Page 33 - October 2009 • Southern California Gaming Guide

Wby Borris Bienn
hen you want to enjoy the excitement of playing slots and table games, but you don’t feel like going to the casino, Phantom EFX has you covered. Phantom EFX has a wide range of games for your PC (and even a few for
your MAC), featuring virtual casinos and some of the most innovative and creative slots around. e latest games in the Reel Deal series incorporate the look and feel of the Far East, but there’s nothing foreign about these games. Behind the tranquil scenery and Oriental illustrations, you’ll nd Phantom EFX games—and that’s a very good thing.
appear in the corner of certain symbols. After the initial line wins are awarded, these arrows expand, and reach up or to the left, and then the original symbol transforms into a copy of the adjacent symbol—and then new wins are
awarded!
In Tornado, the twister blows across
the reels, scattering the symbols at random. Once the storm has passed, line pays are awarded based on the new symbols.
Reel Deal Casino: Imperial Fortune
e latest addition to the Reel Deal Casino series, Reel Deal Casino: Imperial Fortune includes everything you would ever expect to nd in a physical casino right on your PC. Of course, you have a selection of slot machines, including traditional 3-reel slots and video slots with exciting bonus rounds. Youcanalsospendtimebettingonyour favorite sporting events, and racing events in the Sportsbook and Racebook. But chances are, you’ll spend most of your time at the tables, and with good reason: ere are over 40 di erent Table Games to choose from. Play six di erent varieties of Poker from Texas Hold’em to 7 Card Stud. You can also enjoy a selection of Blackjack games. Plus, you can also play craps and roulette.
A new feature in Reel Deal Casino: Imperial Fortune is the Tournament Path. In order to play the Tournament Path, you
Imperial Fortune includes over 40 exciting table games with cards, dice and wheels.
rst have to win coins playing the non- tournament versions of the games. Each game has its own requirements to win the coin. You might have to win a suited blackjack in clubs, or roll a 10 the hard way. Once you’ve earned the coin, you can play the tournament—and if you successfully complete enough trials, you could be invited to the Grand Master Tournament.
And they’re off! Race horses or greyhounds in Imperial Fortune’s Racebook.
Reel Deal Slots:
Treasures of the Far East
e Far East theme is embodied throughout Reel Deal Slots: Treasures of the Far East, with exquisite attention to detail, including soothing ambient music available on the in-game MP3 player. e casino that contains the slots is even a serene pagoda, nestled in the mountains of Asia. But the real treasure here is the 27 all-new slots inside that pagoda.
Phantom EFX has a proven track record of knowing how to create a truly fun slot game. No matter what your preference—reel slots, video slots or video poker—you’ll nd enough choices to give you hours of fun (especially if you play with the Dream World odds).
Do you like the thrill of winning a progressive jackpot? Magicka gives you the option of winning one of two progressives, and Kung-Pau Ching Ching has four di erent progressive jackpots that you can win during the bonus games.
Two of my personal favorites are Putty Dough and Tornado. In Putty Dough, at random times, a putty dough arrow will
In Tornado, the twister blows across the reels, dropping new symbols—and new payouts.
Both Reel Deal Casino: Imperial Fortune and Reel Deal Slots: Treasures of the Far East have a prize vault, where players can summon an ancient stone slot machine. While playing slots and table games, players occasionally receive
Ancient Coins. Each coin is good for one spinontheancientslot. eslotcan unlock new prizes in the vault that can be purchased with VIP points. It can also award “Real World” and “Dream World” cash or extra VIP points. And occasionally, the slot will award a puzzle piece that will bring you one step closer to revealing one of the three hidden bonus slots in each game.
Reel Deal Live
Of course, playing games is only a part of the casino experience. Much of the
fun of going to the casino comes from interacting with other players. And with Phantom EFX’s Reel Deal Live, you can experience the excitement of real time, live interactions with other players in a virtual casino community. Just like in the o ine games, you create a custom character and explore the virtual casino environment. e online VIP points you earn can be used to buy upgrades to your character and your hotel suite in the online mall. Plus, you can interact with other players and get help and advice from the casino employees in each section.
Reel Deal Live is available as a subscription service, but you can check it outforfreefor15daysfromeithergame.
Allyoudoisclickthe“Live”optionwhen you start the game, and create an account.
Both Reel Deal Casino: Imperial Fortune and Reel Deal Slots: Treasures of the Far East are available at Amazon.com, Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's Electronics,
Wal-Mart and at game shops, electronics retailers, and at www.PhantomEFX.com. Every Phantom EFX game is $19.99 per title. PC System requirements include Windows 2000 or later with DirectX 9.0c Compatible sound and video cards. Phantom EFX also o ers digital versions of its games that can be downloaded straight to your PC hard drive, eliminating the problem of lost or scratched discs.
If you’re looking for a tremendous return on your entertainment dollar, these Phantom EFX games will provide you with endless hours of casino fun and excitement on your PC.
Borris Bienn writes about new technology innovations and video slots in Southern California casinos.
October 2009
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
Page 33
In the bonus rounds of Magicka, you could win one of two progressive jackpots.