, slot machines are generally coinless these days, so perhaps the writer meant “$0.05 of electronic funds, or a nickel coin.” (?)
And there you go. I don’t generally think too much of slots, since I try to stay away from them when I go to Vegas. (Damn you, Wheel of Fortune!) Alas, I forgot about the multi-coin play.
Of course, it seems Reuters could’ve put in the same effort to explain that that you gave here. Thanks for the clarification.