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Found this ad on craigslist... http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/2507185917.html

I've always wanted a video poker machine and don't have the cash for a game king or bally game maker. Since that thing is so old and I'm not exactly an electronics expert, is it even worth thinking about it? I could use the slot stand for my S+ since he's giving it away free with the machine but I'd rather not deal with it if its going to be a huge pain in the rear end.


here's the ad for when the ad gets dropped and that link no longer works...
IGT Fortune 1 Draw Poker Slot machine. Made in 1984 it is the first generation of video poker. Machine does power on. Sometimes it plays sometimes it does not. It has some issues. The machine is as is. Bought the $15 battery for the main board and have the field service manual which was like $25. I do not know enough about electronics to even read the manual. It is very heavy and in the basement so bring a dolly or a friend. It does have a slot machine stand too. It is old but setup to accept the overflow of quarters from the hopper. The stand is optional. It is free, but you do not have to take it.
 

It's gonna be a little bit of a pain, but if it's at least sometimes working that's a good thing -- you should more easily be able to identify what is happening when it stops working and go from there.  For $75 with a stand, I think I'd go for it provided I had enough time and patience to tinker with it.

Thanks, I figured its going to be tougher than the S+ slot that I got working but I could use a new challenge. I was worried that parts would be non existant but worst case if I offered the guy $50 for it, I could use the stand for my slot  :3-

I like a good challenge so it might be worth it.

It very well may be tougher compared to an S+, and parts for a Fortune I will be harder to find, but if it's "sometimes" working then it could be something simple like a loose connection somewhere or a bad solder joint or something.  I'd insist on him showing you it working before you hand over the cash.  If it's completely dead, it'll be tougher to troubleshoot.  If you like a good challenge, though, I think this may be for you.  :)

Worst case, as you mention, you'll get a slot stand out of the deal, and can likely still sell the non-working machine "as is" to someone else.

I just talked to the seller. He said he's 100% sure it will start up but its probably a 50/50 chance that it will actually play a hand. He has the manual with it which is a good start. Looks like I'm probably heading up Sunday to take a look at it.

As long as it will start up and display stuff on the screen, we can get you going from that point for sure.  It's just tough when you're "blindfolded" if the monitor isn't working and you can't see what is or isn't happening.