The $100,000 Pyramid Slot Machine

$100,000 Pyramid Game Icons

Like any other machine, you'll find a number of different icons on the reels of The $100,000 Pyramid slot. This section details the meaning of each symbol, as well as how they function during gameplay.

• $100,000 Pyramid

  The main icon of the game. It mimics the logo of the show when it was hosted by both Dick Clark and John Davidson. This is also the wild icon, substituting for any symbol in a combination except the scattered Winner's Circle. If the player gets five of these symbols on the reels, then they receive the top payout of 100,000 credits.

• The Winner's Circle

  On the TV show, the winner's circle was where the bonus round took place. The giver of a team sat facing a large pyramid with six subjects, while the guesser sat with their back to the board. In order to win the top prize money, the guesser was required to identify all six subjects within 60 seconds. This serves as the slot's wild symbol, and getting three, four, or five of them awards 5x, 10x, or 15x the amount of your wager. Getting three to five of these also activates the Winner's Circle Bonus.

• Mystery 7

  This was a mainstay of the television show throughout the 1980s. It appeared during the second game of an episode, and it was visible on the board (although later shows would have it hidden). If a team picked the Mystery 7, they could win a bonus prize by getting all seven words in the allotted time. The theme of the words, however, would not be revealed until after the timer expired.

• Bar of Gold Pyramid

  A pyramid made out of bars of gold, this symbol is meant to conjure up the theme of the game and remind players of all the riches waiting to be won.

• Celebrity Star

  This icon include a blue star, as well as the words "Celebrity Star" written over it. This is meant to represent all the famous individuals who served as in-game partners over the years.

• Contestants

  Contains silhouettes of a man and woman, which is meant to represent the two contestants who would compete on each installment of the show.

• 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace

  These playing card symbols are often used on slot machines to round out the number of icons. While most only contain a letter or number, this slot also includes a depiction of a fabulous prize such as a watch or big-screen television.

Winner's Circle Bonus

Most slot machines have some manner of bonus round, and The $100,000 Pyramid is no exception. When the round begins, the player receives a 1x multiplier, a pair of free spins, and five picks on the Winner's Circle Pyramid.

The bottom of the pyramid is divided up into a grid, and the player starts by choosing one of these areas. The player's prize is then revealed, and it can take the form of additional multipliers, free spins, an additional pick, or an arrow that allows you to advance to the next level of the pyramid.

This selection process continues until the player has run out of picks or there are no more spaces left on the grid. At this point, any remaining grids and their corresponding prizes are revealed to the player. The game then switches to the Free Spins Bonus stage. Any bonus spins or multipliers gained during the first phase are then added to the player's initial total.

Control Buttons

Since this game is developed by IGT and only available online, you'll always find the same configuration of four buttons on the screen. These include the following:

• Lines

  To raise or lower the number of active paylines, click the plus or minus symbol. This can be as little as a single payline or as many as 15.

• Line Bet

  If you want to change the amount of money you're betting on an active payline, click on the plus or minus icons. This amount can range from one to 50.

• Spin

  Clicking this button sets the reels into motion. They'll continue to spin until they've run their course.

• Autospin

  If you click this button, the game keeps spinning as long as you have money available. In order to stop the autospin function, just give the button another click. You can also program in a certain number of spins, including 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50.

Versions of the TV Show

This iconic game show has undergone a number of changes over the years. The following is a list of the various incarnations.

• The $10,000 Pyramid

  Hosted by Dick Clark, the show made its debut on CBS in 1973. It was later cancelled by the network and picked up by ABC, where it aired until 1976.

• The $20,000 Pyramid

  The version aired on ABC from 1976 until 1980, with Dick Clark serving as the host.

• The $25,000 Pyramid

  The show returned to CBS in 1982, with Dick Clark as the host. The show continued to air there until 1988. A syndicated version of the show also aired from 1974 to 1979, with Bill Cullen as the host.

• The $50,000 Pyramid

  Appeared in syndication during 1981. Once again, Dick Clark was the host.

• The $100,000 Pyramid

  Aired in syndication from 1985 to 1988 with Clark as the host. Another syndicated version appeared in 1991, this time with John Davidson as the host. In the summer of 2016, ABC plans to revive the series in primetime with Michael Strahan as the host.

• Pyramid

  Hosted by Donny Osmond, this version appeared in syndication from 2002 until 2004.

• The Pyramid

  This version debuted on GSN in 2012. Hosted by Mike Richards, it aired for 40 episodes before being cancelled later in the year.

Celebrity Partners

Celebrities were a major part of the $100,000 Pyramid, since they served as partners for the regular contestants. A sharp celeb could win someone a load of cash and a few exotic vacations, while disinterested stars would often result in a quick exit.

The following are some of the most notable or skilled players in the history of the show:

Before he became a movie star, Fox gained notoriety as the lovably conservative Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties.

The comedic actress and star of The Golden Girls has long been a staple on the game show circuit. In addition to Pyramid, she appeared on Password, Match Game, What's My Line?, and To Tell the Truth.

Before he hosted his own show or appeared on The Tonight Show as a guest, the famous funnyman was a struggling actor and comic in L.A. In addition to appearances on Pyramid, he showed up on Hollywood Squares, The Gong Show, and Password Plus. Years later, Letterman mentioned in an interview that he often drank too much before filming the episodes, and he regretted the possibility that this had cost his partners money.

Before he hit it big on Saturday Night Live and major motion pictures, Crystal excelled as a celebrity partner and led numerous players to victory.

In addition to appearing on The Carol Burnett Show and Mama's Family, Lawrence has published multiple books and had a number-one hit with the 1973 song, "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia." She appeared in 97 episodes of Pyramid, and she also showed off her game show abilities by hosting or appearing on the following: Celebrity Family Feud, Hollywood Squares (45 episodes), Super Password (44 episodes), and Win, Lose, or Draw.

Best known for her role as "Hot Lips" Houlihan on M*A*S*H for 11 seasons, Swit also appeared on several game shows. Pyramid was the most notable, but other stints included Hollywood Squares, Match Game, and Win, Lose, or Draw.

Most famous for hosting Family Feud, Dawson also made his share of appearances on other game shows. No matter what the program, you could count on him to flirt with female contestants and act slightly inebriated in the process.

The busty TV and film actress always gave her best and looked smashing in the process. It's no wonder that she become a sex symbol in the 1980s while appearing in movies such as Swamp Thing and Escape from New York.

A former fashion model, Smith transitioned to acting and made a name for herself on shows such as The Associates. Her game show skills were evident to anyone who bothered to watch, which is why she was a coveted partner on Pyramid, Body Language, and Super Password.

Final Points

The $100,000 Pyramid has been around in one form or another since 1973. Given its place in game show history, it's only fitting that IGT would turn it into a slot machine. While no land-based versions of the game exist, those who visit virtual casinos should still enjoy the opportunity to win plenty of cash and take a walk down memory lane.