Deal or No Deal Slots
The television show Deal or No Deal appeared in the U.S. market on December 19th, 2005, and it proved to be a ratings success for NBC for several seasons. A number of licensing agreements were signed during this time to increase overall revenue, including video games, scratch-off lottery tickets, clothing, and slot machines. The focus of this article is on the latter.
The slot games that were based around the show also quickly became a big hit. Here we are going to cover the history surrounding these slot machines, the different types of games that have been created for it and also how you can purchase a Deal or No Deal slot machine of your own. Also find a free version of the online game below.
Wheel of Fortune
Double Diamond
Lobstermania
Cleopatra
Ghostbusters
Lord of the Rings
Bridesmaids
The $100,000 Pyramid
The Dark Knight
Family Guy
History of Deal or No Deal
The Deal or No Deal concept was originally launched in 2000, when the show Hunt for Millions appeared on Dutch television. Due to the simplicity of the concept and enthusiastic audience response, similar shows would soon appear in Turkey, Russia, Italy, Germany, Chili, Australia, Argentina, and Belgium.
American audiences took to Deal or No Deal and it performed well in prime time, consistently placing in the top 20. In 2008, a half-hour daytime syndicated version of the program was launched, with this version also hosted by Mandel.
The primetime show continued for four seasons, with 2009 being its last year on the air. The syndicated show continued for an additional season, finally ending in 2010. Despite its absence from American airwaves, recent years have seen new versions of the show debut in countries such as Tunisia, Moldova, France, and Estonia.
How the Game Works
In the real-life version of Deal or No Deal, the game begins with representations of cash amounts ranging from one penny to one-million dollars being placed randomly in 26 briefcases. Once the contestant takes the stage, he or she selects one of these briefcases to begin.
As the game progresses, the contestant is asked to choose other briefcases. These cases are then opened, and the amount inside is revealed before being removed from play.
Following each round, the mysterious Banker contacts the host and offers the player a cash settlement to drop out of the game. The player may then choose to accept the payment and end their participation, or they may decline and continue.
The game continues until only two cases remain in play: the one originally selected by the player and the one still on the stage. If the player rejects the last offer from the Banker, they may either take the value in their case or switch cases and receive that amount. Regardless of the outcome, the game is then brought to a close.
Types of Deal or No Deal Slot Machines
If you search online for "Deal or No Deal slot machines," you'll find that a number of companies have held the rights to convert the TV show into slot machines or mobile gaming apps. While some of these have expired, the most significant remaining license belongs to IGT, and that's the focus of this section.
This basic video slot contains five reels, 25 paylines, and features such as wilds, scatters, single-level progressives, and the Briefcase Bonus. The latter is triggered when the player gets a briefcase on the first, third, and fifth reels, and it plays out much like the actual game. The player can choose to take the initial offer made by the Banker, or they can pass and go for a potentially higher win.
This game includes two game grids, with the middle reel being shared by both. Some paylines cross from one grid to the other, and there are also mystery wilds and free spin bonus triggers to look forward to. The highlights include a free spin bonus round, a two-level progressive, and an all-new Briefcase Bonus round.
This variation offers two core games, and the player can switch from one to the other via a touchscreen. Each time the Briefcase Bonus is triggered, bonus enhancers such as Sneak Peek and Top Two Briefcases are enabled. In addition to pick-a-prize options and free spins, the player can try for five distinct bonus features.
A number of games are linked together to create a community experience, and an on-screen countdown shows the time until the next bonus round. In order to qualify, you'll need to collect at least 18 gold briefcases during the regular phase of the game. Once the bonus round begins, all qualifying players have the option of accepting the offer from the Banker or sticking with the briefcase they initially chose.
The bonus round occurred every 11 minutes in the original game, but the sequel has whittled the time down to eight minutes. Mystery bonuses show up more frequently, and a new free spin bonus has been added.
The base game has a number of wilds and scatters for players to shoot for, while bonus rounds include Briefcase Bonus and Banker's Bonus. The former works the same in all versions of the Deal or No Deal game, while the latter is triggered on a maximum wager and allows the player to choose between qualifier cases or credits.
How to Buy a Deal or No Deal Slot
Slot machine collection is a growing hobby, and there are numerous slots enthusiasts who have one or more machines in their den or game room. Most owners aren't equipped to pay out massive jackpots to their guests, but these machines are still capable of delivering winning spins with all the accompanying fanfare. Not only do they make a great conversation piece, but they also provide hours of endless entertainment for anyone who doesn't want to risk real cash at a casino.
Unfortunately, a lot of U.S. states have laws prohibiting the ownership of slots less than 25 years old. In such areas, it's illegal to ship a newer game to someone, even though it's intended for private use.
The following states don't allow any slots to be owned by residents: Connecticut, Hawaii, Nebraska, South Carolina, and Tennessee. On the opposite end of the spectrum, these states have no restrictions when it comes to slot ownership: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Due to trademark issues, Deal or No Deal slots are not widely available to the private collector. Patience and persistence can pay off, however, as a simple Google search turned up one online dealer offering a full-sized machine for $2,995 (with a one-year warranty thrown in for good measure).