Slots Guide: Slot Machine Collectors
One-Armed Bandits
An old-style slot machine might as well be called a time machine. Gaze at an antique one-armed bandit and you are taken back to a time of big, classy cars, bootleggers and black and white movies. This type of slot machine is known as the one-armed bandit. It is a mechanical slot machine, having a simpler and more physical in design than today's slots. Today you see video slots that only simulate the way old one-armed bandits work; in reality they are computer-based.
This phasing-out of old slot models has made slot machine collection a truly valuable and attractive hobby. Own a slot machine today and you also own a piece of gambling history.
Slot Machine Collectors
Slot machine collectors are of two kinds: casual and serious. They are not unlike coin collectors. Some of us buy coins now and then or keep them as heirlooms; others are serious collectors who invest a lot of time and money researching and hunting for the most valuable coins. Slot machine collectors are like that too.
Looking for slot machines to own is just like hunting for other collectibles. It is quite an adventure especially if what you are looking for is very rare and antique. You can spend months or years searching for one particular model. But it is worth the effort (and expenses) for serious collectors who can be either "real" collectors who keep the slot machines or buy-and-sell types. Many slot collectors are of the latter type as a lot of money can be made from selling slots to wealthy "true" collectors.
Serious slot machine collectors handle their machines quite differently from casual slot owners. The casual owner is more likely to actually have fun with the machine. They will not only display it in their homes as but will also play with it. Serious slot machine collectors would rather keep the machine in immaculate condition. Moreover, a casual slot owner does not consider the history, type or condition of the slot machine; they just want a slot that works. A collector would want to know every detail before buying.
Buying a Slot Machine
Before you buy your own slot machine, decide first why you want it and what you want to do with it. The kind of slot machine you should buy and the amount of money you would need depends on those factors. If you want a machine so you can play slots right in your own home, then you should get a newer model. At several hundred dollars, they are relatively inexpensive and can provide you with lots of fun. On the other hand, if you are thinking about being a serious collector, you want to find vintage slots. And you will need a huge capital to begin with. An antique slot machine in very good running condition can cost thousands of dollars. A vintage slot should go back to at least the 1950s, the farther back in time the better.
To find slot machines for sale, check it online. Auction sites like eBay are a good place to start. You can also try search engines and answer forums. Like playing slots for fun or gambling, slot machine collection is now much easier thanks to the Internet.
In summary, slot machine collection is a worthwhile hobby. Casual owners can buy a slot at a relatively low price. Serious slot machine collectors will need larger capital though they can profit much by reselling their slots.