Top Dollar is by far my favorite slot machine. I love the game so much that every denomination between a penny and $5 has seen some kind of action. Sometimes that variety happens in the same casino. In Las Vegas, the Cosmopolitan has the best variety of Top Dollar slot machines of any casino. Game denominations include a penny, nickel, multiple quarter variations, dollar, $5 and more. There are multiple versions of most denominations too. The Cosmopolitan is heaven for a Top Dollar fan like me.
Love of Top Dollar Slot
I’m not the only person who loves the Top Dollar theme. There are plenty of us floating around the world. New versions of the game are always floating in and out of casinos. However, a new Premium Top Dollar recently hit casinos and I needed to get my hands on it ASAP. Top Dollar Premium is a reel slot machine with just one pay line and multiple prizes in the Bonus round. This new version of Top Dollar is designed for higher limits players.
Three credits put you in play for the traditional 1,000 credit top prize. However, this new version of Top Dollar allows for a five credit wager with a top prize of 3,000 credits. Betting max credits ($5) can also win two prizes instead of just one. Mo money, mo problems for me.
Initial Release – Top Dollar Slot (Premium)
Upon release, the new Premium Top Dollar slot machine was only available in a few Las Vegas casinos.
- Golden Nugget
- Palace Station
- Stratosphere
- Suncoast
- Westgate Las Vegas
- Wildfire Casino & Lanes
- Four Queens
My need to play the game was so intense, that I visited the casino nearest to my house. Besides, I could kill two new slot machine trials at once since the Suncoast was the first casino in Las Vegas to offer the new Betty White slot machines. I decided to make a fun morning of the trip with a visit to DuPar’s. When in Rome, right?
New Premium Top Dollar Slot
Back to Top Dollar, the new Premium game is one tall slot machine. The game uses IGT’s new CrystalDual + Stepper cabinet. You may have seen this cabinet with IGT’s now signature glowing knob around casinos with other themes like Wheel of Fortune. The slot machine was easy to spot as the cabinet is large, bright and stunning.
Like the original Top Dollar, this version of the game has a traditional three reel and single pay line setup. Part of what keeps me playing Top Dollar is the simplicity of the game. However, the Bonus round is what seals the deal for my love of Top Dollar. The upper level with the Bonus game in this version is massive. It looks similar to the original game but more modern and much taller. Keeping with tradition, there are physical buttons to push if you want to “Take Win” or “Try Again” in the Bonus round. Like the original game, there are four offers per Bonus round.
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Bells, Whistles and Bonuses
I’m easily excitable when it comes to bells and whistles on new slot machines. However, no game will ever match how I feel about Top Dollar. I started the session with $20 to see how the game went. Ultimately, all I wanted was one Bonus game. I played 5 credits per spin and my money was gone before I knew what was happening. I dipped back in for another $100 and figured I’d at least get a chance at a Bonus game to see how it compared to the original.
Nope. Nothing. No Bonus. Money Gone.
The new reels and increased bet size made this a much quicker experience than I’m used to when playing Top Dollar. The original Top Dollar machines have a nice slow tempo. They provide a relaxing slot machine experience. Even when I lose playing the original Top Dollar, the game is slow enough where it feels as thought there was some entertainment value offered.
This Session – Top Dollar Premium
There wasn’t much value in this session of Top Dollar Premium. I’m not very surprised. All of the new reel slot machines from IGT spin very fast. The increased spin speed makes the game go faster. While this generates more revenue for the casino it takes away from the relaxing fun I’ve always equated to reel slot machines.
Top Dollar was definitely too fast-moving for my pre-coffee breakfast and slots session. The additional $2 per spin also cut into the fun time with Top Dollar since there were fewer spins. I’m sure a Bonus would have changed my feelings but my $120 investment didn’t last long enough.
Despite the rough session with this new game, my love for Top Dollar will never end. The cabinet for the Top Dollar Premium is so massive and bright that I’ll probably end up playing this game again sooner than later. Dollar slot machines are my sweet spot today. They tend to have among the best return rates in casinos. Even at $5 per spin it might offer a better value than a 2 credit $5 slot machine.
While my initial experience with Top Dollar Premium didn’t go well, I’m sort of smitten by this big, beautiful version of the game.
