$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:
Michael J. Fox
Before he became a movie star, Fox gained notoriety as the
lovably conservative Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties.
Betty White
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.
David Letterman
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.
Billy Crystal
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.
Vicki Lawrence
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.
Loretta Swit
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.
Richard Dawson
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.
Adrienne Barbeau
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.
Shelley Smith
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.
