THUNDERBIRD
One of the best fruit machines Barcrest have made for some time. A very enjoyable machine but
unfortunately not very profitable. The game features two game boards each with twelve features.
The bottom twelve are mostly poor features of only a few pound whereas the top twelve are
generally more profitable. The bottom features are obtained from any win starting at £1 and the top
twelve generally start at £3 but sometimes more or less. For each successful gamble the feature will
change, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Each feature has a number, the higher the
number the better the game.
As well as the normal features, occasionally the Barcrest man will flash meaning you have a super
feature. The super features are described next to the feature list further below.
Wins are obtained from nudges which go from one to nine then jackpot repeater. There is also a
one to seven trial that must be completed in order to gain nudges. There is a bonus on position four
allowing you to advance further up the trial.
The bonuses are as follows:
Boost - Usually two but can go all the way to the jackpot.
Numbers in view - Normally only a few numbers but sometimes gets you nudges.
Stoppa - Very rare for it to go higher then two nudges.
Skill shot - Hold cancel and wait a while. Will usually reach five nudges.
Selector - Wait a while as it sometimes gives the jackpot.
Number run - The reels step down adding up several numbers until you reach the nudges.
Reel skill - The reels step slowly round. Stop it on a win or as many numbers as possible but
remember to try and line up a good win.
Respin - The reels spin several times usually allowing access to the nudge ladder.
The bottom twelve features are as follows:
1. Win Spin - Spins in £1 to £3. SUPER - Spins in red sevens for £10.
2. Cash Flash - Three cash amounts flash in the display allowing you to win £2. SUPER - Higher
symbols flash but still not very good. Average win £5.
3. Reel Roulette - A light moves around the outside of the reels stopping on the lowest symbol.
SUPER - A true skill version so stop it on the highest symbol.
4. One Knockout - Around £2. SUPER - Automatically knocks out wins below £3.
5. Two Knockouts - Around £2. SUPER - Automatically knocks out wins below £3.
6. £1 Repeater - Unlikely to repeat. SUPER - Repeats to £15.
7. Three Reel Blasts - Can be good, watch for your boxed symbols. SUPER - A true skill so
stop it on the highest symbol.
8. Five Reel Blasts - As above but with more chances. SUPER - As above.
9. £3 Repeater - Usually £3 or £6. SUPER - Repeats to £15.
10. Pick a Win - The highest is usually £5. SUPER - Usually £10.
11. Hi - Lo Notes - Hi-Lo across the top four notes. It is usually jackpot. Minimum win is £5.
SUPER - Adds up all the notes as you go along allowing you to win £38 very rare though.
12. Jackpot Repeater - Can repeat up to a massive £75.
The top twelve features are as follows:
1. Money Belt - Wins scroll along the display. Average win £3. SUPER - Higher win values
scroll along allowing a win of around £5.
2. Two Knockouts - Minimum win £1. SUPER - Minimum win £3.
3. Four Knockouts - Minimum win £2. SUPER - Minimum win £3.
4. £2 Repeater - Rarely repeats and never more then once. SUPER - Repeats up to £14 or £16.
5. Six Knockouts - Minimum win £4. SUPER - Do not try for more than £10 as it is unlikely.
6. Seven Reel Blasts - There are only nine symbols in view so a boxed win is almost guaranteed.
SUPER - A true skill shot on all the symbols so go for the highest win.
7. £5 Repeater - Average win £5 to £10. SUPER - Repeats to £15.
8. Cash Skill - A slow skill shot that moves up and down the cash ladder reaching around £6.
SUPER - Climbs up to the jackpot repeater.
9. Note Shoot - A light flashes randomly on one of the four notes. Anything from £5 to £15.
SUPER - A true skill version allowing for an easy jackpot.
10. Note Skill - A true skill shot on the notes for an easy £15. SUPER - None.
11. Mega Cash - A light flashes randomly on the notes and 'spin' lights. Press start to stop the
light. Usually £25 but sometimes £60 plus. SUPER - None.
12. Jackpot Repeater - Can repeat up to £75 but don't push for it.
The bad thing about this machine is it kills you on good numbers on the cash side even when
paying-out which gets extremely frustrating. As you reach the £8 mark you nearly always get either
Mega Cash or the jackpot from the features. Do not push more then Mega Cash unless on a one
or twelve, as this is a very good feature. Once one top feature is offered and not taken it will
usually offer another top feature a couple of gambles later. As you gamble up on either ladder you
will sometimes get a bonus off the number reel. The bonuses will help you advance further.
Think about the number you will inherit when you nudge in a win. Do not go lower then a twelve
on nudges if the win is the same because the number can be used for gambling up the cash.
The game also offer at least one chance to change the number so use it wisely.
HIDDEN FEATURES:
If you get three numbers in a row on the win line without getting on the nudge ladder you get one
chance to press in one of six sequences giving a certain amount of nudges. 2-1-3 will give six
nudges. The mystery win can go up to jackpot but is usually £1 to £2.
Boxed wins are doubled.
PAYING-OUT:
Watch out for several change numbers during play as this is an extremely good sign but it can still
take a while to get going. The jackpot can repeat a lot, £75 is not uncommon.
